theBalm Cosmetics:

I have started delving into the beauty industry more this year and you will see that soon, as I post more about beauty products. I recently attended a beauty master-class hosted by Gina Myers in collaboration with Stuttafords for theBalm Cosmetics.

The exciting news is that you can attend the next one too:

I would suggest that you attend because you can get some beauty tips from Gina,  you can get any products of your choice with a voucher to the value of R500 and also have a fun outing with your friends.

The thing I love most about the products is the quirky packaging. Stuttafords gifted me the below make up palette that has matte eye shadow shades named after males like matte Lopez, matte Lin, matte Kumar and matte Ahmed. My husbands name is Ahmed so I will most definitely be using that shade the most. ;)

The philosophy behind the Balm cosmetics range is ‘beauty in five minutes.’ Each of the palettes comes with a travel size mirror, which makes it easy to use on the go.

On average the price range for the products are between R279 – R600. The item you should buy for the most value for your money is definitely the Balm Jovi palette since it comes with a range of eye-shadow colours, highlighter, blush and lipsticks in a compact size for only R550.

 I also received the eyelid primer - ‘put a lid on it’ (how cute are the names?) and the mascara - ‘cheater’. I have been using both every day since getting it and it’s brilliant. Your eye-shadow will last longer with the primer and the mascara gives off an exaggerated eyelash finish, I love it!

Best of all are the matte liquid lipsticks. I bought the perfect red shade called 'Trustworthy.' These lipsticks are colour-stay lipsticks and they actually do stay on unlike some other brands. It also doesn't feel hard or dry on your lips after you apply it.

theBalm Cosmetics is an international beauty brand available at all Stuttafords stores.

Art is in the Eye of the Beholder:

My favourite subject in school was art. It was the subject I did the best in out of all my subjects because it interested me the most. It always excites me when I get to experience art galleries, decor exhibitions or fashion shows that remind me about my school days and why I did art as a subject. There's so much creativity and meaning behind everything in art that can open your mind to perceiving things in a new way.

(Click on the images to see them clearly.)

I was blown away seeing the latest WHATIFTHEWORLD gallery exhibition that is showcasing the work of Lakin Ogunbanwo - a very talented Nigerian Photographer. His work is an expression of his exposure to the South African racial identities during his stay here. The large photographs invite you in as you walk into the gallery - to engage with what the artist is trying to say. What Ogunbanwo is saying is showing us his interpretation the word 'coloured' (as South Africans term mixed race people/a negative word to the rest of the world) in a literal sense by using wearable colourful skins. 

"We must not be looking," as an exhibition is something that I am so drawn to because it speaks to every South African by saying we must not be looking at the true beauty that is within a person since we have become so used to racial profiling. The terms 'white', 'black', 'coloured' does not say who we are. 

The exhibition is on at the moment until the 18th of March, sharing  a space with Southern Guild at Keyes Art Mile (9 Keyes Avenue, 2196, Johannesburg.) A New Wave group show, is also part of the gallery space in collaboration with Southern Guild which shows off some of the most innovative decor design pieces that I have ever seen. If you're feeling artsy, want to experience something new or you're in the mood for some inspiration -going to this gallery is definitely something you need to do.

Photography by Lydia Wessels Instagram: (@_lw_photography)

Trending Now:

One of my favourite trends at the moment is reverse layering with slip dresses and tees.  Adding a simple white tee under a slip dress can change the feel of your outfit. It automatically makes the outfit more casual, chic and trendy.

Hence the birth of reverse layering. Reverse layering is the common term used when clothing items that are usually worn as outwear are now worn as inner wear. For example wearing a tee on the inside of a dress like I did for this look-post.

Have a look at my take on the trend below and read about my top styling tips:

(If the image appears blur due to it's high resolution quality please click on it to see it clearly.)

 Crop Tee: Mr Price

Velvet Dress: Zara

Heels: The Kooples

Clutch: Mimco

My top tips for fit:

The style of top that you wear under a slip dress is important. 

• It should be fitted to avoid bulging.
• A crop top works best to avoid bunching up in unwanted places like your tummy area.
• Depending on the style of dress, I would suggest that you wear a plain and not a printed tee underneath the dress. This will keep the outfit from looking too busy.

My top tips for colour:

• Personally I would suggest that a plain white tee is the perfect colour to wear under any colour slip dress for a daytime look.  It will instantly add a refreshing tone to your outfit.
• For a nighttime look perhaps opt for a black top instead.                       
• You could also wear the same colour top as the slip dress i.e black on black, white on white, grey on grey etc. It will change the entire silhouette of the dress, reinventing it.

My top tips for dressing the look up or down for different occasions:

• For a casual event wear a simple tee under a slip dress like I've done above. You can accessorise with a backpack and sneakers to loosen the mood of the look further.
• For a fancy event or night out, I'd introduce a beaded or shiny textured  top to the look. Add a clutch bag and a heel and you're ready to go.
• For a corporate look wear a fitted shirt with a tailored collar. A classic white shirt will help you look professional yet glamorous too.

My top tip for layering:

• Don't be afraid to throw a long boxy blazer over your dress on a chilly day. Just make sure to keep the buttons of the blazer open so that the dress can still flatter your figure, without the jacket hiding it.

All photos taken by Layla Shaik Photography