The Summer Beauty Tag

I really enjoy participating in tags so I thought, why not one more? Hope you enjoy!

What is the best part of summer time?

Swimming! I didn't realize how much I loved swimming until I made the decision to stay in Philadelphia for the summer. I still have yet to find a great outdoor pool or make a day trip to the beach, but that has to change soon if I'm going to keep my sanity.

Do you tan or burn?

I tan...a lot. I can actually count on one hand the number of black people I know that have gotten sunburned. Perhaps it's the melanin it our skin that keeps us from being burned. I'll look that up. 

Favorite summer nail polish?

This year it's been changing a lot so I won't name a specific brand and color name. But, I have been gravitating towards bright shades of orange and powder blues. 

Favorite summer drink/beverage?

Lemonade, iced coffee, and mojitos. 

Favorite summer clothing item?

Maxi skirts and crop tops. Sorry that was two items; clearly I'm not good at following directions. 

Favorite phone app during this summer?

Overall, I think this question is kind of dumb but I suppose I'll say Instagram because it's full of great vacation photos.

Favorite summer movie?

Again, kind of a dumb question but I guess I'll go with any superhero movie. Those are typically really big summer blockbusters and I'm a huge fan of them all.

Favorite summer beauty product?

Anything with a gold, peach, or bronze shimmer. Those tones look great against my skin tone when the sun hits it.

Favorite summer activity?

Swimming! I swear, if I don't get in a pool soon I'm going to lose it. 

Favorite type of lip product for the summer time?

Lip balm with SPF. Easy. 

If you'd also like to participate, I tag you! Feel free to copy and paste The Summer Beauty Tag questions in your platform and share your own thoughts. I'd love to hear all of your summer favorites; comment below with the link to your answers so I can check it out!

Tips & Tricks Tuesday | Beat The Heat

This post started off as a different tip and changed completely as I was walking to work this morning. Philadelphia is currently experiencing a heat wave, which served as a harsh reminder for me that summer is just around the corner. With that in mind, I figured I would share a few fool-proof tricks to stay looking (and smelling) your best through all of this season's heat and humidity.  

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• Avoid A White Cast | This tip is more relevant for ladies with darker skin tones, but it affects all women alike when it comes to photographs! White cast is the unfortunate white film that can occur with certain sunscreens and makes your summer glow look dull and pasty. To prevent this, look for sunscreens that don't have titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which are typically found in physical sunscreens. Opt for a chemical sunscreen without these ingredients or mix it with your favorite tinted moisturizer to dilute it.
• Stay Dry | As someone who is, unfortunately, prone to sweat a lot, I've learned a few tricks to keep dry and fresh throughout the day. It may sound old-fashioned, but baby powder is beyond helpful during the summer. Don't coat yourself in it, just add enough where you need it so that extra moisture will be wicked away during the day. Also, keep wipes, blotting sheets, and an extra deodorant in your bag for any needed touch-ups throughout the day. It's better to have those things and not need them, than to need them and not have them. 
• Keep Hydrated | No one should have to tell you how important water is at this point. It keeps you hydrated, helps regulate your body temperature, and saves you from passing out...which is always a plus. It also boosts your metabolism and helps keep your skin clear, which can be hard to do with sweat and pollutants clogging your pores in the summer. Take it one step further and infuse your water with some of your favorite fruits or vegetables. Popular choices are lemon, cucumber, and berries because they add flavor, vitamins, and antioxidants to make water a lot easier to drink for those who don't prefer it plain. 

What are some tricks that you use to stay gorgeous during the summer? Let me know in the comments section below!

Summer to Fall Transitional Pieces

Don't hang up your summer clothes just yet because I have a few simple ways to make your favorite pieces stretch into the colder months. For my fellow college students, we can't always afford to buy a whole new wardrobe every time the seasons change. All that means is we get to be a little more creative!

• Sarong into head wrap/turban | Transform your favorite beach cover up into a fashionable way to stay warm. There are tons of tutorials on YouTube to make fabulous, and easy, head wraps so don't be afraid to try your hand at this trend.
• Crop tops over maxi dresses | This kills two birds with one stone. Both items were wildly popular this summer and will be just as popular if layered together. This style provides warmth and an unique silhouette. Add a thick scarf and some boots and you're ready to go.
• Tank tops and outerwear | One article I never retire during the fall (to the disdain of my mother) is a good tank top. While the trend of pairing them over long sleeve shirts may be long gone with snap bracelets and butterfly clips, there are other ways to stay warm. Layer them with chunky sweaters, leather jackets, or military jackets to stay in style and out of the nurse's office. 

While many may be storing away their summer essentials, mine are still hanging in my closet. Just because the weather is changing, doesn't mean you have to put your favorite pieces away until next year. Working with your summer articles forces you to be more creative with your outfits and is a really fun challenge. 

What head-turning outfits will you be creating this season? If you have an amazing OOTD using summer pieces that you'd like to share, post it on Twitter or Instagram and tag #summertofall. Your creation may be featured on my next F+ post! 

Summer to Fall Transitional Makeup

It would be easy to tell you to toss your pink and coral lipsticks aside to make room for darker colors, but that's obvious isn't it? Naturally people tend to wear cooler colors during the cooler seasons. However, I want to show you simple ways to wear your favorite summer shades all year long and truly transition your makeup for the fall.

• Orange was extremely popular this summer. It's bright, bold, and vibrant, much like your bikinis I'm sure. But orange is also a very autumnal color most noticeably seen in the leaves when they change colors. The best way to wear this color through the fall would be to tone it down. Opt out of a full-on orange lipstick and try a lip gloss or stain. You still have that unexpected pop of color without going overboard. Recommendations...
• Drugstore: L'oreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Coral Tattoo
• High end: Yves Saint Laurent Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain in Orange De Chine

• Turquoise eyeliner was also a huge  trend this summer. You can still incorporate this hue by choosing to use an eyeshadow instead of the more harsh eyeliner. Turquoise eyeshadow is much more forgiving and gives you a lot more flexibility. You can tone it down by smoking it out with a dark brown or charcoal gray shadow in the crease. You also have the option wearing the turquoise shadow the way is was most commonly used this summer: on the lower lash line. Just be sure to blend! Recommendations...
• Drugstore: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Tenacious Teal
• High end: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencil in Clash

• Rose colored, neutral pink lips were also seen everywhere. Luckily, in my opinion, this trend is already perfect for year round use. Natural lip shades are classic and timeless; you can never go wrong. If you want to enhance it for fall in a subtle way, choose pink shades that lean more towards the mauve or berry families. It will still be a warm, neutral color, but adding a slight purple tint will make it a bit more seasonal. Recommendations...
• Drugstore: Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle
• High end: MAC Lustre Lipstick in Politely Pink

Have you tried any of these techniques or products? Know of any makeup transition tips that you would like to share? Comment below or tell me all about it on Twitter @JordanCathleen_! 

My Vacation Beauty Essentials

In about two weeks time I will be relaxing on the beaches of sunny San Juan. But before that happens, there are a few fashion and beauty essentials that I need to make sure I have with me.

FASHION

• Cover up | This one should be the most self-explanatory. After leaving the beach or the pool and you don't want to stop and change, a cover up is a life saver. Luckily there are a ton of cute options from a sarong to a maxi dress or even a wide leg pair of beach pants. I still haven't decided which one I want...so I probably try to get them all.
• Hat | Since I typically wear my hair in fro form lately, I haven't gotten a chance to wear a hat yet this summer. But, hats are extremely important and keep your face shielded from the sun's harsh rays during the day. I have a classic wide-brimmed beach hat and a fedora that will definitely be taking the trip with me.
• Sandals | Also obvious. However, for me, it's definitely time to invest in a new pair. While the pair I currently own aren't extremely old, it would still be embarrassing if for some reason they decided to give out on me mid- late night stroll.
• Swimsuit | I just want a new one, okay?!

BEAUTY

• Sunscreen | The biggest beauty must for vacationing. Because you will be in the sun a lot more, protecting your skin has to become a priority in your skincare routine while you're away.
• Fragrance mist | Again, during vacation you're constantly moving from one activity to the next. Would you really like to smell like a long day on the beach during lunch? Yeah, neither would I.
• Leave-in conditioner (with SPF) | If your skin can be damaged from sun exposure, what's stopping your hair from being at risk too? This is a great way to keep your hair from being stripped of all its moisture while in the pool or ocean and protect it from UV rays. 
• Waterproof...everything | If you can't bear to have a bare face, then be minimal with your makeup. Wearing heavy makeup to the pool or beach can look just as silly as wearing makeup to the gym, so be careful. Instead of foundation, opt for a BB cream with SPF. Also, make sure your eyeliners and mascara are waterproof to avoid looking like someone just broke up with you in the middle of the ocean. 

Anything I missed? Let me know what you're fashion and beauty essentials are for vacationing! I would love to hear them. 

Started From The Bottom: My Summer 2013 Goals

Since I have returned home for summer break, I have really been struggling internally. I haven't had a clear focus on what I want to do with myself this summer and not having a clear plan bothers me. I thought I would be able to go with the flow and let things happen as they may, but something tells me that won't reap the results that I want. So, I'm starting from scratch, from the bare bottom. I'm going back to using the most simple method that I was taught as a child from my mom, which is making a goals list. Typically I would just jot this down in my phone or on a stickies note on my Mac, but I thought I would share this with you. Hopefully my foggy start will help us both get a clear direction for the rest of the summer.

• Quit working at Bath and Body Works
• Find a higher paying position
• Spend quality time with my friends
• Visit my boyfriend in Philadelphia
• Go to Puerto Rico!
• Move in with my dad in DC
• Apply for more scholarships!
• Visit NYC, for real this time
• Go to Kings Dominion
• Start a Youtube channel, perhaps
• Convince my mom to let me move off campus*

This list is totally spontaneous. I feel it's better to write goal lists this way because it typically results in more honest, candid answers. So that's it for now! If I think of any other goals I want to complete I will add them and as I accomplish these goals I will cross them off. Feel free to start your own list. I'm sure you'll be surprised how much more you will achieve!

*This one scares me.