

Flare Jeans Are The Wave - Here's One Pair, Four Ways
Allow me to introduce you to the jeans you'll be wearing the rest of 2020: the flare jeans. The 70s inspired trend is one that you'll need to jump on because you don't want to be left behind. The allure of flare jeans made its way to the runways this past season from designers like Celine to Michael Kors. That means the time to jump on the wave is now.
As a youngin, I would flip through my mom's high school photos just to spark creativity. One of my all-time favorite lewks from muva included a pair of badass flare jeans. Distressed, vintage or high-waisted, the fashion proportions are on your side when it comes to finding your perfect pair.
To show the versatility of one pair of flare jeans, I have styled four different looks. One of my favorite features of these Citrus Husk Boutique's 1988 Uber-Flare Denims is the frayed hem; it gives them edge. Ahead, find some serious style inspo!
Tee + Flare Jeans
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
On my Janelle Monae tip, I paired my flares with a classic slogan white tee and white accessories because what's more timeless than black and white. When in doubt, pair one of your treasured tees with these bottoms to keep it cute and cool.
Blazer + Flare Jeans
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
I grabbed my go-to blazer to throw over my shoulders for a retro vibe. This blazer was one of my greatest thrifting finds with its padded shoulders and striking color. Whether you consider yourself stylish or not, you need to own at least one blazer. Lucky for us, you can purchase them at all price points.
You might not be heading back to the office every day just yet but you could easily replace this Mix Boutique crop top for a chic blouse and save the crop top for your socially-distanced date.
Statement Top + Flare Jeans
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
Playing with shapes, I coupled this off-the-shoulder, bell sleeved top with the 1988 Uber-Flare Denim. I love how the similar silhouettes create a harmonious getup. This marrying of figures is ultimately strategic; it is gracious to all body types and emphasizes my curves effortlessly.
Kimono + Flare Jeans
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
Kimonos and flare jeans are one of fall's favorite combos so as you prepare for the next season, make sure you have a couple in your arsenal.
1) This kimono is my favorite because it's custom.
2) It's also my favorite because a dope ass black, female designer, CR LEE, made it for me.
With the fall usually being the prime time to get inspired by fashion weeks around the world, it's going to look different this year now that we are living in a pandemic. Don't fret though, we want to empower you to try an assortment of kimonos and even long-line cardigans with this spectacular bottom to spark some style ingenuity.
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Featured image by Charlie B Photography
Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
This Minimal Nail Design Is One Of The Fall's Biggest Mani Trends
What's a classic manicure look getting a fall 2023 aesthetic update? Look no further than the micro-French nails that are trending this fall. Minimal nail art ideas are in, and the super thin lines within the micro-French nail trend scream minimal chic when it comes to nail design choice.
If you're wondering exactly what to request from your nail tech, according to Cosmopolitan, there's been "a rise in micro-French manis on square nail shapes." And if you are in need of a little nail inspo to bookmark for your next appointment, we have you covered on that front, too.
Keep scrolling for design ideas for your future set of micro-French nails.
Micro-French Nail Art Ideas
Micro-French Fall Nails
Minimal Nail Art Designs for Fall
Fall Micro-French Nails
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Featured image by Tatsiana Volkava/Getty Images