OOTN...Going green

Okay we're talking Arty again. Last week Friday  I wore a blouse from the range  I posted about last week. We went to a student fashion show at Hemingways mall then a lounge hang out spot later.

me and my sister Nondwe(makeup by me)

myself, Arty and Nondwe

All the tops and the dress are made by Arty

Arty's lookbook shoot!

Hello hello

Earlier this month my super talented friend Arty Mgudlwa shot a lookbook for his fast growing fashion label. Arty has been dressing Afro Pop sensation Berita for over a year now. The collection is mostly made up of pieces that were conceptualized around Berita's red carpet and stage looks, designed, styled and created by Arty himself. He asked me to do the makeup for the shoot and I gladly did. As a group of five friends with only two as pro's on the task for the shoot (Arty and photographer Sino Majangaza), we did the first official shoot for Arty. Eric directed the photography, Unathi and Ubi modelled and I did the facepaint. The brief was to give the girls a very simple look, nothing too flashy. So I decided on a basic goldish smokey eye and nude lips, later switched up the lips with orange and pink lipsticks. Below are some behind the scenes. Head on over to Arty's blog for the final product.

from left: Unathi(model), Eric(DOP), Arty(fashion designer and stylist), myself(makeup) and Ubi(model)

 side note: not a pro MUA yet. Excuse the picture quality, posting via Blackerry

xx

I ♥ summer tag!

I saw this fun tag on lipgloss kisses and it'd be fun to take part, here goes: 

1. Favourite bronzer for summer?

I don't really need bronzer because my skin is brown bout I use it anyways for the shimmer to give me a nice glow. I love Sleek Face and Body Highlighter in Bronze Baby! love it.

2. You’re relaxing in a hammock, on a tropical island. What are you sipping on?
If not a mango jam jar then definitely a mojito!

3. Favourite summer lip product?
Blistex DCT lip balm. Most people think it's for lip blisters but  I use it because it conditions the lips and protects them from the sun. 

4. Pool or Beach
?Beach. The sea breeze and the sand! 

5. Summer = crazy hair!  What’s your must-have styling product?
Oh boy this is a tough one, I don't even attempt to wear my hair out in summer because it shrinks and looks wet. I get braids done and use Organic Root Stimulator products to keep the scalp healthy and moisturized.

6. Sun bathing or fake tan?
None. for obvious reasons! lol

7. Favourite summer nail polish?
I'm loving gelish nails this summer, white, baby blue and pastel pink. 

8. Any summer traditions?
Not really. It's always a time filled with after work "get togethers" with friends, braais, and days at the beach.

9. Favourite summer scent?

Elizabeth Arden Pretty Eau De Cologne Splash

10. Favourite BBQ/Braai food?
My favourite braai food(s) pork chops, boerewors and a nice and crisp Greek salad.

11. What’s your favourite summer-proof product?
The Body Shop Vitamin C energizing face spritz.

12. Any summer vacation plans this year?
Nope! 

And that's it! I'm tagging you, yes you! :)

xx

black girl problems: receding hairline

We've all seen sobering pictures of Naomi Campbell's receding hairline. Sadly she's not the only woman experiencing the problem. Many jokingly associate it with black professional nurses (don't ask me why, but if you're South African I'm sure you've heard this before). Yes back in the day they used to be mostly affected because they constantly plated/braided their hair. Now with the popularity of hair extensions, weaves and braids, more and more younger people are losing their hair. Here are a few tips that have been proven to prevent traction alopecia (inji bhabha)

1. With any hairstyle you choose, it must not be done too tight, pulling your hair. This includes the styling of dreadlocks as well.
2. Every once in a while give your hair and scalp a break. Say a month or two weave/braid free. 3. Moisturize your scalp often regardless of the style you're wearing. 
4. Minimize any heat on your real hair when wearing a leave out weave. 
5. Never ever relax your hair the same of removing braids or extension. 
6. Wash and condition your hair regular, with or without extensions or braids on. 
7. Last but not least, use castor oil to base your roots. Yes castor oil you find in the medical section in stores. It's brilliant on hair. Keeps the scalp healthy and moist. It kills bacteria, helps prevent dandruff and helps keep your hair growing healthily. 
There's absolutely nothing wrong with wearing extensions, it must just be done right. I know a lot of people who only started noticing growth in the hair after they started wearing extensions. However I must add the obvious, I am not a professional, this is all information I've picked up online, friends and my own personal experiences. I decided to post this after I noticed a lot of people on facebook were shocked that my hair is indeed healthy under all the extensions I always wear. Yes it is short but it's healthy and my hairline is intact thanks to the few tips above.

like  I said, my hair is short but I'm happy with "health status" :)

one of my favourite styles when I don't have any extensions on is the sock-bun. Easy and fail-proof 

I wear extension a lot

Orange lips on brown skin

Hi dolls.

I've been loving orange lipstick for a while now but just couldn't find the perfect shade y skin tonefirst tried orange lips with Revlon Just Bitten Lip balm in Rendezvous but it was pigmented enough. I tried all the well know everyday beauty brands, L'Oreal, Revlon, Maybelline you name them with no luck. They eithere weren't vibrant enough of shimmery.  I really don't like shimmery lipstick, especially if it's a bright colour like Orange. I finally struck gold when I took sometime to check out each and every orange/coral lippie at Ralo Cosmetics! I finally found the perfect shade for me!

Finding photos of beautiful brown skin women wearing orange lipstick was as big a challenge as finding the lippie itself! but I did manage to fine a few on Tumblr.

last but not least, me wearing the lippie!

what do you think? will you be trying out orange lipstick? let me know :

xx

Hi :)

This is an outfit I wore this past weekend on Saturday. I love these shorts to bits. I got them from a thrift store in town about a month or two back. The way they are cut is just amazing. They are kind of loose in the thigh area, then the waist is nicely cinched! This is such a relief because I always struggle when buying non stretch pants, they never fit me perfectly on the bum as well as the waist. if the bum is fine then there's a big gap on the waist and vice versa. Story of my life! and I know a lot of ladies know exactly what I'm talking about. Unfortunately I didn't take a full pic of the outfit on and the mirror pics I took are not clear enough. It got a bit chilly so I wore black tights under the shorts.

Plain white T from Mr Price, high waist denim shorts: Thrift(vintage Woolies) black wedge shoes: Inwear at Truworths; biker jacket: bought a long time ago at a store down town; Cat eye sunnies: Woolies; Minx watch; stud bracelets from Mr Price; The Body Shop Dreams Unlimited Eu De Parfum

just to give you an idea of how the shorts look on. Too the pic but a week ago, just trying them on

lastly, some selfies. I have on L'Oreal infallible foundation in cocoa, Rimmel London lipstick in Have Fun 050

Ciao hunnies!

Bonang is the new face of Revlon!

The gorgeous Bonang Matheba has been appointed as one of the faces for Revlon! The media darling joins the likes of Halle Berry, Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde to represent the iconic makeup and beauty brand. B* told Morning Live this morning that she will start shooting commercials for the brand tomorrow. A gigantic billboard was unleashed in Joburg yesterday.  She wore this ravishing red number by Gert Johan-Coetzee at the official announcement last night. 

pic from accordingtojerry.blogspot.com

pic from instagram

So, I'm 25!

Yes I turned a quarter of a century last week Thursday (28 February). Unlike a lot of ladies I know, I really don't mind growing old, it's the natural order of things lol! Instead I embrace it.

Took this photo on my birthday morning. I did the twist braids the day before.

a few buys

I treated myself to a few beauty/make up and accessories. Check them out.

Essence lipstick in In the Nude(52),  Essence lipliner in Nude and   Hot Chocolate, Tip Top  nail polish in  Mashmallow pink, Revlon nailpolish in Polished( All available at Clicks and Dischem) and of course my lovely friends at Ralo Cosmetics let me have this mini eye-shadow kit!

Haven't bought accessories in a bit, just had to have these. Pink embellished neck-piece: Mr.Price, Coral and silver chocker: Jet Stores, faux gold and pearl earrings: both from Mr. Price 

Got this snake skin and neon envelop clutch from Ackermans(it was sooo cheap)

And last but not least, I bought these two hair products that I want to try out. Ever since Organic Root Stimulator came into the market I forgot all about Dark 'n Lovely, while shopping yesterday I saw this cholesterol treatment and decided to try it. I've seen a lot of rants and raves about Tressemme heat protector also wanna try it.

That's all for now. Can't wait to share my thoughts when I've used all the stuff above! What have you treated yourself to  lately? Do share

xx

Ralo Summer Makeup colours!

Since last year I've been ranting and raving about how cool Ralo Cosmetics makeup is. Judging from their latest colour range, I won't stop raving any time soon. The lovely ladies at the beauty chains head office in Cape Town sent me gorgeous colours to work with this summer! Boy am I loving them.

In summer I'm always a little sceptical of wearing make up as it can easily melt and look a hot mess. But considering that I don't want to take time off beauty, I've picked up a few tips on how to put on light weight, melt-proof make up.

1. Go easy on the foundation: there are BB creams out in the market, they are a great light weight alternative. Or like me you can just mix your favourite face moisturizer and with a tiny bit of your foundation.
2. Try out bright colours! on your lips or eyes, but not both...if the eyes are bold then go easy on the lips and vice versa.
3. Glow but don't shine. A light weight powder and  a hint of bronzer will give a lovely glow.

What are your summer make up tips??

lime blouse: Popstars, floral skater skirt; Mr Price, black studded sandals: David Tlale at Legit

My beautiful colleague Melody let me do her make up too! It was a bit challenging because Melo never wears it, so I didn't do something too shocking for her. With her flawless skin I didn't even use foundation on her. I just did the eyes, lips and chicks. Isn't she stunning!

All items available at Ralo( locate your nearest store here)

#FOTD 12/10/2012

So today being Friday, I woke up with a serious bout of excitosis! I took some time to do my make up after going bare for the past few weeks. Check it out

instagram photo so the colours aren't clear enough

1.Face: Not wearing foundation, 3 steps and Black Opal translucent powder
2. Eyebrows: Brown Sleek brow pencil and Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Cafe Cafe 30
2. Eyes: Ralo Cosmetics green eyeshadow, green chubby eyeline and Bobbi Brown dark brown eyeshadow on the our corners of eyelids, Rimmel black mascara
4. Lips Ralo Cosmetics Nude lipstick in colour 57

Products used.

If you noticed I use a lot of Ralo Cosmetics products! They easy to work with, pretty and affordable. Do check out their website..

Mhwaaah!