I wanted to share this golden nugget of awesome with you: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector.  Yes, it’s quite the title, but it’s not overcompensating for anything.  I figured what better way to start off the New Year than to erase the dark spots of your past.

Great metaphor, I know!

This product is absolutely amazing! I’ve been using it for two weeks and my spots are already fading.  You all know I’ve been dealing with acne and scarring for a long time, and if you’re facing the same problems, this product is for you.  While it’s above my normal budget ($49.50 for 1 oz), it’s completely worth it.  If you can look past the price, you should check it out.  Watch the vid for all the dirty details and then snag some online at Sephora or Clinique.

Amazing, right? Gah! I love it so much.

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out my other videos right here!

And what about foundation?
And moisturizer?
And bronzer?

HOW ON EARTH IS A GIRL SUPPOSED TO KNOW?!

OK, so it might not be the most difficult decision on earth, but with so many options and so little money, it made me sweat. I may know what the commercials say and what some magazine editors say, but how can any of us really know what products are worth buying? So I turned to my friends (I frantically dialed 5 to get a good sampling/variety of advice) and eventually settled on Almay’s Intense I-Color for Blue Eyes, which was recommended by the one girl who didn’t hang up on me when I told her about my life and death situation. And the stuff is awesome! Just knowing someone who had used and loved it made everything so much easier.

So I decided to take it one step further and find out what beauty products the CollegeCandy writers can’t live without. If they love it that much, it’s gotta be good. And knowing that will make my next CVS run (and yours!) a whole lot smoother.

Lauren H – The New School: Skin’s Apricot Eyes. This is easily the best eye makeup remover I’ve ever used (which sounds stupid, I know, but it is!). It’s a cream instead of a liquid or jelly and it just melts mascara, even waterproof. Plus it’s organic!

Kim – Stanford: Hot red lipstick from Mac. Whenever I want to feel instantly sexy, I put some on and go!

Jessica – Hofstra: Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Matte foundation, because it covers up everything without looking like you just caked makeup on your face.

Katie – Michigan State University: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. I literally cannot put make-up on or leave my apartment without this on my face.

Brithny – Duke: Hoola bronzer by Benefit. Because no Asian should ever be white.

Brittany – University of Saint Thomas: Bare Minerals Bronzer (all colors) gives you the most amazing, natural all over color, and it’s really good for your skin! Absolutley in love with the stuff.

Jessica – Delaware: I can’t live without Loreal’s Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara! It gives my lashes volume and amazing length and makes eyes look wide awake even if you pulled an all-nighter!

Hannah- Assumption College: Bonne Bell Lip Smackers. Yes, they bring back memories from the 5th grade when trading lip gloss was all the rage, but I still wear it out on weekend nights and get compliments all the time. Plus they smell delicious.

Kelly – University of Iowa: Natural Instincts semi-permanent dye. I get so bored with my hair color (medium mousy brown) so it’s perfect to change it up every month without the repercussion of normal dye. My hair is still recovering from last year when I went platinum blonde… at home.

Charlsie – Hollins University: I can’t live without my YSL Shimmering Lip Gloss. It actually lasts once I put it on my lips, and I always get compliments!

Caitlin – University of Alabama: As CC’s resident beauty guru, I can’t live without any of my products! If I had to pick absolutely one though, probably my T3 Evolution Hair Dryer; that thing is a god-send!

Rachael – University of Miami: Bare Minerals mineral makeup! I absolutely refuse to leave my room without it; it evens out skin tones, covers blemishes, gives me a little bit of color (I actually look alive!!), and still looks completely natural. Seriously, it’s a miracle in powder form.

Sarabeth – University of Texas: My Urban Decay shadow box with primer potion. YDK, Half baked, and Twice baked make my blue eyes look EPIC, and the primer potion makes everything stay perfect all day and all night.

Samantha – UCSB: Clinique’s Moisture Surge Gel!! I apply it after washing my face in the morning and right before bed, under my normal Clinique face lotion. During the day it gives my skin a dewy look and keeps me flake free, and at night it goes to work making my skin smooth and preventing pre-mature aging! Can’t live without this stuff!!

Lauren – University of Michigan: Mac Black Tide eyeshadow. I wet my brush and use this as a liner and the little flecks of glitter in it add a hint of fun and make my eyes pop. Plus, this stuff stays on all night. And I mean all night. If I’m too lazy to wash my face (or I find myself with a late night guest), it still looks awesome and fresh the next day. Not that I do that often….

Laura – St. John’s: A good moisturizer with SPF; some days you don’t need anything else.  I love my Oil of Olay that I’ve been using for years.

Norah – Drake University: My pale Irish skin looks vampire-like without a bit of color, so I’m obsessed with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends natural radiance bronzer. The different shades blend together so it looks good on even super-pale people like me, and it’s even good for your skin!

Emmy – Loyola University Chicago: I adore Kiss Me Mascara. This stuff stays on regardless of how much I sweat, cry, or rub my eyes, but it still comes off at night without make-up remover. It is basically magical!

Alex – Lakehead University: L’oreal True Match concealer. I’m Italian which means big, nasty bags under my eyes. I don’t think I have EVER left my house without concealer on said bags.

Nina – Michigan State University: I’m addicted to Clinique astringent (Clarifying Lotion 2)! Twice a day, every day, after your cleanser, ladies.

Teresa – UCSD: Jojoba oil. It’s kind of my all-in-one moisturizer, hair treatment, cuticle oil, makeup remover, etc. Tip: You can find it at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.

Amanda – Reed: Laura Mercier caviar cream liner – it’s INCREDIBLE.

Sara C – Fordham: Absolutely, without a doubt, my tinted moisturizer from Clarins. Thanks to this little baby (one vial has already lasted me a year and a half), I never need to wear foundation and my skin stays smooth and soft.

What are your beauty must-haves?!

As if losing your summer bronze glow isn’t bad enough, the cold wind and weather does some serious damageto your skin. And your precious face and dainty hands get the worst of it, as they most often feel the harshness of the cold air. So how can you protect your skin without staying in your room all day? (No, that isn’t an option; professors don’t care about your skin that much.)

Below are some suggestions to get your skin back to the baby’s-bottom-soft feel of summer. No more cracking, flaking or drying out this winter, women.

Hands: If your skin is only mildly dry or you just want to prevent it from happening, a thick cream will do the trick.  Try L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream or Bliss’ High Intensity Hand Cream. And keep that stuff with you wherever you go; skin dries out quickly in the winter-time and you want to be prepared.

If your hands are cracky or you have eczema, you know that Cortisone ointment can be helpful but sticky.  So try mixing together the ointment with an unscented lotion like Cetaphil.  If your hands are really bad, apply petroleum jelly before you go to bed under some white cotton gloves (this both traps in all that moisture…and prevents you from making a serious jelly mess all over your bed). When you wake up it will be worth the annoyance, because your skin will be way softer. 

And if cracks are more your problem than itch and dryness, apply Newskin to cracks to keep them sealed and protected.

Face: First use an exfoliating scrub like this one from Clinique (or this delicious one from Mario Badescu!) to buff away dead, dry skin. Then use a thick lotion that won’t clog your pores to add some serious moisture. Clinique, the god of good-for-your-skin products, makes a good cream called Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief. It’s my savior every winter.

If your face is really dry, try an overnight cream like this one from Boscia that will revitalize your skin as you sleep.

Eating well, taking vitamins, getting sleep and exercise (and wearing gloves!) are also always important keys to healthy skin, but sometimes you need a little more help. Moisturize ahead of time and save your skin before things get bad. And dry. And scaly.

One of my favorite things about fall is not the return of pumpkin everything, but the chance to start fresh with my look: new clothes, new boots and a complete overhaul on my makeup drawer. I love how it feels to have a completely fresh wardrobe and to be excited about getting dressed every day. I love the challenge of incorporating new trends into my look. And I just love any excuse to play with my makeup for a few hours.

One of the trends I’m most excited for this fall is the return of the bright, bold, purple eye. I know it sounds scary and overwhelming, but you you can wear violet hues without looking like Barney. Just look at all the models doin’ their thang during Fashion Week!

Like with all bold makeup, the key to pulling off this look is to keep the rest of your face simple so the purple on your eyes will really pop.  Try out some of the products and techniques below and I promise to get you looking like a chic starlet walking the red carpet… not like a big, scary Purple People Eater.

Bare Escentuals Liners: Waterproof and smudge-proof liners in Sugar Plum (metallic lilac) or Now (plum wine).   Use a neutral eye shadow as a base then line your top and bottom lash line with a fine tipped brush, blending at the corners.  To create a thick dramatic line, add water or liner sealent to the liner, but a soft dry powder works just fine.  You can create a smokey purple eye with the liners by using them more as a shadow. Sweep the purple close to the center of the lid and then going over the center with a light shadow.

For another liner option try Clinique Cream Liner in Starry Plum.

Pop Beauty “Brown Eyes” Shadow Set: Find this on my new favorite site BeautyTicket.com for only $8.99! These light shimmery shadows can be blended together to create different shades of perfect purple.  Because these shadows are light you can use a thicker liner and more dramatic mascara to glam it up.

Vincent Longo- Trio Eye shadows in “Chariot Wings” or “Purple Sky”: This eye shadow trio lays it out so easy for you that there really isn’t an opportunity to mess up.  The shade with the moon imprint is to be used as an accent through crease in your lid, the sun implant is applied on the lid up to the brow and the star imprint is used as a liner on the top and/or bottom lash line. For a bolder shadow option try Sephora’s Colorful Mono Eye Shadow in Fairy Princess, but stick to a simple face, and don’t try this color during the day.

Purple nail color is also in for the fall so try Lancome nail polish in Blind Date, for only $8 here.

Enjoy going plum crazy!

When friends need to go in I blab on and on about what they should get, to the point where sales associates consider offering me a job.  Don’t worry though, I don’t actually work for a mineral makeup company so everything I’m telling you is legit; no one is paying me under-the-table (but if you are from B.E and are lookin to throw some dough my way…hit me up). 

Okay, so before you dismiss this as just another article advertising mineral makeup, listen up: I’m going to tell you exactly what the benefits are so you can decide if mineral makeup is right for you. There are so many things you need to know (beyond what those ladies tell you in the 3am infomercial) and you may realize that mineral makeup is the best thing for you and your punim (that’s face.)

- Many types of regular makeup (i.e. certain liquid or compressed powder foundations) contain harsh chemicals or fragrances (synthetic dyes, preservatives, etc..)

- Mineral makeup doesn’t contain these extra chemicals and instead most mineral makeups contain titanium dioxide, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and sunscreen.  This is especially beneficial if your skin has inflammatory issues (like if it gets red easily or you have acne).  The color in mineral makeup is also a natural pigmentation.

- Also, because mineral makeup is a loose powder it doesn’t penetrate deep into your skin.  Mineral makeup is non-comedogenic (although it is not the only kind of makeup that is), which means that it will not clog your pores or cause allergic reactions.

- Mineral makeup also looks light and natural so you don’t see harsh lines like with liquid foundation (you know that girl with the clear color division between her neck and face…yah you don’t wanna be her!).  In addition, your makeup won’t be cakey, make a mess, or wipe off easily on the collar of your favorite white shirt.  

- For those of you with oily skin, the last thing you wanna do is add liquid foundation, which will only pile more grease onto your face. Mineral makeup  actually absorbs excess oil giving you a much-desired matte finish.

Okay, so like I said, I’m no spokeswoman. Regular makeup may be workin perfectly fine for your skin, but if you have sensitive skin that is easily inflamed or oily, or you are allergic to certain chemicals and fragrances, mineral makeup is probably something you should try. (Or if you simply want to keep those icky chemicals away from that beautiful skin of yours and keep things more natural.)

So here are some brands you may wanna test out. Just like most makeup, there are some pricier options and some cheaper ones. Basically, something for everyone.

Clinique

Bare Escentuals 

Sheer Cover

Jane Iredale

E.L.F

Join the revolution, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Clean: To wipe away the sweat and sunscreen of the day, use some pocket oil-absorbing wipes.  Try these ones from Clinique.  They will help wipe off the sunscreen and oils on your face so you have a fresh pallet to transition into night.  If you are able to get to a sink, you can use Ponds travel-sized makeup wipes to remove grease and makeup more thoroughly.  You also may want to throw on some extra deodorant (just sayin’….).  This mini Dove deodorant will fit easily in any bag and is less than $2!

Face: You’ll definitely want to reapply your bronzer and up your blush, so try this NARS kit that has both in a tiny compact and comes in three color choices including NARS’ top selling blush, “Orgasm.”

Eyes: The most convenient thing on a day like Memorial Day is to have pallets that have daytime and nighttime colors.  Try this pallet from Urban Decay.  It has pretty light gold colors for a daytime sparkle, then, when you switch to nighttime mode, you can apply the primer to help your color stick, then layer on the deeper brown or blue shade.  Finish off with a thick brown liner pencil to create a more dramatic night party look and top it all off with a (adorable) mini mascara.  This duo by Fresh includes a bold mascara and a lighter look.  You can use the lighter one for day and then add the more voluminous one at night.

Lips: There are many great lip pallets with a variety of colors to go from day to night.  Try this little Cargo tin that has four colors.  The lighter pinks are great for daytime sheer and there are also bright colors to stand out at a party.  If these colors aren’t for your skin tone, there are many other color combos and one is bound to work for you.

All-in-one: If you have an especially small bag and less time to spare you can get this Smashbox all in one compact.  This thing is genius and every woman should have one, whether it’s Memorial Day or not. It is divided into three layers: blush and bronzer, shadows, and lip color.  There are light eye colors for day and a deep purple and brown for night.  The lip colors are also perfect for making a party switch.  Just make sure you toss a sponge and disposable shadow applicators in your bag so you can apply the makeup cleanly.

In middle school I had horrible skin. Constantly. By the end of high school it had really cleared up, but I feel like my years of pre-teen suffering were sufficient for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, middle school awkwardness does not justify a zit free life, and sometimes pesky pimples still pop up; like before a big party, exciting date or run-in with an ex. Perfect.

This happens to just about everyone, (or at least this is what I tell myself) so here are some good spot treatments to clear up that annoying blackhead (hopefully) before you finish your pre-game.

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel: I use this spot gel whenever I get a little zit and it zaps it away pretty quickly. It is meant to seriously reduce pimple size within 8 hours, so if you put it on right before bed you should notice a difference in the morning. It’s not sticky and goes on smoothly and can be found at a local drug store for cheap!

Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel: I have also used this spot treatment and find it really works. It can be a little stickier than the Neutrogena one, but it dries up zits pretty quickly, and is invisible over and under makeup.

Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy: I’ve never used this product but it looked really cool and got pretty good reviews. And, well, I endorse almost anything Bare Escentuals. This is a powder (that comes with a brush). It contains sulfer like most acne spot treatments, but is in a different format. While it’s fighting off the blackhead it also helps neutralize the color to cover it up! You can put it on before bed or in the morning under your makeup.

Sepohora Double Ended Blemish Extractor: No, this isn’t a torture device, it’s meant to help pop pimples. Yeah, my mom told me not to pop zits, and that is a valid piece of advice, however, one of the reasons you don’t want to pop zits with your fingers is because they are dirty and get bacteria in already clogged pores. Unlike your fingers, this tool can be properly sterilized and then used to extract a zit. First, put warm water over your face to make the extraction easier. Then put the loop around the pimple and slowly pull until the zit is, well, popped. Don’t force it if the zit is too big to be eliminated this way!

Here are a couple of other tips to help with frustrating pimples.

-Washing your makeup brushes and removing makeup after each day is a great way to ensure that your skin stays clean and clear

-It’s okay to cover a zit with concealer, just make sure it’s one that will not further clog pores. Here are a couple of concealers with great coverage.

-If you are on vacation and don’t have any spot treatments with you, you can put some toothpaste on the zit (the pasty kind, not the gel kind). I don’t recommend walking around all day with toothpaste on your face, so try this at night, and make sure you only put it on the zit! It should help reduce the pimple size by the morning.

Oily Skin

First you need to confirm that you do, in fact, have oily skin. Most people have oily t-zones (that’s the forehead and nose area) but to have truly oily skin, your cheeks and chin will be oily too. If you have large visible pores, that’s another sign you fall into the oily category. So for you oily chicks – here’s a few things to pick up.

Murad Pomegranate Foaming Facial Cleanser ($25 sephora.com)

This fab cleanser dissolves dirt, makeup and most importantly – oil – in one easy step. Best of all, it won’t over-dry your skin. One pump of this cleanser leaves you feeling fresh and clean.

Clinique Dramtically Different Moisturizing Gel ($11.50 clinique.com)

This ultra light moisturizer is oil-free, so it won’t cause breakouts. It absorbs instantly so you can layer on more to get just the right amount of moisture. Perfect to replenish moisture if you are using acne treatments which can dry you out.

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens ($10 sephora.com)

These handy little papers are perfect for absorbing oil throughout the day. The best part is they are oil free. Believe it or not, most brands of blotting papers (i.e. Clean & Clear or Sephora Brand) actually have mineral oil in them! Defeat the purpose much? Stick with Boscia.

Dry Skin

You’ll know you have dry skin if you have flakiness is the cheek area and no visible pores on your t-zone. You might have dry patches if you are using an anti-acne treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide (like Proactiv). That doesn’t mean you have dry skin – if you have frequent breakouts or large pores you don’t have dry skin. But for those flaky pore-less ladies who do, here are three superstar products to try.

Philosophy Purity Cleanser ($10 sephora.com)

This cleanser is perfect for dry sensitive skin. It dissolves dirt, makeup and deep-cleans pores without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.

Olay Complete Night Fortifying Cream ($15 in drugstores)

The best time to add much needed moisture is at night when your skin is naturally repairing itself. This night cream won’t clog pores but will replenish your skin’s moisture. The best part: it keeps working by preventing moisture loss the next day.

Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint SPF 15 ($27 clinique.com)

If you have dry skin, never miss a chance to add moisture! This sheer foundation provides just enough coverage to even out skintone and keeps your skin moisturized and protected throughout the day.

So those are the basics. If you still aren’t sure about your skin type, Clinique has a quick and easy survey to figure it out here.

Lucky for you, I’m going to share a few tricks to keep your makeup on your face so you can dance to Brit without lookin’ like (old) Brit.

First, make sure your face is completely clean, a good exfoliating scrub like this one from Clinique will get rid of dead skin that could ruin your look. Moisturizing your skin thoroughly with an unscented lotion will help makeup stick to your skin. Perfume also absorbs well when skin is damp and moisturized, so apply your scent now. Powder foundation on your face will also stick great when skin is moisturized so swipe that on now and dab some concealer under your eyes.

To keep your lashes big and beautiful throughout the night start with an eyelash curler. Just like with hair, heat helps maintain your lashes, so heat up your curler with a hair dryer on low for a few seconds. Then curl your lashes starting at the base and pressing down three times working your way up to the tips of your lashes. Once your lashes are curled with heat apply a few coats of mascara that won’t clump. Try Bad Gal Mascara from Benefit. This lash brush is huge and doesn’t leave your lashes sticky or hard.

To keep eyeliner where it’s meant to be, try Bare Escentual’s Weather Anything liner sealer. Mix a few brush scoops of loose powder with two drops of this liner sealer and use a thin brush to swipe it on your lower and upper lash line. This sealer really does withstand everything from rain to snow or tears (although hopefully your night won’t come to that).

Keeping eye shadow in place is as easy as simple layering. Apply a little bit of cream shadow to your lids first, this Revlon kit is cheap and includes four colorful creams of your choice. Then when you apply packed or loose powder eye shadow over the cream it will stick to the lids better. Another great tool is eye shadow primer like this one from Urban Decay. Just swipe it on your lids for extra staying power.

To maintain a healthy blush glow all night try using a cream blush stick like this one from Nars. Then go over the blush with translucent powder which will help set the look. This Bare Essentual’s mineral veil is a great product and can be put over your whole face to set your look.

Lastly, to keep lips looking perfect, moisturize first with a great balm like Burt’s Bees. Then dab some powder on your lips, like the mineral veil mentioned above. Lipstick and gloss will adhere great to the powder and help your look stay maintained.

Keep these Sephora blotting papers in your clutch for some added help keeping your face shine-free and your makeup colored in the lines!

Ole Henriksen Blue Blackberry Enzyme Mask – sephora.com $32

So your whole body is dehydrated (hence that pounding headache) but while you are rehydrating with vitamin water don’t forget to replenish your skin too! This mask has loads of antioxidants from blueberries and blackberries. Bonus feature – this mask is gentle enough to use under the eyes, where you need it most!

Clinique All About Eyes – clinique.com $28.50

New year’s was a blast but now your eyes look like you are a reject from the Thriller video. Clinque helps you out with this fantastic eye gel. Not only does it depuff but also gets circulation going which means it brings a little light to those dark circles.

Alison Raffaele Consealer – alisonraffaele.com $23

Masks and eye creams can’t work 100% at getting rid of your dark puffy circles. You’ll still need a heavy duty undereye concealer to look presentable. The tough part is finding something heavy duty that doesn’t look like spackle. Alison Raffaele’s True concealer is just such a magical product. It goes on smooth, hides the dark puffy stuff but still looks natural. You can cover the bags without looking like you raided Liza Minnelli’s makeup drawer!

C.O. Bigalow Menthe Lip Shine – Bath and Body Works $7.50

Now that your skin is glowing again and your eyes are bright, throw on a lip gloss that also covers up your rank breath. Super cheap, super shiny and minty to boot. Any leftover nastiness on your breath is covered up by this delightful minty gloss. Now you are fully prepared to get out the door and look great, even if you still feel crappy.