Few girls have unlimited time to spend in front of the mirror every morning – most of us are battling for that precious ten minutes of bathroom time with roommates or siblings. But a lack of time is no excuse for tired, puffy eyes and messy hair!

Invest in products that do more than one thing, saving you time, money, and space in your makeup bag. Here are the ones we can’t live without: Read More »

If there is one thing I hate about eye makeup it’s that there seems to be only two options for daytime: swiping on the mascara for a boring, casual look, or doing it up so that you look like you’re about to go clubbing.

Where’s the in-between?

Well, there is one and I found it. This week I’m showing you a natural eye that adds a bit of pop to your everyday makeup routine. It’s super quick and easy and a great way to look good for a day on campus (and not a night out at the bars).

So you just spent ten minutes of your morning de-puffing your eyes with spoons fresh from your freezer, but they still look tired and small. What’s a girl to do? No fear, just use these super simple tricks to make your eyes appear bigger, brighter, and more awake!

If only everything else were so simple.

There’s always ways to make things better. Sprinkles make ice-cream better.  A diamond ring makes an outfit better.  Vodka makes…well, anything better.  But what if there was a simple way to make your daily makeup routine better without revamping your whole collection?

I’d say, count me in.

Well many makeup brands want you to think that a simple use of a primer will enhance your makeup and make it last all day and night.  So do we believe it?  Well it’s prime time so here’s the lowdown on all the many different types of primers:

Face Primer: Facial primers are meant to go on a clean face before you apply either foundation or bronzer.  It’s meant to make your makeup go on smoothly, whether you wear liquid, pressed, or loose powder foundation.   There are a couple of facial primers; some are designed to avoid grease, and others are designed to help your makeup last throughout the day. I use Sephora Brand’s Tricks of the Trade Anti Shine Primer, and have got to say I’m pleasantly surprised.  My skin tends to be oily in the summer and it is noticeably less shiny when I apply this cream before my makeup.  Not all shine is eliminated, but I think it’s worth it, especially when I know I’m going to be waitressing all night.
Conclusion: Splurge, it’s worth it. Read More »

With the summer heat in full swing it can be tempting to cut out the beauty regime completely and opt for some SPF 45 instead.  But don’t! The hottest beauty trends for summer ‘09 looks are actually pretty simple. You can get that face looking flawless in no time, whether you’re heading to that summer job or off to the beach.

This summer the ideal face is neutral with eyes that burst with color.  Bright color. You may think it’s hard to pull off, but with these quick tips and products, anyone can do it:

Flawless Matte Bronzer: Start your summer look with a clean matte face.  Skip the moisturizer, which will add shine, and instead opt for Sephora Brand’s Anti-Shine Primer; it will moisturize while providing a shine free base (yep, it really works).  Then, swipe on Bare Essentual’s bronzer in Faux Tan.  This summer is all about having a natural looking tan and a shine free face and the light minerals in this bronzer won’t make you look cakey.  Plus, if you have a sunburn it’s safer and much more natural to even it out with a mineral bronzer than to try and use concealer to even out those lines.
Extra bonus: It has SPF 15 built in to help prevent a sunburn to begin with!

Natural Nude Lips: Nude lips are all over models, celebs, and fashion magazines.  Unlike bright, bold lip colors, you can sport nude lips during the day or night, even at the beach.  Try Bobbi Brown’s Lip Gloss in Buff, Beige, or Nude, depending on your skin tone. It’s a little pricier than your usual drugstore find, but the color is beautiful and totally worth the splurge.

Slightly Rosy Cheeks:  Put away your bright cheek stains and choose a cheek color that will add a natural flush.  To really get the look of the summer, steer clear of just swiping the blush on the apples of your cheeks, and instead sweep up lightly towards your temples. This gives your face an all over glow that is fresh and rosy.  Try LORAC’s Baked Matte Satin Blush in Exposed.  Read More »

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

A few months ago, we shared our picks for adding more color to your beauty bags. Now the season is in full swing, and we can’t help but feel inspired by all of the colors blooming outdoors, being displayed in store windows and taking center stage at our local beauty counters. This is the perfect time of year to add more punches of color to your beauty routine, no matter how subtle. Find these colorful picks in stores right now.

MAC “Just A Pinch” Gel Blush is a seriously bold red color in its pot, but goes on smooth and sheer when applied to our cheeks and lips. This color looks great on all skintones and can be worn as light or amped up as you like. $18.50, nordstrom.com

Read More »

So if you live in a normal part of the country, it’s probably starting to get nice and sunny outside (note to Syracuse: please stop snowing). You’ve brightened up your wardrobe and bought some peep toe pumps, so now it’s time to brighten up your face.

In honor of what April is supposed to bring, and as a reminder to Syracuse to get with the program, I decided to research some bright makeup products to create rosy cheeks, stunning eyes and chase out winter gloom. These goodies are sure add a little spring to your step, so pick em up and dare to be bold!

Bare Escentuals: Destination Ensenada: This kit includes four powdered shadows and comes in a lime green case. The colors can come out muted or super bright if you’re feeling extra springy. The kit includes a rose pink, baby blue, bright green, and a gold/tan hue. It’s like spring in a compact.

Dior 5 Color Spring Bouquet: This palette of spring colors is a little more muted, and includes floral pinks, whites and browns. This is perfect for a daytime spring look that is still bright and fresh.

Benefit Poisetint: This little bottle looks like a nail polish but it is for lips and cheeks. It is a liquid see-through tint that stays on all day. It’s easy to apply and create a warm sun-kissed glow. Read More »

[Ever see something you want but don’t have the money to buy? Ever get sick of studying/watching TV and have the urge to get crafty and make things on your own? We know! Us too! We just don’t know where to start, which is why we got some of CollegeCandy’s craftiest writers to share their favorite DIY projects with everyone. So get to your nearest craft store for the essentials and let’s make some fun sh*t.]

If you’re like me (and most other girls there), you have a TON of makeup. And you don’t use most of it. So here I am – to the rescue! – with a money-saving way to reuse your old lipsticks, eyeshadow and blush! By making a brand-new lip balm!

Ingredients:
- A bowl
- Old lipstick, eyeshadow or blush (in colors you would put on your lips – no black eyeshadow here!)
- Vaseline or other petroleum jelly
- Mini Tupperware container (microwave safe)
- A new container for your balm! Read More »

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

We play with a lot of beauty products. In any given week, we’re fairly inundated with lipglosses, moisturizers, body washes and the like. But there are a few products that — no matter how many new ones come our way — we simply can’t live without. Here are the ones in our current arsenal. Read More »

So it seems like everyone is buzzing about the benefits of organic things these days. I’ll admit, my family is all about organic foods; Trader Joes anyone? But organic makeup seems to just be making its way to your local mall. Toting a heavy price-tag and boasting health benefits, organic makeup seems pretty legit.

But the Katie Couric in me has decided to investigate just how legit this organic makeup is.

First off, let’s make this Organic 101 for a second and define what it means to be organic. Organic products are products that are produced without pesticides or other chemicals. They are also produced in a way that is environmentally friendly, as toxins are not released into the air. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has now made standards that regulate which foods can be deemed organic. Although usually more expensive, organic foods can be better for you, so the same should be true for organic makeup right? Turns out, not so much.

I decided to check out my best friend, Sephora, to see just what organic products they offer. Sephora is stocked with three “organic” brands: Care by Stella McCartney, Juice Beauty and NVEY Eco. Each brand claims to be pure, luxurious, and certified organic. Looking through their products they look pretty great: Care is big on moisturizing skincare and NVEY has some really pretty eyeshadow kits.

Too bad that upon further research the term organic kinda seems like a hoax… Read More »