#hypergamous fashion

[darklovecat]

how do you know what suits you best?

Knowing my McJimsey Essence!

Discovering my style essences was an important aspect of my journey towards defining my personal style. Your physical appearance, build, height, facial characteristics, hairstyle, manner, voice, and expression all contribute to your overall style essence and I have found McJimsey Essences to be a valuable tool in figuring out what clothing looks good on me and upgrading my style.

The 7 Style Essences.

The 7 Style Essences Explained.

The Ingenue Style Essence.

The Dramatic Style Essence.

The Natural Style Essence.

The Romantic Style Essence.

The Angelic Style Essence.

The Gamine Style Essence.

I don't follow Kibbe, I find it too restrictive and the typing posts are amusing to me because people always disagree and there seems to be a great deal of discrepancy despite the supposed expertise of those involved. It's meant to facilitate the process of finding your personal style but there's more confusion than clarity, Kibbe is not exactly what I'd call a fashion icon, so I avoid it all together.

I've been following McJimsey Essences for years now and I find it a lot more straight forwards than categorizing people based on their body types and there's just so much more depth to it and room to play around and have fun with it. It's not as rigid or limited as other style cults, most people are a mix of multiple essences, and it allows for creativity and experimentation while still offering guidance which I love.

I am mostly ingenue with a strong undercurrent of gamine, lots of ethereal and a dash of romantic. I still love dressing in all of my classic looks but adding elements from my essences have worked wonders for creating a more cohesive and harmonious look and I can switch it up based on the occasion. I love browsing through Pinterest, saving outfits and recreating looks, updating my wardrobe, revisiting and drawing inspiration from Art and Fashion in Clothing Selection, and taking notes to freshen up my look.

Cat.

[blissfullyecho]

[geishainthemoonlight]

[ L O N D O N ]

[jenntastic10]

Crochet dresses Eatttttt😍💕✨🧶

[femmefatalevibe]

Hello! I love your blog and would like to ask for your advice. I want to look like an elegant, expensive woman. However, I am having a hard time applying makeup and setting up a skin care routine. Do you have an tips or resources on how to wear makeup elegantly and care for one's skin (for those new to makeup and skin care)?

What are the basic products needed for a dewy, classy make up look? Do you have any tutorials?

What are the basic products needed for healthy, minimal skin care routine?

Thank you for reading this ask! Have a great day!

Hi love! Sharing some of my tips below:

Skin:

Always use a disposable cloth when washing your face: Regular towels store bacteria and can cause breakouts too easily. These facial wipes from Amazon are my holy grail.

Wear sunscreen daily: Yes, even when you spend all day indoors. UV rays can interact with your skin through windows, too.

Niacinamide, Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid, & Tea Tree Oil are among the few skincare ingredients almost everyone should consider incorporating into their skincare routine.

Learn the correct order to apply the products in your skincare routine: Cleanser, Toner, Serum, Eye Cream, Spot Treatment, Moisturizer, Sunscreen (or Retinol/Skin Oil at night).

Remember: From a dermatologist's perspective, your face starts (or ends) at your nipples. So, ensure you're cleansing, exfoliating, and applying sunscreen daily to your neck, chest, and décolletage to keep your skin smooth, youthful, and well-hydrated.

Vaseline is a great (affordable) alternative to traditional eye creams.

Sugar scrub your facial hair for a more gentle alternative to waxing (Combine sugar, lemon, and water). Laser hair removal, especially under your arms and your arms/legs is life-changing.

Follow up a warm shower with a dry brush and coconut oil for smoother, firmer skin.

Always apply a hydrating lip balm, mask, or Vaseline, hand cream, and moisturizer to your feet before going to sleep.

Layer complementary scents. Ensure the scents of body wash, lotion, and perfume work well together and don't clash.

Makeup:

Learn your skin undertones and educate yourself on color theory (I can create a short ebook/PDF if you want some more educational content on these types of topics – I write about them for a living!).

Test any foundation, concealer, or face powder on your wrists, too.

Don't forget to color-match your bronze and blush: They can appear orange or muddy if you don't find a product with the correct shade or undertones for your skin type.

Invest in products that go on your face, brow products, and eyeliners. Great mascaras and lip products are easy to find at a drugstore or relatively cheap (I suggest Covergirl and NYX, respectively).

Apply concealer in a triangle; don't dot it around your eyes for better coverage.

If you have oily skin (or it's humid outside), apply powder before your liquid/cream products. Set them again with a light powder to lock the color in.

Apply mascara from tip to base for the best lashes of your life: One coat on the tip, another from middle to tip, and the last coat from base to tip.

In a pinch, use a fragrance-free moisturizer and a Q-tip to remove excess makeup (no more raccoon eyes).

Use a light nude or white eyeshadow underneath your brow to make them appear more defined.

Apply face powder under your eyes to help the eyeliner on your waterline last longer.

Create a simple daily makeup routine formula: 1 skin coverage (foundation/concealer), 1 skin color (a favorite blush or bronzer), brows, mascara, an eye-definer (eyeliner or shadow), and a signature "your lips but better" lip shade (1-2 shades deeper or lighter than your natural lip color): This formula provides you the basics, so you never have an excuse not to put yourself together for the day (5-10 minute routine here).

Discover your day-to-night hero product: Always keep a slightly deeper lipstick, a smoky eyeshadow, or liquid liner in your bag to transition your day look into the evening with one portable product.

Hope this helps xx

[sayxit]

city lines

[tha-catalyst]

[fyi-iyanni]

[lilly-onthevalley]

Guide to Basics: My Current

I mentioned that I got rid of atleast 60% of my clothes a year and a half ago and it's been the best thing I've ever done for my wardrobe. My choices are easier and I can't remember the last time I've ever sat and cracked my head about an outfit. That's the way I like it. My life has a million other stresses and I mainly care about 2 things. Consistency and Presentabiltity.

Over consumption has been normalised, and honestly, no one needs to be doing allat (😂). If you try and follow every trend and phase, you'll find yourself disappointed and having a fair amount of confusion and dread whenever you open your closet.

Me

Let me start off by saying that my environment has influenced me A LOT when it comes to how I dress and put myself forward. I navigate certain countries that have a very stereotypical style for certain groups. It's made things easy for me. I love my squads, and I love how I can maintain who I am by the way I dress and have been shown to dress by the girlies around me.

It works, it's trusted and that's what I care about.

Jeans. I only wear white or cream jeans made of mostly denim. It's just what works for me and my location. I physically cannot get a taste for blue jeans, I'm trying so hard, but they just don't suit me or brighten me the way a pair of flared whites would. The same goes for shorts. I wear white shorts of every cut because you'll need a different type of short for the beach vs. the court. My golf skirts follow the same law. Linen pants are also some of my favourites for casual days, I implore everyone to give them a try! I love how they flow when the wind blows and they are the pants I've gotten the most compliments on.

I'm still going through my crop top phase and will continue to do so till I cannot. I love a solid coloured cropped top, deep blues are my favourite because they enhance my skin in such a beautiful way. I'm someone who is lollypop shaped, so slightly cropped tops break the illusion from my pants and accentuate the top. I love to keep the colours plain and cool toned as that is what suits me best.

I also wear full shirts a lot in white, black, blue and green. When it comes to these, I make sure they fit like a dream and are preferably purely cotton without any unnecessarily thick stitches at the neckline. A neckline can make or break a silhouette. Find which one works for you, I can not work a deep V cut and like softer and rounder necklines. I like a bit of room for my silver/white gold jewellery to sparkle against the dark of my skin before being consumed by the shirt.

I go crazy when it comes to dresses and skirts. That's what I love and what those around me love too. Stripes, florals, swirls, beading, crotchet, anything. I love a Zimmerman look, it's very feminine and fun for lunches and events where moods are high and hands are going even higher.

For shoes I'm basic. Birkinstocks, gold sandals, nude, black and white pumps, and any platform white sneaker. I'm fairly short, I need the height on a normal day. For adventures, I go for the Birkinstocks. For a lunch, I go for my gold sandals, sometimes heeled sometimes not. For formals, I fold and take the pumps for a spin. And for everyday I keep my assortment of white platforms. It's a simple, trustable rotation. Of course, there will be rainy or cold days where you need to get the Wellingtons out or some old Timberlands/Uggs, but that's not most of the time.

When it comes to jewellery, I adore pearls and everything they stand for. For my 15th, I got my first pair of real pearls, and I haven't gone back since. Whenever I go to a port city, I always snake my way through the local pop-ups to find a jeweller who uses fresh water pearls on silver chain. I wear either pearl earrings or a hanging gem stone. I have multiple piercings on each ear. First hole is for a basic tiny gold stud. Middle for a dangle gemstone or pearl. Last for a diamond or zirconia of sorts. It looks almost religious how beautiful they are. I always thought pearls were for old ladies. My mother wore black pearls with shiny stone bottoms, and it always peaked my interest. I think of Venus coming out of the clam every single time I pop them in, and it makes me feel divine.

Shades are optional for most people, but where I am, you NEED to have them. I am a RayBan girl. My first pair was thick with a blackish purple polarisation. Second, where polarised green for my society ( incredibly iconic time when I think of it 🤣.) Now I have a pair of black ones that make sense for my face and everyday wear. I'm moving onto chunky Pradas. They're yet to come in since I wanted a specific type of lense on the frame. As I get older, I get more chunky, but right now I'm loving my thin black. I love the privacy, I love how others love them too. We exchange sometimes for different occasions.

I am a big fan of community, and having one is very important to me. Likewise, I wear logos from schools, societies, bands, productions, and companies I've been a part of. Don't do this if you're a crash out, you'd be putting the brand in disrepute, but if you're new in a place maybe some community gear for a certain cause you're interested in would be a good conversation starter. I have been privileged to be a part of many big communities that connect as far as from the dips of South Africa to the Ivy Leagues and big banks. I wear them with pride as I have earned them, fought tooth and nail to be rewarded them, and done my time. I worked for a lot of my branded gear, and it's recognised. Most of my jackets, hoodies, gym shirts, suit accessories, and stationery come from little things like that. It's my number one favourite thing to wear.

I love fashion, I love looks and can't wait to see what future me will have a taste for.

⭐️

[darklovecat]

Beauty tips?

Taking my vitamins and beauty supplements every day!

I believe that beauty and health go hand in hand so I got a complete blood work-up to figure out what vitamins and minerals my body was lacking, and I make sure I'm taking my them daily. On top of that, I take various supplements such as Collagen, Fish oil etc but I swear by my 10-gram daily collagen regimen. I take its powdered form right before going to bed and have noticed its benefits within a short time - My knees used to sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies when I bent down, but after a few days of collagen, the crepitus is gone. Plus, my hair is growing faster and my skin is looking plumper. It's done wonders for my joints, giving me a healthy glow, and making me look way more refreshed.

Having perfect posture at all times!

I think this is a very simple but overlooked beauty tip that truly elevates your appearance. It's like the secret weapon of beauty, it can transform not just the way you look, but also the way you feel. When you stand tall and hold yourself with grace and poise, you radiate confidence and elegance. Good posture also has numerous health benefits. It can help prevent back pain, improve your breathing, and even boost your mood and energy levels. Ever since I've started incorporating Pilates and Ballet into my routine to build strength and flexibility, my posture has improved greatly. The way you carry yourself says a lot about who you are and by standing tall and confident, you'll not only look beautiful but also feel empowered and ready to conquer the world.

Getting 6 hours of quality sleep every night!

You know what's a major beauty tip that most people sleep on? Sleep!! Forget about slapping on expensive creams and doing a gazillion steps in your skincare routine. You gotta start with the basics, hun. Get your sleep game on point, eat right, and manage your stress. Now, I know we all have different needs when it comes to sleep, so I won't give you a specific number. But trust me, beauty sleep is not a myth, it's legit! I turn on Night Mode on my devices at 6:30, pop my sleeping pills at 9:30, and hit the hay an hour later. Oh, and I'm not afraid to take a nap during the day if I need to. Don't underestimate the power of a good night's sleep. It's the secret to looking and feeling amazing.

Growing out my eyelashes!

I take pride in my long and voluminous lashes, they're one of my best features and one of my most complimented features. However, my natural lashes were not always this way, they became longer through regular lash serum usage. I do not really need wear mascara and after a lash lift, my lashes appear as if I'm wearing extensions. While Latisse has worked wonders for me, it's important to note that the product does come with potential side effects such as orbital fat loss and irritation. Thankfully, I did not experience any adverse effects. Another caveat is that the product only works as long as it is used consistently. Despite these considerations, I wholeheartedly recommend Latisse. To see the results for yourself, check out the Real Woman Gallery.

Cat.

[blissfullyecho]

[tooedgyforbrunch]

A very happy birthday 🩷🩵🍾

[jenntastic10]

The Magic of….

Elevating Your Style…

with Stackable Jewerly Layering.

[femmefatalevibe]

Hello dear,

I'm an older woman who didn't have the chance to be guided when I was younger about selfcare, about beauty (makeup, clothes, accessories, etc.), the importance of looking my best, and about wanting to move forward professionally.

I've always admired the way women carried themselves in the 1940's (their clothes, their femininity) and I'm getting inspiration from that era for hair, makeup and clothes. This kind of information is pretty easy to find. My problem is I lack self-discipline when it's time to take care of myself, since I feel I was not taught properly, and I find it difficult to create a routine and sometimes even to get out of the house looking by best.

Could you please help me define a routine (morning and night) and new partterns, along with a mindset to achieve the self-representation of my dreams?

Hi love! So excited for you to start this self-care journey and prioritize yourself. I believe it's always the right time to start a routine that makes you feel better about yourself. Focus on the small things and begin habit-stacking. I have a goal-setting, productivity, and self-discipline guide linked HERE to get you started.

To become consistent with self-care habits, I think the most important mindset shift is to remember that no one else will ever put more effort into you than you will yourself – they're too busy with their own lives and everything that comes up. This change is for YOU, so you can feel better about your daily life. Why deprive yourself of this joy and self-pleasure when all you have to do is set aside a few minutes twice a day to better your life? Think of lacking consistency in your self-care routines as a form of self-sabotage (because it is, honestly).

When it comes to routines, you have to find what works for you, but the most important steps fit into 3 buckets: hygiene, nourishment, and improvement-focused indulgence (beauty, style, self-development reading, a yoga class, etc.).

Simple Morning & Nighttime Habits:

Brush teeth, floss, & skincare (2x/day)

Shower, brush hair, moisturize, and blowdry with heat protection cream and a round brush (1x/day)

Establish a daily makeup routine and a capsule wardrobe

Have at least 2 filling plant-based meals packed with whole foods, such as fruits, veggies, avocado, beans, whole grains, tahini, potatoes, etc. (following this regimen for 10 years has given me almost perfect skin with little to no external effort)

Drink plenty of water (your weight in pounds = target water consumption in ounces)

Wear sunscreen daily (at least 30-50 SPF)

Cut, file, and brush your nails (at least 1x/week)

Use a dermaplaning, sugar scrubs, and tweezing as needed to remove hair from your face and body (usually once every 2-4 weeks)

Here are some other resources to build a morning & night routine, some beauty tips, etc.

Femme Fatale Morning Routine

Femme Fatale Nighttime Routine

Femme Fatale Beauty Playbook: Tips & Tricks To Feel Clean, Confident & Seductive Daily

Femme Fatale Guide: Habits To Become Your Best Self In 2023

How To Build A (Realistic) Femme Fatale Wardrobe: Daily Essentials

Femme Fatale Beauty Routine: Essentials To Unleash Your Dark Feminine Energy

Hope this helps xx

[catalina97]

Manifesting a Rich Life 💗

[tha-catalyst]