Krista Brumm: How to Stay Authentic and Know Your Worth

Krista stepped into the world of blogging during her freshman year at Iowa State. But why Krista started her blog, and the message she hopes to share goes well beyond the typical makeup tutorial or latest fashion trend. Expressing herself through fashion and beauty, Krista feels at her best and most confident when decked out in a great outfit, and her makeup is on point. Krista was the girl who would dress to the nines every day in high school, donning heels, a full face, and never repeating an outfit. "I was that girl," Krista laughs. But once Krista graduated high school, her college experience was an entirely different story.  Photo Courtesy of Krista Brumm "[College] was a weird transition time for me," says Krista. "I remember showing up the first day wearing something that was probably way over the top and my friends were like, 'We wear sweatpants here.'" Krista admitted, "I had never owned a pair of sweatpants."  Feeling out of place and in search of community, Krista joined a sorority, though quickly discovered the sorority wasn't the best environment for her either. "I thought of a sorority in one way, but when I got there, it was something very different."  Decked out in sweatpant ensembles and finding herself surrounded by the wrong people, Krista realized she was starting to lose her sense of self and identity. So out of a desire to find a supportive community that shared her same love of beauty and fashion, Krista started posting on Instagram and created her blog, now called the Krista Collective.   Photo Courtesy of Krista Brumm While on her blog, Krista shares everything beauty and fashion, detailing her beauty routines and favorite skincare products, and what clothes and brands she's loving, Krista goes much deeper. In her blog and posts, Krista opens up in a way that breaks through the shiny Instagram veneer, revealing a real person who shares the same vulnerabilities and insecurities as everyone e