Beauty

Makeup Mistakes That Can Age You Without You Realising

Published

4 months ago

26 July 2025

You wake up early, fight off the winter chill, and sit down to do your face—foundation, brows, lipstick, the whole nine yards. But by the time you step into the office or get to brunch, someone asks if you’re tired. Worse, you look in the mirror and wonder why your skin feels heavier, older. The truth? Sometimes your makeup routine is doing you no favours.

Even with the best products, small missteps in technique or choice can add unnecessary years to your look. Here’s a breakdown of the most common makeup habits that might be making you look older than you feel—and how to fix them.

Using Too Much Foundation

There’s a difference between covering imperfections and hiding your whole face. Slathering on foundation to even out your skin tone can backfire—especially if the formula is too matte or thick. Heavy foundation tends to settle into lines and exaggerate dry patches, especially during Gauteng’s dry winter months.

Fix it: Choose a lightweight, buildable foundation and blend well. If your skin is dry, add a drop of moisturiser to your base before applying. Let your skin peek through. It looks fresher—and frankly, more expensive.

Skipping Primer or Using the Wrong Type

Primer might seem like a luxury step, but skipping it can ruin your finish. The wrong primer? Just as bad. A mattifying primer on dry or maturing skin can make your face look flat and drained.

Fix it: If your skin’s on the dry side, go for something hydrating with a soft glow. If you’re oily (especially in the Joburg heat), look for a balancing formula. The right primer makes all the difference.

Too Much Powder, Too Little Life

Powder has its place, but when overdone, it saps the life out of your skin. It can collect in laugh lines and under the eyes, making every tiny crease look like a canyon.

Fix it: Lightly dust powder only on areas that get shiny—usually the forehead, nose and chin. Avoid baking the under-eyes unless you’re walking a runway. A setting spray helps take down shine without drying you out.

Bright Under-Eyes Gone Wrong

Many people choose concealers that are way too light, hoping to brighten the under-eye area. The result? That odd ghostly glow in photos. Worse, thick concealer formulas often crease, drawing more attention to puffiness or fine lines.

Fix it: Go one shade lighter than your skin tone—not three. Warm up the area with a peachy or golden undertone if you have dark circles. And remember: less is more. Dab gently with your ring finger or a damp sponge.

Eyebrows That Are Too Harsh

Overdone brows can throw off your entire look. Dark, sharp lines can look severe—even intimidating. A common mistake is using black or dark brown on brows when your hair is lighter, or drawing them in like stamps.

Fix it: Use a brow pencil or powder that matches your hair—not your mascara. Go in with a light hand and build up slowly. Small, feathered strokes make your brows look more natural and flattering.

Blush Applied Too Low or Too Strong

Blush isn’t just about adding colour—it shapes your face. But placed too low or too close to your nose, it can pull your features down, making your face look longer and more tired.

Fix it: Smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards toward your temples. Soft coral or rosy tones work well on most skin tones. Think less “makeup” and more “healthy glow after a walk.”

Dry Lips + Matte Lipstick = Disaster

Matte lipsticks are beautiful, but they don’t play nice with dry or cracked lips. On unprepped lips, they settle into every crease and can make your mouth look smaller and older.

Fix it: Scrub your lips gently with a damp washcloth or lip scrub, then apply a balm. If you still want a matte finish, blot after applying instead of layering on too much. A dab of gloss in the centre adds a youthful, plumping effect.

Forgetting to Blend Neck and Jawline

One of the most obvious—and ageing—makeup mistakes is stopping foundation at your jawline. The harsh contrast between your face and neck screams “makeup,” no matter how flawless your base is.

Fix it: Take your foundation (or a bit of bronzer) down your neck and blend lightly into your hairline. Seamless is the goal.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Fresh, Not Fussy

Makeup shouldn’t feel like a mask. It should feel like you—just more polished. The good news is you don’t need a new makeup bag. Often, it’s just a tweak here or there: a softer brow, a lighter touch with powder, or choosing a better base for your skin.

As you get older, makeup isn’t about piling on more—it’s about knowing what to leave out.

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Beauty

Skims Appoints Ami Colé Founder as Executive Vice-President of Beauty & Fragrance

Published

1 week ago

6 November 2025

Fadire Olusola

Skims has appointed Diarrha N’Diaye as its new executive vice president. This is a significant step for the company as it expands its beauty and fragrance division. The company, co-founded by Kim Kardashian, has become a leading name in the clothing industry. With this new appointment, Skims hopes to bring in experienced talent to drive more innovative ideas within the brand.

Diarrha N’Diaye founded Ami Colé and is known for the pivotal role she played to build the make-up brand into a success. Ami Colé is known for its high beauty standards and the use of natural ingredients in product creation. Although the brand closed in 2025 due to challenges, Ndaiye’s contribution remained notable. Her creativity and leadership skills were what attracted Skims to her.

Diarrha N’Diaye : Instagram

Meanwhile, Ami Colé wasn’t Ndaiye’s first job as she has worked with major brands like Glossier and L’Oreal. At these companies, she helped strengthen brand growth and contributed significantly to product development and marketing. Skims hopes she can leverage her diverse experiences to improve product innovation and brand strategy.

This appointment is widely welcomed as Skims is evolving into a leading lifestyle brand. With the creation of a beauty and fragrance division, Skims hopes to appeal to more customers.

The decision to bring N’Daiye on board shows Skims its marketing and long term goals. They don’t just want to rely on Kim’s influence, but want someone who has extensive experience in fashion and beauty. For N’Daiye, this makes an opportunity to demonstrate her ability to lead in a new environment

Diarrha N’Diaye : Instagram

The decision to bring Diarrha N’Diaye to the team shows Skims is ready to grow their brand. It signals that the brand is ready to build a beauty brand rooted in transparency and innovation.

Beauty

Affordable Spring Perfumes That Smell Like Luxury

Published

3 weeks ago

25 October 2025

Fadire Olusola

Spring is a good time to refresh your wardrobe collection by adding luxury perfumes. While people often associate luxury perfumes with high price tags, it’s not always the case. Here are some fragrances that are affordable and ideal for South Africa’s spring weather. Each has a distinct scent, profile and is worth every penny.

Elizabeth Arden Sunflower EDT

Elizabeth Arden Sunflower EDT :The Scent Store

This is one of the best perfumes available this season. It captures the feeling of sunshine and comes with bright notes. The perfume notes include melon, bergamot, soft amber, and mandarin orange. Elizabeth Arden sunflowers come with a cheerful scent and are perfect for all casual spring outings. It comes in a simple, yet elegant bottle. You can get it for around R660 in major perfume shops. It stays on your skin for around 5-6 hours.

DKNY Be Delicious EDP

DKNY Be Delicious EDP: Essenza

This is a fresh fragrance known for its unique green apple and cucumber notes. The DKNY fragrance heart shows a perfect combination of white florals and soft woody touch. It’s a perfect choice because it is fresh and has a juicy aura which makes it ideal for sunny days. For just R1000, you can get a 100ml bottle depending on the store. The lasting time for this perfume is 8-9 hours.

Zara Gardenia EDP

Zara Gardenia EDP : Amazon

Zara Gardenia EDP stands out when choosing the best perfumes for spring. It has a delicate yet noticeable scent. Also, the fragrance blends floral and sweet notes which makes it a perfect choice for stylish people. Vanilla, Coffee, and Gardenia are some of its top notes. If comfort and sophistication are what you like, you should go for it as it carries an air of ease and allure. It’s affordable at just R600 and great for both day and night outings. A spritz of this can last for over 7 hours.

Scented Affair Golden Hour

Scented Affair Golden Hour: Fragrances

This perfume is inspired by Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc. It comes with a warm floral scent with a juicy undertone. Scented Affair Golden Hour is tropical-inspired and lasts for between 6-7 hours. It isn’t overpowering and is a suitable choice for fashion enthusiasts. You can get a 50ml bottle for around R280.

Eden Perfumes Crystal

Eden Perfumes Crystal: EdenPerfumes Store

This fragrance is another gem in the perfume world. It takes inspiration from the popular Baccarat Rouge 540. Eden Crystal is blended with amber, sweet woody tones, and saffron. At just R250, it is affordable although it feels luxurious. This is an excellent fit for people going to social events during the spring. The scent lingers on the skin for around 10-12 hours.

Yardley English Blossom EDT

Vardley English Blossom EDT: Amazon US

Yardley English Blossom has a strong scent which is ideal for those who want to stand out in the crowd. As a soft floral fragrance, it captures the attention of everyone who smells it. Although it leans feminine, it suits all genders. The perfume boasts jasmine lily and rose notes. This is a timeless spring perfume that lasts for over 5 hours. You can get it for around R300 at major stores.

Conclusion

There are still quality perfumes available at affordable prices. The above-mentioned fragrances offer refreshing notes and make excellent picks for anyone who wants to smell nice this spring.They are perfect for all genders and can be used during the day and night.

Beauty

Face Scrubs That Give Your Skin a Natural Glow

Published

3 weeks ago

22 October 2025

Tega Ekeri

Few things feel better than washing your face at the end of a long day and feeling smooth, clean skin underneath. But sometimes, no matter how often you cleanse, your skin still looks tired. That’s usually a sign that it needs a little help letting go of dead cells and buildup. A good face scrub can make all the difference, revealing softer, brighter skin in minutes.

Why Your Skin Needs a Little Exfoliating

Your skin naturally renews itself, but city air, sunscreen, and leftover makeup can slow that process down. The result? Dullness, uneven tone, and that rough feel that no moisturiser seems to fix. Regular exfoliation helps clear away old cells and allows your skin to breathe again.

Find What Works for Your Skin

Not every scrub suits everyone. The trick is finding the one that matches your skin’s mood:

Dry Skin: Choose something creamy and soft. Oatmeal, honey, or shea-based scrubs exfoliate while keeping your skin hydrated.

Oily Skin: Clay and charcoal work well here; they soak up extra oil and help keep breakouts in check.

Sensitive Skin: Go easy. Pick scrubs with fine particles like rice powder or jojoba beads. Anything too grainy can cause redness.

Combination Skin: Mild fruit enzyme scrubs made with papaya or pineapple can brighten your complexion without leaving dry patches.

Ingredients That Actually Do Something

Skip the buzzwords and look at what’s inside. A few key ingredients to look out for:

Vitamin C: Evens out tone and helps restore radiance.

Glycolic Acid: Smooths rough spots without irritation.

Green Tea: Calms the skin and helps with that tired look.

Sugar or Coffee Grounds: Natural exfoliants that improve circulation and give your skin a healthy glow

How to Get the Best Out of Your Scrub

Start with a clean face. Apply your scrub and gently massage it in small circles for about a minute. You don’t need to press hard; the product will do the work. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and follow with a light moisturiser or serum to lock in hydration.

The golden rule? Don’t overdo it. Two or three times a week is enough for most people. Scrubbing daily can do more harm than good, especially if your skin is already dry or sensitive.

A Few Extras That Make a Difference

Your skin will always show how well you’re treating yourself. Get enough rest, drink plenty of water, and never skip sunscreen. Those small habits keep your skin healthy from the inside, making your exfoliating routine even more effective.

The Real Secret to Glowing Skin

You don’t need a dozen products or fancy treatments to keep your skin looking good. A simple, well-chosen scrub can bring back the brightness your skin’s been missing. Keep it gentle, stay consistent, and let your natural glow do the talking.