Introduce yourself!
J: Hello! I’m Jasmine Alston, a full time photographer from Philadelphia who’s addicted to traveling, random adventures, and Sweet Baby Ray’s.
What is your style philosophy?
J: Comfort first! I refuse to wear anything too tight for the sake of fashion. I’m not interested in holding my breath all day. I have things to say and moves to make Lol!
How would you describe your sense of style?
J: I would describe my sense of style as sometimes-y. Sometimes I like to look chic and classic. Sometimes I like to look like a “woman of the world” wearing bold cultural prints that I’ve collected while traveling. And sometimes, I like to look slightly masculine in cutoff shirts and loose jeans. So in a nutshell, my sense of style is versatile, unapologetic, and free-spirited – just like me!
What is the process of deciding what to wear in the morning?
J: If I’m running late with no time to think, which I usually am… I’ll just throw on all of my favorite pieces. I have a pair of “comfort jeans” and some favorite sweaters that save me anytime I’m in a time crunch. However, when I’m generous enough to give myself time, I like to pick out a random piece in my closet. Then, I create a look around that. I’m on a mission to wear everything in my closet – which is a lot easier said than done!
What are the three favorite things in your closet?
J: 1. My “comfort jeans” – They’re my own variation of boyfriend jeans. They are about 2 sizes too big and were given to me by a friend. The brand is Bullhead and the fit is “Hermosa Superskinny”. I wear them ALL THE TIME! 2. A thrifted J. Crew sweater that comes down to my knees. I added some “spice” to it with a random fur collar that I also found at the thrift store. (I safety pinned the fur collar to the sweater.) I get a ton of compliments on it everywhere I go! 3. Sky high Steve Madden combat booties. These are the “go-to” boots that’ll liven up any boring outfit. They’re basic laced black booties, but the super high wedged heel gives me life.
What are some of your favorite shops/websites for clothes, shoes and accessories?
J: As a new business owner, I have to be very conscious about my expenses. Almost all of my cash flow is reinvested into my business (and traveling). That said, about 75% of my wardrobe is from the thrift store. Every now and then I’ll splurge on shoes, but it hurts my soul to spend more than $50 on anything. If you have a decent sense of style, you don’t need labels to look good!
How long have you been natural?
J: I had my last relaxer at age 11. But, I fried and dyed my hair so much that I wouldn’t even consider myself “natural” until about 2.5 years ago.
How and why did you transition into natural hair?
J: About 2.5 years ago I was at a stage where I had tried just about every hairstyle. My only next step was to cut it all off. So, that’s what I did. I started my natural journey with about 1 inch of hair.
What is your signature hairstyle?
J: My signature hairstyle is a braidout, but a low bun is always my plan B!
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
J: When I first started my natural hair journey, I was caught up in the “product junkie hype”. However, as I’ve gotten the hang of things, my regimen is a lot simpler. I co-wash and detangle about every week with Tresemme Naturals conditioner. Then I use a little of the same conditioner as a leave in, and seal with coconut oil and Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I usually do a braidout on wet hair with about 10 braids. At night, I always re-braid. Pineappling does not work for me because my curl pattern is really tight at the crown of my head. If my braidout is looking a little crazy in the morning, and I don’t have time to fix it, I’ll spray a bunch of water on my hair and put it into a low bun with some Eco-Styler gel. It’s a very chic style that works for just about any look.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
J: Yes! I have a fashion photography blog with my sister at JadeAndJas.com. I also have my photography website, www.JasmineAlston.com. And Instagram: @JasmineAlston. I travel often doing photography in different cities, so be sure to follow me to stay updated. I may be coming to your city!! 🙂
