Safe sun necessities for summer music festivals

August has been known to bring some of the best concerts and music festivals to cities across America. One of my favorite things about these festivals are the creative outfits that music-goers come up with. But there are definitely a few skin essentials that should go with those creative outfits!

Sunscreen and moisturizer are a must! Damage caused by the sun is a major culprit of skin damage, which can increase rates for aging and risk for developing cancer. Aside from harmful rays, being the sun for long periods of time can dehydrate your skin. You cannot go wrong with any sunscreen with SPF 50. Tinted moisturizers are also key, they moisturize, protect, and even give you some sheer coverage. I have been using NARS, it has SPF 30 and is oil-free. I have also heard good things about Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Enhancer Tinted Moisturizer. It has a SPF 20 moisturizer with a vitamin infused Retinol treatment that helps smooth the appearance of skin.

To be honest, we all may or have may not enjoyed a concert involved with boozin’ under the sun. But drinking water is a must- especially if alcohol is being consumed, since alcohol has the wonderful ability to dehydrate you, your body and your skin. Music-festivals will often have a Camelbak filling station as well (If you’re not into carrying a water bottle). Last but not least, a hat and pair of sunglasses never hurt! I own a floppy hat that I got from J.Crew on sale, and wear it any chance I have. Remember that you might not want to bring your best pair of sunglasses because they could get broken or stolen, but sometimes cheap sunglasses pack the most attitude!

Trending Thursdays: Black and White

The black and white trend has been hot this summer and it will be just as hot in the fall. The great thing about this trend is the timeless aspect of a great black and white outfit. Even after the populatrity of this trend trickles away, you can still wear a black and white piece while looking fashionable. Black and white dresses, for example, usually carry a classic and classy vibe to them in my opinion. If you want to try out this trend without fully committing then I suggest pairing black and white separates like on the examples above. A white top paired with black bottoms (or vice versa) is a great way to participate in this trend. For those who are in love with this trend, like me, buying a black and white item can be fun to work with.

This black and white skirt caught my attention right away. About 1/3 of the skirt is white and it has a fun slit on the left side. I love this skirt because it also took advantage of the sheer trend. There are many similar black and white bottom options in most stores. The easy way to wear this kind of item is to pair it with a black or white top. Instead of sticking with a monochrome outfit, I wanted to wear a pop of color with my shirt. I chose this strong blue and paired the outfit with some summery black wedges. A pop of color is definitely an adventurous way to play with this trend and I was reluctant at first to try it but I loved it. Remember to chose pieces that flatter your body type so that you feel comfortable and confident in your outfit!

Some I Dos and Don'ts

I’ve been at three weddings this year, and at two just this last week. So I suppose that’s why they have been on my mind. It can take me hours to find the perfect outfit for a wedding. Here are a few do’s and don’ts I wish I had known when I was struggling to pick out my dress.

·         Do: Dress up. Men have it easy when they need to dress up for special occasions, a standard suit and tie is all they need. It is definitely more of a challenge for women. A nice blouse with slacks (not khakis) or a skirt will do, but a dress can be an easy go to. A dress should be somewhere above a light summer dress and below your high school prom dress.

·         Don’t: Dress up too much. If you over do it, for example by wearing your prom dress, you run the risk of not only embarrassing yourself but also of upstaging the bridal party or even the bride herself. Remember it’s her day, not yours.

·         Do: Wear color. Wearing colors and patterns that match the season of the wedding is always fun, florals and pastels are great for spring and summer while deeper reds, blues, and greens are great for fall and winter. Wearing your black dress can also be a good option.

·         Don’t: Match the bride or the bridal party. Again, remember it’s the bride’s day. White has been reserved for her. Similarly don’t try to match the bridal party. The bride has chosen her party and has honored them by choosing the color and dress they wear. Matching them only makes it look like you are trying too hard to be part of the wedding. However, a complimentary color is a good idea.

·         Do: Dress tastefully.

·         Don’t: Show too much skin. Remember your audience, there tend to be a lot of family members at weddings. Don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to see you in. The idea is to dress classy, your goal isn’t to be remembered as “the one in the super sexy dress”.

Hey!

Hey! My name is Nessa and I’ll also be a part of this blog. I am 22 years old and getting ready to go back to school for my masters. I am trilingual and learning a fourth language. I like to look at the fashion of other cultures and incorporate it all into my style. One of the languages I speak is French and I think this is closely related with my love for fashion. Fashion has always been a passion of mine and I hope that it can always be a part of life as much as possible. I am a shoe-aholic. I firmly believe there is no such thing as having too many shoes! I am also addicted to exercise. Nothing completes my day like a good run. Exercise is great for building confidence and helping you feel good about yourself, a must for fashion!

Personal Style:

My style is definitely very bold, edgy city girl chic. I like to incorporate romantic and feminine elements in style. Both I’m mostly known for bold colors and bold looks.

Style Inspirations:

I just love using city girl street fashion as inspiration. However, I also love to watch celebs that aren’t afraid to experiment with their fashion, such as Rihanna. Other celebs include Emma Watson, Jessica Alba, and Cara Delevingne.

Style Obstacles:

I am unusually busty and it doesn’t quite fit my frame so it can be hard to find clothing that fits my bust and flatters the rest of my body.

Most Frequented Stores:

Akria, Forever 21, H&M, Express, and Charming Charlie. I am willing to go into almost any store in order to build a diverse wardrobe but these are some of the ones I always visit when shopping.

Beauty Philosophy:

Confidence is key. Confidence is needed to pull off every look and it can help pull off any look. And in order to feel confident, a certain level of comfort is needed so I recommend only wearing styles that you are comfortable in.

Can't Live Without...

 Air. But also my leather jacket and a pair of black pumps. 

Introductions

Hello, hello! My name is Eileen. I will also be contributing to this blog. I have just joined the club of 22 year old college graduates. I studied history and the environment and would like break into the emerging field of environmental history. But beyond that, I love art and also am drawn by fashion. I feel like I can add something to this blog because I am an “every woman” kind of shopper. I don’t necessarily know the big brand names or shop at the expensive stores, but I’m a great bargain hunter because I know the secret of finding similar styles for less.

Personal Style:

My style is somewhere between black, shades of grey, and bright colors. I particularly like to add touches of pinks, greens, and blues. Then I top it off with a string of pearls to keep things classy.

Style Inspirations:

The people I see around me. I’m constantly mixing and matching things from other people’s “styles”. I’m always learning new ways accessorize, layer, etc. 

Style Obstacles:

Hands down my biggest obstacle is finding shoes that fit. I have unusually wide and tall feet and honestly a lot of the really cute shoes just aren’t made to fit my feet. I also have extremely narrow shoulders so it can be a challenge to find shirts where the shoulder line hits me properly.

Most Frequented Stores:

Target, Kohls, H&M, Wet Seal, American Eagle, and JCrew

Beauty Philosophy:

A very good friend once told me “your clothes should fit you, you shouldn’t fit into your clothes” meaning that your clothes and should serve as a way to express you rather than you trying to make your clothes look good. My style is about making me feel good about the skin I am in.

Can't Live Without...

My pearl necklace and my black eyeliner

Hello!

Hi! My name is Chana, a contributor to this blog. I am 22 years old, and a student pursuing a Master's degree in Pharmaceutics. My ultimate dream would to be able to break into the cosmetics industry. I have always had a love-affair with beauty and fashion and I guess it is my biggest weakness! I am a big foodie & snack-er. I love my yoga and peace of mind the most!

Personal Style:

I would describe my personal style as classic and bohemian. 

Style Inspirations:

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen hands down. I also love Lauren Conrad. 

Style Obstacles:

Some people may roll their eyes at this, but I am 5'1''. I am petite and flat-chested. It is sometimes annoying to find clothing that works proportionally with my stature. 

Most Frequented Stores:

(SALE RACKS) BCBG, Nordstroms, Lord & Taylor, J.Crew, Aritzia and Akira. I rarely buy full price.

Beauty Philosophy:

I am a firm believer that external beauty comes from inside (cliche I know). The way you treat your body and soul is evident in your face and skin. Taking care of yourself definitely comes first. Other than trying to follow that, I use Bare Minerals powder foundation or Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. I never go without eyeliner and a nude lipstick. 

Can't Live Without...

Moisturizer. Period.