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    If you’re planning a winter wedding, make sure your makeup look is exactly right. You might hope your wedding date is still safe from the coronavirus, or you may have changed things a bit and opted for a Zoom wedding, or private home wedding. Either way, your look is everything and we’re here to help you get it perfect.

    This winter, sultry, edgy and bold is the way to go. Colder temperatures call for warmer looks. However, you don’t have to go for the cliche dark red lips. You can even go for the icy snow queen-look and opt for nude lips. We’re seeing a lot of plum, smokey rose and bronze-nude. Take a look at these fabulous lip looks:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xL8_5lXQv/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6G7YfrF4BO/

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

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EWUXfFerw/

    Image: Pexels

    Whether your girls are wearing their hair up or down, a chic hair accessory will complete their final look.

    From subtle, to timeless, to something Carrie Bradshaw wore on her first wedding day in the SATC movie, here are some hair accessories to consider for your bridesmaids:

     

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    Feature image: Unsplash

     

    False lashes can make the world of a difference to your make-up look, but not many people know how to take care of them. Here are a few tips and tricks to help get the best wear from your lashes and make them last longer.

    Trim them

    Not all eye shapes are the same size and you may find your strip lash doesn’t fit. This is completely normal to slightly trim the strip with a pair of scissors. Besides looking more natural, they will also be way more comfortable on the eye.

    Skip the mascara

    With lashes that great, you don’t need to apply a coat of mascara. We’re not saying you can’t, but it will definitely help your lashes last longer without the added layers of mascara to remove once you’re done using them.

    Use tweezers

    A pair of tweezers are always handy to help you apply your falsies. It will help to accurately place the lashes as close to your natural lash line as possible without messing up the rest of your makeup.

    Never sleep with them

    Always, and we repeat, always, remove your lashes before going to bed. Similarly to removing your makeup, fake lashes are no different so take them off with the rest of your face before bed. It also helps to clean your lashes from any lash glue or other makeup that may have gotten on it during your wear before putting them back in the box.

    Apply after eye shadow

    It is better to apply your false lashes at the end of your make-up look to avoid getting any fallout eye shadow onto them. This will ensure your lashes looking fresh and new once your make-up look is complete.

    Practice makes perfect

    The only way to become better at applying your falsies, is to do it on a regular basis. You’ll find the more often you use it, the quicker you’ll be, and since they’re reusable, as long as you take good care of them you wouldn’t need to buy some for months!

    We love:

    Pinky Goat Lashes from R149.00 (Clicks)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-1Uv4rlEA1/

    Huda Beauty Lashes from R335.00 (Huda Beauty Website)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2PyfauAse6/

    Eylure Lashes from R85.00 (Dischem)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-w5Ffdj-ZW/

    Ardell Lashes (Clicks)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B87Si5eFwyk/

    By Yashna Balwanth

    Image: Unsplash

     

    As time goes on, people are becoming much more aware of the products they use and its impact on the world. The call for more ethical practices in the fashion and beauty industry is one that is quickly gaining momentum.

    If you’re on a journey of lessening your harmful impact on the world, an easy way to start is with the makeup products you use.

    What is cruelty-free makeup?

    Cruelty-free makeup brands don’t test on animals at any stage of their development. They also don’t contract other parties to test on their behalf and, in most cases, don’t sell their products in countries that require animal testing. If a brand is sold in China, for example, its most likely not cruelty-free because of the country’s policies.

    Cruelty-free products are tested through a variety of alternative methods like using human and animal cell cultures that have been grown in laboratories, human tissue that has been donated to science, or through computer modelling.

    You can easily spot if a makeup brand is cruelty free. The makeup components will typically have a logo of a bunny printed on it somewhere close to the ingredients list.

    If the brand is vegan, that means there are no animal products included in the items either. A brand can thus be cruelty-free but not vegan. If you’re vegan, look out for non-vegan ingredients like lanolin, beeswax, glycerin, elastin and squalene to find out its status.

    Where can I find it?

    In South Africa, there are a number of popular brands that are also cruelty-free, like Wet n Wild, Urban Decay, NYX, Catrice, Smashbox, Essence, LA Girl, Oh so Heavenly and Physicians Formula.

    Brands that still employ animal testing or employ third parties to test on animals include Maybelline, Benefit, Clinique, MAC and L’Oreal.

    Feature image: Pexels

    Originally, “kimono” was the Japanese word for clothing. These days, it refers more specifically to traditional Japanese clothing. Typically in the olden days, color combinations represented either seasonal colours or the political class to which one belonged, according to web-Japan.com.

    Traditional kimonos have beautiful floral designs and are made of silk.


     
    In modern times, the Japanese rarely wear kimonos except on special cultural occasions like weddings, funerals, tea ceremonies, or festivals.
     
    As the world turned into a global village over the years, different cultures and fashions were influenced by each other, taking inspiration from the beautiful designs of foreign nations.

    It’s not advisable for Westerners to wear traditional Japanese bridal kimonos on their weddings without specific reasons, however taking design inspiration and adapting it to your own style is a great way of celebrating wonderful cultures and learning about customs around the world.

    Take a look at these incredible gowns inspired by kimonos, mixing East and West in a splendid way:

     
    Image: Pixabay

     

     

     

    While you’re at home observing safe social distancing, you’ve probably got a lot of time on your hands. Why not learn some tips and tricks for your future big day from some professionals?

    Since you probably won’t have access to a makeup artist anytime soon, let some of Youtube’s best beauty guru’s guide you on how to perfect your bridal makeup. Whether you’ll be having your makeup done professionally or doing it yourself come wedding day, these videos are great for inspiration and advice.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Classic and chic, there is nothing more elegant than an updo hairstyle. If you want to show off your neck and décolletage area, an updo will perfectly frame your face.

    Here are some looks we are loving:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5TPSsWHs7Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-VGtqTHz3T/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-X-nSFpt0l/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feature image: Unsplash

    If you’re a lover of the moon and stars, why not incorporate them into your big day? Hair accessories are chic, modern and add a fun touch to your bridal look.

    Celestial-inspired jewellery has been trending for quite a while now, and we love how hairstylists incorporate the look in unique ways. Whether it’s a crown or some interestingly-placed clips, this trend will have you over the moon.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7gnXP0nW2b/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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    Feature image: Pexels

    It’s a stressful time for the world right now. As the days progress, we become more and more uncertain of what’s happening. In times like these, it’s even more important to take care of yourself.

    Having a pamper day may seem unimportant and unnecessary, but doing small things for yourself can help improve your mood and mindset. To relax and unwind, here’s how you can spoil yourself from the comfort of your own home.

    Get rid of electronic distractions:

    The constant ping of your cellphone will detract from your “treat yo’self” day, so best switch it off for now. By switching off your phone, you also allow your mind to switch off. The news can be quite heavy nowadays, and the constant barrage of bad news in particular can unknowingly add anxiety to your day. Give your mind a little holiday.

    Make sure to let your people know that you’ll be switching your phone off for the day so that no one is worried about your lack of replies. If necessary, set up an ‘out of office’ automation so that your work contacts know you cannot be reached.

    Set the scene:

    Sometimes the right vibe is all you need. Before getting to the good stuff, the quickest way to brighten. mood is by cleaning the room you plan on relaxing in. The act of cleaning in itself relaxes some, but the key part of this is the result. With a clean, organised space, your mind will feel more at ease and less distracted.

    Now that the chores are done, let’s have some fun! Throw on your favourite album or playlist, get into your comfiest sweats and maybe even light some candles.

    A luxurious bubble bath:

    Baths are truly magical. If you’re lucky enough to have a bath, make sure to dedicate an hour of your time to soak in it. Pour in some bubble bath or a bath bomb for extra luxury, and settle down with a good book or magazine. Throw in some rose petals for an extra special touch.

    No bubble bath or bath bomb? Make your own! Mix a cup of liquid body wash, 1/4 cup pure vegetable glycerin, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and essential oils of your choice to get the bubbles going.

    Homemade facemask:

    If you were too distracted panic buying toilet paper to buy face masks, don’t worry. There are so many easy and natural masks you can quickly whip up at home.

    Typical homemade face mask ingredients include greek yoghurt, banana, honey, olive oil and avocados as bases, which you probably already have at home anyway. Customise with other ingredients like coffee, cinnamon, pumpkin or aloe vera or sugar to create masks for whatever finish you desire.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Your hand will be on display throughout your big day as you show off your ring. You better make sure your nails are looking good!

    If you want to make a bold statement, why not adorn your fingers with some abstract nail art? Using the colours or the general theme of your wedding, you can create fun and memorable nails that will add extra personality to you overall look. Here are a few unique ideas to inspire you.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PSgp-g4hP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7OfCsLgwnP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-OM7PPn1sN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9254vGjx5B/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feature image: Unsplash