About Cassandra:
Cassandra is a senior Psychology major/Marketing minor at The College of William and Mary. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cassandra has grown up spending summers in New York, first as a Ford model and later as a fashion and public relations intern at HL Group and Marc Jacobs. She will graduate this May.
What is your favorite beauty line/product?
My favorite beauty line is Smashbox because they have quality products and a young, fun image. I can’t bring myself to buy products from lines my mother uses, such as Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown, because they make me feel old and matronly. Maybe I’m just a freak who has mommy issues, but I gravitate toward established brands that target our generation; Smashbox is the epitome of that. They are kind of like MAC for your average college biddy: they have cutting edge colors, great brushes and an unbeatable liquid eyeliner pen, and their prices are reasonable.
Currently, there are two products of which I can’t get enough: my Coco Red Chanel lipstick and my FACE Stockholm black gel eyeliner. Wearing a bold, red lipstick makes me feel empowered and glamorous. Obviously, “kiss me“ red lips are not ideal for all occasions, but if you’re trying to snag a double take or two at the bars, a little burst of color never hurts. And this eyeliner is perfect if you wantto make a statement with your eyes. The best thing about the FACE gel liner is that you get to pick the thickness and smudginess of the line. It is completely waterproof and doesn’t smear or fade, even after a typical weekend evening, i.e. tons of dancing,sweating, DFMO-ing, and sleeping in your makeup. I wake up the following day and my eyeliner looks freshly applied. Win.
What is your favorite makeup trend for spring?
Bright Rihanna-style eye makeup is awesome, but can be hard to pull off depending on your complexion and personal style. I love spring because I love pink—there are so many different shades, and they look good on everyone! I am also a big fan of the bold lips, especially for a night out. You have to be careful that the color works with your skin tone, but I love shades of red, sometimes throw in a hint of orange, and of course, hot pink. As far as the smoky eye goes, I am totally over it. It was hot when it came out circa five years ago, but I think it’s time to do something new with e
yes!
What makes you feel prettiest?
Recently my post-Spring Break tan has been making me feel extra pretty, especially because it’s natural. I love the glow you have after spending a day in the sun! Unfortunately, I do not live in a tropical location. To get a nice faux glow without paying for skin cancer, I am an avid supporter of Bare Minerals bronzer. Even if you’re not a firm believer in the Bare Minerals 3 step process, you cannot deny the power of their bronzer!! It has amazing coverage and a natural-looking sun kissed effect.
What do you do for skincare?
To be quite honest, I definitely don’t do as much as I should for my skin. But, as my numbers are increasing (take that as you wish), I’ve realized skincare needs be one of my priorities. I’m not trying to look like Joan Rivers in 20 years, and I’d prefer to have facial expressions when my grandchildren are born—sorry I’m not sorry. Don’t get me wrong, I will most likely be getting some Botox as the wrinkles emerge, I’d just like to delay the inevitable for as long as possible. Currently, I use Mario Badescu cucumber cream soap as a cleanser and his oil-free moisturizer with SPF 30. My toner is a family tradition—my mom got it from her mother, and my I’ve seen it lurking in my aunt’s bathroom as well. It isn’t anything fancy, just a simple bottle of witch hazel toner from the pharmacy. As far as eye cream goes, it’s probably about that time to start dabbling, but I am still lingering in denial! The one thing I always keep in mind when it comes to cleansers is that ones with exfoliating beads meant to give you that “refreshing, scrubbed feeling” are actually terrible for your skin. What those beads are actually doing is tearing at your pores. I stick to simple, creamy cleansers!
What is the one beauty tip you would recommend to every Collegiette™?
Do things that are good for your body!! You automatically look better when you feel better, and nothing is more attractive than confidence. If you know that eating French fries makes you break out, then don’t eat them. If you know you’re going to gorge at an all-you-can-eat event, do an extra ten minutes on the elliptical. If you know that getting your eye brows waxed or the occasional manicure is a really great pick-me-up, set aside money to treat yourself every once in a while. Basically, be good to yourself. Oh, and for the love of god, please match your foundation/cover up/whatever you use to your skin color! Pumpkin heads never have and never will be in. If you’re unsure which colors or products to use, ask a professional! Take advantage of free consultations as a chance to learn what makeup works for you and, more importantly, how to apply it.