Sultry Lip Season

Me in Rebel by the LipBar

It’s that time of year again! That’s right…it’s Sultry Lip Season and I’m here for it!

Let’s get a few things straight before we dive into some of my favorite shades:

1.) Deeper hues aren’t exclusively for the cooler months! You can wear them whenever you feel like it, because that’s your business *in my Tabitha Brown voice*! However, you gotta admit that richer shades add a hint of chicness, mystery, sophistication, and sexiness to your Fall/Winter looks.

2.) Keeping your lips exfoliated and moisturized during the cooler months is essential! Darker shades tend to show everything, including a chapped lip. WAYOR = Wear At Your Own Risk! Keep it cute and smooth! *wink wink*

3.) Confidence is key! Own the looks you’re giving. Period.

Now, let’s get into some of my favorite Fall Lippies! Of course they are by the LipBar! Duh.

Rebel

It’s giving bougie burgundy vibes with a side of unapologetic confidence. Great paired with an all black outfit from your capsule wardrobe. *Click here to get yours!

Bawse Lady

The red for all! The “I do this with no effort” red lippie that pulls everything together, including that black and white dress you’ve been eyeballing. * Click to get yours!

Merlot

The grown woman lipstick. A sweet grown woman, nonetheless. A bit vampy, but still life-giving! * Click to get yours!

These 3 shades are in my top 3! I’ll be sure to share more of my favorite Fall/Winter lip choices soon!

*I am a LipBar Affiliate and receive a monetary reward from your sale/support. So, thank you in advance for not only supporting a great company, but supporting me.

Fashion Remedy for Winter "Blues!"

Pantone.com

Pantone announced Classic Blue as the Color of the Year for 2020.  It’s said that this color instills calm, confidence and connection.

If you are like me, you’ve created themes that you want to see manifest instead of new year resolutions. One theme I’m working on this year is Expansion in every area of my life.

What does all of this have to do with fashion, you ask?

Take a walk on the wild side ‘wit it! Add a print (or two) with the Color of the Year!

P.S. Send a selfie to Bae ;-)

Incorporate the Color of the Year with a new lippy or mascara! I dare you!

Lipstick: Zoya in Tommy Mascara: NYX Color Mascara in Blue

Well according to top psychologists, wearing COLOR can evoke certain responses or aid in the promotion of positive affects.  It’s no wonder that I was drawn to blues since before the beginning of 2020. I’ve also made a decree to up my level of confidence and meaningful connections, which are also themes that the color of the year are associated with.

“…Classic Blue (Pantone 19-4052) encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”

-Leatrice Eisenman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

Use of color, planned or not, is quite intentional and can be practiced in fashion, makeup, interior design…you name it! Ever wonder why Target is such a thirst trap? Target knows that Red is a very energetic color! It’s said that it increases respiration rate and raises blood pressure. Guess what? Even if you’re tired and lack energy, you’ll “mysteriously” get sucked into the Target trance. If you don’t want to get caught up, stay away! Y’all know I ain’t lying!

This week, I’d like for you to monitor the affect that your color choices have!

Do you have a big presentation to rock out? Try wearing red! A red dress, blouse, scarf, lipstick, polish or accessories can give you a jolt of confidence, power and victory!  

Want to brighten up your mood or a heavy environment? Try a form of orange. Orange is said to aid in clinical depression. It is associated with joy and encouragement!

Want to get that charming, flirty feeling back? You guessed right! Try a form of the color pink! This color represents self-love. It’s also a color that represents kindness, (just in case you need a little help with that, *wink wink).

These are just a few colors to explore. I guarantee that the results of utilizing color daily to promote confidence, peace, harmony, balance, and other positivity will prove to be quite impactful.

Ravishing Red + Resale Find

Last month, we decided that we would go with the color Red for our next venture’s photoshoot. Initially I was a bit against it because I’m a neutral girl. ;-) I don’t own a lot of any color (LOL) and I thought it would be a task to find just the perfect color for me. However, I obliged and started browsing looks.

At one of my favorite coffee spots: New Order ;-)

Photo by: Kalayha Bailey for Allen B Williams Photography

Jumpsuit: Regeneration

Earrings: Rouge Couture Company

Lipstick: The LipBar (City Girl)

It was a day away and I still hadn’t found ANYTHING! I had to make some quick moves otherwise I was in trouble! I knew that I didn’t want to spend a lot of money for something I didn’t think I would wear often so my immediate solution was to head to Regeneration to see what I could see…

I peeked and poked around until I found this Free People fitted jumpsuit. The only problem was it was a size…Small…and there’s nothing small on me but my waist, hands and feet. LOL. I was brave and tried it on and guess what? It was a bit snug BUT I was going to make it work. Can you say ANGLES? LOL…it was worth every bit of my $14 hard earned bucks! CHA-CHING!

Regeneration has been a love of mine for quite some time. Great style and great finds don’t have to be expensive! You just need some patience and a keen eye. Regeneration is not the only resale or slow fashion spot I frequent, but it is on the top of my list for Slow Fashion! If you’ve never considered resale, consignment, or thrift shopping, I encourage you to do so. Not only will it accomplish your shopping fix (for less), you’ll be contributing to a more ethical way of consumerism. I know. I just got real deep…that’s another post for a different day!

Anyway, let’s talk about this RED jumpsuit. I love the color Red. I don’t wear it often, oh, but when I do…

I’ve often said that I’m actually an introvert. So, you other introverts: LISTEN UP! I’m a huge fan of color psychology and I often teach my wardrobe consulting clients about the affects of color. Well, the color RED actually boosts the confidence level of those who are shy or lack a power-packed personality. Wearing RED can actually translate as outgoing and affect the mood of others who set their eyes on your outfit! Beware, it does attract attention, but that can be a good thing! Especially if you need people to take action on an idea or presentation. Here are some other affects or emotions wearing RED can produce:

-Energy -Passion -Love -Comfort -Excitement -Intensity

The next time you need a push for a date, presentation, or a fun shoot, try wearing RED. Even if it’s a lip color! Watch how your mood quickly switches from a mild belle into a MAVEN…

MEOW!

The Crime I Committed While Wearing A Yellow Lace Dress

Kimberly Simmons and Nina Gordon.

I had weeks.

No.

I had months to prepare for my twenty-year high school reunion Honors Gala (King Crusader).  I didn't prepare. You know why don't you? You're right. I didn't because I had months! Don't act like you don't know how that is! You say, day after day, "I got time." Then,you really don't!

It was seven days before the big day. Still nothing. I hadn't even thought about it until I ran into a classmate of mine who began talking about her attire for that evening.  It wasn't that I didn't think it was important. It's just, well, my schedule! No excuse, right?  That's mine and I'm sticking to it. Well, she shared a few pictures of her dress and I loved it! I asked where she found it and her next words made my stomach drop! FASHION NOVA!

I was completely shocked! Shocked for many reasons.  The first being that I'd been hearing about this company a lot lately (and seeing celebrities on the gram advertising their wears) and recently decided to give their infamous jeans a try. Guess what? They fit like nobody's business! Anyone who is shaped like me, knows exactly why this is a win-win situation.  Anyway.  The other reason why I was shocked was because the dress that she showed me looked AMAZING. 

Now before all of you name loving, couture wearing, high fashion loving peeps start judging, know that  I am on a journey to transition my entire wardrobe from fast fashion to slow fashion (I'll talk about these terms in another blog), BUT I - AM - NOT  - THERE - (YET)! Also, check your entire closet stock to be sure that everything was made in organic materials and that the making involved fair employment practices, it's made locally, and that it's not mass produced. Need I go on? If you can answer yes to at least these, then congratulations! If you can't, hush chile!

Jessica LeMelle. We've been friends since 9th grade. Oh the stories!

Now about the crime I committed: I SLAYED IN A FASHION NOVA DRESS! Yes, I slayed the dress honey! I murdered. I killed it. I put to death all the critics (there aren't any of those in real life, right?).  I'll say so myself! LOL. Like I said in my promo of this post, no one was hurt. As a matter of fact, all who encountered this yellow, lace FASHION NOVA DRESS were quite pleased! Ok? Well, at least I was. I enjoyed the color (you'll be hearing more about color in future posts), I enjoyed the ease and comfort and I loved how it hugged my curves just right.  I was worried that my 49.99 dress would unravel as soon as I pulled it out of the box.  IT. DID. NOT.

Latisha Hawkins and Tiffany Cobb.

I created beautiful memories with my high school classmates from twenty years ago in a FASHION NOVA DRESS! We reminisced about the "good ole days" and caught up with each other like we'd never missed a beat. We danced, sang, cried (yes, my eyes started to water a few times), laughed out loud (not the fake "lol" that we text people) and we took millions of pictures!

Jabari Long. "He's the Boss" and "She's the Boss" awardees.

Allen B Williams Photography

Then something happened that was a complete surprise to me. My name was called. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive an award. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive the "She's the Boss" Award. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive the "She's the Boss" Award in front of about 120 of my lovely peers in MY FASHION NOVA DRESS! Take that.

Here's to creating beautiful, meaningful memories that you shall keep close to you forever, as you wear WHATEVER YOU WANT!

NOW, excuse me while I go take another peek at my yellow, lace dress. IT. JUST. MAKES. ME HAPPY.

Until next time,

Denitra

*Thumbnail Photo Credit: Fancy Flash Photo Booth