[I love spas, but being on a college budget doesn't allow for visits to them. I like to create my own spa days at home, and this is something you all can do too! So I will be bringing you some of my favorite at home treatments with ingredients you already have.]

Scrubs are one of my favorite things to make at home because there are so many different kinds. You can make a scrub out of almost anything from your kitchen. At home scrubs are super cheap and can actually be better for your skin because you’re not using a bunch of chemicals that can be found in store-bought ones. Do be aware though not to get too crazy and start throwing random ingredients together especially if you have really sensitive skin. Read More »

In the last few years, collective buying sites like Groupon and Living Social have become increasingly popular. The concept is fairly simple: a daily deal is offered with a set minimum number that must be sold in order for the deal to become available. Examples of the types of deals offered through these sites include 50% (or more) off food at a restaurant, 2-For-1 tickets, and one-month unlimited gym passes. Read More »

Happy Presidents’ Day, ladies!

That’s why your classes were canceled today, in case you were wondering. And why mattresses are “60% off TODAY ONLY!” So while we sleep in and high school students get a week off, and the rest of the world remembers all the great things our nation’s leaders have done for us, I’m going to  do some remembering of my own, but remembering a bit closer to home…

Remember (see I told you) when you were a little kid and you use to have to write those essays about what you did over summer vacation, what you wanted to be when you grew up, and oh yeah, what you would do if you were president for a day? Well, I’m finally getting around to writing mine. (Because I don’t know what else to do with myself now that I’ve finished my senior thesis.) In honor of Presidents’ Day I present to you, the top ten things I would change if I were president.

Disclaimer: This list is not to be taken seriously. These are not serious suggestions nor are they things I would ever actually consider doing if I were in such a situation of power. It’s just a little bit of fun. Read More »

In Australia, the ultimate fantasy man-cation is about to become a reality.  The Lynx lodge, a male-only resort boasting on-staff models and a list of cringe-worthy activities, is opening this November.  Now you can send your boyfriend, brother, and dad to play Twister with gorgeous Aussie girls, sit front row at a mud-wrestling match, and then embark on manly sporting endeavors like golf and fishing.

Sounds like a dream, right?  Wait, no?  Not so much?  Yeah, I didn’t think so either.  I say give the men all the boobs and beer they could ever dream of.  I’m much more interested in putting a female spin on it and creating the most do die for girls-only resort.  And if the BF tells you it’s going to be all pillow fights and whipped cream, pat him on the head and set him straight.  This is our fantasy, not his.

Read More »

[There are over 100 million sites on the Internet. 100 million! You might think you know about all the important ones (CollegeCandy, Gmail, Google, TFLN…), but there are thousands of other sweet sites out there (like Dear Blank, Please Blank; Specials Agent; and Shop It To Me) and more showing up every day! We get it – it’s not easy or fun sifting through the crap and porn to find those gems, so we’re gonna bring the gems to you. Just sit back, kick up those feet and allow us to introduce you to the diamonds in the internet rough.]

Confession time!

I am completely obsessed with shopping for beauty products. Lipsticks and eyeshadows and mascaras (oh my!) are my guilty pleasures (OK, just some of my MANY guilty pleasures, right up there with brownie sundaes and True Blood).  I literally have entire shelves and drawers dedicated to my vast collection of body lotions, perfumes, hair products, and makeup, and I’m always buying more.  It’s sort of a problem, but at least most of what I buy isn’t too expensive or it’s from the drugstore, since I can’t really afford the fancy department store and designer brands.

Until I found out about Beauty Story, a site designed just for beauty-obsessed people like me. Beauty Story is a members-only sale site (similar to Gilt, HauteLook, RueLaLa, etc….) that’s dedicated entirely to the beauty industry.  It offers amazing discounts–up to 80% off!–on all things beauty-related, including skincare, makeup, and salon and spa services for its members.

I know – I can barely contain myself either. But it gets BETTER! Read More »

Has preparing for midterms/tying up loose ends/getting your body ready for Spring Break left you stressed out to the maximus? Late-night cram sessions and 20-page final papers followed by an intense hour at the gym can have you looking and feeling less than your normal, amazing self.

I myself am stressed to the max with work and am not at all appreciative of the bags under my eyes right now (I look a little something like this). I swear I saw my first wrinkle today. And then I cried.

All I want is a little R&R so I can be fully recharged and ready for Spring Break. After all, you need to look and feel your best before you go off and party for an entire week (duh). I’d love to just take a day and chill out at the spa. Relaxing music, soothing body treatments, a little “me” time is all I really need to feel better and look a whole lot more rejuvenated.

Too bad I’m in college and have to spend all my money on tuition instead of a fancy $80 facial or $60 body exfoliate. But that’s OK, because with a few key ingredients and a couple of hours, I can bring the spa and relaxation to me. And you can too, sister.

Here are a few DIY recipes and tips to create the perfect spa day that will have you feeling less stressed and more relaxed, guaranteed!  It worked wonders for me and now I no longer look like the Wicked Witch and look (or feel like I look) more like this. 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 »

Mmmm sperm!

So apparently all those frat guys during my last four years of university had it right all along – sperm really does have many health benefits.  A Norwegian company called Bioforskning (which sounds like the owner may have had a mouthful of something when she was asked to name the company) has developed a facial treatment to minimize wrinkles and smooth skin utilizing spermine, an element in human sperm.

Human. Sperm. WTF??

First of all, let’s just sit back and appreciate the thought process that had to have gone into this product.  Who came up with it?  Who was sitting around and thinking, “Oh you know what, I bet jizz is really good for your skin, let me test this out and then sell it for hundreds of dollars”??  I tell you what, when sperm is that close to my face, my skin care routine is usually the last thing on my mind.  The first thing?  “Argh, point that thing somewhere else!”

Secondly, this “treatment” can cost up to $250 per session.  Seriously? What happened to the days when jizz on your face was an unhappy accident after a night of too many free (and probably warm) beers in the basement of a fraternity house on the side of campus you usually avoid? And instead of thinking, “Oh hey, I should probably let this sink into my skin and give it a second to see if it does anything beneficial,” weren’t we all (those of us who were “blessed” enough to be in the beta stages of this beauty regimen) thinking, “Where’s my face wash??”

Although Botox and  plastic surgery get a lot of flack, I feel a bit more warm to the idea of someone injecting pig fat or whatever it is into my face now that I know a sperm facial (didn’t that use to be a euphemism for something?) is the alternative treatment.  At any rate, I hope this development doesn’t leak to those frat guys (or really, any sexually active male), otherwise this fall’s crop of freshman girls have a whole new thing coming to them (all puns intended).

[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.]

In these tough economic times, everyone is penny-pinching. Everyone is also totally stressing, including college-age women, about money, about finding a job, about passing that last exam so you can pass the class and head home for a summer of beaching and BBQ.

And while you wouldn’t waste any money on an expensive massage or other relaxing spa treatment, you really need it, dammit! You’ve been studying for weeks now and all that stress is taking a toll on your body.

If you need a little luxury in your life that doesn’t put a strain on your already-thinning wallet, keep reading. I’ve got a homemade chocolate face mask that is cheap, simple, relaxing, and will get your pores looking as fresh and clean as the $100 spa alternative.

It’s also kind of delicious. Not that I ever tried it… Read More »

Rihanna and Katy Perry take a vacay.

Ulta discounts for college girls!

Lookin’ good between seasons.

Super awesome green products.

Condi Rice and Randy Jackson?

You think you’ve had bad dates?

Win a free week at a spa!