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The CollegeFashionista Team

April’s “Enchantment” Mood Board is Here

April promises to fully welcome the beauty, weather, and energy of spring. The flowers are in bloom; the sun is shining; even the rain is magical. All the natural happenings around us are downright spellbinding. As spring continues to unveil itself fully this month, we invite you blossom as well. Let this season of rebirth be a moment to be your best self. Shed your fear and bust out of your proverbial shell. Write your own story by welcoming fresh starts. Embrace the enchantment of this month by bringing your inner beauty and self to the surface.

We here at CollegeFashionista are captured by the enchantment of the season as well. Be sure to check back all month long as we invite you to discover what's new and beautiful in all aspects of your life and encourage you to get embrace the magic in yourself this season.

To kick-off this month, check out our April Mood Board on Pinterest that will surely have you enchanted! ......

Apr. 03, 2017

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style guru

Style Guru: (noun)

1. A super stylish individual with a keen eye for fashion, trends and the latest happenings on his or her campus.

2. Talented writer and photographer

3. Not a Style Guru? Be sure to apply!

@brisagomez

Brisa Gomez

Florida International University

5 Insider Tips On How To Slay The Thrifting Game

Most of college students tend to shop at fast-fashion retail locations. Others go for the good ole’ online shopping. Both great, but also pretty expensive. College is not a place where you find money pouring out from textbooks or under your class seat (if only!). However, there is an alternative to buying clothes without spending too much. Here’s my secret...it’s thrifting! Thrifting is like stepping into Narnia and finding a magical place you’ve never set foot in. As an avid thrifter myself, thrifting brings a great level of excitement because you never know what you might find, and no one else is going to have it! Though the clothes have been pre-owned and not widely available your latest retail store, it doesn’t mean the garment isn’t worth the taking. So for those who want to take a thrifting trip, here are five tips on how to go about it. Tip 1: Walk in with an open-mind. Before stepping into any thrift store, walk in with an open-mind. The possibility of literally finding anything is real. Don’t be afraid to try anything. Be open to the environment and feel free to use your best judgment when looking around. It is totally okay to take your time. It can sometimes be a little overwhelming because there’s so much to look at, but if you take it easy, things will go well.

Tip 2: Don’t neglect a section. It is important to never neglect a section in the store. You can find awesome pieces anywhere you turn to. I’ve been able to find things even in the kid's section, so make sure you scour every part of the store. Whether it’s men’s, shoes, furnishing, or miscellaneous, you can find a gem in either of these sections!

Tip 3: Put it in your cart and don’t let go. One thing I’ve learned from thrifting is to never leave an item behind! If there’s something you find interesting or like, stick it in your cart and decide later. This way, when it’s time to decide what you want to take, you now have all your choices literally in hand and can whittle down from there. Nothing is worse than regretting a perfect item you didn't take or having someone else snag that sweater you were debating but didn't grab on first pass. Trust me!

Tip 4: Every item has potential. Sometimes finding pieces you like aren’t always going to be easy. There are times you will pick up an item and it won’t necessarily call out to you. However, this doesn’t mean the piece doesn’t have potential, because it does. I like to think that every item has the ability to be so much more than what it is. I like to imagine what I can style it with, what I can transform it into, and how I can make it into my own style. This gives me a world of possibilities and the chance to get excited about the garment!

Tip 5: Set a budget and take what is worth taking. At the end of my trip, I usually tend to have a cart filled with clothes. This is when I start to try things on and decide whether or not I like it. Many stores also have colors of the day that are discounted. Always look for these colors so you know which colored tags are going to be cheaper. It’s important to set a budget for yourself so you don’t overspend. It’s also important to ask yourself if the pieces you want are worth the money you’re going to pay for, and if they're items you’re going to wear more than once. You want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Overall, enjoy the experience and don't think too much of it. Let the clothes find you. And don't forget to show off your scores on social! Tag @CFashionista to show us how these tips helped you nab the most enviable and one-of-a-kind vintage items! ......

Feb. 07, 2017

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today's featured column Exclusive Feature

style guru

Style Guru: (noun)

1. A super stylish individual with a keen eye for fashion, trends and the latest happenings on his or her campus.

2. Talented writer and photographer

3. Not a Style Guru? Be sure to apply!

@alexandrascandolo

Ally Scandolo

University of Toronto (Canada)

What it Really Means To Be a Fashion Journalist

“So, is it like, a blog?” is the usual reaction I get when I explain my internship at CollegeFashionista. While this question is coming from a place of curiosity and not intended to offend, I often find myself with my guard up and launching into details fairly quickly. It's not that there is a need to be defensive, but it sometimes feels like writing about fashion, beauty, and the industry is viewed as "less than" to others. There’s this general sense that working in fashion is a frivolous occupation. The collective "they" consider clothes a hobby, not a job. Many think it’s a topic that doesn't requires the voice of specialists since “everyone knows how to get dressed.” From those outside the industry, there is a lot of confusion surrounding what writing about fashion actually is all about and even it’s place in journalism. (Photo via @maddyhaller) Fashion journalism sits on a precarious line between essential and excess—breaking down outfits is often not considered as pressing as discussing topics like the industry’s sustainability problem. Today, a large portion of fashion writing is online. The ability to self-publish content through blogs, videos, and social media has also made fashion writing more accessible for those interested. Fashion journalism is no longer an exclusive opportunity available only to those who elbowed their way onto a masthead of a magazine. Maybe this is where the confusion lies—if anyone can publish their opinions on fashion, how can it still be journalism?

(Photo via @jordanflyley) In my opinion, the openness of fashion journalism is its defining quality—it’s by and for everyone who are willing to listen and engage. There is room to discuss popular culture through clothing hauls, beauty tips, and celebrities while combining discourse surrounding high fashion. Writing about fashion requires more than just liking clothes, it requires attention to detail and passion for the specificities that make up the industry.

(Photo via @gisele_milan) There have been important cultural moments for fashion publications, like Teen Vogue’s and obsessee's recent engagements in politics and cultural issues. It shows that writers are multifaceted in not only their writing, but their interests. Don't get me wrong, fashion publications, writers, and brands have had their fair share of insensitive moments. But the industry seems to be expanding to become more inclusive, aware and growing in order to represent its audience (and the world) more accurately.

(Photo via @phenix_xox) Fashion is empowering. For many, it’s an important mode of self-expression. It is both cultural and habitual, while also being an exciting way to represent yourself on a daily basis. While interest in fashion is considered niche, it’s something that touches all of our lives. There are different facets we need to discuss as clothes affects each of us in some capacity.

(Photo via @toshaisgnarly) When people ask me why I write about fashion, Meryl Streep’s speech about Cerulean Blue pops into my head from The Devil Wears Prada. While I am definitely not about to recite a Miranda Priestly rant to an acquaintance, it is true that fashion affects us all in some capacity, whether we are aware of it or not. Those entrenched in writing about fashion or getting started on their journalism journey know the importance of engaging with issues, news, and trends, but it is also our job to inform others of how important it is to everyone's lives and how they can engage with fashion. Because at the end of the day, whether you write about fashion, food, or politics, journalism comes down to honoring history, celebrating expression, sharing passion, and connecting the world through words. And those things, my friends, are never frivolous. ......

Feb. 06, 2017

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@alexisnicoleoox

Alexis Atkins

SCAD

How I Learned To Shake Off Negative Opinions

We've built a society where commentary is volunteered and not asked for.

Facebook enables us to show our reactions to posts using only six emojis. Instagram allows us to comment on anyone's pages regardless of if we know them or not. Even Tinder has contributed to our generation's tireless need to share our opinions with its “swipe left, swipe right” interface.

Needless to say I, much like most of you reading this, have faced quite a bit of criticism from people, free of charge.

In September of 2016, I decided to take the plunge and go natural. I'm not going to lie, when I got out of my hair stylist's chair and saw that I had an afro, I was shocked. For 21 years, I had struggled with flat irons, chemical straighteners, and humidity to tame my hair into something it wasn't. Now my hair was free and I realized how beautiful it was to finally feel like myself.

(Photo via @stylefromalexis)

What I didn’t predict was that making the decision to cut my own hair was going to affect other people. From strangers on the street to coworkers, everyone seemed to have the need to tell me their opinion about my hair. Most of the comments were nice, if not stereotypical. If I was given a dollar for every time someone called me "Foxy Brown" or "Angela Davis," I wouldn’t even have to worry about my college debt. But all in all, I know those people meant well.

Then there were the not-so-nice comments.

I can remember shortly after my hair really started to grow, a coworker pulled me aside and asked, “So why do you have a bush on your head?” I was caught so off-guard. Now I understand that back in the day, people used to refer to their afros as a “bush.” But last time I checked it’s 2017 and we can be a little bit more progressive. As I attempted to explain to her that this was my natural hair, she continued to let me know that she was not a fan of my new look. She asked me if it was a trend the kids were doing now and what my mother thought about it, as if I were a rebellious child. She then wrapped all of her pretty little negative comments with a big red bow, letting me know that she thinks that I look prettier with straight hair.

In more ways than one, I was offended. But it was the last comment that affected me the most. Growing up seeing an emphasis on European beauty standards, I knew the feelings of "not being pretty enough" all too well. With a head full of kinky curls and a skin tone darker than soft beige, I was nowhere near the "standard" the media promoted. But I had finally learned to love myself, only to have someone of my own race make me feel less than who I am.

(Photo via @styleintheway)

I had let someone else control my perception of myself. It's not like I really thought I was ugly. But the fact that the words were said out loud gave them more weight than I should have allowed. The truth is, her negative comments say more about the person she is than they do about me. And this is the lesson I had to learn when dealing with negative comments and opinions. The comments aren't about me, they are about their own internal conflicts.

So the next time someone shares an unwanted opinion of you, think of it like this: Other people's opinions are like a hand full of sand, let them slip through your fingers. What's left behind in your palm are the seashells that you know to be true.

You are beautiful, intelligent, strong, and capable. No negative opinion should ever take that away from you.

Have you ever had an opinion shared with you that you didn't ask for? Share your stories with us in the comments.

......

Feb. 01, 2017

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today's featured column Beauty

style guru

Style Guru: (noun)

1. A super stylish individual with a keen eye for fashion, trends and the latest happenings on his or her campus.

2. Talented writer and photographer

3. Not a Style Guru? Be sure to apply!

@brittneyhughes

Brittney Hughes

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

Does The Latest Makeup Bag Must-Have Live Up to the Hype?

A problem we've had since the very creation of makeup brushes is that we lose product in them before the brush even touches our face. Not only is this super wasteful, but as a college student, it also means we are essentially throwing away some of the money we spent on that fancy foundation. The solution? A tool that can't absorb any product. (Aka your whole bottle of foundation is actually usable.) Enter the silicone sponge! These clear, jelly-like tools claim to use less product, save you money, are easy to clean, and more hygienic that your traditional makeup brush. (Yes, yes, yes, and yes.Do we have a revolutionary new replacement for the beauty blender on our hands? Where do I sign up?) I knew it was taking my Instagram feed by storm—but would it also take up prime real estate in my makeup bag? I decided to see if this mythical product actually lived up to the hype. Here are my first impressions of the clear, non-spongy makeup gizmo. SiliSponges are originally sold by a Japanese retailer, but are now available almost everywhere, including Amazon. They seemed super gimmicky at first, but I was excited nonetheless! If my face could end up even half as smooth as the picture online, it'd be a new favorite. Photo via monavy.com As I awaited my package, I watched demo videos that made me super skeptical, despite all of the raving reviews. I wondered: “How is applying makeup with such a small, smooth object any different from squirting foundation onto a butter knife and slathering it across my face? Isn't silicone supposed to be cloudy white color? What is actually inside of that thing? I've never been very gentle with my beauty blender— what if I pop it…” Oh, my package is here already! (Thanks, two-day shipping.) Applying makeup with the SiliSponge for the first time, I did not like the way it felt at all. Using the applicator felt like applying foundation with someone else's fingertips; super weird! (I kid you not, that is the most accurate way to describe the feeling.) The applicator can’t quite pick up foundation from one part of the face to be dabbed elsewhere the way an actual sponge can. With that being said, part of my cheek (which had undergone the first slather of makeup) suffered some serious product buildup. After trying every directional movement possible to blend my foundation out, I did eventually achieve an even finish! Circular motions with the occasional dab does the trick, but takes much longer than brush application. I would also recommend smoothing everything over with a brush or makeup wedge afterwards to get a better finish (“Well then what is the point of the...“ I know. I know.)

Photo via The Beauty Junkie It actually took more foundation than usual to cover my entire face, but that was only the case with matte liquid makeup (which dries very quickly on the skin). Needless to say, that “airbrush finish” I was supposed to experience was a no-go. Fellow Style Gurus have said they’ve attempted to apply eyeshadow, blush, and even contour products with this apparatus, but quickly admitted that the final results hadn’t even come close to their usual standards.

Photo via @nicole.hhcheong Before moving on to the next step of my routine, I removed the patchwork of this buzz product, and started again, with my trusty little beauty blender. Fashionistas, this trend is definitely one you can pass on and save your money for whatever the beauty world is raving about next week! ......

Feb. 08, 2017

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