Back to School Basics

It's that time of year again... time to put down Cosmo and pick up the textbooks! As college students, we know going back to school is way more exciting than it used to be, until you're faced with 15 credit hours and a pile of homework. We put together three outfits and an everyday makeup look that can be worn anywhere from the library to a lunch out with friends. Hopefully these looks will grab that cute boy's attention from across the room. Enjoy!

Outfit #1

I find this look to be my most "go to" look out of all of them. I threw on some jogger sweats (super comfy by the way!) from Forever 21, my off-the-shoulder white t-shirt from H&M, and my favorite part of this look, white Converse. This outfit is perfect for those dreadful Mondays where the thought of putting on jeans just doesn't even cross your mind. This outfit is extremely easy and simple, but what else do you expect from a college student?!

Outfit #2

I think this is a perfect look when it comes to a busy day of classes or meetings here and there. Some may look at this outfit and think "no way will I be wearing that all day long." But! I do have to say that this outfit is way more comfortable than it looks. The jeans (more like jeggings) I am wearing are from Hollister Co., paired with the off-the-shoulder white tee, a navy and gold infinity scarf from Charming Charlie, and last but most definitely not least, tan booties from Express. This look is casual yet cute, and undoubtedly trendy!

Outfit #3

Finally, we have an amazing look for all those girly girls out there! I know I know, we're in college and nobody wants to dress up while sitting in a lecture hall all day. But hey, there are some people who do, and when they do, I am always the first to give them credit. So, this look is great to wear on a nice breezy day when you are more likely to be out and about on campus, rather than stationed in a library cubicle. I paired the off-the-shoulder white tee with an adorable jean skater skirt from Forever 21, tan booties from Express, and a silver and gold statement necklace from Old Navy. This outfit takes very little time to put together, which is perfect for those of you who are running late, but want to look stylish!

Believe it or not most of us don't wake up FLAWLESS, or post up FLAWLESS...but thanks to makeup I have a couple tricks up my sleeve. Whether it be to class or out on a date, these are a few basic tricks with mainly drugstore products to get you looking like Queen B.

Products from L to R: EOS Lip balm, Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream, Maybelline FitMe concealer, NYX HD Setting Powder, NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer, Stila Stay All Day eyeliner, Jordana Best Lash Extreme mascara.

1. LIP BALM. We all use lip balm on a daily basis so this step shouldn't be too hard for you to incorporate in your morning routine. Apply this first so it soaks in and makes your lips smooth and hydrated if you are planning on wearing a lip color. EOS is great for this and also comes in many delicious flavors.

2. BB CREAM. Different skin types have different needs. If you feel you need a full face of foundation then be my guest! However, BB Creams are definitely the way to go on an everyday basis. They even out your skin tone but feel light on your face. If you don't want to buy one you can mix your face moisturizer and foundation together to get a similar consistency.  This one from Maybelline has salicylic acid in it which is good for those with acne prone skin or those who like makeup with skin care benefits. Apply this using your favorite foundation brush or your hands to create an even finish.

3. CONCEALER. As girls we are too critical of our skin and often don't realize that most of us don't need to mask our faces with foundation. That is where concealer comes into play. Use a lighter foundation/ BB cream to even out your skin tone then concealer to cover up any blemishes or dark circles.  This will give you a much more natural look but cover imperfections at the same time. The Maybelline Fit Me is a great drug store concealer that comes in many different shades to suit various skin tones.

4. POWDER. After you finish perfecting your face you obviously don't want your makeup to move! So set it. Take either a translucent powder or a colored powder (for more coverage) and apply it to all the areas you placed your face makeup. This step helps your make up to last all day long without getting shiny. 

5. BRONZER. Who doesn't want to look sun kissed? Bronzer not only gives you a healthy glow, but can also give dimension to your face. You can sweep this NYC bronzer across your forehead and on the top of your cheeks for a bronzed look, or put it in the hallows of your cheeks, temples and sides of your nose to have a contoured look (best for when we are having a "fat day"). 

6. EYELINER. Depending on your eye shape will depend on how you chose to do your eyeliner. Lining your top lash line will make your eye lashes look thicker and bring attention to your eyes. The winged liner is also very popular and goes well with many different eye shapes. I prefer to use a felt tip liner because I find it is easy to get both a thin precise line or a thick line. The Stila Stay All Day is a great liner that won't budge until you take it off. 

7. MASCARA. To me this is the most important step in my routine. No matter the rest of your makeup you can always look 10x more glamorous with coats of a good mascara. Before I apply my mascara I like to curl my lashes to open up my eyes.  I like the Jordana Best Lash Extreme mascara that is super cheap and provides great volume and length to my eyelashes. 

Tip: When I'm getting ready for class in the morning, eye shadow is the least of my worries. However, if I want to add a little bit of definition to my eyes I take my bronzer and apply it to my crease. This will add dimension to your eyes without spending several minutes perfecting your eyeshadow. 

Until next week! 

XOXO,

Kendall & Kristen