BT Nano Facial

This week I tried out a new type of facial. The BT Nano facial. Basically it is still a deep cleanse but with the addition of a new gadget called a BT Nano which is a Bio Therapeutic machine. It's a small device that sends micro currents to your muscles to slow down the ageing process as well as improve blood circulation resulting in revitalised skin.

There are many functions of this gadget - the technology helps firm and smooth the skin, rehydrate and revitalise skin. Due to my constant breakouts, I required this facial to help alleviate my breakout. Lutfiya performed the normal cleansing routine and then went over my face with the machine, sending electric currents to the affected areas. I felt a slight tingle as she went over my cheeks and chin - the sensitive areas. It felt like a mild form of laser.

At the end of the facial I noticed my skin felt tighter, looked brighter and my breakout seemed to diminish slightly. I noticed after a few days my breakout subsided on the surface. I can still feel something underneath which I think is more of a hormonal problem thus it's reoccurrance.

I did a bit of research on the process and drastic results can only be seen after a good few treatments, which I plan to undergo to see how well this machine works. I was very happy with the initial results so I'm keen to have another BT Nano facial.

Have your BT Nano facial done at Skinsation at Mugrave Centre or Gem Towers

Lutfiya - 082 838 4608 
info@skinsation.co.za
www.skinsation.co.za

Coffee Break

Can this year end already??? Its the final stretch and boy am I am feeling it! On a happier note though, work is almost over and I can't wait to relax! I have been watching everyone's snaps on Snapchat - most of them are on holiday. One of my friends is giving me major envy with all his Thailand snaps while I'm snapping myself at work! I don't have anything planned this year however I do wish to spend quality time with my family. I feel like I haven't seen then all year! 

Pagiel and I shot this at the Durban Botanic Gardens after a shoot we had done. We needed something to cool us down after working in the blazing sun all morning and ended up doing an impromptu photoshoot for me. My look was casual and cool, allowing me to move freely and work efficiently in the heat. The satin pyjama-style top is from Zara, it's probably the coolest shirt I own. The jeans are from Mr Price which was purchased for a photoshoot but made it's way into my closet. Lastly, the shoes are from Zara, which are still in stock in some stores.

Satin Top - Zara // Denim Jeans - Mr Price // Pointy Cut out Shoes - Zara // Leather Bracelet - Louis Vuitton // Sunglasses - Her Collection

Photography by Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za @pagielchetty 

Joseph Ribkoff Event

Last Friday 4 Elements Media and Stuttafords Gateway invited  myself and a few others to attend the launch of the latest collection by Joseph Ribkoff, stocked by Stuttafords. Guests were treated to welcome drinks and a selection of hors d'oeuvres which included spicy prawns and mini salmon and potato rosti towers. Guests were given a little insight about the Spring 2016 collection which perfectly complements the modern woman. 

The theme for the season is 'ease of dressing' which is translated through the softened silhouettes of draping, overlapping and asymmetrical lines. The key fabrics utilised are silky knit and sublime georgette which play perfectly into the effortlessly sexy look the brand emphasizes. Special design features include fringe trims, zippers and gold hardware. Black and white accompanied by stripes are the leading prints for the season punctuated with pops of colour and spring florals.

My look for the evening was understated glam. The black draped dress was part of the latest collection which I accessorised with some key items from the latest Ted Baker collection, also stocked by Stuttafords. The black cut out heels were incorporated to add a bit of dimension to my look as the colour palette remained monochrome.

Black Dress - Joseph Ribkoff at Stuttafords // Necklace - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Flower Cuff - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Flower Bracelet - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Cutout Heels - Schutz 

Photos by Al Nicholl

Allure

It's the first of December! I can't believe I made it through this year. So much has happened and changed for me. I still remember talking about my objectives for the year on New Years Day with my friends. It's comforting to reflect on this year as I have accomplished most of my goals. This year was a year dedicated to work and nothing else and exhausting as it has been, that is all I have been doing thus far. I still have a long road ahead in terms of my career but I'm proud of the progress I've made. I literally had to put family, friends, and my social life aside! I think the most frequent question I got asked was "where are you?" and "why are you so lost?". 

Next year has already got me thinking about what I wish to achieve and in which direction I want my life to go in. It's so surprising to me that my aims for next year are so different to this year! It's bizarre how we change in the short space of a year! Next year is going to be more balanced. Family is of utmost importance to me, I feel like I missed out on so much this year and I know I will never get back the lost time but I can make the most of the time I do have with my loved ones. 

This week's look was shot at the Botanic Gardens for Allure Couture. This gorgeous cobalt Jumpsuit immediately attracted me when I previewed the collection. I was commissioned as the makeup artist and stylist however, this beauty caught my eye so I modelled it for the brand. I think it was the simplicity and 'cleanness' of the garment that attracted me. As you know, I like a clean look with a hint of drama therefore I incorporated a little sparkle and glam with midi sequinned blazer which I purchased some time back from Lipsy. The heels are from Zara which I impulsively purchased. I grew tired of looking at the shoes in my cupboard...

Cobalt Blue Jumpsuit - Allure Couture // Sequinned Blazer - Lipsy London // Heels - Zara

Allure Couture: Instagram - @allurecoutureza Moonira Joosab 0837865439

Images by Pagiel Chetty. www.pagielchetty.co.za Instagram: @pagielchetty 

Onyx By Aneesa Solomon X Cape Town

Last week I spent a few days in the city my heart truly belongs to - Cape Town. As you all know, I have been associated with the Onyx brand for the past two seasons. Naturally, I was on board when Aneesa briefed me on the itinerary for the this season's shoot. I feel it is important to bring fresh ideas and influences to a brand whilst maintaining the brand's identity. Aneesa's aesthetic is simple but timeless and this translates clearly in her work. Onyx isn't a trend oriented-brand, in my opinion, but rather the brand you would go to for a timeless piece that is going to stay in your closet for seasons to come and still be relevant. Maybe this is why I resonate with the brand. I find myself gravitating more towards classic, versatile pieces than trendy items. Onyx is, for lack of a better word, Old Money! 

We started off the morning getting to know each other. I'm sure the rest of the team where well acquainted as they're all from the beautiful Cape. Nabilah Kariem the other model who is infact a modest - wear blogger was such a delight to work with. I had been following her for a while so I was glad to have met her. Razana Omar, the talented makeup artist who worked magic on my face. If you don't believe me, the pictures speak for themselves. Nuraan - the beautiful lady responsible for my curly tresses and Shezan and her sidekick Ederees who made me feel so comfortable in front of the camera.

As per usual the food spread was nothing short of amazing! Special mention must be made of the most delectable doughnuts from Save Supermarket. Aneesa transported them all the way from Pietermaritzburg but it was well worth the effort! I'm craving one now while writing about it. I'm sure there are many flavours - we had the chance to taste the nutella-filled doughnut enrobed in a rich and creamy chocolate with a generous sprinkle of crushed oreo biscuit and a drizzle of white chocolate to top it off. How moreish does that sound? If you get the chance to pop into the bakery in one of their many stores... Definitely try it out and let me know what you think!

The new collection will be available for purchase from early next year. Please visit the website www.aneesasolomon.com for more details or to place an online order. Alternatively visit the Onyx page on Facebook.

Fashioned By Me x Mora Ammo

Last week Mohammed from Mora Ammo and myself collaborated. The brief was for me to style a few key items from his latest pret-a-porter collection. The items included a floral midi top, a black full length skirt and a silver dirndl skirt. My favourite look is the black and white pairing. It's very Carolina Herrera. Classic and elegant... 

I styled the pieces the way I would wear it which isn't necessarily how I'd style it for someone else. My look is very understated. I don't wear much accessories nowadays as I prefer a cleaner look. It's not often that I'm wearing print especially floral but I really loved this floral print - I'm considering investing in a few floral prints for this season. I feel like sometimes I channel Sara Donaldson from the blog Harper and Harley - her colour palette is black, white, grey and nude. I do think her style is great but she seriously needs to add some colour to her wardrobe. With that being said, I am going to introduce more colour to my every day wardrobe.

My hair was done by the talented Sawleha Hansa of @glamhairdontcare and the photography is by Mohammed himself!

All of the Mora Ammo items are available for purchase. Contact Mohammed on 0820788999 and follow him on Instagram @moraammo

I did post the pics on Instagram already but here's a few more...

 Top - Mora Ammo // Pants - Forever New // Heels - Luella // Cuff - Lovisa

Sequined Cardigan - Guess // Leatherette Dress worn as a top - Mora Ammo // Dirndl Skirt - Mora Ammo // Bangle - Accessorise 

Hat - Cotton On // Shirt - Massimo Dutti // Skirt - Mora Ammo // Necklace - Unknown //            Lips - Russian Red by Mac

Blown Away

It's Monday again, back to the rat race! I wish time would slow down already so I can catch my breath! Last week was such a busy week for me, I had lots of work as well as an interview for Mela on SABC 2. We prerecorded it, it should air some time towards the end of this month or early December so please look out for that on my Instagram and please watch the show!

A few items from this look was borrowed from my sister's closet. I am so tired of looking at my clothes - I really can't find any new ways to pair it. When I put this look together I envisioned myself wearing this to a casual lunch with my sisters or going shopping (so I can update my wardrobe) or even to work! We shot this at the Point on what felt like the windiest day of the year. You will notice my hair is flying in every picture. Pagiel tried his best to get a good shot of me but eventually we gave up due to the weather. 

I'm sitting on my couch, listening to 'Hello' by Adele feeling nostalgic. I don't know what more to write about so I'll just leave it at that.

Have a productive week! xx

Yellow Top - Zara // Nautical Jacket - Forever New // Camo Denim - True Religion // Jelly Shoes - Vivienne Westwood for Melissa // Sling Bag - Topshop // Bangle - Swarovski // Watch - Raymond Weil // Sunglasses - Rayban// Lips - Rebel by Mac

Hair colour by Keshini Moodley - Instagram @kesh_206
Hair by Sawleha Hansa - Instagram @glamhairdontcare
Photography by Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za / Instagram @pagielchetty

Taxi

I'm starting to feel a little burnt out! This year has been quite a strenuous year for me, however very productive, so I can't complain. With the year nearing it's end, I still have a few goals I wish to achieve even though all I want is a long vacay to a tropical island. Ive been watching some of my snapper friends on holiday and I am feeling major envy!

This shoot was quite fun for both Pagiel and I. It was very impromptu as I didn't really have an idea in mind. Even with the look, I just pulled whatever matched and used it. We started off at Point Road, outside The Chairman. The derelict building served as the perfect backdrop for this look as I wanted the juxtaposition of elegant and casual, which is also evident in the look itself. 

After a few shots, as we were heading back to the car - Pagiel suggested I do a hitchhike pose which then lead to his "lets shoot with the taxis" suggestion. I was keen as I have never been in a taxi before (I strongly suggest everyone try it at least once since it is such a big part of our South African culture). So there we were, speaking to the resting taxi driver, with his feet on the dashboard, he agreed to let us take a few snaps after a tiny bit of persuasion. Oddly enough, the taxi driver was quite excited about this shoot. He even helped me out with a few poses and showed me the different signals for each location, not that I remember, but it was amusing nonetheless. I suppose it was worth compromising his afternoon snooze!

Pants - Splash Dubai // Denim Shirt - Forever 21 // Cutout Heels - Schutz // Rose Gold Bangle - Swarovski // Lips - 'Rebel' by Mac

Photography: Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za

Instagram: @pagielchetty

New Look

Hi everyone. My apologies for my absence this past two weeks. Recently, time has been a major constraint. Some of you may have heard or even attended the makeup demo that Neil and I alongside Etre Belle Cosmetics hosted. Most of my time went in planning the event, which was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who came to support us. 

This week I don't have an excuse. I was just too occupied with daily life and a dash of laziness. Nevertheless, I have finally gotten down to writing a post. I'm sure you all noticed my blog has gotten a little facelift. I was tired of the old logo and general image of the blog so I commissioned my good friend Shaylen Mudali of 'The Creative Panda' to help me jazz up the blog. I wanted to keep to the monochrome theme with just a splash of colour. I must have emailed him just one small paragraph of what I envisioned for the new logo and much to my surprise, he got it correct on the first attempt! 

The logo is a representation of my personality. I consider myself a contradiction. I'm quite structured and serious - which is the monochrome part but in the same breath, I can be a total hipster which is translated by the water colour stains. 

Not only is Shaylen and amazing graphic designer, he is quite the artist too! His pop-art inspired portraits are seriously impressive. If you haven't had a look at his repertoire of work, go on to his Facebook Page or Instagram and check it out!

Contact: Shaylen Mudali - creativepanda@mail.com

Facebook: The Creative Panda SA
Instagram: @SHAYLEN_MUDALI 

No Grey Zone

It was rather fortuitous that I selected these images  for this week's post for the reason that it best describes my current mood. Maybe it's the universe or perhaps it's close to 'that time of the month' but everyone and everything seems to be annoying me. It doesn't help that the end of the year is nearing and I still have so much I wish to achieve! I'm torn between focusing on work or spending the day at the beach - Durban's weather has been all sorts of lovely this week. 

I'm an all or nothing person, whether it's work or play, therefore I'm always on either end of the spectrum; never in between. Right now I am so lazy to even get off my couch. All my tasks (which on a regular day would take up to one hour max) are taking me forever to complete. I'm pretty certain that there has to be some sort of astronomical explanation for my inertia.

What I'm Wearing:

I mentioned in my last post that I purchased a few items from Charles and Keith, the boots being one of them. I wasn't certain about getting them because you know, the hot weather... But they're my new favourite shoes. They're soft and comfortable enough to go a whole day in them and surprisingly, I don't feel hot in them. The white cross-over top is from River Island. I bought it on sale in Johannesburg when I visited my sister a few months back. The black denims are from Woolworths which I purchased for work but since donning them, I could wear them every day. They provide just the right amount of stretch to make them comfortable enough to wear through the day. The black Jacket with silver chord detail was purchased from H&M in Kuala Lampur. I needed to get away from everyone and be alone for a bit so I went shopping... Needless to say, my alone-time was fruitful.

The sunglasses were a real bargain! I bought them from Sunglass Hut in Cape Town. It was my last day in the Cape and I thought I'd spend whatever money I had left. I spotted a sale sign in the window and went in. Little did I know they were having a sale to bring feet into the store. The entire store got flooded so naturally there was a strong damp smell in the air. Once I saw the price of these Tom Ford  glasses the store smelled like fresh daisies to me. I really like the way these sunnies shape my face as well as the dark lens for when I'm not in the mood to interact with anyone. The Swarovski bangle was a gift to myself after a very long time. I had eyed this bangle for some time before I finally made the purchase! 

White Blouse - River Island // Black Denims - Woolworths // Black Jacket - H&M // Necklace - Lovisa // Sunglasses - Tom Ford at Sunglass Hut // Boots - Charles and Keith // Bangle - Swarovski

Photography - Pagiel Chetty.  www.pagielchetty.com

Henna by Zakiyya. Follow her on Instagram @zakiyya_hennaart

Ben Nye Luxury Powder - Banana

Clients often ask why we use a yellow powder to set their makeup which leads to a long explanation about the product and why we use it, which is why I decided to dedicate a blog post to the miracle that is Ben Nye Luxury Powder.

Ben Nye Luxury Powder is a neutral powder which provides a superior matte finish to any makeup look. This micro - milled loose powder is often compared to many French powders with silky textures. Translucent with just a whisper of colour, Banana powder can be used by just about anyone with a warmer skin tone and for just about any need. Perfect for setting makeup, highlighting or colour correcting surface redness. 

What I particularly love about this product is it's ability to smoothen fine lines and mattify without giving a caking appearance. Unless you're a true-tone, foundation often changes the appearance of your skin tone, however with this magic powder, your skin tone is enhanced without over - powering it. There are a few ranges in this brand as well as various colours to suit each skin tone but this colour - Banana proved to be universal for all skin tones. 

This powder enhances your skin colour and with it's anti - perspiration technology, it keeps the skin matte for up to 8 hours without clogging pores. Popularised by Kim Kardashian's makeup artist for highlighting her face especially her under eye area - this powder works wonders under the eye. The yellow tone neutralizes dark circles without creating lines and caking under the eye. Due to its texture, this powder is build-able which can be dusted lightly over the eye area or used for "Baking" - a new technique which involves leaving the powder to set into the skin to create a highlight under the eye area.

I recently did a photo shoot and used this magic powder to set my foundation and under eye concealer. Once my foundation and under - eye concealer was applied I then used a soft - bristled brush to dust on the translucent powder on to my under eye area, highlight areas, chin and the sides of my chin. This gave my face a natural glow and a smooth finish. 

I highly recommend this product to give you a professional finish to any makeup look.

This product is available online but I purchased mine from Muse Sa. Having Tasneem curate the finest products from around the globe just makes my life easier. You can purchase this must-have powder from her... 

Follow @muse.sa on Instagram or whatsapp Tasneem on 0735214369

I used Ben Nye Banana Powder over my foundation and under my eye.

Here I brushed over the powder under my contour line as well as under my eye.

Primary Colours

Most of my work happens on weekends lately, which I love because I get a whole week to take it easy, work from home and get in a bit of relaxation. This past weekend I was off. I had the whole weekend to relax and spend time with family and friends. If you follow me on Snapchat you would have seen what I got up to the entire weekend. 

Pagiel and I shot these images last week. We both have been super busy recently so it was lovely to catch up and take a few pics while we were at it. He suggested we meet at Audacia Manor for a quick drink and catch up and ended up getting these shots. I was in a hurry, as always, so I threw on this grey t-shirt from New Look with my favourite pair of Zara denims. At first, I really disliked these jeans and regretted getting them but now I could wear them every day! I always find myself regretting a purchase but a few wears later and it's the only item I see in my closet. 

The shoes were a real bargain. I was flipping through Grazia Magazine at a client's house, whilst waiting for her. I kept seeing awesome stuff from Fashion Express. I have never even seen that store before but every item that caught my attention was from there. After the appointment, Neil, Keshnee and I drove into the heart of the CBD - West Street in search of this store. I ended up finding the store and parked on the pedestrian crossing because a selfish driver refused to let me park in the parking I had so patiently waited for. I literally was in the store for 15 minutes as I didn't want to be fined for my parking. I skimmed through the store, looking for anything that interested me. As I made my way to the shoe rack I laid eyes on these cut-out pointy flats. I grabbed my size along with two other pairs of shoes and headed to the cashier. I felt so victorious for some reason. Maybe it was the price that made me smile...

The red fringed waistcoat is from Vim and Verve Collection on Windermere Road which was also another purchase made with Neil. We are always stopping off at random stores between clients. The Yellow Bag is from Charles and Keith. I got this one on sale. The sales assistant was so patient with me because I tried on every bag as well as half the shoes in the store. I bought this bag along with two other pairs of shoes which I look for any excuse to wear. The bag charms are from Bin Dawood in Makkah. My sister and I love key rings and charms. Whenever we get the chance to, we buy as many as possible. 

Hat - Cotton On // T-shirt - New Look // Waistcoat - Vim and Verve Collection // Denims - Zara // Shoes - Fashion Express // Handbag - Charles and Keith 

Henna by Zakiyya. Find her on Instagram @zakiyya_hennaart

Photography by Pagiel Chetty www.pagielchetty.co.za

Morphe G30 Flat Contour

Morphe is fast becoming a leading makeup brand in South Africa thanks to Muse SA. I recently got this brush from Tasneem and I must say it works like a charm. The first thing to do when purchasing brushes is to wash them! You never know what's on the brush, and if you have sensitive skin like me, you don't want to risk getting an unnecessary blemish!

 The brush is designed mainly for blending out a cream contour, however it can also be used for powder contour. The bristles are synthetic, feathery-soft and dense which blends cream contour beautifully on the forehead, cheeks, and jawline. On my first attempt, I brushed on the product with this brush, which was incorrect. On another occasion, I applied the product using a tapered concealer brush and subsequently blended with the Morphe brush. This method provided a smoother finish as opposed to my initial method. The brush is a bit thick for the nose area, especially for beginners - I suggest using a slimmer version of the brush for the nose. That and the fact that the brush handle is quite thick are the only negative qualities about the brush.

 Furthermore, if you want to purchase a universal contour brush - and you're not a makeup artist - I suggest purchasing a tapered version of this brush, which Muse SA does stock. This brush makes a great addition to an established kit. For a makeup novice, it's best to purchase a brush that can be used for smaller areas as well.

Find Muse Sa on Instagram: @muse.sa or Whatsapp Tasneem on 0735214369