Mixed Black and White Prints

Mixed prints were all over the runways this fall and I'm sure you've noticed them featured in many a store window display, magazine ad, and fashion blog street style snap. Mixing prints can add whimsy and a unique edge to an otherwise everyday outfit. However, it can be difficult to pull off, and despite it's sometimes seemingly haphazard, accidentally awesome look, actually requires a bit of skill (and a little imagination) to orchestrate. The key is to find prints that share some DNA, and by that I mean, have some similarities. For everyone new to this fashion trick, the mixed black and white print is the perfect trend to practice on. You already have the commonality right there. Boom. 

Now, I recommend, for starters, you pick a theme. Mine was "tribal" or "ethnic". You know how I love a tribal print! I paired an off white and black tee with an over sized, very graphic tribal print with an off white and black skirt featuring a smaller, sort of abstract print and a border of elephants around the bottom. I actually created two looks with these pieces. The first is a casual, sort of edgy look that might be appropriate for a fun night out and the second is work appropriate. To create the more conservative look, I simply added a blazer and pumps. The addition of the top layer toned down the bold print of the tee and tied the two prints together.

Quick Tips for Mixing Prints

Create a theme, character or story for your outfit

Pick prints that share DNA

Tie prints together with the addition of a layer or accessory that features a color prominent in your prints

Have fun with it

Tee Shirt x Forever 21 > Elephant Print Skirt x Charlotte Russe > 3/4 Sleeve Blazer x Olsenboye (here's a VERY cute one) > Obi Belt x Asos (still available here) > Necklace x H&M > Kente Cloth Bracelet x Aqueene from Nines Queens Crew > Sandals x Jessica Simpson

Ready for Red

Nothing says, "Jazzy Adult Woman" like a red lip. When I was younger, my mother used to keep a stick of red lipstick in her purse and whip it out when she was ready to get her groove on. And by "groove on", I mean, feather her hair, put on her finest, heavily shoulder padded frock, and go somewhere to sip a fine wine cooler. Hey, it was the 80's.

In more modern times, Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani have shown us how to properly rock a cherry pout with their trademark rouge lips. I especially love Gwen [more on that at another time!] and think she rocks red lipstick like no other, but until fairly recently, I didn't know how I felt about black women following suit. More importantly and specifically, I didn't know how I felt about red lips on my face. I have since come around.

But here's the thing... You have to be ready to wear red lipstick. I feel as though every time I think to put it on, I realize that I haven't done the proper "lip prep", and therefore it'll end up looking wack and slightly crack-head-ish. Any sort of color on the lips can highlight imperfections, like chapped, cracked areas. Doesn't sound cute, right? So let's get our lips ready to go red.

Step 1: Exfoliate

 I try to do it everyday in the shower with a tiny bit of St. Ives Apricot Facial Scrub, since that's what I have available. Just put a pea sized amount on your index finger and move it around on your lips in little circles. Don't get any in your mouth. Yuck. Some beauty lines like Philosophy have specific products just for exfoliating the delicate lip area, but if it's not in your budget to baby your lips with a special sugar scrub, even a plain old wet washcloth will do the trick.

Step 2: Hydrate

Since red lipstick is something I hardly ever wear, I didn't invest much in the tube I got. It was literally probably like a dollar. The problem with this is that sometimes the formulations aren't as creamy as more expensive brands and probably not as emollient as you may like. I solve that problem by simply applying a tiny bit of lip balm before lining my lips. It helps the pencil glide, treats your newly exfoliated skin, and provides a soft, moisturized foundation for your color.

Step 3: Line and Glide

I line my lips with a red liner in a similar shade to the lipstick I'll be applying. Some women just use a nude liner, and that's fine, but I found that on me, I liked the look of matching liner better. Some women also use the liner on their entire lip and then apply the color on top to make it last longer. I personally don't, for no reason other than the fact that I'm lazy.

Step 4: Be Fierce

That's the easy part, right?

BEFORE

AFTER