Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, right now. Everyone’s got something to cool share and it’s the season of giving, so give it to me.

L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray
I usually hate hair spray. I was scarred by my senior year roommate who sprayed an entire massive can of extra hold spray into her hair on a daily basis. In fact, if I close my eyes I can still taste the left-over mist in my mouth. It really made it a joy to pee…and shower… for a year. I so badly wanted to tell her that 80s bangs and poofy hair left with – uh – the 80s, but instead, I added hairspray to my food diary… and held my breath for dear life every time I had to go near the bathroom.

But, the fact is, sometimes, a girl needs some spray. When you’re curling your hair, when you have a Jew fro (unfortch, me), when you need to tame fly-aways without making your hair look like you just rubbed grease all over it…

Enter from stage left: the best new hairspray ever from beauty giant, L’Oreal. Apparently Europe has been in The Know on this stuff for years, but some ingredient made it illegal to sell in the U.S. Not anymore! With a new formula this bad boy is on shelves nationwide and, once everyone is in The Know, it will be flying off said shelves quite soon. It’s non-sticky, non-smelly, and specially formulated for all different types of hair. Now my hair looks good and my tongue is not coated with some stank taste of product. Mission accomplished.

Danskin Women’s Supplex/Lycra Capri Legging
When leggings first came into trend, I stole a pair I found buried in my mom’s drawer of 90s puff-paint sweatshirts and pin-on accessories. Truth. But regardless of their roots, they are my favorite leggings I own and the only ones I wear. Every single day. But can you blame me? They suck everything in and make my legs look damn good while still being comfortable enough that I feel like I have room to eat that extra cookie. And still look good.

I’ve wanted another pair forever (because wearing the same pants every day is gross) but whatever 90s company made them no longer exists. But, hollerrrr, I recently learned that the brand Danskin makes leggings that do the exact same thing. Calf or ankle length, these Supplex leggings are a must-have for your wardrobe. You’ll look hot, your butt won’t jiggle when you walk and you can even work them at the gym.

Lippman Collections’ Happy Birthday Nail Polish
I will be the first to admit that $20 is a lot to spend on a nail polish. But Lippman Collections’ Happy Birthday may be worth it. It’s multi-colored glitter makes your finger nails look like your 3rd grade art project and, really, who doesn’t want that? Could it be I’m so into this shade because I want revenge for the time in 7th grade I brought home gold glitter Hard Candy nail polish and my mom yelled at me and told me no daughter of hers would wear that crap on her nails and then made me return it? Sure. But I also think it’s pretty, it’s shiny, it’s fun and it’s the perfect holiday party/NYE polish. And if you like the idea of shimmer but sequins aren’t your thing, this is a great way to add some shine without looking like you’re wearing a dance costume (says the girl who is typing this while sporting her sequined black and gold headband from her 2001 dance costume…).

In this weekly series, makeup expert Ali will use her makeup know-how to teach us all how to look flawless in class, out at a party, or grabbing coffee with that cutie from Psych 101.]

In order for makeup to keep you looking fresh and beautiful you need to keep up with fresh products. Yes, it can be a sad day to throw out your favorite MAC eyeshadow because its time has expired, but it is necessary for your skin and your overall look (and feel). Below is some important information about how long your makeup should last, and how to stretch out its shelf life. And don’t worry – we won’t judge you if you hold a moment of silence for your favorite products whose time has come.

Mascara: With such close contact to your eyes, mascara is likely to acquire bacteria and, as a result, should be thrown out after 3 months. Don’t believe me? Smell it. Go on, do it. If the mascara is ready to go you’ll notice a different smell, not to mention the mascara will likely not go on as well. Throw it out!

Foundation: Liquid and condensed powder foundations will likely become cakey or cracked after 6 months to a year and then it’s time to toss em. Loose powder foundation will likely last a little longer. Similar rules apply to blush.

Lip-gloss: Will stay fresh for 1 year, maximum 2. When the gloss becomes sticky or gooey it is time to purchase a new one.

Eyes Shadow: Powder shadow lasts about 2 years, and cream shadow should be tossed after 1 year. Again, the make up will become cakey and crease easily when it is past its shelf-life.

Nail Polish: Quality polish will last 2 years, with cheaper polish becoming less effective after a year. To keep polish working great, store it in the refrigerator, and when it becomes thick add a little nail-polish remover to the bottle.

Brushes: When bristles of brushes begin to fall out it is a good idea to throw them out (cheaper brushes will lose bristles first). As brushes are exposed to dirt and bacteria on your face it is important to keep them fresh. In order to preserve brushes make sure to wash them as often as possible, preferably weekly, but at least monthly. Using a small amount of shampoo on your fingers, kneed the brushes in warm water and rinse them thoroughly. Reshape them when they are still damp and allow them to air-dry. (You’ll be amazed how much will come out of the brushes when washing, and you’ll feel much cleaner when applying makeup!)

A few extra tips to extend your makeup’s life:

-Always use brushes instead of your fingers, which will transfer bacteria to the makeup. When applying eye-shadow, disposable applicators can be bought at drug stores and will work just fine.

-Label your makeup with the date you opened it, so you can keep an eye on when to throw it out.

-Don’t keep makeup hanging loosely in your purse where dirt could get in.

-If something smells funny, toss it. And just like with milk or leftovers, when in doubt, throw it out!

1. The Amazon Kindle.

I l.o.v.e this gadget. A super light weight, hand held device that lets you download entire books in under a minute. It holds up to 200 books, magazines, newspapers and blogs. You may think you like the feel of a book better but trust me – after playing with this bad boy for 20 minutes you will be obsessed too. It is the best for travel, for class books, for everything. I adore it. What I don’t love is the $359 price tag… so ask your parents for the holidays. And think about it this way: what you spend on the Kindle you save on books, because every book is $9.99 or less on the Kindle (and you save paper! And bookshelf space! Your allergies will thank you!!).

2. OPI France collection.

Specifically “You don’t know Jacques.” While my mom calls this color “a dead elephant” (really, mom, have you ever seen a dead elephant?!) fashionistas and fashionistas-not-so-much have showered me with adoring compliments simply for my nail color (and of course my winning charm and fantastic wit- but that’s neither here nor there. Side Note: how much fun do you think it would be to be the person who makes up the names of the OPI colors?

3. Trader Joes 100 calorie chocolate bars.

I should dedicate my whole list to the person who created these. I saw 100 calories and immediately thought either they will be TINY, or they will taste like CRAP. But it was neither!! And unlike those other 100 calorie packs out there – this is the real (all natural) deal. A great size, and a satisfying bar that is actual chocolate. Perfect for any chocolate craving that hits. And it comes in dark chocolate too. Heeeey antioxidants!

4. The Google Phone (A.K.A. G1 Phone.)

It’s a great week for gadgets, but if you are looking for a new phone look no further. It’s the best of the iPhone and the Sidekick rolled into one. I’m pretty sure Google WILL take over planet earth by the year 2012.

5. Farecast.com

If it’s one thing we are lacking as college students, it’s money. Especially now that you just bought a Kindle and a fabulous pair of Hunter Boots. But we still want to go on spring break, visit our friends from summer camp 1997 (LYLAS!), and, if you’re really lucky, find a ridiculously cheap flight to Florence to go back and visit the family you lived with when you studied abroad. Farecast is sort of, well, genius and it predicts if the price of the flight you are looking to take is going to go up or down in the coming days, and weather you should “Buy Now” or “Wait.” Saving you money for coffee, beer, and, of course, cute rain boots.

Jill SalamaLoading…

3:48 PM (5 hours ago)

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