Thursday, May 30, 2013

Sleek Makeup: Blush Haul!

A little bored with my usual blush shades, and wanting something new for the summer, I headed to my local drugstore and wandered the makeup aisle hoping the perfect color would catch my eye. I typically stay within the same range of pinkish hues, but I wanted to delve more into the peach, plum, and reddish tones. Though a few shades piqued my interest I didn't want to spend $12-$15 to try one shade. I wondered if I spent $12-$15 could I possibly find a palette with more selections. I decided to do what I do best and check online to see if I could get more for my money. I started with Coastal Scents since they are known for their reasonably priced multicolored palettes. I was excited to find their 10 Blush Palette for less than twelve bucks but I had to admit to myself that the though the price was attractive, I wasn't really drawn to the color selections.

After a little more unsuccessful searching, I remembered the UK company Sleek Makeup where I purchased one of my beauty faves, the Sleek Face Contour Kit.  When I checked out their blush selection the only problem I had was that I liked them all so much I didn't know which shade to choose!  

For $12.45 I could get the Blush by 3 Palette with three blush colors as opposed to just one blush color like the drugstore options. I finally settled on two Blush by 3 Palettes in Flame & Lace.I also decided to throw in a single blush in the color Flushed Shipping was only $2.76 for my total order. The grand total was $33.73 for seven colors. Not bad considering I definitely would have spent more than that at a store like MAC, Sephora, or even the local drugstore!

I received my order in about a week. All my blushes arrived packaged well in sturdy, matte black, mirrored cases. All of the colors were in tact; no issues with cracked or broken colors. The colors are rich and vivid and can be applied softly for a subtle effect or layered for a more intense look. (I prefer a the soft subtle look.)

How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 Palette in Flame

I really like all the colors in the Flame palette, but as of now I think Molten is my favorite.

How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 Flame Palette Swatches
How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 Palette in Molten


























How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 Lace Palette 

The lace palette is very subtle on my skin. It's great for a warm neutral look.













How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 Lace Palette Swatches
How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 Palette in Guipure

How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Blush in Flushed along with my favorite brush for applying blush:
the Sonia Kashuk large angled contour brush.

Flushed is the perfect plum, sure to compliment a number of skin tones.












How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Blush in Flushed
How to wear blush for dark skinned african amercian black girls women of color
Sleek Makeup Flushed Blush Swatch
I'm very happy with my purchase and will be purchasing two more Blush by 3 Palettes in Sugar and Pink Spirit along with a Rose Gold single blush in the near future.   

Want more great makeup tips?  Click here for  50 Makeup Tips Every Woman Should Know. It is over 7,000 words and packed with practical tips and advice. 


Thanks for reading!



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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

How to Wear Floral/Flower Print Pants

Allen B. Flower Print Pants  Liz Claiborne Sleeveless Peplum in Emerald  Gabriella Rocha Saber Heels




I have been really pleased with the quality of Jcpenney's clothing lately, so I decided to order these flower print pants by Allen B. I had my eye on them for awhile, and a $10 off coupon code caused me to take the leap and order them.  Once again I'm pleased, and wondering why I don't shop at Jcpenney more often!  The pants run a bit small but I checked out the size chart prior to ordering, so I already knew to size up.


















Floral pants can be difficult to wear, especially if you are a pear shape like me. Many times prints and patterns make the widest part of my hips look wider!

Primadonna Style Tip: Make sure the shirt you wear doesn't hit
you at the widest part of your hips; above or under the widest part is fine. I chose a short, relaxed, emerald peplum by Liz Claiborne.

Allen B. Flower Print Pants  Liz Claiborne Sleeveless Peplum in Emerald  Gabriella Rocha Saber Heels
Remember to keep it simple and allow your floral print pants to be the star of the show; no need to over accessorize. I opted for a simple bracelet and my favorite spike earrings to add a bit of edge and draw the eye upward from the busy floral print.





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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Get the Look: ASOS Wiggle Dress

Today's "wiggle" dresses are inspired by vintage fashion. A classic wiggle dress was tighter through the hips and thighs which made it difficult for the wearer to take normal sized steps which is how the term came about.

How to wear what to wear with RSVP Shani Red Patent Leather Heels
I ordered this teal wiggle dress during ASOS' after Christmas sale. It originally had side pockets, but I thought it added a little more girth than I wanted in the hip area. My mother was nice enough to remove them for me since I'm not one for much sewing.

 I opted not to add a belt because I wanted a long lean look, and a belt would visually cut me in half.  Red heels completed the look by picking up the accents in my statement necklace.




Check out some of my wiggle dress faves from Asos below.







Wiggle Dress in Stripe Print





Wiggle Dress with Belt



Wiggle Dress with Exaggerated Hips and Embroidery



How to wear what to wear with RSVP Shai Red Patent Leather Heels
 Primadonna Style Tip: For an even longer leaner appearance, wear nude shoes. (see my picks for nude shoes for darker skin tones


ASOS Wiggle Dress

RSVP Shani Heels

Necklace: Burlington Coat Factory (old)

Bracelet: Forever 21 (old)


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Monday, May 13, 2013

100th Blog Post!: Leopard & Red

AB Studio Animal Cardigan  Forever 21 Open Paneled Tunic  Apt. 9 Skinny Ankle Pants  in Regal Red  Rampage Namure Heels

I am so excited; today marks my 100th blog post!  This has been an amazing creative outlet and I've really enjoyed sharing with everyone.  A big thank you to  all of you for reading Primadonna Style and taking this journey with me. Thanks to those who follow me on Polyvore, to everyone who has left questions and encouraging comments, for sharing my posts on Facebook, and for subscribing to Primadonna Style on Bloglovin.

A special thanks to my hubby, Jerome, for being my photographer, and for all of his encouragement and support.  :*



AB Studio Animal Cardigan  Forever 21 Open Paneled Tunic  Apt. 9 Skinny Ankle Pants  in Regal Red  Rampage Namure Heels




A taupe animal print cardigan 
and gold cap toe heels adds texture and a hint of shine 
to this work week look. 























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Thursday, May 9, 2013

Work Week Chic: Zebra Pencil Skirt

The Limited High Waist Zebra Print Pencil Skirt Juicy Couture Pyramid Stretch Bracelet Steve Madden P-Caroll Forever 21 Paneled Mesh Insert Top





I know I have gone on and on about my love of leopard print, but I decided to mix it up by throwing in a little zebra print this week. :)

The Limited High Waist Zebra Print Pencil Skirt Juicy Couture Pyramid Stretch Bracelet Steve Madden P-Caroll Forever 21 Paneled Mesh Insert Top I picked up this zebra print pencil skirt from The Limited in my local mall a couple of months ago during one of their store wide 40% off sales. I paired it with a mesh inset top from Forever 21. The light shoulder pads in this top balance out my pear-shaped figure. Steve Madden fuchsia heels, and a little pink bling from Juicy Couture adds a pop of color to complete the look.

The Limited High Waist Zebra Print Pencil Skirt Juicy Couture Pyramid Stretch Bracelet Steve Madden P-Caroll Forever 21 Paneled Mesh Insert Top



Forever 21 Paneled Mesh Inset Top




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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Work Week Chic: Printed Peplum


carlos santana dreamy brown peep toe heels

A printed peplum top adds on trend pizzazz to neutral work separates.

Twelve By Twelve Pleated Peplum: (old) Forever 21

Premise Studio Cardigan: Burlington Coat Factory

Straight Leg Slacks: Ross Dress for Less

Bronze Belt: (old) bluefly.com

Gold Bib Necklace: (old) Forever 21

Carlos Santana Dreamy (old)

















Here are four of my printed peplum picks for under $40!

Mossimo Women's Sleeveless Animal Print Peplum
Forever 21 Pleated Embroidered Peplum Top

Romeo & Juliet Coture Rose-Print Scuba Peplum


Worthington Peplum Blouse in Yellow Sweetgeo


carlos santana dreamy brown peep toe heels


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Monday, May 6, 2013

Classy on Clearance: Prabal Gurung for Target Ruffle Front Long-Sleeve Blouse

Forever 21 Faux Leather Moto Leggings Gabriella Rocha Saber Simply Vera Vera Wang Simulated Crystals Spike Bib Necklace

I enjoy the designer collaborations put out by Target, but sometimes the prices are a bit more than I'm willing to pay when they first arrive online and at the store.  Though I grabbed the shirt dress from the Prabal Gurung for Target collection the day it hit stores, I decided to be a bit more patient with some of the other pieces. Ultimately, my patience was rewarded and I was able to grab a couple of blouses at great prices when they hit the clearance rack. I scored this ruffle front long-sleeve blouse for less than ten bucks!





Forever 21 Faux Leather Moto Leggings Gabriella Rocha Saber Simply Vera Vera Wang Simulated Crystals Spike Bib Necklace




Primadonna Style Tip:
Instead of leaving your collar open, switch it up by buttoning up those button downs!  Try adding a bib necklace on top to complete the look.

Prabal Gurung for Target 
Ruffle Front Long Sleeve Blouse

Forever 21 Faux Moto Leggings


Simply Vera Vera Wang Jet 
Simulated Crystal and Spike Bib Necklace


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Sunday, May 5, 2013

Out and About: Beach Wedding

We headed to Orange Beach, Alabama this weekend to attend a beach wedding. The happy couple rented a huge house on the beach where they graciously invited us to stay and share in the celebration with their families and wedding party.  The weather was picture perfect, the bride was beautiful, and the sunset ceremony was flawless.

peach halter high low pleated marilyn monroe dress
peach halter high low pleated marilyn monroe dress





The bride specified that the dress code was casual, so I kept it simple with a peach halter dress that I've had for a number of years, but I've only worn once.  I added colorful wedge sandals that I could slide out of easily before hitting the sand.  





Primadonna Style Tip:  Ladies with C cups or smaller can invest in a backless, strapless, stick on bra.  These bras are typically good for a number of uses and add proper support to strapless, low back/backless, or halter neck dresses and tops.


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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Wear Florals and Stripes: Bisou Bisou Mirror Print Pencil Skirt

Bisou Bisou Mirror Print Pencil Skirt Zigi Soho Landing Old Navy Cardigan Charlotte Russe Pleated Peplum Crepe Top
Mix Florals & Stripes: Bisou Bisou Mirror Print Pencil Skirt


When I saw this pic of J-Hud in the January issue of Lucky Magazine, I knew I had to try the floral and stripe trend for myself.

Florals and stripes are everywhere this spring, and now it's all about mastering the art of mixing the two.

Bisou Bisou's Mirror Print Pencil Skirt merges colorful flowers and bold black and white stripes to take all the guess work out of the equation.

Bisou Bisou Mirror Print Pencil Skirt Zigi Soho Landing Old Navy Cardigan Charlotte Russe Pleated Peplum Crepe Top


Charlotte Russe Pleated Peplum Crepe Top (sold out)

 Black Cardigan (thrifted)


Earrings: Claires
Necklace: Burlington Coat Factory




Bisou Bisou Mirror Print Pencil Skirt Zigi Soho Landing Old Navy Cardigan Charlotte Russe Pleated Peplum Crepe TopI avoided black heels and instead went with "nude" shoes to give a longer leaner look. (see: Primadonna's Picks: Nude Pumps for Darker Skin Tones

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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Menswear Inspired Glam: Rock & Republic Blouse with Red Ankle Pants

Apt 9 red ankle pants rock and republic blouse shirt Anne Klein Wrenn
Anne Klein's Wrenn adds a bit of glam to a menswear inspired look.




From the moment I saw this Rock & Republic blouse, I knew I had to have it. The tie neck is a unique mixture of modern menswear with a touch of rock n roll.

Primadonna Style Tip: Add a solid men's skinny tie (try this one) to a button down shirt in the same color for a subtle version of this look.










I haven't been in K-mart in years, but I took my mother over there a few weeks ago on her search for a pair of coral colored jeans. While she scoured the racks, I wandered to the back of the store where I found several racks of women's clothes on clearance for $2.99!  There were actually some pretty good finds. I walked away with a few basics including this black vest by Apostrophe.

Another great find are these red ankle pants by Apt. 9. Initially I ordered a pair in dark purple. I liked them so much I ordered the pine green and this "regal red" color. Originally $48,  you can get them now for under ten bucks. Get an additional 30% off through May 4th if you have a Kohl's card. With a price like that, you can't go wrong by stocking up on these colorful bottoms for spring!















Rock & Republic Embellished Drop-Tail Hem Blouse.

Apostrophe Black Vest



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