Melanin Luxe: 2013-05-19

Saturday, May 25, 2013

A Fall Day in Spring

Army Jacket: Platos Closet

Fringe Cross Body: S&D Underground

Multi Print Skirt: Salvation Army

Michael Kors Boot: Regeneration

Cowrie Shell Belt: GoodWill

Thursday, May 23, 2013

If Life Was a Movie......


Leather Jacket: MAX STUDIO

Dress: PRABAL GRUNGE FOR TARGET

Beanie Hat: Stole from my Brother♥

Combat Boots: Charlotte Russe


Lipstick : RIRI WOO FOR MAC

I love dressing to a theme. If I wear Leather or Black you can bet I'm Rocking a RED LIP!!!

Today I felt like being an Action "SHERO" :) And what does a strong young woman do on her day off from saving a Man from danger. She has an impromptu photo shoot in a parking lot of course!

♥♥♥

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Detroit's little Eden : Lafayette Gardens

Nestled in a booming urban jungle is a small Eden the Lafayette gardens. The garden was created as a way for the community to help grow and nurture, while helping to produce fresh fruits and vegetables. The garden has whimsical elements made from recycled items. It feels really calming, like you have crept away to a hidden valley. The crops are donated to Gleaners food bank & anyone is welcome to volunteer. If you live in the city I suggest you check the garden out.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Exalting The Feminine

Today I had the pleasure of meeting an artist named IFOMA. IFOMA's artwork has been showcased in galleries in Detroit and Chicago and has been enjoyed for over 25 years. The artist just ended a collection titled Woman Shrine Exalting the Feminine which was on display March 1st through May 7th here in Detroit. His artwork is absolutely amazing, they showcase women of color beautifully adorned with vibrant colors while giving off an aura of strength and beauty. IFOMA says he has been fascinated by the strong spirited woman and has sought to document her story.

The Wrong Shade of Black

So this morning I was going through my usual morning routine. Which is scrolling through my Instagram time line. And I saw a post written by Belleoninstagram entitled 50 shades of Beige.
And I began to think of all of the times I have went into a drug store TRYING to find an inexpensive foundation. I can NEVER find "MY COLOR". The shades always range from fair to so -called Deep "which is more like over creamed coffee." I never even thought of the disappointment that someone of an lighter or even deeper complexion may feel while hunting for their shade. It's even more disappointing that in the year 2013 Major cosmetic companies are still leaving Women of Color out of the picture by only catering to selected shades. It's seems like they took a brown paper bag as their muse. I feel like a chemist trying to blend and combine colors attempting to manipulate a hue that should already be in circulation.
There is a huge gap in the market for darker complexion women. I find if they do have my shade in the foundation they will not have it in any of the corresponding products such as BB Creams, Setting Powders, or the CORRECT Concealer. I think it is so difficult to effectively pin point our wide spectrum of color because we have so many mixes of blood running through our veins. It is very few black people in America that have not had some type of inter mingling of races in their family tree. I'm very certain that my lighter toned sisters have the same problem due to the fact I see so many walking around with an ashy complexion. In a society that tells me my gender is wrong, my ethnicity is wrong, and my color is wrong or limited edition or extinct. You start to wonder WHERE DO I FIT IN ? I do commend Covergirl for Having The Queens Collection I guess. Even though I feel like its a segregation. Why couldn't it be a regular Cover Girl product and have Queen Latifah as the spokesmodel? I guess beggers can't be choosy.