I've Been Strobing and I Didn't Even Know It!

Up scrolling on social media and I discovered that I had been "strobing" when I did my makeup and I didn't even know it. Apparently the makeup artists don't know anything about it and have recently started doing this "new technique" in place of contouring.

What's "strobing" you ask?

Essentially, it's just highlighting your makeup instead of highlighting and contouring, giving you a naturally glowing dew look.

Basically, I've been "strobing" for the past year and a half so guess what that makes me. Ahead of the curve! Ha! Kidding, but I've never been the type to do all of that contouring. When I wear makeup, I would still like to look like myself, ya know? There's nothing worse than someone who looks completely different without makeup because they did such great Illusionist tricks with their makeup. No shade to those who like to contour and everything, but it's just not me. Plus, that's just extra stuff to not only buy, but time spent learning the technique and perfecting it. Nuh-uh! I'm OK there.

OK! So if you peep the photo to the left, you will see a chart that shows you the spots you should apply your favorite and most shimmering highlighter or luminizer for the perfect glow. 

I've seen a couple different variations of the chart and some spots, I'll use, and others I won't. Here's the hot spots I think are the best and a must do:

Under the Brow:

Putting a little highlighter underneath the eyebrow, focusing on the highest part of the brow bone not only adds that gorgeous glow, but I think it just adds just that extra bit of awesome to your eyeshadow. It gives it a complete look when it comes to your lids and brows and opens the eyes. It brings them together while keeping them separate.

Under the Eyes:

There's nothing more flawless than that glow that comes off your face when you turn your head to pose and capture the best angles. It shapes the face so well and looks AMAZING when you smile in combination with your blush as it brings out your cheekbones!

Center of Forehead:

Again, the light bouncing off of the center of your face not only adds dimension, but it adds to the natural glow of the skin that maybe putting on foundation takes away.

Along the Bridge of the Nose:

Highlighting along the bridge of the nose gives the nose a straighter look as well as connects to the forehead, making it the "highlight" or center point of your face, which it is.

Cupid's Bow and Chin:

Highlighting these spots will help with making your lips appear larger than they are, but again, brings out the natural glow points that are sometimes removed when using mattifying makeup products like your foundation and powder.

Basically, all you're doing in highlighting the features and reflection points on your face. "Strobing" is a cute name for it, but here's what I think about it honestly:

Basic Codes Every Blogger Should Know

All I'm going to say is I regret not paying attention in my web design class in high school because what I learned in there I NEEEEED to know now!  Coding is one of the essentials when it comes to a awesome blog, and if you don't have hundreds, even thousands of dollars to have a web designer on hand, then you will soon realize you have to learn coding, at least the basics. So I have decided to compile some of the coding I know for a fact everyone will need to use at least once in their blog career, whether it's changing your blog template yourself, making blog buttons, or whatever the case may be, these codes are KEY!:

You can also purchase Coding for Dummies from Amazon or any other book store, I highly suggest investing in a copy so you can always have a bible of codes at your fingertips.  If you have any other helpful codes you've found you needed please share in the comments below!

Trend Alert: Bucket Bags

Bucket Bafs by akjapbae featuring a leather purse

I looooooooooooooooove me a bucket bag! I've been rocking bucket bags since the beginning of college.  It was my signature because I could literally put anything in there and then pull the drawstring to make it small again.  2015 however, has made the bucket bag more of a hot commodity and I see why, with new embellishments and fun colors, it's a must have for summer!

Chicnova & Bloggers UNITE!

Bloggers, listen up! I was doing a post with Polyvore and came across this yellow sleeveless vest, and discovered Chicnova.  After searching on the website I realized they have some really affordable and on trend clothing!!! Scrolling more to the bottom I see that they have a blogger program for free clothes!!! If any of you are interested click here and learn more, thought I would pass on the opportunity because who doesn't like free clothes right?!

Divulge With Us!

Hey to all of our awesome readers! We just wanted to remind you all that our podcast ChiccTalk is now officially The Divulge!  Check out our new episode entitled "#LoveWins #WendySucks & #Culturalappropriation", make sure to subscribe to us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Soundcloud and let us know what you think!

Picking From The Bafoonery: BET Awards '15

Usually when I do best/worst lists for award shows, I end up taming the list because there are just so many looks I want to include.  Welp when it comes to the BET Awards I don't have the problem at all.  If you're a fan of the BET Awards you can get mad at me, I don't care, but for some reason they are lacking good stylists.  Either garments don't fit right, the look that was trying to be achieved doesn't come off as planned, or people just show up looking like epic fails all together. Whatever it is, it isn't a good look.  Luckily I was able to find a celebrities who gave a damn and whose outfits blew me away!:

Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross

Janelle Monae

Kendrick Lamar aka MY HUSBAND

Letoya Luckett

Naturi Naughton

Monica

Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe

Brandy

Marcus Scribner

Demetria Lucas D'Oyley

5 Point Style Guide for an Amazing BBQ Outfit!

Ok, I think it's safe to say that after the age of 18 dressing in red, white, and blue for the 4th of July is out.  We're grown, and let's save the color matching to the cute little babies.  I personally love earth tones and a natural color palette which, only suiting, I chose earth tones for this outfit guide if you're looking for something to wear to the family BBQ on the 4th!
First and foremost I have fallen in love with sleeveless blazers, jackets, and vests for this summer.  I don't know what it is, but a sleeveless blazer gives you the look of class and elegance that a normal blazer would but...without all the sweat and heat stroke!  I personally love this khaki sleeveless blazer from NewLook (very affordable I might add, only $31).  The color will blend in very nicely with the outdoor scenery.  Second, it's all about distressed denim and rolled up bottoms, so why not put both together eh?!  I love these Frame Denim Le Garcon jeans, they aren't too distressed but are enough to give off that edgy look.  The shoes I chose for this outfit offset the khaki by adding brown into the color palette.  If you're more of a heels kind of gal, Yoins has you covered with their Gladiator heels (only $37, and they have a blogger program).  If you're more of a "I want to be comfortable and not fall" type girl like I am then Mulberry's Garden Sandal is the way to go.  Accessory wise, keep it very simple.  At a BBQ there's no point in breaking out the big purse (unless you're bringing home left overs) or big statement necklaces because it's too much.  Our accessories include this Kate Spade Crossbody, this Larsson & Jennings Chain Metal Watch and this Wanderlust + Co Frame Triangle Necklace (only $29) which adds light colors, and gold accent to the outfit.
So the essence of this outfit guide is simple; let's leave the red, white, and blue for the fireworks and dress classy, simple, yet very chic!

How Can You Depict African Culture With No Africans?

If you know me you know I am never the one to be "pro black" so to speak.  I love all cultures, races, ethnic backgrounds, and just diversity in general.  So for me to question, more so be pissed about this should say something.  My question to you all is...how can you have a fashion show depicting African culture with no African or African american models?  Well apparently you can according to Junya Watanabe who showcased his men's collection yesterday for Men's Fashion Week.  Featured in this collection was a shit ton of dreads, tribal prints, and accessories similar to ones worn in certain African tribes and yet once again, not one brown skinned human was the forefront of this collection.  

In all honesty it just looked like a bunch of white boys looking like rich kids on an African vacation, scientists on a safari, or hippie white people in the dessert. And adding the faux locs attached to their heads didn't make matters better.  With this collection and many other ones that have surfaced within the past few years, it has really caused a look into cultural appropriation in fashion and beauty.  Yes, cultural appropriation pertains to us fashion snobs as well, not just for the people in the political world girls and guys. I know for many of us beautiful black members of fashion society, it's almost "insult added to injury" when customs, practices, and general notions of our everyday life are glamorized and then made to seem like they were invented right off the runway by that famous, lets say it, white designer. I just want to know what was the thought process behind this?  Why is our culture being popularized but our people aren't? And lastly, was Rachel Dolezal the producer of this show or what?

*pictures and original article by The Cut

Save That Patron Bottle Ladies & Gents

Sooooooooo....as an active member in the drinking community I have millions of bottles saved up, from the first weekend of college until now, empty bottles filled with epic weekends...I mean like Hangover epic.  But I don't have any purpose with these bottles anymore.  They just sit and stare at me, it's kind of creepy.  Well fortunately I came across this unique DIY contest, the Art of Patron Bottle Art Competition.  It's a way for people to get creative and up-cycle their bottles, just like we as the creatives we are do with everything else we have in our house.  So, for anyone interested in this unique contest, here are the details:

• Create an original work of art or functional item that contains, is made from, or depicts any Patron bottle or component thereof

• Visit ArtofPatron.com and follow the links to the Bottle Art entry page

• Upload a photo and a short essay (100 words or less) describing the artwork and the inspiration behind the piece

• Note that no purchase is required, and for more information and to read the official rules, please visit ArtofPatron.com

A panel of judges will select up to 10 finalists based on overall creativity, unique use or representation of the Patron bottle, visual appeal, and the persuasiveness of the essay. Finalists will be featured on the Art of Patron website for public voting to help select one lucky participant to be the Grand Prize winner. The winner will be awarded $10,000 and an opportunity for national exposure for their work of art. The remaining nine finalists will each receive $1,000.

I am excited to see everyone's submissions, and I will be making one for myself and doing a video (not spoiling it) so stay tuned and I will post that video before the contest is over!

Play Off Your White: 5 Point Summer Style Guide

Quick post, nothing special, just decided to start doing style guides for my lovely ladies.  I am truly trying to get into styling more, even have some gigs lined up with some friends to style their upcoming collections.  So in the meantime, I hope I can bring some style-inspiration with these style guides I create, let me know what you guys think!

Zara Better Chill The F*** Out

Bruh, Zara just needs to do what my title says and chill the f*** out.  First, Zara is already facing a huuuuuge discrimation lawsuit filed by Zara's former general counsel Ian Miller.  This $40 million suit consists of allegations that Zara's Spanish fast fashion retailer's senior executives discriminated against him for being Jewish, American and gay. And literally just 3 weeks later, THREE WEEKS, Zara has been accused of racially profiling it's customers.  So for all of my sista's who love Zara so much, including, myself, read this before you add anything else to your cart.

Between February and April, the Center for Popular Democracy surveyed 251 Zara employees in New York, releasing the findings in a 12-page report on Monday. The report details a loss prevention practice used in Zara's stores: If a “suspicious” shopper (i.e. one that appeared likely to steal) was identified walking into the store, he or she would be labeled a “special order.” An employee or manager would then be asked to follow that customer. Midway through CPD's surveying process, the store reportedly switched to using the code “customer service,” rather than “special order.” Among those surveyed, 43 percent were either unfamiliar with the term “special order” or did not feel comfortable answering questions about it. Of the 57 percent of respondents who did, however, 46 percent said black shoppers in particular were given the label, “always” or “often.”  I think it's only right for me to say...bullshit man, straight bullshit.

During a focus group conducted by the same workers’ rights organization, one black employee said even he had been marked a “special order” when he was going to pick up his paycheck while wearing a hooded jacket.  Now when it gets to the point where you're labeling your own workers as the people you suspect of likely to steal...that's a whole other problem within itself. Of course, Zara had to release their "save ass, we're not like this" statement that they gave to Fashionista, and it went something like this:

Zara USA vehemently refutes the claims contained in the Center for Popular Democracy report, which was prepared with ulterior motives and not because of any actual discrimination or mistreatment. It fails to follow an acceptable methodology for the conduct of a credible objective survey on workplace practices, and instead appears to have taken an approach to achieve a pre-determined result which was to discredit Zara. Zara USA believes that the claims made in the report are completely inconsistent with the company’s true culture and the experiences of the over 1,100 Zara employees in New York City and over 3,500 in all the US.

I've worked in retail and I know how ignorant it can get, in the sense where racial profiling and stereotyping can be at it's highest.  But fact is...why discriminate on a culture that is a great part of your profit margins?  We are not the most likely to steal, each race in itself contributes to that equally.  Maybe if retailers stopped focusing on the likely suspect, their loss prevention departments wouldn't be hiring so much...just saying.

*originally posted by Fashionista.com, photo credit: art8amby/