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We have all seen the standard French manicure one too many times. While the classics are still great, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on new trends that the season has to offer. We detail just a few that have caught our attention.

Double French Manicure

 

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Double French #drybynails Manicure by Elitsa @drybylondon

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For the simple, yet classic bride, the double French manicure uses precision and negative spaces to achieve the desired look. Using a fine tip brush, paint white, or any colour for that matter, along the top of your nail and along the part of your nail that starts growing over your finger.

50 Shade of nude

 

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#drybynails #nude

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Gradient nudes are quite on trend at the moment, with an array of shades available. Solid colours for each nail is all the look requires, so there isn’t any detail to be concerned about. As long as the colours have a similar undertone (such as a cool or warm shade), they can work well together. Browns, taupes, light pinks and beiges are perfect nude options for all skin tones.

Painted Cuticles

The half-moon shape at the bottom of our nails is actually called a lunula. Not everyone’s lunula can be seen on their nails, however, this wedding nail trend exaggerates them in the most beautiful way possible. Start with a solid nude shade across the whole nail. Once dry, use white nail polish to form the half-moon across the base of the nail. This wedding nail trend keeps your nails neutral yet chic.

Say it with a heart

Subtle nail art speaks louder than over-the-top gestures in some cases, and this is definitely one of those times. A simple heart decal or even one done free-hand adds that romantic touch to a light pink manicured nail.

Golden Edges

Gold always adds that something extra to a nail design and draws your attention in. This look simply uses gold nail polish along the edges of the nail, from the base to the tips. Each nail is done differently to create variety within a look but still keep it cohesive.

Mother Pearl

Pearls are a wedding staple, and this look is no exception. Keep it subtle by only including pearl details on one of the fingers from each hand. Be sure to include the pearls while your polish is still wet so the pearls are held in place.

Vertical Manicure

 

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Tippex nails by Corina @drybylondon . . . #drybynails #drybylondon #dryby #nailsofinstagram #nails #nailart #beauty #london

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Turn the standard manicure on its side with this vertical French manicure. To create sharp line edges, use tape to block out the sections you wouldn’t want paint to get onto. To keep this look even more trendy, ensure the index finger is the only one with the manicure running the standard, horizontal way. Finish the look with a clear gel top coat and you’re good to go.

Monograms

Monograms are a personal touch to add on your special day. You are also able to include them on any nail colour, from darks to nudes. Including the monograms on your ring finger just emphasizes your wedding ring that much more. If you don’t have a steady hand to free-hand the letters, use vinyl stickers and ensure it’s sealed with a top coat to avoid any nicks and chips.

Subtle Bubbles

 

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White summer raindrops #drybynails ?☀️?

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With these nails, you might hear the bride shout ‘bubbly, please!’. A simple look, yet a stunning effect with just two colours. Begin with white nail polish and a dotting tool, creating larger white circles closer to the top of the nail and smaller circles around the middle, keep the bottom of the nail remaining clear. These dots can then be outlined using a gold fine brush and the entire nail look sealed off with a clear top coat.

By Yashna Balwanth

 

Image: Unsplash

Get ready to say goodbye to your salary ladies and gentlemen because Fenty Beauty has finally arrived in South Africa.

Since the monumental announcement in early May, South African beauty lovers have been absolutely foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the launch, which was set to take place on 27 May.

Headed by international singer and sensation Rihanna, the brand has been making waves in the industry since its inception back in 2017. It’s been credited for filling a void in the market when it came to women of colour and matching foundations.

At its core, the brand is all about inclusivity with Rihanna stating that she started Fenty Beauty “so that women everywhere would be included.” It focused on a wide range of traditionally hard-to-match skin tones and now has branched out to include skincare products too.

The company is now worth $2.8 billion and caters to women and men all around the globe.

Fenty Beauty Arrives in SA

So, just what are some South Africans saying about the launch?

“Fenty Beauty, since its inception, has been an earthquake of positive disruption for the beauty community. Its arrival in SA is incredibly exciting because it’s not only one of the best-loved beauty brands in the world, but it will also hopefully inspire different looks for influencers honing in on inclusivity. And of course, we get to have a slice of Rihanna here in SA,” says beauty enthusiast Ashleigh Nefdt.

“The launch made me feel like a kid at a candy store. It’s Christmas and you’ve finally got that toy you’ve been throwing a tantrum over for the last few years,” describes beauty marketer Ruby Daniels.

Now that’s one way to splurge when it comes to your bridal beauty!

The iconic products can be purchased at Arc, which have various stores in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

Feature Image: Fenty Beauty / Instagram

The Met Gala for 2022 came, saw and conquered, leaving us with looks that took our collective breaths away (and not always in a good way).

However, out of it all, some gowns part of the Gilded Glamour theme were so gorgeous, we’re ready to take them off the red carpet and onto another important path – the aisle!

Here are some Met Gala looks that would make perfect wedding gowns: 

Eiza González in Michael Kors.

Cibelle Levi

Miranda Kerr in Oscar de la Renta.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Kylie Jenner in a design by the late Virgil Abloh, Off-White.

Instagram @kyliejenner

Alexa Chung in Christian Siriano.

 HFM Magazine

Tessa Thompson in Carolina Herrera.

Hailey Bieber in Yves Saint Laurent.

Getty Images

Ramla Ali in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture.

Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Camilla Cabeo in Atelier Prabal Gurung.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Picture: Cibelle Levi

It’s easy to think that popular bridal fashion, including makeup, attire, accessories and more is the same everywhere. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Across the world, bridal beauty looks differ depending on where you go.

Of course, they’re all stunning. But an Indian bride, a Chinese Bride, and a European bride, for example, are all likely to look and be dressed completely differently on their big days.

That being said, you’re probably wondering how exactly bridal beauty looks on different parts of the globe. Well, wonder no longer, here are 6 different ways brides are styled from around the world:

Japan

The look Japanese brides go for will differ depending on their religion. However, modern brides often opt for a red or white kimono. Traditionally, a Japanese bride would paint her face white, but now they go for more natural makeup looks. An up-do with floral accessories are common for their hairstyles on their big day.

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Djibouti

In this East African country, brides adorn the faces with gold chains. Often the nose is pierced before the wedding, and is decorated with a chain.

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Nigeria 

Nigerian bridal looks differ widely within the country, as Nigeria has about 250 ethnic groups within it. For this reason, traditions differ. However, it is common for Nigerian brides to wear bright colours and to wear a head tie called a Gele.

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Yemen

In Yemen, brides start their beauty regimes up to five days before the wedding. Included in this is the Hammam Turkish bathing tradition. Yemeni brides wear henna on their hands and feet, and they don gold or silver jewellery and veils.

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India 

Indian brides, specifically those who are loyal to Hinduism, wear red on their wedding day. Nose rings are considered a mark of beauty and thus they are very popular for brides in India. Henna decorates the bride’s hands, and black Kajal emphasises her eyes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDOe4NBAIJk/

Armenia 

In Armenia, it is common for brides to thread the entirety of their faces before the wedding. This is to ensure a smooth looking profile on the big day. Their style is similar to that of an American bride.

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Feature image: Unsplash

Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. These senses help us understand and navigate everything around us.

Researchers say humans have 400 smelling receptors and can identify over one-trillion scents. A smell stimulates the olfactory cells in your nose, which sends a message to your brain to help identify that scent and your response to it.

Your olfactory scent can tell you whether there’s freshly baked bread or a newly mowed lawn nearby, without you even seeing it. Some smells create excitement, other evoke a craving, and a few make you turn and run.

Scent goes beyond just identifying your immediate surroundings. It also serves as a form of memory and a message to you and others.

Science historian Diane Ackerman best explained it when she wrote, “A smell can be overwhelmingly nostalgic because it triggers powerful images and emotions before we have time to edit them… When we give perfume to someone, we give them liquid memory. Kipling was right: “Smells are surer than sights and sounds to make your heart-strings crack.”

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What wo/men want

Much like how scents can excite or repulse you, the way you smell can encourage those reactions in others. Desire is formed by engaging all the senses, and smell is a key factor.

Scent has been a key element of desire for centuries. It is believed that Cleopatra used cardamom, cinnamon and basil to seduce Mark Antony and Julius Caesar. She would even bathe in a mixture of milk and saffron for its aphrodisiac qualities.

Research shows that people tend to be attracted to certain scents over others. Every person is different and the scent you are drawn to is shaped by a number of external factors. However, there are key aphrodisiac smells said to be particularly potent to humans.

Women are attracted to scents like vanilla, lime, leather, musk and peppermint. Men are drawn to spicier scents like sandalwood, pumpkin pie, citrus, lavender, cinnamon and musk.

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Considering this, it’s likely many will revel in Montblanc Legend and Montblanc Explorer, must-haves for the masculine wardrobe. These fragrances are elegant, sophisticated and substantial, perfect for the man who exudes confidence. Legend combines notes of bergamot, lavender, sandalwood and oakmoss to create a contrasting and strong, yet tender, perfume. Bergamot, veviter and patchouli mingle to produce the woody, aromatic and leathery concoction that is MontBlanc Legend.
Source: supplied
Beauty is in the (nose) of the beholder

Fragrances smell completely different on everyone. How fragrances mingle with your skin can change based on a number of factors, like your skin’s pH, your hair colour, your hormones and even your diet.

With this is mind, it’s important to remember there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to perfume. Much like a watch or a pair of funky socks, the fragrance you choose is an accessory, an extension of your personality and the image you want to present to the world. Your fragrance can speak volumes to and for you, so take the time to find your perfect perfume and spray away.

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With all the time on your hands right now, it seems like the right time to perfect your makeup skills. The latest makeup trend sweeping the beauty blogs is the fox-eye look, and it might just inspire your bridal beauty look.

The fox-eye look is a makeup technique that makes your eye appear more angled and elongated, like a fox. The trend originated on Tik Tok and is typically accompanied by straight, archless eyebrows to make your eyes appear even more angled.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-uuCtGj5Cr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

However, if you’re not willing to shave off the ends of your brows to achieve this look, fear not. When filling in your brows, you could simply add more product in the arch to make the brow appear straighter. You could also skip the brows all together and focus on your eyeshadow to achieve this effect.

The eyeshadow effect requires you to ‘contour’ your eyeshape from above your crease upwards towards your browbone. This creates a shadow, making it appear as if your eye is naturally shaped this way. Complete the look with angled liner using a dark brown eyeshadow then softly diffuse the line. It’s not a cat-eye liner you want, this look is much softer and more ‘natural’. Then sharply define and elongate your inner eyeducts to make them appear more angled. Voila, the fox-eye!

Here are a few tutorials to help you perfect the look:

Feature image: Pexels

With life on lockdown, things can start feeling a bit grey and gloomy. Nothing beats a slump quite like some self-care. Feel lighter and brighter with these three tips on how to glow from home.

1.     Home-glow face: Amp up your natural beauty with a DIY face mask that will get your skin shimmering without synthetic products – it’s all you! Keep it simple with a coffee and turmeric mask. Caffeine reduces inflammation and puffy eyes, while antioxidant-rich turmeric takes care of the glow. The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of each of these ingredients mixed: ground coffee, powdered turmeric, and Greek yoghurt. Remove the mask after about 20 minutes and voila!

Credit: Pexels

2.     Home-glow hair: There’s no better time to give your hair a break and restore your natural oils. Use this time to let your hair breathe. Lay off the dye, ties and heat. Make a homemade mask or let your roots grow out a bit more than usual. Embrace your regrowth now and support a local salon later.

Wella professionals can’t wait to work with your rejuvenated locks. Don’t do damage out of desperation. Wait it out for Wella’s new Opal-Essence range from Illumina Colour. Soft, subtle, shimmering – it’s worth the wait! You’ll be your own ray of sunshine.

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3.     Home-glow body: A well-rested, well-nourished body manufactures its own natural radiance. Take time to prepare wholesome meals that get you beaming from the inside out. Smoothies are a great way to pack in nutrients. Try including glow-worthy ingredients like spinach, berries, avocado and mango.

Credit: Pexels
Feature image: Unsplash

The nationwide lockdown isn’t an excuse to lay in bed all day. Getting some exercise (in between your Netflix sessions, of course) will help keep you mentally sane and hopefully stop you from climbing the walls from boredom.

If you want to make some gains but can’t visit the gym, let Youtube be your new best friend. There are many fitness-dedicated Youtube channels offering up awesome workouts and encouraging healthy habits. Here are a few of our favourites.

Madfit:

Maddie’s video’s are done interval style. Her workouts are quick and easy to follow. Ranging in difficulty levels, you can find a workouts dedicated to specific body parts as well as fully-body workouts.

Each workout typically has 7-10 different movements in a set, each one done for 30-45 seconds with a short break in between. The set is then repeated a second time, allowing you to fine-tune your movements and really give it your all.

Best for: the person that likes to see there is an end in sight.

Pop Sugar Fitness:

Popsugar Fitness is great for those of all fitness levels. Here you can find full length workouts as well as shorter, targeted classes. Videos often feature celebrity trainers like Jeannette Jenkins and Jake Dupree.

What makes this channel so amazing is the sheer variety of workouts. From dancing to boxing, HIIT to yoga, there is something for everyone.

Best for: the person who believes variety is the spice of life

Whitney Simmons:

This channel mixes workout videos with practical lifestyle tips such as healthy food swaps to make and dieting mistakes to avoid.

Beyond her workouts, you’ll also fall in love with Whitney’s positivity. Her mantra, “It’s a beautiful day to be alive”, will hopefully keep you going through these trying times.

Best for: the person who needs their best friend to hold their hand through life but can’t right now because of social distancing.

Feature image: Pexels

As everyone knows, detail counts when it comes to your wedding look. The dress and hair might be the main focus but trust us, it is possible to ruin a whole look with something as simple as jewellery. So, since we’ve come full circle and and are now back to the roaring 20s, we take some inspiration from a bygone era for dramatic yet feminine earrings that will complete the look to perfection.

Think bold, heavy, and dark, but always sophisticated and sleek. Stay away from cheap or imitation earrings as this could give a “fake” look you don’t want. Here, take the time to carefully consider the earrings that will match your style and give you rocker flair without overpowering the rest of your outfit.







Image: Pexels 

Get beauty cosmetics at new Red Dot cosmetic shop in Cape Town

Red Dot Cosmetics aims to sell affordable and quality cosmetic products to consumers in South Africa – for facehandsaccessories or any skin & body part.

The name ‘Red Dot’ originated from sale prices which are displayed in a red circle, coining the phrase that customers can now get their favorite beauty products at decent prices.

The online store assures to deliver quality products and informative content about health and beauty. Shop items from the comfort of your own home on Red dot’s 100% secured e-commerce platform.  Operating times are Monday-Friday from 9h00-18h00. For online assistance or desperate queries please email [email protected].

Makeup online: Our list of beauty cosmetics

Lipstick, blush, eye shadow, highlighters, brushes, mascara, setting spray, lip liner, eye pencil, nails, treatment and more.

Contact information:

Website: https://www.reddotcosmetics.co.za

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reddotcosmetics/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reddotcosmetics/

Visit Red Dot products to find out more about this online makeup store.