Like many college students, I pull out all the stops in order to avoid taking an early morning class. Unfortunately sometimes those courses are simply unavoidable. Of course, at the beginning of the semester I resolve to go to bed earlier on the nights before said classes, so I can wake up earlier and presumably have enough time to get ready and pull my look together. But, predictably, my bedtime soon creeps back to a later hour, and I usually find myself scrambling to throw on an outfit that looks half decent. Most mornings, I simply skip the makeup all together because I assume it takes way too much time.

The main problem with my early morning, sans-makeup look is that I never really feel that great without makeup. By no means would I consider myself a girl who wears a lot of makeup, or who feels “naked” without it, but sometimes it’s nice to know that you’ve put in a bit of effort to look more beautified. So recently I have devised what I have deemed my “ready-in-a-rush” makeup routine that has really come in handy thus far.

Basically the key to my routine is simplicity. I am well aware that I tend to move much slower in the mornings compared to later in the day, so the trick has been to keep everything quick and simple. The first step of this “ready-in-a-rush” routine is tinted moisturizer (with SPF of course). Tinted moisturizer basically kills two birds with one stone by moisturizing my skin (which tends to get pretty flaky in the winter) and providing subtle coverage for those annoying blemishes.

Next in my routine is mascara. Personally, I prefer jet-black mascara because it provides the most impact in the shortest amount of time. I’m one of the lucky few ladies who was born with naturally long eyelashes, so I usually only need one coat. However, a second coat takes only a few seconds longer, so by all means, go for it.

The final, and in my opinion the most essential step of this “ready-in-a-rush” routine is the lip. I strongly believe that lip color can pull any look together, even if it is the only makeup you apply. Even sheer shades can really make you look more polished when you are running out the door. My favorite product is undoubtedly Stila Cherry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain. The color, described as a “sheer berry red,” looks good on pretty much anyone. In addition, it’s extremely versatile, so you can use one layer for a sheer look or layer on a few coats for a more dramatic look. And if you have those extra few minutes on a particular morning, you can even use it as a cheek stain. I rarely have the extra time, so I use it exclusively for my lips, but it never hurts to have a good two-in-one product.

Stila Cherry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain, Sephora, $24

So if you do tend to find yourself short on time in the mornings but still craving a bit of makeup, I highly suggest developing your own “ready-in-a-rush” morning makeup routine. Different people prefer different products, so by all means, devise our own routine with products that are totally different from the ones I use. But remember that simplicity really is the key when you have only 15 minutes to get dressed, ready, and out the door!

I’ve never been much of a winter gal. Sure, I love warm, cozy sweaters and steaming cups of hot chocolate, but my body was just not made for the cold. Each winter, my pale skin gets even whiter, and my light brown hair loses its highlights and progresses into a ruddy, mousy brown color that really can only be described as “blah.” Of course we all know that the color palettes for winter are darker and richer than summer palettes, and quite honestly these dark colors look pretty weird with my winter white complexion and blah factor hair. Nonetheless, until very recently, I simply conformed and wore the wintery dark colors.

But lately I’ve been taking a (small yet significant) stand and trying to break away from the winter darks. Basically, the nonconformist in me has decided to forego the dark nail polishes that are more on trend in the winter, and instead I have been rocking bright reds, pinks, and corals. There’s no denying that these colors simply look way better with my skin tone than inky shades that are characteristic of the winter months. And while at first I felt somewhat out of place with such bright and unseasonal colors on my nails, I really love the way that these summery shades pop against my darker clothing ensemble (one thing at a time).

Some of my favorite summer-now-winter colors for my nails are:

Essie in Peach Daiquiri, Nordstrom, $8

Essie in Lollipop, Nordstrom, $8

Zoya in Paz, zoya.com, $8

I am a firm believer in the idea that your nails can be one of your greatest accessories, so while my summery nails may not be extremely out of the box, it still feels like I’m making a small statement by using this “accessory” to embrace summer and shun the colors that have come to define the dreary winter. And not only are these colors way more fun and way more flattering on my skin tone, but they also serve to remind me that summer is only a few short months away.

As a girl who is cursed with fine, flat, fairly lifeless hair, I tend to be at a great risk for a bad case of the greasies. As a result, I have to be particularly careful when it comes to buying shampoo and other hair products in order to avoid the oil-slicked look. The two words that I always looks for when determining which products NOT to buy are “moisturizing” and “shine”—two big no-no’s when it comes to oil-prone locks (fortunately for me, my hair has never really lacked moisture, so even I can still get it to look pretty shiny without these types of prodz).

But when I am suddenly ambushed by a case of the greasies, I immediately reach for dry shampoo. Until recently, I didn’t really have a go-to brand for dry shampoo. However, just a few weeks ago I discovered a formula that I now swear by (what can I say, I fell hard and fast). The new object of my affection is Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, seen here:

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, Sephora, $19/2.5oz. bottle

At $19 for a 2.5 oz. bottle, this product is a bit of an investment, but I promise, it will last you forever. My sister has been using the same bottle for more than a year, and she still has over an inch left in the bottle. The powder formula smells nice and fresh (but the scent is not too overpowering) and while the powder is white when it is dispensed, it rubs in easily so there is no awkward grayish residue at the roots. In addition, the formula is very light, so your hair remains touchable rather than hard and crunchy. Honestly, I can’t believe I waited so long to try this stuff despite my sister’s recommendations.

Just days ago I turned in my final assignment of the semester, therefore marking the end of my semester abroad in London.  While I cannot deny that I am thrilled to see my friends and family back in the States, I’m pretty sure I’ll be fighting back tears upon entering the terminal at Heathrow.  The past three months have been some of the best of my life, and I have learned so much about both the world and myself.  In addition, my invaluable lessons in life and international cultures have been supplemented with some authentic schooling in beauty and style.  London ladies definitely know a thing or two about looking good, and I’d be foolish not to steal some of their tricks and bring them back to the States with me.  Here’s a quick summary of some of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up throughout the semester:

Less is actually more: I’ll admit it—I don’t wear half of my clothes.  I don’t even dislike the clothes I don’t wear; I just have some signature pieces that I recycle frequently.  The solution to this problem is really two-fold: 1) wear more of my clothes, and 2) don’t buy as many clothes in the future.  It is the latter that I have seen manifested in London.  The London females that I have met all have killer clothes yet possess smaller wardrobes than you might expect.  However, they wear each and every item in their closet.  The key is to invest in the pieces that you have to have, and not necessarily those so-so items that you may or may not wear in the future.

Dress up a bit: One night at dinner, one of my American friends commented on the fact that Londoners always look so put together, even at those early Friday morning classes.  In response, a native Englishman remarked that Londoners simply like to feel good, and thus dress up a bit.  And I think he was right.  During the school year, I tend to just throw on sweatpants and skimp on makeup for my morning classes.  I definitely think that you should always dress for you, and not to satisfy the tastes of others.  However, I personally feel more self-confident when I think I look good, and I definitely think I look good when I take the time to put on make-up and dress in clothes that don’t resemble pajamas.  Thus, I plan on emulating the London ladies and taking those extra few minutes every morning to look a little better, and in turn feel a little better too.

Scarves on scarves on scarves: Scarves are not unique to London.  But nonetheless, London has given me a new appreciation for the way scarves can really spice up an outfit.  Pretty much everyone here rocks scarves on the reg, and they always look fabulous.  In an effort to look just as fabulous, I too, have started wearing a scarf almost daily, and I undoubtedly plan on continuing to rock my scarves like a Londoner back in the U-S-of-A.

Like many girls who grew up in the ‘90s, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen largely defined my childhood.  I owned all of their movies (the mysteries, the parties, the feature films—all of them), read each and everyone one of their books, and used their wardrobes as my fashion inspiration.  As an Olsen fanatic, I of course knew that the twins had a younger sister, “Lizzie,” who frequently made cameo appearances in their films.

While Elizabeth Olsen largely flew under the radar in the 2000s, she has returned to Hollywood in a big way this past year.  A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, this girl can certainly act.  She has received a great deal of praise for her roles in both Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) and Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding (2011), and is scheduled to appear in Red Lights and Liberal Arts, both to be released next year.

In addition to her talent, Elizabeth just kills it in the beauty department.  I literally love everything about her look.  While she has been a brunette in the past, I definitely prefer the blond hair she is currently rocking.  In addition, her skin is simply divine; the girl just glows.  She always looks so fresh-faced and radiant, never too done up but still very lady-like and classy.  And those arches—like her sisters, Elizabeth favors thicker yet sculpted eyebrows that flawlessly frame her face.  As an eyebrow lover myself, I’m definitely a fan.

I think it’s safe to say that I’ve developed a major girl crush on Elizabeth Olsen.  If 2011 is any indication, she is definitely one to watch in 2012, both on and off the big screen.  And while her sisters have certainly left some gigantic shoes to fill, I think it’s safe to say that Elizabeth will pave her own way as both a talented actress and a beauty guru in the years to come.