The
Marquette Journal

Purple is such a pretty shade on so many different women, yet people are afraid to rock it. Mixing the best qualities of red and blue makes it flatter almost any skin tone. It can be a tricky color to work with, especially the brighter hues, but it can definitely be incorporated into casual daily looks with a little guidance. Personally, I was a little skeptical of the color at first but after buying a pair of pants, a blouse, nail polish, and make-up all in purple hues, I fell in love with the color. If you haven’t already, I think you will too!

How to wear purple colored jeans: To make the vibrant, pretty color of purple really pop, stick to neutral colors for your top, shoes, and accessories. Also try going for a lighter color pastel pant for a more feminine, elegant look. In order to make the color really stand out, stay away from wearing other bright colors when wearing purple.

Photo taken from polyvore.com

Photo taken from topshop.com

Flower Embellished Top $70

Photo taken from gap.com

1969 Lightweight Always Skinny Skimmer Jeans $69.95 (I have these pants in multiple colors and absolutely love them)

Photo taken from aldoshoes.com

Photo taken from aldoshoes.com

Tinger Flat $55

Photo taken from claires.com

Gold Coin Stretch Bracelet $10.50

How to wear a purple top: Stick with the same rules as above when wearing a purple top.  Opt for neutral colored bottoms, shoes, and accessories. Play the color up with a chunky necklace.

Photo taken from ssense.com

Phillip Lim Purple Silk Trim T-Shirt $145

Photo taken from urbanoutfitters.com

BDG Cigarette High-Rise Jeans $58

Photo taken from stevemadden.com

Langleyy Wedge $99.95

Photo taken from maxandchloe.com

Gala Pale Canary Chunky Curb Chain Necklace $110

How to wear purple makeup: The eyes and lips are great places to make purple really pop. Subtle tones of purple make a refined, romantic look. As stated earlier purple looks good on nearly every kind of skin tone because of the mix of red and blue tones (which are present in everyone’s face).

Eyes: Don’t be afraid to try different shades of purple shadows and eye liners. However, keep in mind, pale skin tones should stick with lighter purple shades or else the face may look too washed out. Darker skin tones can get away with more vibrant, deeper shades of purple.

Photo taken from Glamour.com

Photo taken from beautycouch.blogspot.com

Photo from Audreydao.com

Photo taken from shamiamglam.com

Photo taken from Maybelline.com

Maybelline Silk Eyeshadow $6

Photo taken from Sephora.com

Tarina Tarantino Jewel Eyeshadow Palette Fantastical $32

Photo taken from urbandecay.com

Urban Decay Smoke Out Eye Pencil in Purple Haze $7

Lips: Purple lip color is among one of the top 2012 trends. But be careful! Even though purple isn’t far from pink, the wrong hue can make you look like you have hypothermia, or even like a vampire. So it’s important to figure out what shade looks best on you and what hues suit your skin undertones.

Pale and lighter skin tones: Avoid dark purple shades and choose the hue with blue or red undertones depending on your skin undertones, but opt for a purple that’s closer to pink.

Photo from glamour.com

Photo from Maccosmetics.com

Naughty Saute Lip Stick $14.50

Medium skin tones: Opt for hues with warm yellow undertones, still try to stay away from purples that are too deep.

Photo taken from glamour.com

Photo taken from Clinique.com

Butter Shine Lipstick in Water Violet $15

Dark skin tones: Deeper skin colors can choose almost any shade and hue starting from lilac to deep purple.

Photo taken from lipstickalley.com

Photo taken from limecrimemakeup.com

Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn Opaque Purple Lipstick $15.99

Photo taken from sodahead.com

Photo taken from Abesmarket.com

Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Lipsticks in Risque Deep Plum $10.37

Nails: When it comes to the fingernails, don’t be shy. Paint them any shade of purple from the lightest of lilac to the darkest of burgundy’s, or matte to shimmery, you can’t really go wrong.

Photo taken from essie.com

Essie Nail Polish in Lilacism $8

Photo taken from essie.com

Essie Nail Polish in Footloose $8

Photo taken from OPI.com

OPI Nail Polish in Vampsterdam $8

Photo taken from OPI.com

OPI Nail Polish in Plugged-In Plum $8

Photo taken from forever21.com

Potent Purple Nail Polish $2.80

Photo taken from Target.com

Sally Hansen Gem Crush Nail Polish in Lady Luck $6.25

Makeup is a great way for women to feel more confident about themselves and to feel their utmost best.  However, makeup is misused too frequently, and instead of boosting appearance, it lessens it.  You don’t want your make-up to totally transform you. The point of make-up is to highlight your features and hide those blemishes; not to completely change how you look.  If you wear too much you look like your trying too hard, plus you cover up your natural beauty.  Everyone’s got their own favorite facial feature that stands out, so simply enhance it, rather than change it.  With the season changing, your make-up should too.  Spring feels light and carefree, so try to mimic that feel with your make-up.  Looking fresh and effortless is what the spring look is all about.  This can be achieved with sun-kissed skin, simple eyes, and a pop of color on the lips.

Sun-kissed skin-

To achieve a fresh-faced and springy look, go for a sun-kissed look.   Sun-kissed doesn’t mean bronzer all over.  The key to a sun-kissed look is getting the right amount of color in the right place.  To do this, apply foundation evenly; be sure your foundation is the right tone, not too dark or not too light (it should match the color of your skin on your neck).  Then, sweep a tan-colored bronzer across your cheekbones, nasal bridge, chin, and forehead (the places where sun naturally hits the face).  A light pink/rose colored blush also adds a pretty touch to this look.

Photo taken from teenvogue.com

Photo taken from harpersbazaar.com

Photo taken from harpersbazaar.com

Photo taken from threeheels.wordpress.com

Eyes-

White/silver shimmery eye shadows:

White or silver eye shadow shimmer reflects off of the skin and lights up the eyes and brow bones.  Try putting these light shimmery hues in the corner of your eyes, on the lids, and on your brow bone to really make your eyes pop, the simple way.  This light, shimmery hue looks flattering on any skin tone and eye color.

Photo taken from eyeshadowlipstick.com

Photo taken from omgdaily.com

Photo taken from realbeauty.com

The 60s inspired cat eye

The cat eye is a wonderful technique because a.) it’s always classy looking and not too heavy, and  b.) there’s sooo many different ways to modify this look, so its easy to find a variation that suites you best.  When wearing the cat eye, a simple light colored eye shadow, such as the shimmery white shadow, frames it beautifully.  There’s a more modern twist of the cat eye emerging, although the traditional vintage cat eye is a great go-to look.  Below are a few of the many different ways to wear this look–

The double winged look

Photo taken from haarpersbazaar.com

A pop of color

Photo taken from silverliningsnewyork.com

The dramatic wing

Photo taken from living.msn.com

The ‘standard’ cat eye

Photo taken from becomegorgeous.com

Lips: A pop of color

Soft hues of pink and nude are wonderful for the fresh spring look.  The paler tones produce a more natural look, and blend beautifully on all skin tones, especially when paired with the sun kissed cheeks.  These hues are great to use because they can be achieved with a hint of colored lip balm or lipgloss, so you don’t have to worry much about smudging.  If you want a slightly more dramatic and edgier look, brighter pinks, reds, lilacs, and tangerines are a great way to go.  To help the color last, put a coat of lipstick on and blot it with a tissue, put another layer on, apply a face powder with a small makeup brush, and then relayer.

Photo taken from stylelist.com

Photo taken from thefinishingbar.com

Photo taken from blog.ilovethisbox.com.au

Photo taken from fashionmadness.net

Photo taken from glamour.com

When American Eagle introduced the “boyfriend jean” back when I was in high school, I was dying to try a pair out. Half because I liked the idea of having a boyfriend (no, I didn’t actually have one) and half because I always envied how laid back and comfortable my guy friends looked. Meanwhile I crammed and wiggled my way into bootcut jeans every morning, longing for those magical pants that somehow looked loose around the legs but hugged all the right places.

Then I tried a pair on.

M.I.S.T.A.K.E.

How those American Eagle models managed to look feminine and confident in those pants, I will never know. I looked like a construction worker taking his lunch break.

The boy pant is still something I struggle with today, and a look that I envy every time I run across it in magazines or blogs. But I think I’ve figured out a way to make it work in real life, without the help of Photoshop. Today, I would love to share these tips with you, in hopes that I’ll see more women confidently rocking this look, so maybe I feel brave enough to try it myself.

Image taken from http://sundaycrossbow.blogspot.com/

1. Cuff ‘em and wear heels. Seriously. Wonder how you’ll get those long legs? This is the trick. I especially like the idea of just wearing a casual t-shirt and letting the heels be the only dressy accessory. This is probably one of my favorite looks ever.

Image taken from http://www.stylescrapbook.com/

2. The more holes and the more inseam, the better: Never wear boy jeans down low on your hips, pull them up, cinch them with a belt and make them look as worn in as possible. By wearing a soft floral blouse and heels you can make the somewhat sloppy pant situation look absolutely fantastic.

Image taken from http://www.theyallhateus.com/3am/

3. For casual occasions, don’t be afraid to embrace the slouchiness: If you’re headed for a weekend grocery shop or a midweek coffee break at Alterra, wear a light wash jean and an oversized sweater or this chambray shirt.

If you’re looking to complete one of these outfits without the help of your boyfriend or your guy friend’s closet, here are a few pairs that are on my wishlist:

Gap 1969 boyfriend jeans – $69.95, for dressier occasions

Madewell boyjean – $125.00, for just knocking around

Urban Outfitter’s colored jean – $100.00, for when you feel extra gutsy

And of course, the jean that started it all, that ironically doesn’t look so boyfriendy anymore and that I would never want to actually see on my boyfriend. Thanks American Eagle.

The classic print of the 70’s is back: paisley. Though this print is usually reserved for boys, it’s proving to be a feminine favorite this season. Designers have changed the trend’s traditional masculine style and have incorporated a feminine flair by using bright colors and more ladylike prints, which is seen in a variety of different pieces from dresses, to pants, to rompers, to blazers. Below are some different ways to sport the look and places you can snag some affordable and cool paisley pieces.

Photo taken from velveteenprints.com

Photo taken from velveteenprints.com

Photo taken from fashion-trends-styles.com

Photo taken from fashion-trends-styles.com

Photo taken from fashion-trends-styles.com

Photo taken from fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Photo taken from fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Photo taken from fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Photo taken from honeybee-nyc.com

Photo taken from honeybee-nyc.com

Here are some of my favorite affordable paisley pieces:

Photo taken from us.asos.com

Asos Blazer in Paisley Prints $116.38

Photo taken from us.asos.com

Free People Paisley Skater Dress $196.96

Photo taken from hm.com/us

H&M Shorts $24.95

Photo taken from hm.com/us

H&M Dress $39.95

Photo taken from forever21.com

Herringbone & Paisley Skirt $17.80

Photo taken from forever21.com

Sleeveless Paisley Shirt $16.90

Photo taken from usa.frenchconnection.com

Poppy Paisley Tie Trousers $138.00

Photo taken from Jcrew.com

Cafe Capri in Sovereign Paisley $99.00

Now that it’s the season for legs, flaunt them!  Make them look long, lean, and immaculate.  This long, lean look can be achieved without dreadful foot discomfort, an awkward looking walk, or constantly worrying about falling on your face.  If your anything like me, there’s a frequent battle between the desire to wear heels and feel sexy, while still wanting to be comfortable at the same time.  However, there’s a definite solution to this predicament: wedges.  Wedges are the ultimate spring and summer time shoe for any woman because they’re comfortable, stylish, sexy, and bottom line, ten times easier to walk in then your typical heels.  They provide that extra boost of confidence without you having to break your back (literally).  Wedges are extremely versatile and can be dressed up for the night or casually worn for the daytime.  Not to mention they come in countless different styles and designs and can often be purchased for cheaper than a typical pair of heels.  Here are some of this season’s most stylish wedge trends:

Photo taken from Aldoshoes.com

Photo taken from Aldoshoes.com

Photo taken from Aldoshoes.com

Photo taken from Aldoshoes.com

-Opt for bold and bright neon colors for an edgy, chic look.

Photo taken from Aldoshoes.com

-An espadrille bottom looks great for a laid back, summery look and can be worn with an extremely casual outfit.

Photo taken from stevemadden.com

Photo taken from stevemadden.com

-Color-blocking is super on-trend, fun, and has a very high-fashioned appearance.

Photo taken from stevemadden.com

Photo taken from stevemadden.com

-The peep-toe silhouette makes for a fabulous classy and feminine look.  Try pairing these with a 50’s or 60’s inspired outfit.

Photo taken from shop.nordstrom.com

Photo taken from shop.nordstrom.com

Photo taken from shop.nordstrom.com

-Bold tribal and floral prints are daring and super fun looking.  Pair them with a neutral top or bottoms to balance out your look.

Photo taken from shop.nordstrom.com

Photo taken from shop.nordstrom.com

-The ankle-strap wedge makes for a cool sophisticated and more polished look.

Photo taken from urbanoutfitters.com

Photo taken from urbanoutfitters.com

-A smaller sized neutral wedge is extremely practical yet stylish for just about any day of the week.

Now go out and find a wondrous wedge that’ll suite you best, and start showing off those legs without any problems!

The warm weather last week is hardly worth complaining about, but it leaves me feeling a tad self conscious in my sundress and sandals. My fellow fair skinned women will agree. They know what I’m talking about: putting on sunglasses and glancing at your legs every 200 feet or so, letting the tint in the lenses trick you into thinking you got at least a little sun on your legs. Or sitting in class and quickly taking a tally of everyone in the room who’s more tan than yourself (read: everyone) and proceed to feel incredibly lame. Or being bold and skipping the sunscreen for a gutsy three hours, only to get horribly burnt, live up to your tan counterparts for a week, peel and be forced to start all over. Occasionally we break down and try to sneakily purchase some Jergens in Walgreens before we run into anybody we know, proceed to hide it behind our other lotions and pretend that the smell doesn’t make us want to vomit.

This Monday, I’m here to tell all my fair skinned gals to cut it out and embrace your fair skin. Let’s be real, nobody is coming up with a solution for us anytime soon that doesn’t result in skin cancer. So we might as well work with what we got. Below are three ways to flaunt your fair skin this spring:

Image taken from vanessajackman.blogspot.com

1. White and beige: Us fair skinned people often shy away from any color that might exaggerate our lack of color, but the fact is lighter colors actually work to bring out our color rather than making us look washed out. Rather than throw on a bright color to try to add some contrast, white and beige bring out some color and create a very natural and feminine look. Throw on some comfy chino cut-offs and a semi-translucent white top for a simple and pretty spring outfit. Ps. Try to shy away from pastels and bright yellows.

Image taken from http://nataliejoylookbooks.tumblr.com/

2. Red lips: The exception, naturally, is lip color. Fair skinned women look fantastic with bold lip colors in red, orange and pink. Don’t limit lip stain to dress up events and nighttime dinners on the patio at Rustico, wear it all day, everyday. Lip stain is a fair skinned woman’s best friend.

Image taken from http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/

3. Black or dark nail polish: Dark nail polishes work well for women with fair skin. A navy blue or black would be perfect for the summertime and balance out the white and beige I talked about above.

Fair skinned ladies of Marquette, how will you rock the fair skin this spring?