Fashion 101: Mixing prints

I am personally NOT a fan of this fashion trend. Even though I am into beauty, I can't really seem to have a firm hold on fashion. (Especially when it comes to trends like this.) Why would you want to look like you had to throw everything thing in your closet on at the same time?

But the fashion magazines seem to be crying out in unison that this is an acceptable look for the street. Celebrities like Solange Knowles have made this the quirky girl's uniform.

I mean, sure, of course it would work on her right?







I admit, there are days when I have left the house to lazy to coordinate a proper outfit. On those occasions, I try to convince myself that I'm "mixing prints" but how do I convince onlookers that? Hold up a sign?

I have heard that the key to making this work for the average man is to pair a smaller print with a bigger print.

So this scarf could work with this poncho... But what do I know?

All in all, this difficult trend should be saved for the celebrity, the runway, and the brave.

Essie Naughty Nautical

 This was such a fun manicure. I know it is fall but I wanted to do something fun and summery so I pulled out Naughty Nautical from Essie Summer 2013 line and did a palm tree accent nail. Naughty Nautical is a gorgeous ocean teal with slight sliver shimmers in it.

Maybelline expert luminous lights eyeshadow in opal lights

So I saw the ad for this 'new' collection by Maybelline. The Luminous Lights collections is supposed to use pastel shimmery colors to brighten your eye. I got the palette in Opal Lights (the one the model is wearing). They have 4 other palettes in the collection. So I have a couple of all shimmer palettes that are not that bad to use. (i.e. Wet n Wild... Urban Decay Naked) but this palette was unacceptable. there was not much fall out so there is nothing wrong with the formulation but the colors so not show up that well on dark skin. 

I got the palette in Opal Lights (the one the model is wearing). They have 4 other palettes in the collection. So I have a couple of all shimmer palettes that are not that bad to use. (i.e. Wet n Wild... Urban Decay Naked) but this palette was ridculous.

I do have a weakness for palettes that indicate where they recommend their colors to go. It is great for beginners but I wouldn't recommend THIS particular palette... especially for my darker skinned ladies. 

The first color is supposed to be used as a base/primer but I'm not that comfortable using powders as primers. (I don't know who does that anyway)

The colors themselves are fun... They are iridescent and kind of have a duo-chromey element to them. Too bad when you try to incorporate all the colors in one look the colors seem to blend together and do not have the best definition.  they would be great individual highlight colors... absolutely gorgeous if you wanted to use them as such. 

 There was not much fall out so there is nothing wrong with the formulation but the colors so not show up that well on dark skin. 

The first color is a regular light pink, then there is a light yellow gold. The interesting color in the palette to me is the purple-toned blue color that would be a gorgeous icy highlight and is a little unique to me. the fourth color is strange enough though... it appear to be a shimmer mid-toned brown but comes off more as a gold (greenish gold?)

My final thoughts on this product is that although I like the availability (it may be limited addition but as of now you can purchase it at your local drug store) and the price (it is less than $10 and you definitely get in on BOGO) I would recommend for women of darker complexions to run out and pay money for this particular product unless you want a nice highlight palette. 

Yarn Braids/Genie Locks/Faux Dreds

Yes, this is an awkward photo, (I was caught off guard) but I wanted to showcase my yarn braids! This is my second time doing this protective style and I think that it came out better. I plan to keep this is for like a month, then I'll blow my hair out to see my length.

I love this style because it is so affordable. ( a pack of acrlic yarn is like less than 3 buskc at micheals.)

Revlon Extravagant

Again, please excuse my rachet cuticles. So I am NOT a fan of this color. I'm wearing press ons (my nails were just not the length I wanted them to be and I just was sick of waiting for them to grow out) and it STILL is chipping. I am not loving this forumla of the old revlon polishes. My accent nail is just a bunch of strippers I got from amazon. (not really a fan of them). It is pretty in the bottle, its a light purple toned pink but all-in-all, i'd pass on this color.

Revlon Pink Passion

There is nothing more classic to me than a gorgeous pink color. It is a creamy mid-toned pink. It is opaque enough for me but what I really love about the colorstay line is that fat brush of theirs! Amazing coverage.

Just to spice it up a little, I added some white dots by this $1 nail polish. It is called french creme by wet n wild.

OUTRE HUMAN HAIR BLEND TIMELESS PONYTAIL BRAID MESSY

I'm always intrigued by new things (especially when it comes to hair) so when I first saw these new braided ponytail by outre I got really excited. I'm not much of a 'ponytail' wearer... not since high school, but I decided to give this a try.

First of all, this was an absolute NIGHTMARE to try to blend with my natural 4c hair. I tried straightening it but it still wasn't really the same texture. After a while, it was a like a lightbulb went off in my head. I took an old wig (freetress vanilla girl) put that in a ponytail (cutting some of the excess off of course) then put the messy ponytail on.

Once I had that in order, the style itself was awesome! It give you a effortless beachy look. Great for summer but you know I'm going to rock it whenever I want.

(Another thing, I absoluetly hate the combs in this. They are short and I had to use a butt load of bobby pins to make sure that it wasn't going to slip off in the street)

I recommend this to women who kind of want to save old wigs, and relaxed girls.