Everybody Needs a Cleanser

I’ve always had pretty clear and smooth skin, but during about the past year and a half as I’ve continued to learn more about my skin and have some occasional breakouts whether they are random, hormonal or from traveling and a change of weather I’ve realized that no matter how clear my skin usually is I needed to create a regimen and find products that work best for me and what my skin needs.

I’ve always enjoyed face masks whether that was buying them or creating my own and I’ve always loved natural oils on my body but I have in the last year began to realize how important it is to have a daily facial cleanser and I’ve also found a great love for retinol and oils like Vitamin E, Coconut oil (i’ve used a little on my face for about 2+ years), and almond oil for my face. Your skin can continue to have a natural glow by taking care of it. Our bodies are like plants and they grow if you water them, nourish them and take care of them by treating them with proper care, love, and respect. By drinking lots of water, eating properly and having adequate amounts of sleep and activity you will see the change in yourself, how you feel, how clear and glowing your skin is etc.

People always ask me about my skin and what I do to keep it so clear but I honestly don’t do too much, I’m not that girl with a 1,000 step skin routine, like if you have that it’s completely fine but I’m just not that girl (I also don’t have the patience for that). My routine is drinking LOTS of water (I’ve gotten much better over time, and as far is what I actually do as my routine is I use my cleanser, rose water spray and an oil (retinol, Vitamin E, almond) on a daily (I’m making it a habit).

i’ve been using this Vitamin C and Manuka Honey gel cleanser by NOW Solutions for about 2 months now and I absolutely love it! This big bottle was $7.19 from a health food store (but now products are also sold at Whole Foods). This cleanser is so lightweight and refreshing and leaves my skin feeling clean and glowing. It’s perfect for me because it’s straight to the point and does exactly what I need it to do. No matter how clear your skin is or has always been I’ve learned how important it is for every skin type to have some form of a cleanser. I love this one and I can see myself continuing to use it for a long time to come. Everybody needs a cleanser and I’ve definitely found the one that works best for me.

You Can Love Social Media but You also have to Limit it

I am a person who loves Instagram and I follow people who motivate and inspire me and are involved in the things that I am in or that I am striving to be apart of so I would say I keep what I indulge from others on social media pretty healthy but regardless of how positive or motivating your timeline is everyone needs a break from Instagram and all other social media platforms.

When on social media we may get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and what they are doing and what we feel we should be doing or where we think we should be but we all have to realize that you can’t compare your chapter two to someone else’s chapter 100, you don’t know what people had to do to get where they are now or how long it took them and you may see what their good days look like but you don’t know what their bad days look like, Instagram can be a highlight reel for the great things that are happening for people but it doesn’t showcase everything and you have to remember that.

You need breaks to reset and decompress, sometimes you have to take a break because being on social media so much and being on your phone so much can mess up your creative process and block you from creating new ideas that are truly original and truly your own. Also with being on our phones so much we get so caught up in thinking that that’s reality and forget to live in the moment. When you are enjoying life and indulging in great things your first instinct should be to really enjoy it not to pull out your phone to post on social media, if something bad happens in your life your first instinct should be to get on social media. We have to get out of the habit of being so attached to our phones and trying to create a persona online and actually live the reality that you are so fixated on showing to social media.

Social media is great for many things but it’s even better to not have bad attachments to it.

Looking Classic in the Fall

Jumpsuit: Fashion Nova// Jacket: Zara// Shoes: Boohoo// Bag: Forever 21//

Fall is my favorite time for fashion, everything just gets better. You can be more creative, pieces are more versatile, I love cute coats and jackets and you can layer. Also you can turn your outfit up just based off of the accessories that you add. You can do a plain canvas and dress it up with cute boots or an amazing third piece.

For this look it’s literally just an all black simple look, I started out super comfortable with this fitted FashionNova one piece jumpsuit (That I love because it’s a basic piece that you can do whatever with) and then to dress it up I added this super cute and well fitting Zara blazer (Love this blazer and the fit, structure and quality is bomb) and I added these cute snake textured boots and these very elegant gold and silver earrings, all of these pieces together looked amazing and took no time to put together.

Aside from the outfit being cute I just want to show you how easy it can be during these cold months to put together cute outfits, you literally don’t have to do too much or have all the pieces from all the stores that you want to look cute. No matter where you’re going you can put together a cute outfit quickly that is simple but is dressed up or down based off of the pieces you added to it. Having the ability to know your style and what pieces work for you and being able to see what you can add or take away from an outfit to make it great is a skill that you can become better at by taking the time to just learn what pieces fit your style, trying different outfits on when you have spare time, trying new things and different styles but just getting to know the things that you like and the things that look good on you. Have fun with your clothes and your style, especially in the Fall and Winter when you can get so creative and you have so many different options for everything.

Pattern Beauty... I'm in Love!

By Black women, for Black women.

So I’ve always loved Tracee Ellis Ross, especially since Girlfriends (one of my favorite shows ever) and still to this day, she represents so much amazingness from her hair to her fashion and style to all of the roles she’s played. She is an effortless icon and an amazing black woman. Back at the end of September she released via social media that she was releasing her haircare line Pattern Beauty that she had been working on for 10 years and as soon as I heard that I was so excited because I love her hair and how she stays true to it and her curly fro is one of the things she is known for. So after her release via her website she then later released the line in Ulta Beauty stores. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago I went into Ulta to get something from the line and I was so excited, everything about it was amazing from the marketing, the packaging, the store set up, the product variety and the size ranges.

When I got to the store I knew exactly what I wanted and went straight to it, but the Ulta Beauty employees kept telling me how amazing the product was and how it has been flying off of the shelves, they loved the product during training and certain products like the leave-in conditioner were sold out. I was already excited but their comments made me even more over the moon and excited to purchase and try the products. Not only was the leave in conditioner sold out but so was the brush and I even went to a different store just to see if they had the leave-in and they were out too but that was all good signs to me because I was just happy to see that this amazing black woman had created such an amazing product for us, by us that it’s flying off of the shelf. I purchased the ‘medium conditioner for curlies’ and the ‘hydration shampoo’, and I instantly was in love seeing that the conditioner bottle was bigger than the shampoo bottle because you know we use more conditioner than shampoo (or at least I know I do). I spent $45 for the two products, the conditioner was a 13 fl. oz. bottle for $25 and the shampoo was a 9.8 fl. oz. for $20, yes you may be thinking that’s expensive but natural hair care products aren’t cheap especially good ones and at least you get a lot of product for that price, and also after using it the quality of the product is definitely worth the price but I was willing to spend that price for the simple fact of supporting her and her brand

After using the shampoo and conditioner I can say that Pattern Beauty has a customer in me for life. They were both amazing, you didn’t need to overuse your product, it was easy to work with, smelled amazing and was very smooth. The conditioner is my absolute favorite of the two. Now let’s get into these result!! The results I got from using the shampoo and conditioner were so amazing that It almost made me want to shed tears, my curls were so defined (and this is my first wash after getting my hair redyed red less than two weeks prior), my hair was so soft, fluffy and bouncy, my three strand twist came out perfectly and my hair smelled amazing. I can say after using these two products I’m not even thinking about another shampoo and conditioner and I can’t wait to try the other products (Well when they come back in stock because many of them are sold out even on the website). I will rave about this product to any and everyone because it amazed me from the marketing, the branding, the campaigns, the way Tracee showcased it to beauty editors during fashion week, and the quality of the product itself.

Knowing your audience, what they need and how to get it to them is the formula and Tracee Ellis Ross mastered that with Pattern Beauty.

I will be doing a product review on my Youtube Channel so make sure you’re subscribed .

Keys to a Great Fall/Winter Wardrobe

1. Layers

   I LOVE layering, whether it’s taking some summer or spring pieces and adding longer sleeves or a jacket to make it fitting for the Fall and maybe even the Winter. You can do this when you purchase great pieces that can be used in transition and aren’t too specific to any particular season except for maybe the cut. Also with layering it also allows for you to remain warm yet still fashionable, like doing a turtleneck with a blazer, a sweater over a shirt. Also layering can create an edgy and chic look if done correctly. You can look very fashion forward by layering and be warm while doing so.

2. Uniform

   For you to have a successfully fashionable Fall season you can create yourself a sort of uniform and minimalist wardrobe that allows for you to still be stylish, but not have to do so with so many different pieces. You can choose to have a few major key pieces in your closet but use different accessories, third pieces, and mix and match to switch things up. A lot of the times our closets can mostly be filled with pieces that we no longer wear, that we can’t fit, that no longer fits our style and that may possibly be damaged, so it is best if you go through your wardrobe and donate, sell (great option because you can use that money to go purchase new clothes that fit your style and your needs) or dispose of the things that you don’t need. Also in the Fall and Winter when it is raining or snowing you need to get out of the house in a timely manner due to the weather so you want to have clothing that is easy to go through and see all at one without hassle.

3. Warmth

   In the cold seasons yes you want to be cute but the most important thing is to make sure you stay warm because colds, germs, high winds and cold temperatures are going around and you don’t want to feel any of that. Stay warm by layering, getting pieces with thicker materials, getting more quality and structured pieces that keep their shape and their comfort. Buy pieces for this season that are cute but don’t corrupt your warmth. Also when it because fall and winter we actually have to check the weather before we decide what we wear so that we aren’t surprised when we step outside and it’s a blizzard or a thunderstorm and you don’t want to not be prepared.

4. Implementing color and having a balanced palette

   Now I am a HUGE fan of continuing to implement color into your wardrobe for the colder season. The weather is already cold and the skies are gloomy and leaving your house can be a drag but you still want to look upbeat and vibrant and not allow your spirits or style to get down because of the change of weather. You can choose neutral tones if you want but it doesn’t hurt to ass some whether appropriate brighter colors in there too such as jewel tones. You can do vibrancy and neutral tones are the same time and in the same season you just have to do it strategically.

5. Accessorize

   In the colder months you want to make sure that you can remain comfortable and warm especially in cities with weather like Detroit, Chicago or New York. You can choose to get pretty basic pieces and dress them up with accessories to make them different whether that’s cute shoes, a third piece, jewelry, a cute bag, a cute lip etc. You can dress your Fall uniform up or down and not have to jeopardize your warmth and comfortability for the strong and cold winds. You can create a uniform of wearing the same colors or the same basic pieces but make them look like different outfits by mixing and matching and adding the right accessories. You don’t have to be plain and drab like the like the weather outside.

6. Start with the Feet

   In cold weather I have such a hard time with shoes because I never get around to buying more flats and boots when 90% of my shoes are heels and even though we want them to be they aren’t always suitable for the current weather. If you know that you don’t have warm and also cute shoes for the Fall then you need to take the time to purchase some wherever you can find options that fit your budget. Get options that have basic colors in the but also some with prints and cute designs and a few pairs with color. There are so many different sights that you can find affordable options.

7. Effective Cost-per-wear

   If you can only wear it once or while it’s “trendy” then its a waste of time and money and you need to put it back. I am wholeheartedly a person that believes if you can’t wear it a minimum of five different ways then you need to put it back. I am all for a versatile wardrobe and pieces that can create multiple different uses and not just something that can be used for one purpose. Make sure that whatever amount that you pay for something you can get at least half if not all that amount of wears out of it, if you are spending hundreds of dollars on items you should be getting your money’s worth. To determine if an item has an effective cost-per-wear you need to evaluate is that item of quality, is it durable, is it versatile, do you have other items to go with it etc. Having items with a great cost per wear allows for you to easily create a uniform for the new season.

8. Tailoring

   An outfit can be amazing, but if the fit is off then it will mess the whole look up and if the fit is off in this particular season you can ruin your clothes. Such as pants being too long and dragging on the grown because you’re wearing boots or flats and you can ruin the bottom of the hems of your pants and no one wants that! Find a good tailor that you can trust that can fix anything you need done to your items. Like if you find an oversized sweater for the fall or winter but you want it taken in in certain places. If you want pieces changed you can get a tailor to do that, if you need a button or zipper fixed you can have them do that, your tailor will be someone that has your front, back and sides and will be your best friend.

I hope these tips help you to build a great wardrobe for the fall and winter season so that we can all look absolutely fabulous!

Hair Clips, Hair Clips and more Hair Clips!

I usually don’t bother myself with paying close attention to the current trends or what everyone is wearing because it gets old very quick and I follow the beat of my own drum but this particular trend was super cute when I first saw it and I was definitely intrigued. I will admit the first time I saw it I thought it was super cute and could be used for photoshoots etc. but didn’t think I would ever want to try it, but on a whim I decided to give it a go.

There are so many different places that you can grab all types of clips from, the most popular are the pearled clips and the silver clips with the different words made on them. This trend gives you a fun and playful spin to class, elegance and editorial. When worn with the correct outfit it can give you many different looks, whether they are dressed up or down.

For this particular look I wasn’t doing anything this day and decided to just put the clips on with a low bun and a chill outfit and it turned out super cute (don’t mind the wrinkled pants, the wrinkles wouldn’t come out). Like I said before you can definitely dress the trend up or down, and do different style of the clips, you can look on the internet for different ideas on how to wear them if you want to participate in this trend, but I do feel like they go with certain hairstyle not all.

Now y’all know I’m all about a good deal and I don’t condone over paying for things especially something like hair clips that you can literally probably get at the beauty supply store. There are stores and companies trying to charge crazy prices because they’re on trend but you can head to amazon, or your local fast fashion store or boutique and they definitely should have what you’’re looking for.

Also style and fashion is playful, your style should be tailored to you and you shouldn’t take yourself to seriously. You may not like trends and trendy pieces that everyone is wearing, but its okay to like a trend and decide to play with it whether you every wear it outside or not. Have fun and see what’s cute, and if you like it then nothing else matters especially not anybody’s opinion.

Three Ways to Wear Black Without looking Basic

So many of us love to wear black and love to wear all black, but a lot of the time it’s resorted to black pants and a black top, and I’m here to tell you that you can still wear black without looking plain or basic and we can also wear all black but still add a little bit of color. So I’m going to tell you to how to wear all black without being basic and adding a little bit of color with the black.

Turtleneck: Forever 21// Pants: Forever 2// Jacket: Forever 21// Shoes: Forever 21// Bag Nordstrom// Earrings: Shein//

With this look I added some white into the black, I stuck with the black top but using a turtleneck to make the look more chic, also adding some white to spice it up. I chose stripped black and white pants to add some contrast because remember we aren’t being basic with our black right now. I stuck with the all black for the shoes and purse to tie everything all together and still keep it simple with accessories. The biggest thing I did to spice up my black was this black and white coat! This coat was the perfect piece to add to make this outfit a perfect way to incorporate different colors into your black look. This red lip was the perfect lipstick because a red lip is perfect with any outfit especially with black. This look is perfect for work or after work dinner because it is very professional, includes black but is definitely NOT basic.

Dress: Forever 21// Kimono: Leyton’s// Bag: Zara// Shoes: Boohoo// Sunglasses: Forever 21//

With this look we stayed all black but we added a bomb third piece to spice it up and to make the look far from basic. Y’all know I talk about third pieces all the time and I hope y’all listening because I’m telling the truth and they can really make or break an outfit. I chose a plain black tank dress as my canvas, added a black a sheer black kimono and short black boots with snakeskin detail. With black it’s always great to add a pop of color or a popping piece even if it’s an accessory, so I chose to add this brown and black snakeskin bag with a bamboo handle. Although this look was all black I added dimension by adding a cute colorful bag, adding a jacket with detail and structure and adding shoes that were black but detailed with a cute silhouette. This look is perfect for a night out with your girls or you can change the canvas to black pants and a black top but keep the third piece and cute accessories and wear this look to work. Overall this isn’t your basic all black outfit and you didn’t even have to do much.

Jacket: Thrifted// Top: LOFT// Overalls: Forever 21// Shoes: Ego Official// Earrings: Shein//

With this look it was all about the layering but we still kept it all black . This look is perfect for work, happy hour, a weekend with the girls, and brunch which is why it’s perfect. We grabbed a black silk blouse That has a keyhole button and is fitted at the wrists we layered that under sleeveless overalls (Because we love pieces that are multi-seasonal) and we added a corduroy jacket over our shoulder with tied booties that matched, This look again was simply just adding a third piece and cute accessories. Taking Black from boring to basic isn’t that difficult when you really think about it

If all black is your wardrobe of choice and you aren’t interested in adding color not even neutrals then invest in you some amazing third pieces and call it a day but make it fashion never boring or basic.

Parisian Vibes in the States

Turtleneck: Lexi Dream Boutique // ‘Prevail’ Beret: FOREH// Jeans: Re/done// Coat: Forever 21// Shoes: Nike// Bag: Zara// Earrings: Shein//

So my favorite pieces of this entire outfit is my beret and coat, the first time I came across Foreh I fell in love with their products and just had to get something. Especially since they’re black owned and the products are amazing and once it came in the mail I couldn’t wait to style it and find the perfect time to wear it!! With this bomb coat I actually wasn’t expecting to get it but when I saw it it was such a statement and who knew that them together would be a match made in heaven.

My outfit at the basis of it all if very simple, its just a white fitted turtleneck, ripped jeans and my favorite pair of Nikes, but I added some fashion to it by adding the coat, beret and my signature red lip. As soon as I put the whole look together it gave me Parisian vibes and made me want to put this coat and beret combo in the archives for when I visit Paris. I took this outfit from 0 to 100 real quick all with accessories. This outfit is perfect for everything from errands to dinner because it’s so comfortable and you can transition it from day to night by adding some cute black pumps.

Although the coat is actual outerwear I wore it as apart of my outfit and it was perfect especially because the material wasn’t too thick. This is officially on my list of favorite looks for 2019 and we’re less than two weeks in.

#WeeklyStyleMoments

“Fashion is part of our culture, and it's about more than just a pretty dress.”
-Joan Smalls