Top 5 Skin and Body Care!

Hey Beauties!

Do you ever go to sleep with your makeup on and lie to yourself that it is totally not a big deal? Well, I sure do. I am the biggest liar to myself when it comes to washing my face at night but recently with the summer heat, I have been on a mission to improve my skin so I can avoid wearing foundation. Through this eager journey of mine, I have found some awesome-sauce skin weapons that have seriously changed my life. For those of you who are trying to do the same, I thought I would share some affordable or "totally worth the price-tag" skincare items to help you too!

Dove Dry Spray
I'm quite aware that the underarms are not usually the part of your skin that  you think about when you hear "skincare" but, I am going to change that and bring your attention to this amazing product. This spray, really deodorant, retails for $7 at the regular drugstore. I use it in the morning and it keeps me smelling fresh and floraly all day! If you are one of those girls that secrete rose smelling odor, good for you but for gals like me, we need that clinical strength stuff! My favorite thing about this spray is that it doesn't leave the chalky white residue behind AND it is so easy to wash off in the shower.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
Omg. This. Product. Is. Life.
I use it at night 15 minutes before my moisturizer. When I wake up in the morning, I always notice that my skin appears healthier, more youthful, and a little plump (in a good way) compared to the night before. It seriously just keeps getting better and better day after day! I was a little skeptical about it initially but when my sister bought me a skincare set from Kheils which included the serum, I gave it a try and was amazed.

Noxema Face Wipe
Stings like a B, but it is well worth it! I have been using these for years now but after I came back home for the summer, I totally forgot about them. I started to break out like crazy one day and purchased some more, it was then that I remembered why I love them. No matter how much you wash your face, one wipe at night will ensure to add a great layer of acne fighting medicine as well as wipe off any leftover makeup and sweat residue.

Garnier Cleansing Water
This has officially replaced makeup wipes for me. I wasn't expecting much for $9 but I thought I would give it a whirl and I'm glad I did. This "water" practically removes all of my makeup, waterproof or not! One cotton round is all that you need!

Dermalogica Overnight Treatment
Best acne/pimple overnight treatment ever. It reduces the size of pimples overnight. I even use it in the morning if I am going to be lounging at home. I have tried so many different brands over the years, but this one seems to work for me pimple after pimple. Absolutely LOVE IT!

Splurge VS. Steal: Valentino & BCBG!

Hi Saavy-istas!

I realize that I have not posted a "Splurge VS. Steal" in a very long time but this is one that I have been meaning to share! After scoring that big girl job, girls dream about purchasing their first pair of Louboutins but I have always had my eye on the Valentino Rockstud Pointed Toe Heels.

I fell in love with the rockstud look the very first time I laid my eyes on them but I knew it was a forbidden love after I saw the hefty price tag. However on a random day, when I was casually browsing DSW's website, I saw a pair of heels that looked just like them. I took a double take, but the BCBG brand confirmed it was not a no brand knock-off. I was floored, I could not believe the resemblance.

For a fraction of the cost, you can get a pair of the Darron Two-Tone Patent Pumps for that same luxurious Valentino look!

I hope you enjoyed the post! Cannot wait to share my next Splurge VS. Steal with you all! 

Nordstrom Half-Annual Sale!

Hi Fashionistas!

I know you don't live under a rock, but just incase if you do--come out because the Nordstrom half-yearly sale is going on RIGHT NOW, girl!

DISCLAIMER: I am by no means saying this is the most bomb of all the Nordstrom sales, but hey, I love me a good sale.

Anywho boo, I wanted to share some of the goodies that I've been eyeing. Like any great sale, I love to add things to my cart and just stare at them. This is what I call cyber window shopping! The sale ends on June 5th and it is going on in-stores and online so if you are looking for some cute new splurges--check it out.

Just remember, don't spend it all on this sale...the Nordstrom anniversary sale is coming up soon on July 22nd!

CONVERSE | SWIMSUIT | TOMS | RM CROSSBODY | NECKLACE | RAINBOOTS | FLATS | WATCH

Best False Lashes For Your Eye Shape!

Hi Beauties!

Whenever I think about makeup game changers, false lashes pop up first in my mind! Just like everyone else, I hated false lashes when I first tried to apply a pair. I ended up with lash glue all over my eyelid and even on my eyebrow! After I learned to properly apply them, I faced a whole other battle --finding the best style.

This was the hardest part for me. It was so disappointing to go through the entire application process only to find out that the lash style made me look sleepy, extra diva, or just plain weird. Eventually, after a few trial and errors, I realized that it all depends on the shape of the eye and I found the best styles suited for me. Now for the most part, I can confidently purchase a pair, regardless of the brand.

This post is inspired by a few friends that asked me to help them apply falsies this past weekend. I found myself telling each girl to buy a different pair after looking at their eye shape so I thought I would share a quick "cheat sheet" you can use when purchasing your next pair of lashes.

PS: All the lashes pictured are byArdell, a super affordable drugstore brand found almost everywhere, including Ulta! 

ALMOND

Almost all pairs can suit a gal with almond shaped eyes but for a more natural "I woke up like this" kind of look-- gear yourself towards thick lashes that have the hairs clumped together in smaller bunches along the lash line and wisp out on the outer corners.

HOODED

Girls with hooded lashes should think "bell-curve". You want lashes to be the longest in the middle and gradually get shorter towards the outer ends. 

MONOLID

Though most lashes will work, the crisscross lashes are the best for this shape! A blend of longer and shorter lashes in a crisscross fashion will brighten the eyes and have your lashes looking voluminous! This pair can work too! 

ROUND

I learned this the hard way. For round eyes, try to avoid the super thick BAM lashes. Your eyes will look significantly smaller and weighed down. Instead, go for longer dramatic lashes that fan out. 

CLOSE-SET 

What are close set eyes? If both of the eyes are closer to one another than the width of one eye, it is a close set. Though this is not exactly regarding the shape of the eye, certain lashes will look the best with this feature. Try to choose lashes that are thicker and wispier on the ends of the lashes, and shorter and more sparse towards the inner corner. 

WIDE-SET

Wide set eyes are the opposite, they are further apart. For this feature, lashes that are shorter and thinner on the outer corner and longer/thicker in the center will bring the drama and focus to the center of the face.

Remember there are so many pairs of lashes out there that will work for multiple eye shapes, this is just a guide!

Hope this helps! 

QUAY Obsessed!

Hi Everyone!

I am a stalker and a LOVER of Quay sunglasses!

QUAY (pronounced: KEY) sunglasses is my new serious obsession for the sunny warm days..actually for all days! Is it just me, or are sunglasses a year-round fashion trend? Whether it is cold, snowing, gloomy, or even dark, sunnies are the perfect treatment to cover up dark-circles, jazz up a boring outfit, or to simply just look fresh as hell! 

Quay is an Australian brand created in 2004. They have a huge line of constantly changing sunglasses. You can get purchase a pair on their website or at retailers such as Urban Outfitters, Asos, and Nordstrom! I fell in-love with Quay's funky-chic style that is so unique and exclusive to their brand. I initially spotted a pair when I was out shopping at Urban Outfitters last summer. I decided to end with the window shopping when beauty gurus Desi Perkins and LustreLux started to sport pairs in their SnapChat.

From so many different styles to choose from, the decision was hard but I ended up purchasing the "My Girl" from Urban. If you are looking for the designer style without the designer price, I would definitely check out Quay sunglasses. They are affordable, fun, chic, unique, and definitely a conversation piece... and even the A-list celebs own a pair!

Shay Mitchell

Queen Bey

 PS: Look at Shay...how does one become her?! Gorg! 

Beauty Chit-Chat: Hair Hacks!

#13

♥My hair is super dull! How can I fix it?

Girl, I feel you. When I was younger, I had the softest and straightest hair in all the land (jk, just in my kindergarten classroom) but now...it can get to be a frizzy mess! I hate to admit it but I pretty much treat my hair like crap. I wash, blow-dry and straighten it pretty much everyday, no wonder it doesn't cooperate anymore!

Fortunately, I found a tiny hack that brings life back into my hair overnight. You know those deep conditioners that they say to keep in your hair for only 7 minutes after shampooing? Well, I leave it in all night -- not letting it touch my roots, of course! I have found that my hair becomes shiner and silkier and it lasts for at least 7-10 washes! Definitely try it out!


♥Hairdryer recommendations? 

T3 hairdryers are probably the best in the bizz but I know they can be a bit on the pricey-end but as long as you purchase an Ionic hairdryer, you're golden. Ionic technology helps break down water molecules, drying your hair faster and smoother. With an ionic hairdryer, you will notice that you will be saving time and won't have to run your straightener for that long either!


♥Speaking of saving time, what can I do to save time on my hair in the morning?

Dry shampoo, boo. Lol jk! If you are a hair-washing obsessive freak like me, investing in the right time-saving tools and products will do the trick.
1. Towel-dry your hair out of the shower as it will get most of the water out the fastest.
2. Invest in a speed dry spray--I use the Eva NYC Speed It Up Blow Dry Spray, it's the bomb.com.
3. Before getting dressed or putting on makeup, run the hairdryer through your hair quickly for a minute or two to get the bulk of the moisture out. This will give it time to air dry efficiently as you get ready so when time comes to style your hair, it won't take you long to dry the remainder and straighten it!

I pretty much live everyday by these tips, I hope you found them useful! 

Happy 2nd Blog Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday to The College Catwalk!

Wow! Has it already been 2 years?!

My love for The College Catwalk has grown incredibly and to be sitting here on its second birthday is honestly unimaginable. I have so many things I want to write and a trillion of moments I want to reflect on, but first and foremost, I would like to thank you. Thank you for reading this crazy spontaneous creation of mine. Thank you for encouraging me to keep posting and expressing myself these past two years. And thank you, for providing an opportunity for me to build on something that I will forever cherish!

Two years ago, I feel like I was on a whole other planet. I was in undergrad, having just received my acceptance into graduate school. My love for fashion and beauty was just as intense back then as it is now. I followed all the fashion trends and wanted everything in Sephora, but I was still clueless on the concept of blogging. No one I knew at that time was a blogger, so I tackled the subject of blogging just as I would tackle an exam, by researching and studying--and boy am I glad I did!

The College Catwalk has given me confidence, new friends, awesome opportunities and of course, sanity away from the crazy school work! Looking back at this past year, this blog has done and been through so much! We learned to host a loop giveaway, reached our Instagram family to 5000, collaborated with many awesome brands such as BEARPAW, Rocksbox, Triple Thread, and UniversiTee, but most importantly I have been able to interact with all of you!

This past year there were times when I felt overwhelmed with commitments, times when I lost followers, and times when I simply could not find inspiration to post---but one thing that those moments taught me was to never give up because it is all part of one happy ride.

Believe in yourself, always. If someone can do it, so can you. March 22nd is a good day for sure! It will show me every year that the hard-work, effort, and sacrifices I make are completely worth it and plus I always wanted a spring birthday so I could dress like a big ole flower...like today! :)

OOTD:

Dress: Forever 21 ($25)

Heels: Nine West (Marshalls $40)

Purse: Aldo

Again, thank you very much for being readers of The College Catwalk. I really appreciate it! Love you all! 

UniversiTee Box Review!

Hi Fashionistas!

Whoever came up with the idea of subscription box services is a genius! I love how I can receive monthly gifts without leaving the house! With an intense love for beauty and fashion subscription boxes, I was super stoked when I heard about UniversiTee Box!

UniversiTee Box is a monthly subscription service curated specially for women in college! I immediately respected this company when I heard what they stand for because I mean c'mon, they encompass everything I started the blog for - empowerment through fashion and education!

Okay, so let us get into the details of service before I begin to gush about the February box that I received...

Each month, UniversiTee Box sends a beautifully decorated and packaged box with a bunch of goodies! You have the option to subscribe for one of the three options (each option encompasses the same theme but has a different number of goodies in them) :
- The Bauble Box - $16.95/month
- The Duo Box - $28.95/month
- The Alumna Box - $34.95/month

I went for the Alumna Box! 

Each box, regardless of the size, contains a shirt (duh, its in the name), an affirmation card, jewelry pieces, and lifestyle items. The larger the box, the more items you recieve. The shirts are different and super chic each month and have an empowering message on them! The affirmation card has to be my one of my favorite items in the box though as it is frame-ready which makes it the best morning inspiration and decor!

An awesome feature about this company is that they will let you subscribe month to month so you don't have to dedicate yourself or your wallet to a long subscription. This makes it super convenient to give as a gift to your favorite college girl, or actually any girl - my sister thought it was the cutest box and she has been out of college for eons (lol jk, sista)!

My Box:

The month of February was all about loving yourself. I received an awesome shirt that said "Love Thy Selfie", affirmation card that read "Fall In Love With Your Selfie First", a bold statement necklace, two rings, two bracelets, a bath balm, and the cutest note from the creator of UniversiTee Box. I was overwhelmed with all of the items I received and you will be too considering the low price you pay for it!

If you are looking for a new subscription service, definitely check them out on their website! You will not be disappointed! 

Lace Up Tops!

Hi Fashionistas!

We have a new trend taking over the stores right now. A few months ago, the buttoned-up corduroy skirts were taking over and today it is the lace up or tie up tops! I will bet you your college tuition that there are at least 30 fashion bloggers styling them on Instagram everyday!

Side thought: Truthfully, there are probably more but since this is a pretty big bet so I'm just going to say 30 lol!

These tops look super delicate and classy! The detailing with the strings are enough to make a fashion statement and take over the entire look. As per usual, just like all new trendy items, these shirts are being sold at an array of prices at various stores. To help you find a cute yet affordable one, I have complied a list with few of my favorites!

ONE - $39 | TWO - $29 | THREE - $20 | FOUR - $39 | FIVE - $20 | SIX - $16 | SEVEN - $25

I have the prices listed out for you so you can efficiently shop based on your budget. My personal favorites are THREE and FOUR. The light colors scream spring and with a pair of high waisted jeans - the look would be complete! Which ones are your favorites? 

DIY: At-Home Full Blown Manicures!

Hello there!

I hope you pretty gals are having a fabulous day and that the weather wherever you live is currently beautiful like it is here in Philly. Now, I know that it will not stay for long but a girl can only hope!

Fortunately, I get to escape to the sunshine state for spring break next week to visit my sister! Preparing for the break, I have noticed that I have at least 2 friends getting their nails done at salon every day this week. However, I also noticed that 50% of those friends come back regretting their decision and furious about the money they wasted for a poor nail job. Been there, done that and I feel for them but this is also why I like to maintain and do my nails at home.

In some areas, you can get nails done for $15, which is an awesome deal! However, in my area it is so hard to find a clean place for a decent price.

Disclaimer: I, by no means, have beautiful nails. I bite my nails when I get nervous/anxious, I have nails to define the word "stumpy", and I have no future or chance to pursue my dream of becoming a hand model!

Anyway here are some tips on how I achieve an easy manicure for a fraction of the cost.

1. Invest in proper nail tools
Proper nail tools are worth it, invest in them now so you won't have to dish out the $30 for a mediocre manicure at the nail salon.

2. Cuticles
Cuticles are necessary. You do not want to cut them to short or deeps as they protect us from bacteria, infections, and overall nastiness. Remove them properly for that polished and elongated nail look.

After taking off your old nailpolish:
- Wash your hands to remove the acetone residue
- Apply cuticle oil on to your cuticles
- Wait 30 seconds so your cuticles soften
- Push your cuticles pack and up with a fingernail
(I use my fingernails instead of a cuticle removing tool for steady control and safety)
- Clip off the cuticles with a cuticle clipper (the scissors are not my favorite)

3. Scrub
This is my favorite step! Dead skin clings onto nails even after cuticle removing. The best way to wash away the dead skin, cuticle debris, and chemicals is to use a scrub. You can use a body scrub, nail scrub, or even a face scrub like the St. Ives Apricot scrub. Massage the scrub into your hands and nails gently and rinse. Your hands and nails will look bright and clean after this step.

4. Apply in the proper steps.
By this time your nails should look clean, healthy, and be freshly cut (nails and cuticles). Remember to apply your favorite nailpolish only after a base coat (one to preferably fill in the ridges) and before a top coat (preferably one that is rapid drying and chip-resistant).

5. Adequate drying time.
Proper nail drying takes at least 15 minutes. Most people only wait 5-10 minutes. If you want your polish to look smooth and smudge-free, wait the 15 minutes before doing anything drastic.

Now that is it! I call this a full-blown manicure because if you follow these steps exactly, you will feel pampered and luxurious by the end of it and your paint-job will look like a professional did it (and your wallet won't be crying)!