Back to School: All About the Braids

Solange

My favorite hair look at the moment is long braids, whether in the form of tight twists or box braids. This hairstyle lasts up to 3 months, but never gets boring. For the first three months of school, a multitude of hairstyles from buns, ponytails, and updos. Braids are perfect for those who want to grow out their hair or save on some time in the morning. 

Zendaya

Zendaya makes a simple protective hairstyle look fab! A braid such as the one above is commonly called a halo braid, crown braid, or, simply, a wrap-around braid. When constructing the braid, be sure to create straight parts and detangle the hair as necessary. Finish off the braid with a bun, ponytail, or pin it up to make the braid look continuous! This look can last all week and work as a low-manipulation style.

Cymphonique Miller

Keep it cute and easy with a side braid (or, even a ponytail braid facing backwards). A braid such as Cymphonique's can be accomplished by creating a ponytail and braiding the hair in the ponytail. If any hair is wished to be left out, just create a simple part and clip it out of the way while braiding.

What is your go-to back to school hairstyle?

Back to School: Picking the Backpack

Back to School: Backpacks by lyndseycamille featuring JanSport

Whether you're in high school or college, Back to School time is creeping up fast! For me, I have always wanted to carry the cutesy, small backpacks advertised in magazines; however, they could never hold my laptop and textbooks! So, to keep a cute look and strong back, try using a Jansport backpack. I always purchase and recommend Jansports because they have a lifelong warranty/guarantee and offer a variety of colors and styles. Below are a list of my favorite backpack style for the studious and chic student:

1. Jansport Superbreak: This fuchsia colored, Superbreak backpack called my name as I was looking through the backpack options at Marshall's this past weekend. Since I like to wear a lot of printed outfits, I knew I wanted a solid colored backpack so I wouldn't be a clash of patterns. This bag is specifically designed to carry your entire life: laptop, textbooks, water bottle, lunch bag, and more. This bag is perfect for someone in college who needs all their items while on the go! 
2. Jansport Florals: I am in love with the subtle florals and muted grey coloring of this backpack. This backpack is average-sized, meaning it will carry your essentials, but not as much as the Superbreak. I recommend this bag for high schoolers or anyone who doesn't carry an abundance of textbooks. 
3. Jansport Buckles: This backpack could be considered unisex in my books. I love the buckle accents that give ordinary black and brown colors just enough pizzazz. Plus, the bag is longer the typical backpack which allows more space for laptops, books, and binders. 
4. Jansport Right Pack: This bag has a beautiful color and print scheme that will calm anyone down. This bag is perfect for protecting your items because of the thick leather and suede bottom (it also won't gt very dirty down there!) This backpack is also only a bit smaller than the Superbreak!

Whatever you backpack you pick for the school year, make sure it fits the essentials (education is a must-have!). Also, using a too small backpack can and will result in back, shoulder, and neck aches; not good! Be sure to look online for the best deals in backpack and to check out every print and style option available.

What backpack are you toting for the school year? 

This post is NOT sponsored by Jansport. 

Fashion Obsession: The Little Black Bag

Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss 

Lately I have been fawning over small handbags. A small handbag would help in the fact that I always feel like a crazy bag lady whenever I go to school. I have to carry a laptop bag, lunch bag, and backpack, the last thing I want is to carry a heavy purse everywhere. Also, my current bag is starting to cause extra stress on my shoulders, not good! Small handbags complete a look without being too overpowering. Especially in solid colors, the little bags create simplicity that can be worked into any style or outfit. Plus since the bags are so small, you'll be forced to leave those random items that only work as paperweights behind!

What is your favorite handbag style?

Beauty 101: The Secrets of Gel Nails

Kate Spade Fashion Week Manicure 

Nail art is the fun trend that we all love! Like any other form of art, nail art is full of infinite designs, prints, and colors. Perfect for any fashion/beauty look, mood, or self-expression for the day. However, we all know the feeling of utter disappointment when a perfectly polished nail chips. So, to combat chipped manicures, gel nails were created. Gel nails give a perfectly polished, glossy manicure that can last up to 2 weeks! What more could a nail polish maven ask for?! However, there are some pros and cons to gel nails. 

Pros

• As gel nail popularity continues to rise, more and more colors and nail art techniques continue to rise. So, don't even think you have to give up your favorite nail designs! 
• Gel nails can withstand just about anything, from digging around in your purse to washing the dishes! No chips...AT. ALL. 
• The glossy film of gel nails keeps your hands and nails looking fresh and well groomed.  
• Gel nails are super easy to apply at home! Purchase a gel nail kit, carefully follow the instruction, and you will always have top notch nails. 

Cons 

• Although gel nails don't chip, I have experienced peeling. However, for me, the peeling usually occurs after cleaning with chemicals or subduing the polish in liquid for extended periods of time. 
• Nails can weaken after excessive gel nail use. When taking gel nails off, you must be very careful not to peel off the actually layer of nail because it will cause the nail to weaken. 
• Because gel nails are so secure on the nail, the real nails do not receive a lot of oxygen causing bacteria to build up. 

Now, I am sure there are many more pros and cons of gel nails, but it is entirely up to you whether or not to try a gel manicure. My personal advice is to go for it, but be sure to care for your real nails and wait 2 weeks in between gel nail application. 

Be sure to send me your gel nail photos and let me know your gel nail experience! 

Trend 101: Faux Body Jewelry

Kylie Jenner sports several ear cartilage piercings in a profile selfie on Instagram. 

Rihanna steps out and reveals a new septum piercing. 

Trends are always coming and going, whether we like it or not. With that said, I am not fond of body jewelry (body piercings), other than a two simple ear piercings. No, I'm not a prude, body jewelry is more like a tattoo and sticks with you one way or another throughout your life. However, that's the biggest cause of the new body jewelry trends. Body jewelry no longer requires alcohol, a piercing gun, and weeks of care, only the actual jewelry. Instead of sticking to the same body jewelry pieces for months, anyone can purchase faux ear chains, septum rings, and more. And, if you like the look enough, you can even decide to go for the actual piercings. For myself, I love to rock ear chains whenever I wear my hair up to give my face a little more sparkle and edge!

How do you rock body jewelry? 

OOTD: I Dream of Genies

As I've stated in previous posts, I am utterly obsessed with jogger pants. I've never known just how much chicness and comfort one style of pant could withhold. My mother purchased these pants for me at Kohl's which I paired with a brown top, sandals, and a few accessories. 

The jogger pants have a more silky feel to them with an Aztec/tribal print. The pants also tighten around the ankles. My shoes are from DSW. These sandals are super comfortable because the heels have rubber on the bottom. 

I kept my hair simple and out of my face by rolling the two sides back into a half up/half down look. This hairstyle also help to show off my long owl earrings and necklace. For jewelry, I also wore two simple rings and two gold bracelets. 

Style 101: Rock Those Shades

Katy Perry

Katy Perry is rocking a classic, square frame of sunglasses, perfect for any face shape. These shades work for all face shapes because the square shape frames the eyes leaving out the eyebrows which help to frame the overall face. The shades can be found on both the high-end and low-end and come in an array of colors. 

Rihanna

For a more retro look, try a cat-eye frame similar to Rihanna's sunglasses. Of course, the frames do not have to be as oversized as Rihanna's, but the cat-eye frame helps to add some dramatics to any look. In order to successfully rock a cat-eye frame, be sure to exude confidence in your style and look.

Gwen Stefani

As a fashionista, circular sunglass frames are a known trend. The circular frames give me an eighties cool kid vibe and work with edgy, girly, and even boho styles. And, as you can see above, Gwen Stefani rocks these shades perfectly with a matte red lip and plaid button down. 

What are your favorite sunglass frames?