Beauty 101: Simple Skincare Secrets

Lupita N'yongo

All summer long, my skincare goal was to recreate the smooth glow of Lupita N'yongo's gorgeous skin. Lupita's skin is so even and rich that it can make any girl enviable. However, not even the strongest products would give me the perfect glow. So, of course, I went on a Google search to find my answer. That answer ended up being two basic necessities: water and sleep. I never realized my lack of sleep and water, especially during the summer, and how much it impacted the appearance of my skin! I made it a goal to drink at least 16 oz. of water a day and get in my bed by 10 p.m. on week days. After 2 weeks of this new ritual, my skin began clearing up and looking a bit brighter. Today, my skin feels smoother and looks visibly brighter. So, I literally took it back to the basics of skincare.

1. Water! Skin is like a plant that needs a lot of water to keep it hydrated. As I increased my water intake for the day, my skin was visibly clearer, brighter, and healthier!
2. Sleep! I never realized how important sleep was to skincare as well as my overall health. Once I began getting a good night of sleep, my skin began rejuvenating itself to a greater health state. I even noticed that I felt more energized throughout the day!

What are your simple skincare secrets?

Beauty 101: Fall 2014 Nude Nail Trend

Fall 2014 Nude Nail Trend by lyndseycamille featuring a nude nail color

I am a self-proclaimed manicure maven! My dresser is full of nail polish, from glitter polishes to bright neon polishes. An entire dresser drawer is home to nail design brushes and manicure kits. However, I won't be needing an abundance of color this Fall 2014 season. Throughout the summer, I became extremely bored within a repetition of bright pink, poppy coral, and classic red nail polish colors. So, I traded in bright colors for nude polishes. I found that the nude polishes complemented my accessories and made my fingers appear more elegant and lady-like. Now, two months later, who would've thought nude nails would become the Fall 2014 trend?! A nude nail look is all based upon your skin tone, a deep-toned lady may want to go for a more chocolate, rich nail color, a bronze-y girl for a soft tan polish, and a fairer skin girl for a creamy or pink-toned polish. Nude polishes are perfect because chips aren't as noticeable and can easily be dressed up with a coat of glitter polish.

What is your perfect shade of nude?

Love Her Style: The Simplicity of Jourdan Dunn

Jourdan Dunn style is simple, edgy, and chic. Dunn keeps her wardrobe united with simple colors: black, white, and bold pops of color. The black and white may sound dull, but with the right fit an accessories, Jourdan makes every outfit pop! Jourdan also makes the satchel bag work! The satchel bag drapes nicely over her shoulder, not interrupting the look of her outfits. For her beauty routine, Jourdan always keeps it simple, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.

Who is your style crush?

Beauty 101: How to Find Your Dark Lipstick Shade

Lorde

Transition your red lip to fall by going to the deep side. Trade in the bright red lipsticks, for the darker hued reds for a darker, classic look. For fair skin ladies, try using a lighter red lipliner mixed with the darker lipstick to prevent the color from overpowering the face. For deeper toned ladies, go for a red that leans more to the deep brown shades. 

Rihanna

Rihanna has been rocking dark hued lipsticks for years! Trade in the dark reds and blacks, for a mauve-y, brown color. The color looks fantastic when paired with heavy eye makeup, or even a subtle smokey eye.

Selena Gomez

In need of a new color all togther? Go the Selena Gomez route and opted for a deep purple. Purple lipstick shades do not have to look like crayon marks! Go for lipstains first, then transition to the full on purple shades. 

Have you gone to the dark side of lipstick?

New York Fashion Week: L.A.M.B. S/S 2015

Gwen Stefani and her fashion brand, L.A.M.B. made their return to fashion week! I have to say I am obsessed with every single look. Above are my favorite looks from the collection. L.A.M.B. S/S 2015 mixes masculinity with femininity, prints with color, and chicness with cool. Each look screams fashion in the most subtle way. Instead of going for dramatics, the line sticks with prints and color to stand out. The prints and colors make the outfit, while the models give it the chic vibes. From the line, I predict menswear inspired look, denim, and lots of unique prints and poppy colors to dominate Spring/Summer 2015. However, I must say that the fashions weren't the only thing that impressed me. Gwen made sure to use a diverse cast of models, ensuring every girl would find a model that embodies them.  

Hair 101: The Latest Bob Chops

Emma Stone

Beyonce

As of late, two major celebs have given their long locks a chop. Emma Stone and Beyonce have traded in long hair for short, wavy bobs. Bobs are typically an "average" hair do, but only when styled like the typically bob. What makes Emma and Beyonce's bobs stand out is the texture and bluntness of the cut. Instead of many layers, each has a more straight across cut that maintains the same length all the way around. Also, there are no heat tools near either one! Instead of super sleek looks, each bob keeps with the hair's natural texture which gives extra body and volume.

What is your favorite fall hair cut?

Style 101: Not Your Average Bag Lady

I am a self-proclaimed "bag lady". If you've ever caught me at school, I probably have a huge book bag on my bike, lunch bag in my hand, and a purse clutched in my arms. However, this year I began to notice slight shoulder pains and an abundance of things I really don't need in my purse. No matter how much I cleaned and reorganized my bag, my huge satchel purse would not feel any lighter! So, this year I made an effort to find a small, chic crossbody bag that could carry my essentials: wallet, lipgloss, pencils, oil wipes, tissues, etc. I found just that in a super cute, and small, circular Jessica Simpson at T.J. Maxx! Just like the bags above, excluding the backpack, it's big enough to carry my essentials, but small enough not to weigh me down. Plus, small bags can mesh perfectly with any outfit! So, if you need a new everyday bag, try a mini-crossbody bag.

What is your perfect bag size?

P.S. I only added the backpack because it is chic, and perfect as a weekend bag!

Not Your Average Bag Lady by lyndseycamille featuring a black purse