It’s way too easy to get into a make-up rut. You’re running late. You don’t feel like wasting your money on something you’re unsure of. You’re comfortable. There are a million and seventeen reasons not to change a look you’ve perfected. But everyone needs to shake up their make-up bag every once in a  while!

One sure fire way to change your look without jumping off of a make-up cliff is by going with a classic look. It’s worked for thousands of other women, so you’ll look fabulous too. No nerves necessary. Right now, the retro glam look isn’t so retro anymore. It’s everywhere in 2012. Who doesn’t want to be described as “glamourous,”  because I know I do! Our friends at College Fashion give you the easiest tutorial ever to get the look, including what products to buy. If it were any simpler, they would have to come to your house/dorm/apartment and do it for you!

Ariana Romero is a student at Syracuse University. That would probably explain why she once had a load of laundry filled solely with orange tee shirts. She watches too much television and reads too much entertainment news than is probably healthy. Follow her on Twitter @ArianaRomero17.

[Lead image via Subbotina Anna/Shutterstock]

Cannes Film Festival is underway and that means celebs are strutting their stuff on the international red carpet. Yesterday, in support of AIDS research, stars donned their swankiest ensembles at the amfAR Cinema Gala. Sequins, stilettos and a good cause? What’s not to love! We’ve got our favorite fashions of the evening rounded up here for you to peruse. Sandra Bullock is looking pretty freakin’ amazing, if we can say so ourselves.

Who do you think looks the best?

Eva Longoria is consistently on-point when it comes to taking fashion risks. She never fails to incorporate the latest trends into her wardrobe, while never looking tacky or try-hard. Whether she’s at an event or running errands, you won’t catch her looking anything other than polished, vibrant, and totally in vogue.

white shirt – JC Penney, $18//orange jeans – Express, $48.93//brown tote – Kohl’s, $32.40//sandals – Zappos, $40.00

It doesn’t look like colored denim is on the way out any time soon, so if you’ve been waffling on whether or not to indulge, I would encourage you to go for it. This orange pair is gorgeous – bold without being gaudy, and would complement a variety of colors (greys, blues, purples/dark reds), but if all else fails, a crisp white button down is always a great choice. A warm bright tote provides a lovely contrast to the orange, and silver shoes are neutral without being dull. This would be a fab outfit for brunch or casual Friday if you work in an office.

[lead image via: DFree / Shutterstock.com]

What It Is:

BECCA Balearic Love Line & Define Pencil in Cabrera

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

BECCA is an Australian brand that we haven’t seen on CC in a while! They’re latest collection, Balearic Love, “invites you to dream of distant shores and unguarded temptation with the Balearic Love Collection.” The promotional photos are gorgeous, and I was so excited to try and recreate the look myself. Fun fact: Cabrera refers to an islet of the Balearic Islands in Spain. It’s a National Park and renowned for its beautiful landscapes.

A double-ended eyeliner is always a real treat! BECCA says this is a “combination liner and brightener in one [and] this convenient dual-ended pencil has a soft, smooth texture that glides on easily to line, define and brighten the eyes, while blending easily.” Let’s see how it performs!

How To Use It:
First, I was a bit confused by the use instructions. Apparently, the “dark side of BECCA’s Line & Define Pencil lavishly lines while the light side helps brighten and awaken tired eyes,” which is nice, however my pencil features a deep violet on one end and a metallic bronze on the other, neither of which are particularly light. I decided that the bronze must be the “light” side and used it accordingly. I lined my upper lids with the violet and my lower lashline with the bronze.

CC Rating: A

If the BECCA Balearic Love Line & Define Pencil in Cabrera was was simply marketed as a double-ended eyeliner, it would be receiving an A+ from me! The other shade in this collection, Santorini, is navy blue and buff, which seems a lot more like a defining and brightening duo to me. I really didn’t find either of the sides to brighten my eyes, though the deep violet and metallic bronze both complimented my green/grey eyes spectacularly. The violet is so multi-dimensional and shifts from a deep plum to a warm-toned brown. It’s a nice alternative to black liner and has certainly won a place in my eyeliner heart. The bronze is also brilliantly pigmented, and I like utilizing it to add definition to my lower lashline.

As for application, that was a dreamy experience. BECCA’s pencil glided on effortlessly and didn’t tug at my eyelids at all. As a result of being so soft, it didn’t have unreal staying power, but did turn into a subtle, smokey look that I didn’t entirely mind. I found it stayed solid for about 3 hours and then required a touch-up, which is easy when the product is so portable.

I’m blown away by BECCA’s Balearic Love Line & Define Pencil in Cabrera and am tempted to go back and pick up Santorini. If you’re on the hunt for a stunning, summertime liner or want to add some variety to your eyeliner collection, check out Cabrera for $23. It’s available on BECCA’s website, along with the entire Balearic Love collection.

[Need some new makeup but not sure what to buy? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]

Hair chalking is one of the hottest new trends in the beauty world right now. It’s a great alternative to dying your tips or getting colored highlights because it washes out. Plus, you can easily change colors whenever you want! While some people are using art pastels to do it, companies like Hi-Definition Beauty have formulated a special chalk just for hair! It’s safe and made with all natural ingredients. And because it contains jojoba oil, Color Fusion actually conditions your hair instead of drying out your locks. I tested it out just for you, and I must say it’s pretty cool!

Watch below to see how it works!

Summer is approaching and with it the promise of weekend excursions to lakes and beaches. The key to these adventures is definitely packing light! It’s best to have some staples that you can style in a variety of ways, so you can always look fresh without using up too much travel space! The girls over at CollegeFashion have come up with three great ways to style jeans and a black tank. We love how simple but chic these ideas are. Read the full story here!

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]]> http://collegecandy.com/2012/05/18/8-under-20-neon/feed/ 1 onlafayette 8 under 20 http://collegecandy.com/2012/05/18/steals-deals-spring-style-budget-stylista/ http://collegecandy.com/2012/05/18/steals-deals-spring-style-budget-stylista/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 18:00:30 +0000 Meg-BowlingGreenStateUniversity http://collegecandy.com/?p=161051 ]]>

I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. I’ll browse the site until my eyes become glued to a photograph of incredibly dressed fashionistas. I fall in love, then the hate sets in; hate that burns with jealousy over the fact that she is wearing those suede wedges and beautiful blazer, not me. I’ve found a few envy-inducing spring trend based outfits and recreated them with affordable pieces via Polyvore!

The cropped bustier/bracelet top is a sensational trend. It’s the perfect side dish to a gorgeous pair of distressed, dyed, high waist denim shorts. Cropped bustier tops are seen in a range of colors, patterns, and fabrics. I prefer straps for support, but either way this top/bottom combo will continue to trend throughout summer.

Get the look:

Ribbon Cut Out Bracelet Top, BANK Fashion, £18.00

Black Lace Shorts Handmade Vintage Bottoms, Etsy

6 Piece Rhinestone Bangles, Syleforless.com, $7.99

This is a perfect example of acceptable color-blocking. The pastels are huge this spring, and this bombshell has got it down. She pairs her light pink capris with a blouse and sweater, a stylish ensemble for those of you who are yet to experience the actual spring weather!

Get the look:

Peak Blouse Off White, Weekday.com, £40.00

MOTO Supersoft Skinny Leigh Jeans, us.topshop.com, $78.00

Linen Cable-knit Sweater, J. Crew, $34.99

Bangles, Dorothy Perkins, $27.00

I’ve mentioned the colored blazer before, and it’s back! I love H&M’s collection of hues, perfect for color blocking. While many daring fashionistas pair their pinks with teals and greens, this girl rocks a lace frock underneath for an adorably put-together look.

Get the look:

Blazer, H&M, $34.95

A-line Lace Dress, Dorothy Perkins, $44.00

Brando Clutch in Grey, Mimi Boutique, $40.50

One of my favorite trends this spring is lace bottoms. Change up your denim and khaki for some delicate lace. As seen above, stay stylish by pairing your bottoms with a bright pastel blouse and some minimalistic jewelry!

Get the look:

Blouse, Monki, £22.00

Lace Bottoms, Oasis, $72.00

Bangles, Nordstrom, $38.00

Beads, Forever 21, $7.80

Aztec prints are becoming the pattern of spring. These shorts are refreshing in the fact that they take the focus away from the top, accentuating long, tanned legs. Pair your blouse with a pair of Aztec printed shorts and a tote for Boho-chic attire.

 Get the look:

Top, Mango, £39.99

MOTO Aztec Hotpants, topshop.com, $64.00

Black Large Croc Flap Tote, Dorothy Perkins, $59.00

Twisted Necklace, Mango, £15

 www.fashionablymeg.blogspot.com

It’s summertime! Which means many things including but not limited to: day drinking, music festivals, sun bathing, skinny dipping, bonfires, and lots and lots of fun! It also means it’s time for The Preakness Stakes. The Preakness Stakes or “Preakness” (as the cool kids call it) is a  Thoroughbred horse race held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

Apparently, now Preakness isn’t just for race-enthusiasts, but college kids too! It has been said to be the new college destination to blow off some steam and have a few cocktails. If you’re attending Preakness, you’ll be walking around in the grass all day in the hot sun (weather permitting), and this means dressing smart. You can’t wear stiletto heels or short ass-hugging dresses. Preakness is a classier event, but since you’re a college kid looking to get drunk and watch some horses run around a track, we need to make sure you’re dressed classy but comfortable (and cheap!). So allow me to help you find some key items for Preakness 2012 that’ll make you look like a million bucks!

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Katie is finishing up her undergrad at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She enjoys wasting hours on Facebook and tweeting things no one cares about. When asked the question, “Do you do marathons?” She promptly responds, “Of course! Which show?” Follow her @KatieGarrity! Or read her personal blog where she talks about Ryan Gosling and hummus a lot here! 

[lead image via Aliaksei Lasevich / Shutterstock]