Saturday, November 30, 2013

Top 10 Must Have/ Perfect Presents for the Fashionista n Your Life!

With Black Friday-aka the fashionista favorite day of 
the entire year- right around the corner Chic Academy 
thought this gives us the perfect opportunity to give 
you my top 10 must have/ perfect presents for the 
fashionista in your life! 


1) Gift Card-OMG I love me a gift card! Women in fashion-and men I
guess- are probably the most judgmental and pickiest people ever so
if you want to go safe this idea is the way to go! My top three 
favorite gift cards-Forever 21 (obvie),H&M who wouldn't), and 
Francesca's because everyone needs a cute dress once in a 
while! 




2) PLAID-I swear to everything that this is, this is my favorite 
trend this season!I am dying when ever I see this! A plaid skirt 
is one way togo if you want to be daring! The safe players go with
the plaid shirt-no gift receipt necessary because they will keep 
that shirt and wearing it to their hearts content! 

Olsenboye® Plaid Skirt or Cat Sweatshirt




3) Leather Jacket- a classic leather jacket is a must have this 
holiday season!It's so easy to pair this with an outfit, it can be
very elegant as well effortless and rocker. When the weather outside
gets frightening,and jacket is so delighting and with no other 
jacket to find throw this one on! Let it snow, Let it snow! 

Or try this adorable

Ellen Tracy Metallic-Tweed Faux-Leather Jacket

  found at Macy's!




4) On the theme of leather-Leather LEGGINGS! I never knew this was 
a thing until very recently and since then I will never go back! I 
am obsessed! If your fashionista wants to play it safe find leggings 
that are all completely leather,get some primarily cotton with leather
patches with it! But for the risk takers get those completely leather 
leggings- I personally would love to have a pair of army green ones!
It's a probably how much I want them! 



Faux Leather Panel Leggings $19.80

5) Animal Sweaters- you are probably thinking why on earth would 
someone want to wear a sweater with a giant fox or squirrel on it-
well let me tell you-it's cute and adorable! Just get for her! 
Done moving on! 


FRENCH HEN SWEATER





6) Vera Bradley- I love Vera ( I am getting a duffle for
Christmas just totes watched my mom order it)! There bags 
either it be a duffle of a purse, they are so functional for
a fashionista on the go! Totes in love and would recommend
it to anyone!










7) Thigh High Boots- do I really need to go into detail about these!
All I can say is acquire a pair like yesterday! They will love you
forever! 


Lucky Brand Roller Over The Knee Boots

Black Crinkle Faux Leather Boots

Bonus ( your welcome)- to counter the thigh high 
boots why not get booties!That are super cute 
and girly! And totally in season! Winter=Boots 



8)  Wide Brimmed Hat- I love these! I almost had a melt down that
would rival a three year old in the middle of Charming Charlie's 
the other day because I couldn't get one! I recommend black, brown 
is also fun! 

Faye Floppy Hat


9) Studded Clutch- really anything that makes her feel like a
badass and she can take on the world! 

Working an Angle Clutch



10) Statement Necklace and Earrings- now don't pair these together 
because that just waiting for fashion police to give you a ticket
for over accessorizing! But a ginormous earring always makes head 
turns! As well as a long gold chain hanging around you neck!



Statement Necklace/Earrings- anything really on Charming Charlie

I hope this helps with you holiday wish list as well as
that pesky friend that says they don't want anything 
but in reality want something fabulous to match their 
fabulousness! Merry Christmas Everyone and remember if 
you have the ability to give back this season either 
with Toys for Tots or simply donating that spare 
change found in your cup holder-DO IT! :) 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Nick Picks!: November Edition

Hi! I’m back with more picks! I’m really excited to share these new products with you guys because these are all new products that I just recently tried and love! Recently ,I’ve become obsessed with organic products because they don’t harm the earth and their natural and healthy for you! Organix has become my all-time-favorite hair care line and they’re most of my picks this month!




1.Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner: I’m very picky about what shampoo and conditioner I use on my hair because I’m allergic to it but last week I went out on a limb and bough Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner and I am in love with it. It smells amazing and it moisturizes and cleans my hair so well! It is the best shampoo and conditioner I’ve ever bought!
2. Brazilian Keratin Oil Shinning Spray: I usually just put in my hairspray after I’m done with my hair but the Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shimmering Keratin Oil spray from Organix gives you a shiny look to your hair when you’re finished. I love this product because it’s something new that I haven’t used but it does wonders on my hair and the look! I really suggest this product to anyone who’shair lacks shine.
3. Moroccan Smooth Perfection Blow Out Cream: This is a must on anyone’s vanity table! I am obsessed with Organix Moroccan Smooth Perfection Blow Out Cream! It gives you that extra burst of volume you need and it smells amazing and makes your hair smell amazing! It also adds extra softness to your hair and who doesn’t love soft hair? I recommend this product to anyone who blow dries their hair!

4. Luxurious Moroccan Argan Crème Sheer Opulence Masque: I’m a fan of masks because they condition and moisturize your hair more than an average conditioner can and I’ve used this masque a handful of times and I can say it honestly works. I love the softness and smoothness of my hair after I use it. It smells wonderful and it makes your hair look amazing! You only have to leave it in for 3-5 minutes and it works wonders on your hair! I suggest this product to anyone who loves masques, someone who wants to try a masque for the first time or anyone with dry hair.  

5. Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil: I’ve never used oil for my hair but I recently started using this product every day. Once I read the benefits of argan oil like, hydrating dry hair, repair hair after all the damage styling does to it, rich in omega 3 and fatty acids that help repair split ends etc. I put this on my hair after I get out of the shower and it works amazing! Organix has different types of argan oil for all types of hair, dry coarse hair, and extreme penetrating oil so anyone can use this product which is why I suggest it to everyone!

6. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Body Scrub: This is the first time I’ve ever bought a body scrub and I am in love! It’s not too expensive at only $11 and it works amazing! The sea salt revitalizes your skin amazingly! It has a lemon scent to it so you smell great (if you love the smell of lemons). I use this after I use my body wash and when I get out of the shower I love how soft my skin feels! I will definitely be re-purchasing this product. I suggest this to anyone with dry skin, especially because it’s winter and everyone needs to do whatever they can to make their skin soft.

7. Burt’s Beeswax Lip Balm: I’ve used this product for a few years now and I love it. It hydrates your lips and smells amazing. Everyone should have this product. Plus its winter and we all need a lip balm so we don’t get dry chapped lips.

8. Facial Clay Mask Mint & Lemon: PLEASE BUY THIS! I’m in love with this mask!!! Usually facial masks don’t work well on my skin but I recently bought this at Ulta (for only $3.99 which is really cheap for Ulta) and I’m in love with it! I use it once a week and it makes my skin so soft and cleanses so well! The mint is soothing on your skin so the mask just feels amazing while on your face. It’s also a deep pore cleansing mask so it does get rid of blackheads easily so I suggest this to anyone who needs a deep cleansing mask. It’s cost efficient and works amazingly on your skin!

9. Hope in A Jar Moisturizer: I was at a friend’s house a month ago and she had this product and suggested it to me so obviously I went out and tried it and I instantly fell in love with it! While the moisturizer I suggested last time works good this one just takes it an extra step further. It makes your skin so soft and it smells amazing! While it is $40 it lasts you awhile so it is worth the investment! I suggest this to everyone because it is for all skin types!

10. Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana:My cousin showed me this at the mall and I instantly fell in love with this fragrance! The taller bottle is the perfume and I suggest it to all women! I love the smell of this fragrance it’s so light and smells so amazing! The shorter one is the cologne and I suggest this to all men too! Smells amazing and lasts all day! I fell so in love with the cologne that I even bought it this time!

This concludes my segment of Nick’s Picks for this month! I have personally tried all of these products and suggest these to anyone! They work so wonderful on your body and hair! The hair products hydrate and soften my hair and so do the body products. I hope these picks work as well for you all as they do for me!
  

   --Nick Dellacamera 
-Chic Academy

Monday, November 11, 2013

Chic Academy's Top 6 Beauty Secrets!


You don't want this!!

Nobody wants those dreaded dark circles or tired, puffy eyes you get from staying up all night studying or maybe a long party the night before. No need to go out and buy expensive products!! Just try this easy and natural remedy to keep you looking wide awake, beautiful and refreshed! Let your tea bags (preferably green or black containing caffeine) steep for 2-3 minutes in a mug of hot water, take them out and let them cool down in the fridge for 20 minutes. 
We like this yummy Mixed Berry flavor! **Sip some of this delicious tea while you wait for the bags to chill!

After the bags are fully chilled squeeze out the excess water and make yourself comfortable, laying the bags on your eyes for 15-30 minutes. Once done rinse the tea stains off your face and reap the benefits!! 

Much better!




As fall has approached us its felt alot like winter for some of us already! No one likes the dry and cold weather that drys out our skin. This incredibly easy brown sugar exfoliator gets rid of all the dead skin, and the great thing is that it also tastes great too! Meanwhile its still lipstick season, and this beauty tip is perfect to help your ruby reds glide on smoothly!



Do you have bad nails and want a natural way to improve them? There is a simple solution for you!  Simply soak your fingers in olive oil for a few minutes every week. The olive oil will soften your cuticles and moisturize your nails without making them weak.  My favorite benefit is that it also prevents “hang nails” caused by dry skin.

In addition to healing waters and local indigenous treatments, honey is a favorite of the natural skin experts! When warmed and mixed with brown sugar or coffee grounds, it can be used as an exfoliator. Mixed with olive oil and oats, it makes for a relaxing face mask. When warmed and mixed into a moisturizer, it provides rich hydration for dry skin!





This is a fantastic natural formula that uses inexpensive ingredients. It’s also customizable to your personal preferences.This body scrub is a mixture of salt ,herbs and oils – with ingredients to soften, cleanse and exfoliate the skin and relax the body. You rub it vigorously all over your skin and then shower or rinse off afterwards and feel how babys-bottom soft your skin is!




During the summer your pores will massively increase to absorb all of the perspiration. Ways to decrease your pores is to wash your face more frequently during warmer temperatures to get rid of all the excess oils that our bodies produce! During cooler season you would want to wash your face less frequently to prevent from drying out your skin too much, but still be able to keep it clean and clear. This beauty tip will keep your face feeling healthy, clean, and fresh all throughout the seasons!


-Chic Academy

DIY: Lip Balms

Hello Fashionistas! Chic Academy recently hosted a DIY Beauty event that featured how to make your OWN Lip Balm! There's several different easy-peasy recipes to try but we only made a few! Here are instructions on how to make your own! #StayChic 



DIY: Kool-Aid Lip Balms

1 TBSP of Vasiline
1 package of any flavored Kool-Aid
Small Container & Lid
Wooden Stir Stick 

Directions
1. In the container you have, place 1 TBSP of Vasiline in it.

2. Pour the desired amount of Kool-Aid into the container with the Vasiline. (I would add a little bit of Kool-aid at a time.) 

****With the two elements combined it should look like this:

 
3. Now that you have your Kool-Aid and your Vasiline in one container, take the wooden stir stick and blend it all together. 

Once that step is completed your lip balm should look similar to this:

 
4. Once everything is blended together you have made an all natural lip balm! 

****Tip 1: The more Kool-Aid you add, the more the Kool-Aid crystals. I personally added a lot of Kool-Aid because I use this particular lip balm product as a lip exfoliatir at night. Once I apply this product to my lips I gently scrub my lips using my index finger. The Kool-Aid crystals help scrub off the dead skin and make your lips soft and smooth. 

*****Tip 2: If you do not like the feeling of the Kool-Aid crystals I suggest that you melt this product in the microwave on 30 seconds. Melting the mixture will help the Kool-Aid crystals dissolve. Once this product is dissolved let it sit out, or put it into the refrigerator to let it slightly harden. 



DIY: All Natural Lip Balm

1 TBSP of Shea Butter
1 TBSP of Vasiline
1 TBSP of Coconut Oil  
1 TBSP of Beeswax 


Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients above into a medium mixing bowl. 


Once you have them all combined, your products should look somewhat like this: 
2. After all of your ingredients are combined, do not stir them together. Immediately put the ingredients into the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. 

3.Once you see that all of your ingridients are completely melted, stir for 30 seconds to make sure your products are completely distributed. 

After Step 3, your products should look like this:
 
4.Once all of your products are distributed and blended you can now let the product sit for 1 minute until it slightly hardens. Once you see the consistency thicken, you can begin to scoop into little containers. 


After Step 4 is completed ,you can offcially be proud of yourself for making all natural lip balm! Congratulations! #StayChic my natural beauties! 






Sunday, November 10, 2013

Chic Academy Presents Favorite Beauty Products!


This past weekend Chic Academy gathered together to share all of our favorite beauty products! Watch the short clip below to check it out!