I remember the days when I would go to the nail salon with my mom and she’d pay for our mani-pedis. Yeah, now that I’m in college, those days are long (and I mean LONG) gone. For the first few months of my freshman year I would save my money to splurge on my poor hands and feet. However I quickly learned that I’d rather spend money on important things, like food. And happy hour.

Lucky for me, I moved in with a girl (Hey Kelly!) who has a habit of painting her nails multiple times a day if she’s bored. So I developed a new appreciation for nail polish and nail care, leading to a perfected at-home manicure. In this video, I’m taking you step by step and giving you some of my tips to make your nail polish last!

For a few weeks, I was in a rut – a big, blah rut that I couldn’t seem to find my way out of. I was grouchy, apathetic, and basically bored with everything. My self-esteem was not at its usual high-point, and I had no idea what the heck was wrong with me.

I know I lead a charmed life by any standards. I’m single during my senior year, I love my family, I have the most amazing friends, I go to a great school, and I live within five blocks of the most scrumptious fro-yo in the world. Life is great. So why the heck didn’t I feel as great as I should?

Well, even now, a few weeks later and finally back in Happyville, I don’t have an answer to that question. Something was just off, and I can’t really explain what it was. All I know is it’s over now thanks to a few things I did for myself. If you’re feeling funkadelic (and not the good kind) – whether caused by boys, school, or an unsolved perpetrator – maybe a few of these activities will help you claw your way out.

Outdoor Activities: Exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy (and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, as Elle Woods would say). So get out and go for a hike, or play tennis, or take a dance class! Go solo or with friends, either way, take some time for yourself!
Set a short-term goal for yourself; reaching goals will give you a sense of accomplishment, which generally makes people feel happy and productive. Setting an attainable, short term goal will force you to be proactive and get you motivated. Read More »

There are very few girls out there who don’t like to feel pampered occasionally. Whether it’s getting highlights at a fancy salon or doing an at-home pedicure, we all deserve a chance to feel beautiful. What I’m unsure about is whether to choose the DIY route for my facial/hair treatment/manicure or leave it to the professionals.

Help, I’m torn!

Love it: It’s rainy days like today that all I want is a good DIY pedicure. Why would I venture out of the apartment into inclement weather just to pay someone $20 to paint my toes? I have all of the tools (nail polish, lotion, exfoliant and a nail file), so why not do it myself? Plus, while I’m at it, I could scour the Internet for some other great DIY treatments, like this brown sugar scrub to soothe my skin. Between my fridge and pantry, I probably have all of the necessary ingredients. Plus, with the money I save, I can buy a new pair of shoes! Read More »

We hate to be bearers of bad news, but it’s August — meaning the glory days of sippin’ summer cocktails and rapidly developing skin cancer at any locale offering a mid- to large-sized body of water are, unfortunately, coming to an end. We know it’s hard to snap out of the beach-bum mindset, which is why we’ve got you covered with a checklist of things to do before full-time academia is back in swing.

Beautify. Nothing like cruising into a new semester of classes feeling like hot sh*t. Book your appointments early for those caterpillar eyebrows, exposed roots, and crusty feet.

Prepare for potential hanky-panky. (Yep, I did just call it hanky-panky.) Visit to the gyno? Check. Birth control stockpile? Check. Brazilian wax? Check. Stop trying to salvage period-stained panties — as my motto goes, new school year, new lacy underthings.

Buy new dorm / apartment / house décor! Draw some inspiration from Apartment Therapy and go to town. May we suggest wall decals, some choice picture frames and scented candles?

Pick up a new planner. Steal one from freshman orientation if you have to, and then neatly pencil in important dates (your boyfriend’s grandmother’s birthday, any club meeting with free food, the three-year anniversary to the day you got your v-card swiped, etc.) There’s nothing quite like touching a spankin’ new notebook — devoid of uncompleted to-do lists — for the very first time. Read More »

So, Leighton Meester has a sex tape. At first I didn’t think it was that big of a deal – I mean, who doesn’t have a sex tape these days? But then I learned a little bit about her home video and was suddenly fascinated.

Apparently, this sex tape involves some pretty naughty acts…with her feet.

Call me naive, but I was never aware getting a guy off with your footsies was even an option! I am not even good at doing it with my hands, so the thought of mastering the art with yet another appendage just seems daunting. And scary. I mean, how does one even learn how to do that?

Not wanting to be left out of a sexual act that is clearly popular (Googling it provided 24 million results…and some interesting images….), I feel like this is something I should try. But I feel like there is a lot of work to be done before my toes get near anyone’s peen. Read More »

I’ve missed my sandals. I missed them so much that I dragged them out of the back of my closet a month ago, only to gaze longingly at them every day, sigh, and pull on another pair of warm socks. After a long, hard fall, winter AND spring of boots, rain boots, and snow boots, I am dying to leave the house in nothing but a kick ass summer dress and a fantastic pair of gladiator sandals.

Before that happens, though, I have to take care of one teeny problem. You know that long hard winter of boots I mentioned? It has left my feet looking….less than pretty. So, in preparation for the day when all my sandal dreams come true, here are some step-by-step instructions for an at-home pedicure that will have your feet ready to see the sun before you know it! Read More »

Flip flop and strappy sandal season is upon us! Woohoo!

That means it’s time to make your toes look pretty, because, let’s face it, they probably look pretty gross after being stuffed in a pair of boots all winter.  Grimy toenails are the perfect way to ruin a hot new pair of sandals (not to mention creep out everyone around you), so it’s time to give them a little TLC. And while you’re at it, let’s give those fingernails some attention; a little pretty polish goes along great with that perfect summer sundress.

Bold, neon colors are the trend of the summer and below are some bright polishes that will catch the attention of everyone, maybe even a summer fling. I know my summer goal is to score a hottie with a yacht, and while neon toes won’t get me that, I’ll try anything.

And I’ll look cute either way.

To Start:

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Program: If you’re looking to grow your nails out this product really works.  It also strengthens nails and keeps them from being cracked or brittle.  Sweep this on as a base coat before painting your nails (then reapply daily) and you’ll see results in just a few days.

To Color:

Maybe I’m a nail polish snob, but I truly believe when it comes to polish you get what you pay for.  More expensive polishes don’t crack or bubble as easily, stay chip-free for longer, and go on smoother.  That’s why I tend to shell out the extra few dollars for a more quality polish. And it’s still way cheaper than bi-monthly mani/pedi appointments, so it’s worth the investment. Read More »

You don’t have to have a Valentine to celebrate on February 14th. The holiday is all about love, be that the love for a family member, a friend, or chocolate lava cake. It is a day to stop, think, and really honor the things and people in our life that we love. Yes, it is mostly celebrated by disgustingly cute and happy and perfect couples, but the rest of us can get a little love too.

This week, in honor of the day of lovin’, we asked our writers what they are just loooovin’ right now.  Me? I’m head over heels for Chelsea Handler, Thai carry-out and 2 Buck Chuck.

Sigh.

Gemma – NYU: I am love love loving on all the awesome tights from American Apparel!! I am SO sick of bundling up all the time, and with them I get to wear my dresses in the cold, and I can’t get enough!  Also, still lovin on Obama. And not necessarily in that order.

Coco: I love the warm weather streak in the middle of winter.

K – GWU: I hate global warming, but I love wearing flip flops in the North East in February…and having a reason to get a pedicure prematurely.

Lauren – University of Michigan: Fiber 1 Toaster Pastries. They are like healthy Pop-Tarts!

Ashley Elizabeth – CU Boulder: Kissing in the rain. Read More »

Spring has officially sprung here in New York City; the sun dress is here to stay, as are flip-flops, tank tops and shorts. If you’re like me, you might be looking down at your hairy, pasty legs and thinking “dear God, I actually miss December!”

And of course our trusty womens magazines are all about “getting ready for Summer” articles, reminding us that now is the time for manicures, pedicures, armpit shaving, leg shaving, fake tanner and…bikini waxes?

Really?

Bikini waxes are painful and, even worse, expensive! Cosmo online tells me I should wax about every 3 weeks, which would add up to probably about $400 over the summer months (considering the average bikini wax in NYC costs at least $50 w/tip!). At the moment I am a) single and b) not a surfer/lifeguard/swimmer/bikini model, so why the heck am I supposed to be getting bikini waxes? Painting my toes, shaving my legs, I get it–those are the bits that people can see when I’m wearing my little sun dress and flip-flops. Are shorts-that-are-so-short-we-can-see-your-pubes a new trend I haven’t heard about yet? Does casual Friday now include swim wear?

Someone, anyone: please enlighten me! Do you get bikini waxes in the Summer, even if you have no intention of hitting the beach/pool/water park?

Here at CollegeCandy, we like ourselves a good man. Someone hot, smart, funny…fat?That last word is probably not on many of our “Things I Want in a Guy” lists, but at least one woman is speaking out about her love of the Corpulent Man.

European author Tobsha Learner is in love with a “voluptuous” man.

Describing him as “Paddington Bear with dangly bits”, Learner explains that her man’s weight—and his apparent acceptance of it—makes him much more alluring than the “fatless, hairless, allure-free atheistic” many male models and celebrities carry around these days. Read More »