Sephora's Pocket Contour Class

So I know this is Ali's Fashion Sense and we usually discuss fashion. But, today I wanted to flip the script and talk about something a little different…makeup. Specifically contouring. I must say, I am in NO way a makeup artist. 

If you've been around you've heard the word contour like you hear fleek, twerk, or any other pop culture slang. Now - a - days you can find countless YouTube tutorials from awesome makeup gurus about contouring. But usually when you try to do it on your own it  looks NOTHING like the tutorial. So while I was perusing the world wide web I found an article about Sephora's Online Pocket Contour Class where you actually upload a picture of yourself and it shows you how to contour like a pro. 

Contour: Contouring is giving shape to an area of the face and enhancing the facial structure through makeup," according to Beau Nelson, Kristen Stewart's longtime makeup artist.

Below are the step - by - step instructions to get the perfect contour. Disclaimer: The picture I uploaded below is from my birthday when I had my makeup professionally done by a M.A.C makeup artist. 

STEP 1: SNEAK PEAK OF THE DIFFERENT FACE SHAPES

STEP 2: TAKE/UPLOAD A PHOTO

STEP 3: FIGURE OUT YOUR FACE SHAPE

STEP 4: SELECT YOUR FAVORITE SEPHORA FORMULA 

STEP 5: 5 STEPS TO CONTOURING

1A: PREP

2A: HIGHLIGHT

3A: CONTOUR

4A: BLEND

5A: FINISH

I haven't actually tried to contour yet, but the app makes me feel confident that I can conquer this feat that was once deemed only for runways and high fashion shoots. To conquer your own face #beat check out sephoracontour.com  and try uploading your own picture. I will be stopping by Sephora very soon to pick up my contouring kit. How about you?

Happy contouring & Happy Monday!

-Ali 

Triple Denim

This outfit was conceived in my mind when I thought…what would it look like if I put my denim shirt under my denim overalls, and topped it off with my denim jacket. I have to admit none of the denim is the same shade, but I think that adds a bit of character to the outfit. Again my theme these last few posts has been about layering. Today's minimal layering efforts takes denim and multiplies it by 3. 

Outfit Details: Denim Overalls (Macy's), Denim Shirt (Target), Denim Jacket (Forever 21), Leather Vest (Forever 21), Pumps (Forever 21), Aviators (H&M)

This look is very comfy, very chill, very denim. And I love it! Would you rock triple denim? It's a great option for a weekend getup. Try it! Simply take 3 different items of denim (i.e. a denim skirt, a denim shirt, and a denim vest etc.) and layer them and wallah you have the perfect ensemble.

Have a great weekend luvs. I will see you Monday.

-Ali

[Burnt] Orange & Green

The colors orange and green spark different emotions to different people. To my husband he thinks of peas and carrots (it's a bit of shade…and a fun inside joke he always teases me with, as he went to a rival HBCU = Historically Black College or University). When I see orange and green it takes me back to my first love of higher education. The place where I met so many long lasting friends. Where my life was in shambles every other day (not really…just a young college student being dramatic) trying to obtain my Industrial Engineering degree. Where I learned an abundance of life lessons to become the woman I am today. The colors orange and green are the colors of my illustrious Alma mater, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University aka FAMU. Those colors will always be near and dear to my heart and evoke nothing but a smile whenever I see them. So when I pulled out my orange and green blouse from my closet all I could do was smile. I decided to pair the blouse with a dark pair of skinny jeans and my cognac suede boots that I picked up from Aldo 8+ years ago. I grabbed my burnt orange silky cardigan as a layering piece, then draped my cognac leather jacket around my shoulders for a more dramatic effect. 

Outfit Details: Cognac Leather Jacket (TJ Maxx), Orange Silk Cardigan (Forever 21), Orange & Green Blouse (Love Culture), Denim Skinnies (Old Navy), Cognac Suede Boots: Old (Aldo), Aviators (H&M), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

Shout out to all my rattlers who bleed orange and green all across the nation! #Rattlerforlife #IloveFAMU. And of course shout out to all my Ali's Fashion Sense readers, followers, and subbies. I love y'all too! SN: That's enough HBCU pride for today. I am off to go get pampered, thanks to my amazing husband aka my dope photographer, for purchasing me a much needed 60 - Minute Massage as my Valentine's Day gift. So I'm off to have a good day. I hope you do the same! Happy Hump Day luvs.

-Ali

Silver Fox

As I've mentioned in the previous 3 posts the weather has been very up and down these last couple of weeks here in Georgia. I have tried to keep up with the changing temps practicing different layering techniques. Saturday I had a lot of errands to run and I wanted to be comfortable while doing so. So  I started my look off taking my distressed jeans and layering them with my navy tights (you can see where I first mentioned this technique 2 years ago with lace and distressed jeans here). Then I threw on my silk gray blouse, a gray cardigan, and my cream faux fur vest to amp up the look. Lastly, I grabbed my cream, gray, navy, and blush pink sneaker wedges to pull the look together and tie in all the colors. The shoes are a perfect casual Saturday, running errands, running behind your children kind of shoe. They allow you to be comfy yet still put together. 

LAYERING 101

The secret again to layering is all about balance. You want to create warmth without looking bulky. The way I nail my layering technique is all about trial and error. I will start with a firm foundation and switch and swap items until I have the perfect mix of garments. So don't be afraid to get down and dirty in your closet. Try things on. Switch things up and rock whatever you choose with confidence. Here's a simple pictorial example of how you can layer your pieces using an oversized blouse + cardigan + faux fur vest + distressed jeans + tights. It's quite simple when you really get the hang of it. Ali's Fashion Sense Tip: Throw on a faux fur vest over your cardigan, duster coat, or leather jacket to create an unexpected element. It instantly adds sophistication to your outfit. 

Outfit Details: Silk Blouse (H&M), Distressed Jeans (Forever 21), Tights (Target), Sneaker Wedges (Target), Cardigan (Target), Faux Fur Vest (H&M), Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Aviators (H&M)

Would you rock the distressed jeans and tights combo?

Yes

No

pollcode.com free polls

Have a wonderful day and a great start to your week!
-Ali

The Game: The Superbowl Edition

Let me be completely candid with you. I was not a fan of football until maybe a year ago when I actually sat down and tried to learn about the sport from my awesome husband. Its funny. In high school I was in marching band (I know what you're thinking…and yes I was a band geek lol) so I never got to truly enjoy the game because we were always prepping for halftime. In college (my first go round) I attended an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) and at HBCU's football games they are all about the HALFTIME. The band (in our case the Marching 100) is the main event. The actual football team is just the secondary storyline (competing with tailgaiting, vendors, great food, and much more). So I never really got into football.

Don't get me wrong, I've watched football (mostly college thanks to my grandparents and parents love of the sport) but I definitely didn't get into football, particularly the NFL. But when I got married all of that changed. Sunday Football is a real thing. My husband gets into it! He's watches games on the TV while simultaneously watching/streaming games online. He's all into fantasy football and will truly be UPSET if he loses each week (because in his office the loser brings donuts). So when I tried to actually sit down and learn what was going on in the game besides knowing that you tried to stop your opponent from carrying or kicking the ball in the in zone, football became much more fun. I even joined a Fantasy Football League (using my husbands help of course…#TeamAnderson).

Since the Superbowl is coming up this weekend I thought I'd join in on the festivities and share an outfit post with you that is different from the norm here on Ali's Fashion Sense. Here's the thing. Just because you wear a t-shirt doesn't mean you can't glam it up. I''m wearing a Seattle Seahawks t-shirt (Lets Go Hawks) that is actually my husbands. He's not a bandwagon fan like me, he's actually from Seattle! I paired my Hawks Tee with a pair of dark denim skinny jeans, a leather navy blazer, chartruse sandals, and a navy baseball cap. I even added a girly flare by incorporating a statement necklace.

My attempt to spell GO lol

Outfit Details: Blazer (Express), Jeans (Old Navy), T-Shirt (Hubby's), Sandals (Target), Statement Necklace (Charlotte Russe), Baseball Cap (Hubby's)

So as you can see I'm repping the Seahawks for the Superbowl. Who are you routing for? The Seahawks (The Legion of Boom, 12th Man, Beast Mode, Russy), the Patriots (Tom Brady, Gronkowski, Darrell Reeves), the commercials (hopefully they're funny this year), or Katy Perry lol? Whomever you route for is fine with me! Just make sure you enjoy it. That's what its all about.

Let me know what team you're pulling for in the comment section below!

Happy Superbowl Weekend,

-Ali

Layering In the Winter

The weather conditions here in GA have clearly not been like the rest of the country with mountains of snows and thermometers reaching single digit temperatures. However, it has presented a bit of a chill and enough dewy conditions to cause my school to be closed ALL week long. So for today's post I wanted to show you how to layer in chiller temperatures while still looking fierce. You need to take pieces that will offer warmth but not necessarily bulk. I started my look with a basic pair of skinny jeans and a sweater. I moved to the next layer and added my faux fur vest and booties. I finished the look with a special fur (I believe it's rabbit fur…real rabbit fur) that I picked up from….just guess… Goodwill. I scored this real beauty for $16.00. Ali's Fashion Sense: Check out your local Goodwill. Because you never know what jewels you will find.

Outfit Details: Rabbit Fur (Goodwill), Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Sweater (Forever 21), Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), Booties (Target), Snakeskin Clutch (Target), Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Aviators (H&M)

Though the weather outside may be frightful where ever you may be, it doesn't mean you have to let the frigid temps steal your sense of style. Use this post as a guide to help you layer your favorite pieces with flare. Stay warm out there luvs! 

I hope you have an amazing day and a wonderful weekend!

-Ali