Author: Tshepang Mofokeng

zozibini tunzi

Top 5 Looks That Graced The Bridgerton Affair

Dearest readers…

The most anticipated season of Bridgerton came with its fair share of ‘affairs’ and extravagant looks. This was per usual at The Bridgerton Affair dinner hosted by the lovely Zozibini Tunzi. I’ll wrap up the top 5 best looks of the night in true English class.

Thando Thabethe

(P.S. A biased writer) This particular look was one of my favourites. She definitely hit the nail on the head with this one, it was absolutely stunning and majestic if I must say.

Image: Instagram – @thando_thabethe

She captured the true essence of the 1800s and also the Bridgerton theme. The makeup just closed the look off and that pop of red in contrast to the minimal cream colours made the entire dress come together perfectly.

Pearl Modiadie

The details of this dress should have a show of their own. The lady in question + this dress = a masterpiece.

Image: Instagram – @pearlmodiadie

It’s so funny actually because when I see this dress I’m automatically taken to Episode 7: Harmony. The agreed joint public outing with the Bridgertons and the Sharmas was pivotal for both families. They needed to display a united front and that dress Lady Bridgerton had on looked quite familiar? You might want to re-watch that episode!

Michelle Mosalakae

The ball gets a taste of Africa. She nailed it for sure!

Image: Instagram – @mosalakaem

The puff sleeves (still very much on-trend), the long flow and silhouette of the garment and details that date back to the 1800s. We’ve definitely got ourselves a show stopper! The perfect dress was designed by Nedim_designs and they got the memo to impress.

Toke Makinwa

The Lagos darling had no time for ‘Pall Mall’. She stepped out looking regal in an emerald dress designed by our very own Gert-Johan Coetzee.

Image: Instagram – @tokemakinwa

Toke was the Diamond for the season and she did not disappoint AT ALL. The deep v neckline paired with exquisite jewellery to match made her stand out from the crowd. Let’s all curtsy graciously for the headpiece!

Dineo and Solo Langa

Beyonce and Jay-Z have nothing on these two. Not only was the love visible but the outfits came through too.

Image: Instagram- @dineomoeketsi

She details this look to be inspired by ” an ode to being the royals our ancestors envisioned”. Did I mention all this beauty was designed by Port of Lng (it’s their fashion line)? The monochrome tones worked well with the general theme of Bridgerton…royalty, union and love.

If you don’t seem to be catching on to the general tone of this post, you might want to watch Season 2 of Bridgerton. It was worth all the laughs, cries and eloquence.

5 AFFORDABLE ITEMS YOU NEED FOR WINTER.

As we gradually move into the easing of the lockdown regulations in South Africa, we are faced with the freezing cold weather. Which means the layering season has fallen before us and we can finally say goodbye to summer bliss-but who said you can’t look good during winter?, well I’ve compiled 5 cute affordable Autumn/Winter items for the ladies worn by some of my favourite influncers

Puffer Cuteness.

Puffer jackets are not only warm (which is totally important) but also there is a streetstyle element that they bring to outfits (also just as important!). I mentioned that puffer jackets are all about individuality, you can dress them down with long and even short sweats or mix it up with a cute denim skirt or even some chunky boots and VOILA you’ve won yourself some street cred! The black womens’ puffer jacket is priced at R449.99 at The Fix.

Top image: @sephorakng Bottom image: The Fix -Women’s Black Puffer Jacket: R449.99

BOOT’ies

Whether thigh-high, ankle, black, brown, suede or leather- boots, these are a must have. I’ve seen a gradual difference in boot styles and I’ve witnessed the versatility in styling them. I’m for one here for ankle boots. Normally boots are pretty expensive but I spotted a reasonably priced boot that will sure keep you warm and looking fabulous all at the same time. The western/cow boy aesthetic came into play right after Lil Nas blessed us with ‘Old Time Road’ and when I say that this Yeehaw theme was everywhere- I MEAN EVERYWHERE, from fashion ramps, celebrities, to street style and right down to fast fashion brands.

Top image: @pamela_mtanga Bottom image: Zando-Utopia western boot white: R 299

TEDDY BEAR FEELS

Teddy coats were major for winter 2019 and she is back people! This cozy item is perfect for winter/autumn, It’s literally the perfect blend between over heat consumption and sultry luxurious living…obviously depending on how you dress this coat.

Top image: @nolusindiso_mchunu Bottom image: Shopbrettrobson – Nobuhle Blush Stripe Teddy Coat: R600

Biker Chic.

You can never go wrong with a good quality leather jacket, there is a bada#$ yet sophisticated vibe that it gives off. Leather jackets are timeless and effortless, they have seen the good and bad times in history and hey guess what?! They are still a must have winter item even for 2020.

Top image: Superbalist- Rebel PU jacket: R549 Bottom image: @snimhlongo

JEAN’Y FROM THE BLOCK.

Every girl needs…actually deserves a great pair of jeans, its just a must have all season round. Jeans are a essential item this winter, you can never go wrong with a figure hugging jean that just hugs your figure in the most magical way ever! TIP: Always check if the back pockets of the denim jean sit perfectly on your bum, it just gives it a nice, round shape. (Who doesn’t want that?!)

Top image: Mr Price -Body Shaper Jeans: R189.99 Bottom image: @mihlalii_n

Essentially its all about looking good whilst staying warm and comfortable. You can really mix match all these items to create you favorite look.

STOP GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND YES BLACK LIVES DO MATTER! Continue being part of the change

Ways In Which You Can Perfect Your Skin During The Lockdown.

I think it is safe to say- that the world has became a weird and unpredictable place to be. With the continuous breaking news on the corona virus and the lock downs that have been enforced in various parts of the world, what a shame it would be to let yourself go and creep into a tiny hole of fear and anxiety. Skin care routines are vital and I’ll be sharing some tips and tricks on how you can walk out of lock down looking and feeling like a baby bums- minus all the complications of course!

PSA: I’m no professional by all means and if you do have excessive acne, sis, do yourself a favor and head to your nearest dermatologist. I, myself have been trying these tips out and I’m seeing slow but positive progress also I’m a super impatient individual that could also be the cure for the ‘slow’ progress. (Thanks for spending 10 seconds of your life hearing a little voice in your head reading out my TED Talk, your welcome!)

Wash Your Face ma’m.

I’m probably the guiltiest person for not doing this on a regular and by regular I mean proper face wash with soap and all the nice things. I had to unlearn a whole lot regarding washing my face and guess what mate? I was doing it all WRONG! Washing your face once a day is a no no but washing it twice in the morning and evening after a long day (makeup or not) is extremely important.

Tip: Keep a stash of face wipes for those lazy days.

Courtesy of thefashionspot.com

Finding The Right Cleanser.

Finding the right cleanser for you skin type is important, don’t be like me and use a cleanser that wasn’t fit for my skin type…kapish? Right so let me first define what exactly a cleanser is, its normally a product that is used to remove dirt, unclog pores and ultimately clear our skin. If you have normal, combination or oily skin, self-foaming cleansers are your best friend. Then the multi-task cleanser is suitable for all skin types( just be sure not to use a toner for this, bad breakouts may occur). Cleansing milk is usually used for removing make-up, it keeps your skin hydrated and soft and is really great for all skin types buuut double cleansing will have to happen as it might not be enough to remove and cleanse your skin. And for my dry skin ladies a cleansing balm or any cleanser that won’t leave you skin dry and flaky is your best bet.

Courtesy of theklog.co

Tone Tone Tone.

The most uncertain part of your skin care routine. I don’t know if I’m the only one but wow, information on toners are pretty vague. Some say its important and others don’t think its important. I say if its already in your regime and its working out for you then sis gawf! It usually helped in unclogging my pores but since this student is on a budget I laid off on it and there really isn’t much of a MAJOR difference in my skin. So in an essence if your products already have the antioxidants skip the toner.

Courtesy of TheKlog.com

Face Masks.

DIY masks are definitely my thing, they are easy to mix up and most importantly inexpensive. Masks are the holy grail to perfect skin and all you need to do is sit down and binge on your fav series. I’ve been trying the Turmeric face mask to remove my dark spots and when I say its a miracle worker I ain’t playing with you- it truly is, Its high antioxidants help in removing blemishes and evening out skin tone! So face masks can be applied once or twice depending on how OCD you are… like me. Also a little birdie tells me that charcoal masks (not braai charcoal ladies) are a go to, “skin experts believe that a charcoal face mask can help draw impurities from the skin”.

Courtesy of YellowDust.com

And that’s all my lovelies. Be sure to know and study your skin type first, to ensure amazing results. Also even if these tips don’t work out there is tons of information on skincare and thousands of dermatologists around but be sure to love yourself regardless of how annoying your skin can be

I hope you are safe by staying indoors, washing hands regularly and also sanitising with an alcohol based sanitiser. As much as we want the perfect skin we also need to strive for health first.

Ladies Sneakers Which Are A Must Have This Season.

If comfort is your thing then this post is all for you comfort queen! Sneakers have become a must have in any wardrobe, they vary in style, colour and size. They have become a bragging ticket and also a way to show which style tribe you belong to. It’s interesting to see what the sneaker culture has become and where it once was years ago. Sneaker brands have been able to accommodate females with cool feminine colours and styles that sneakers heads will appreciate and have appreciated all over the world.

We check out a few of them and who was spotted in them.

Chuck Taylor Converse.

If there was one word to describe these sneakers it would be ‘Iconic’. You can never go wrong with a pair of All Stars; these shoes are made for comfort and laid-back swag. What’s so amazing about these sneak’s is the many colours that they have and how easy styling can be, a good pair of jeans and your favourite tee could be a match made in Converse heaven. The popularity of these sneakers started in the 60’s and have never gone out of style, be sure to grab yourself a pair the next time you go shopping. Stylist Boogy Maboi was spotted wearing a pair of Chuck Taylor All Star Animal Print Suede High Top.

Ladies Sneakers Which Are A Must Have This Season.

If comfort is your thing then this post is all for you comfort queen. Sneakers have become a must have in any wardrobe, they vary in style, colour and size. They have become a bragging ticket and also to let others know which style tribe you belong to. It’s interesting to see what the sneaker culture has become and where it once was years ago. Sneaker brands have been able to accommodate females with cool feminine colours and styles that sneakers heads will appreciate and have appreciated all over the world.

I checked out a few of them and here is who I spotted rocking them.

Chuck Taylor Converse.

If there was one word to describe these sneakers that word would be ‘Iconic’. You can never go wrong with a pair of All Stars; these shoes are made for comfort and laid-back swag. What’s so amazing about these sneakers is the many colours that they have and how easy styling can be, a good pair of jeans and your favourite tee could be a match made in Converse heaven. The popularity of these sneakers started in the 60’s and have never gone out of style, be sure to grab yourself a pair the next time you go shopping. Stylist Boogy Maboi was spotted wearing a pair of Chuck Taylor All Star Animal Print Suede High Top

Balenciaga Triple S

This style is an oldie but has fastracked its way into becoming a newbie, Sketchers sneakers were the first pair of dad sneakers in the 90’s. They may have lost their cool then but definitely made a huge comeback thanks to Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia who is the creative director of Balenciaga, he was able to incorporate these in Balenciaga’s Menswear Spring/Summer 2018 show and things have never been the same since then. This trend is everywhere and for those who might have thought that was it they have a whole thing coming for them because the chunky dad pair is here to stay. I spotted the Balenciaga Tripple S Sneaker taking over the sneaker culture and We love to see more of it, street style has catapulted the popularity of these with our favourite influencers rocking them.

Nike Air Max 270 React Sneakers

Your outfit could be straight up boring but try these and see how you will continue to turn heads. According to Nike these sneakers are lightweight and layered the no -sew material creates a modern aesthetic and I could not agree more. The colours are vibrant and contribute to the pop of colour style. The look and feel of these shoes have a futuristic vibe and the attention to detail is impeccable these statement sneakers are a must have. If this is your vibe you better start saving up those coins before they run out!

Adidas Stan Smith.

This one is for the simple gals, the all-time stan smiths are still a favourite right now, the simple tennis like shoe is great for a Uni look and even a brunch date with your favourite girls. Adidas mentions on their website that these shoes are a timeless style that look good with all outfits. If statement sneakers aren’t your thing then these can definitely be booted up your list.

  • Stan Smith Shoes/www.adidas.com

Air Force 1

Another timeless piece presented by Nike. These sneakers can be worn by every sneaker head out there. These aren’t meant for shooting hoops in the court anymore but also made for everyday looks too. The famous white minimal aesthetic is loved by all but also there are electric colours that can be bought also sneaker art has made its way onto the air force 1 with many customising their sneakers according to their personalities.

I’ve wrapped up some of the best classics as well as new-school sneakers that people have been digging on the streets. Sneakers are all about comfortability and have turned into a style must have for everyone, whether you are into sneakers or not, having a cute stylish pair would not hurt at all. They say good shoes take you to good places maybe these sneakers can take you to some cool places as well.

FASHION AND BEAUTY TRENDS THAT WILL RULE 2020

Tis the season of 2020 is FINALLY here. We have waited and even settled into this year but whats a new year without coverage of amazing new trends that will make up this year. Fashion and Beauty have made quite the impact and name for itself all thanks to our very own – say it with me – SOCIAL MEDIA!! I take a look at fashion and beauty trends that could be running these streets in the new year.

Hair Accessories.

The 90’s made a huge come back in 2019, re-introducing some cute accessories for the spring/summer season. I’m sure you have all caught onto this particular trend, the big pearly hair clips. These hair clips can be clipped for formal and definitely informal outings or for a quick snap for the gram…right? I tried this trend on myself and I must say – its a YESS from me. And don’t even sweat it if big statement pieces aren’t your thing, smaller and subtle versions are available for my minimal queens and kings.

  • Cips from Cotton On.
  • Clips from Cotton On.

Makeup Trends.

Natural beauty is the motto for the new year, makeup has gotten a hold of this trend and I’m definitely not mad. Growing up makeup was never my thing, honestly lip gloss, eyeliner and mascara was a girls best friend and now that things have transitioned I needed to get on the bandwagon with the quickness! Here a a few looks that will be making news in the world of beauty. Fluffy eyebrows, skin like foundation and natural glow.

FASHION

Fashion is forever changing and so are trends, sometimes you can never really keep up- but that’s why I’m here *smiley face*. Jokes! Ultimately fashion is all about you, its all about what you can bring to the table, you never know you could be the next trend setter but for now here are a few trends that will make your 2020 worthwhile. Puffy sleeves (FAVOURITE), Bilowy Girl and Minimal = Sustainability.

  • Top from Zara
  • Image: Pinetrest
  • Dress from Zara

There you go guys, I’ve wrapped it all up so that you can copy some looks for yourself and slay this 2020.

Trends Spotted On And Off The Ramp.

Like any other Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week came and gave us some trends that will form part of what we will be wearing in the next season.

I’ve compiled a few of my absolute favourite trends that I spotted on and off the ramp, rocked by celebrities, models and even influencers that we ALL love.

Lets make way for Sheer.

Oscar de la Renta never disapoints when it comes to colours, shapes and how the garment moves on the runway. In this collection a ton of sheer pieces were incorporated and we now know how popular sheer has become. One of my personal fav designers and fashion influencers was spotted wearing an orange bubble sleeve sheer top, styled with white wide legged pants.

 

Oscar de La Renta Spring 2020 Ready-To-Wear.
@geriee_berry/Instagram

Corsets

Corsets date back to the 1500’s and now they are back, being made popular by the Kardashian clan. Now designers such as Dion Lee and Jason Wu have brought them back in their Read-To Wear 2020 Spring collections. Some would argue and say that corsets hold women back from who they really are and some would say this piece is the best thing that has happened next to high waist pants. …well what do you think? Jennifer Lawrence was spotted around wearing a feminine soft embroiled material corset with a black two piece suit.

Dion Le Spring 2020 Ready-To-Wear
Photo: Getty Images

Soft Leather

Designers such as Kate Spade, Khaite and also Coach 1941 have been loving the use of soft easily manageable materials. This material unlike genuine is a designers dream come true. I love how Sally LaPointe showed a bit of shoulder and also accessories with a belt to show the figure , with matching pants. I’m obsessed with this particular trend, Our bad girl rocked this trend at the 2019 BET Awards whilst awarding Mary J Blige with the Lifetime Achievement Award. And YESSSSSS this piece is all Fenty.

Sally LaPointe Spring 2020 Read-To-Wear
Photo: Getty Images.

And that is all for New York Fashion Week, next up is London Fashion Week. I’m so ready for it, I hope you are too!

Female celebs rocking the pantsuit/blazer trend on the BET 2019 Red Carpet.

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The celebrities came with the heat at this year’s annual BET Awards and more especially the fashion.

This particular trend has come along way and with this new wave of gender-neutral clothing on the rise we love how these celebrities styled this pantsuit/blazer trend and how they rocked the androgynous look.

karueche blog

Karrueche is a favourite on the red carpet, her style is quite ‘girl next door’ and what’s amazing about this is that anyone can find inspiration from her. There is something about the colour yellow and that is why its been a trendy colour. She styled her oversized blazer with a pair of matching straight cut pants. She completed the look with a belt to accentuate her BOMB body with a pair of pink peep-toe heels. Her accessories are as bold as this colour.

ella mai

Singer/Songwriter, Ella Mai wowed with the neon suit combo from the Versace 2019 Menswear collection. Did you get that? MENSWEAR PEOPLE!! The high waisted pants made it perfect for her and a lot more feminine but still an edgy look. The shades are giving me ‘rich aunty vibes’ just made this outfit a whole lot cooler.

nomalanga shozi

Nomalanga Shozi is honestly a personal favourite, literally live for her style. She is a South African TV personality with legs for daaaaays! She is wearing a blazer dress designed by Rich Mnsi who is a South African designer. The blazer dress is a cute and flirty piece which genuinely highlights her personality in the best way. The length for some would seem a bit risque but for her, it works well. Accessory wise there isn’t much happening but for this particular dress they aren’t needed, the attention needs to be on the dress, the beautiful embroidery and pattern work.

Meagan Good BET Awards blog

The beautiful Meagan Good wore a short orange/red blazer dress, with a large belt around the waist. What I love about this particular look is that it can be switched up with a cool trendy sneaker or like she did with a heel and matching purse. This colour suits her skin tone so well and also the occasion too.

 

And that is it guys! This trend will always be a favourite amongst people because of how versatile it is. No matter where you are going it’s always an appropriate look.

Make-Up trends put to the test.

In my previous post, I made a promise that I will personally try these trends and put them to the test. I’m no make-up artist and things got tricky at times but I tried my utmost best.

Below are a few images that I took.

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With this look, The colour eyeliner and the red lip are the focal features. I don’t have the steadiest of hands so it was difficult to get that perfect straight line and it resulted in me creating a cut crease instead, which I think is pretty impressive…if I do say so myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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And in this next one, The berry lip and the glossy lid are the focal points. I did mention in my previous post that things do get sticky when it comes to achieving this glossy lid, but try to apply a matte shadow before applying the gloss and also use a brush it’s so much easier that way. For the berry lip, I used a burgundy lipstick and removed it slightly and applied the gloss on top, just to give it a bit of shine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there you have it, I hope you have learnt a thing or two. Try these looks for yourselves and make them your own!

 

A Tribute To S/S 19 Make-up Trends.

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With Winter slowly creeping in here in South Africa, we have enjoyed some fun and colourful makeup looks. Here are some trends that we will surely miss this coming Winter.

screen-shot-2018-10-08-at-15-01-50-1539007327 blog post

 

 

Channel gave us the red lip and glossy eyelid, this look was a trendy one indeed. Red lipstick is always a powerful accessory that boosts the self-esteem of any women. And that is exactly what we saw and felt with this look. CONFIDENCE! The glossy eyelid can be achieved by simply applying any thick lipgloss (may cause a sticky situation), or any other shiny lip balm of your choice.

 

 

 

 

giorgio-armani-bks-v-rs19-0079-1537816619 blog post

 

Giorgio Armani blessed us with this berry inspired lip. The combination of creme lipstick and gloss makes it look fruity and yummy. Plum lipsticks are the best whether matte or glossy. There is a bit of shine that comes through and everyone will notice it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Literally, EVERYONE appreciates a little glow on their skin and although there are so many methods and ways to get this glow there is an alternative, that is quick and easy…BB cream. This is the best-kept secret in the beauty industry. Max Mara was able to show us this within his runway show where models looked like they had just gotten out of the shower with their faces clean and fresh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen the moment that we have all been waiting for, and you may ask what could be the biggest trend?…you guessed it; Colour eyeliner. This is not your conventional eyeliner, this can also be applied on the top lashline and at times on the whole lid. This look has been everywhere from runway shows, influencers,  social media and magainze articles, in fact, Elle: Australia states that this look was seen during the A/W 18 runway shows. How cool is it that it is still a major trend!

gabriela-hearst-clp-rs19-0168-1536863094 blog post

With this look, you need to go wild or go home…seriously. Blues, Pinks, Aquas, Neons, Oranges and also Yellows are the few colours that you can start with. Make-up brands have also caught onto this trend making it easier for you and I to play around and have fun.

Next week I’ll be putting these trends to the test and checking if pulling them off could be easy peasy lemon squeezy or the exact opposite.

And shoutout to the makeup artists who are behind the scenes doing the most. We see and appreciate you!!