Skin Care Glossary

Not sure what all that jargon is about under the ingredients label at the back of your (cosmetic) product packaging?

Find out here.

Thank you, Allure.com.

Miss B

Before You Buy That Product...

With so many skin care brands available, it can be slightly overwhelming trying to find THE ONE just for you. Not everyone is going to lose their minds with excitement at the thought of getting great products. But I do! I went through almost every product available at Clicks (I'm convinced) in the space of 2 years, and I was disappointed over and over and over and over again. But I'm older and wiser now. Even if only slightly. Hmmm.

I would recommend professional skin care products that one can only purchase from trained professionals at salons, spas, etc over something you can just get at PnP or Clicks, that you think is what you need. Not only because I am a skin care therapist, but also because before I was a trained professional, I was lost and desperate for clear, healthy skin. I suffered from acne. And couldn't afford to go to a dermatologist and buy high-end cosmeceuticals or whatever. Yes, I called it whatever...back then...when I was inexperienced. Problem is, there's no-one at your local Clicks, PnP, etc to analyse your skin and guide you from there. You know you have oily skin, so why wouldn't Product X (available at your local PnP), which is for oily skin types, work for you? Because Product X, perhaps, did not take into consideration your skin condition. You could have oily but dehydrated skin, or oily but sensitive skin. What then? What if Product X manufacturers did not take that into consideration? Use it anyway and hope for the best? Hope that it doesn't worsen your dehydration or sensitivity? Waste of time and money. Having said that, I also understand that not everyone can afford most professional products. Note that not all are as expensive as you may assume. Either way, you HAVE TO know what you're getting into. More importantly, KNOW your skin and know what you want for your skin. A skincare consultant or therapist can help with this.

If you're lucky enough to go for regular facials, click here for advice about taking advantage and making the best of your facial before you purchase products.

For everyone else, that may not be so lucky... I feel your pain.


Many salons/spas offer free skin analyses and/or consultation, so enquire at one. You've got nothing to lose. An independent consultant, however, may charge a fee...but there'll be less (if any) pressure to book a facial and/or buy products from him/her, as he/she may not offer physical treatments and retail products.

Once your skin analysis is complete, you should know your skin type, skin condition and what your skin needs, at least.

He/She will then (most probably) recommend an entire range of products that he/she thinks you need to improve/maintain your skin health or condition. He/She should provide you with information about it: when and how much to use, for how long, etc. If you're not sure about how the products can benefit you, ASK. If you're still unsure after he/she has explained, ask again and be specific. If you're using an eye cream, and the consultant suggests you use an eye gel instead, or in conjunction with your eye cream, ask her why she thinks it's better for YOU to use an eye gel. If you're not comfortable with her explanations or answers, ask her to write down her recommendations, and do some research. If the consultant isn't sure about something and admits this to you, and then makes an effort to ask another therapist, the manager, or checks the product packaging, or her training manual, be grateful. Don't instantly judge him/her, and assume he/she doesn't know what he/she is doing. Therapists can easily make mistakes and not rectify them because they're embarrassed or afraid of judgement, so appreciate when they make a little extra effort. Also, may products are very similar, so best to have the RIGHT one.

If you cannot afford the home care products, simply let your consultant know and ask if he/she can recommend something else within your budget. 

If you have home care products and take good care of your skin, let your consultant know that you already have xyz products (that may have done nothing for you) and ask if you're using them correctly. If possible, take your current products along to your consultation. That way, the consultant can see what you've got and should be able to help you fill the gaps in your regime or correct it. For example, you may use a cleanser, toner and moisturizer only, but they may be in conflict with each other and therefore, you're not getting (good) results. Remember sunscreen is SUPER IMPORTANT! It should always be included. Yes, YOU HAVE TO!

You should (at least) know this before you purchase:

1. Why THAT product (or those products).
2. When to use the product
3. How often to use it e.g. morning and night, weekly, 2x weekly, etc
4. How to use/apply/remove it
5. When it expires, or how to know when it expires. Most packaging should tell you when, after opening, it should be chucked away.

Products "not working"?
Once the products have been purchased and you're not happy with it, call the consultant and let him/her know. If you've had an obvious reaction, you can call, but I urge you to go back, so that the consultant can see the reaction and determine the cause. Take your products with you, so he/she can check it, to make sure it's not expired, and that it doesn't look/smell funny. If the problem is with the actual product you have, return it to the place of purchase. They should replace your products or refund you.

The consultant should be able to suggest a solution to your now "broken-out" skin. You may have to get additional, milder,  products to help with this. Damage control.

If your product is not the cause and the consultant is not sure, and had never seen or had complaints about a reaction like yours, go to a dermatologist.

If the consultant was unable to solve the problem, and hasn't followed up within a week since you informed him/her about your reaction, find a new one. Email me. Good consultants will make an effort to help you as much as they can, and even if they cannot remedy the situation themselves, they should follow-up and get your feedback. This is important for the relationship between you and your consultant as well as for future reference, should someone else have a similar reaction.

Please, note that if you had a minimal to non-existent skin care routine before purchasing the products, that your skin may simply be adjusting. Sometimes, one may have underlying congestion due to poor skin care and poor lifestyle habits, so the products often bring all impurities to the surface before clearing them. Many professional products work at a deeper level. Have patience. This sort of reaction should clear within 4 weeks.

Having said that, don't expect results/improvement after using the products for a week. Many products will take approximately a month of continual use before you start seeing the results. This is because many (mainly professional and cosmeceutical/dermaceutical) products aim to work on a deeper level and affect your skin positively, from a cellular level.

Be patient and be gentle with your face.

Miss B

Facial anytime soon?

Picture: www.lemigroup.com

If you're fortunate enough to be able to go for regular facials, or even if you receive a gift card for a facial, take advantage of this time to ASK questions about your skin/concerns. Before you book your facial, call the salon/spa, and summarize your concerns and ask what facial treatment the skincare therapist would suggest FOR YOUR particular skincare concerns. Sometimes, the therapist (especially a great one) will need more information and suggest you make the appointment and discuss your concerns in person, when he/she can have a look at your skin, and better understand. Also, know that what you think is a problem may not be, and vice versa. For example, you may think your main problem is fine lines/potential wrinkles/ageing. This could, in fact, be as a result of skin dehydration or dryness, and once you solve the dryness/dehydration, your fine lines may not be as apparent. Very loose example.

Firstly, your therapist should use a new/unused pair of facial sponges on your face. He/She should open it in front of you. If the salon/spa uses gloves, the gloves should be clean and dry. If it's not, it's likely you'll be able to smell that it isn't. I hope this never happens to you. Cringe. Don't be afraid to ask if the implements being used on you are clean. It is your right. I won't go into detail about sequence/method/procedure as each skincare brand have their own (sometimes very unique) way of doing things, which will be different from the next. Every facial, however, should include a skin analysis, after cleansing or exfoliation. It's more likely to be just after cleansing, so that the therapist can choose the right exfoliation method/product for you. Your eyes should be closed or covered and there'll be a bright light above your face. There'll also be a lot of facial touching, poking and pinching. Not nearly as bad as I'm making it sound. :-) During this time, your therapist should also be asking you a lot of questions about your skin: what you currently use, your diet, lifestyle questions, experiences with products, medication (even if you have filled this out on the consultation/indemnity form). It is important to give the therapist as much information as possible. Everything is important. If you're on some form of contraception, tell him/her. Even "small" things like vitamins and supplements. If you know the names/brands of the supplements and other medications, write them down on your consultation card before your treatment. If there isn't an allocated space for it, write it anywhere (even on the back) of the form. Vitamin A, retinoids, AHA  treatments, and/or peels are especially important, along with ANY allergies!

This is an elaborate example of a client card. Every spa/salon should have one. It won't always be this elaborate, but you should still include as much info as possible.

And the consultant/therapist will fill in the following during your skin analysis:

And you're more than welcome to ask her about it, or to explain it to you. Note: Not all spas/salons have the same consultation cards. This is just an example.

Throughout your facial, the therapist should be telling you about what she is putting on your face, and how it'll benefit your skin. If you go for regular facials, or are on a specific treatment plan, it's likely that the therapist may only do this once, as it will be the same the next time. And the next and the next. This doesn't mean you shouldn't ask if you don't remember, or are unsure. If you "just want to relax" and enjoy your facial with minimal talking and questions from your therapist, let him/her know before the treatment starts. So, when he/she takes you to the treatment room, let her know then, or just before he/she starts. Please, understand that sometimes, the therapist NEEDS to ask/tell you important things during the treatment. He/She won't, however, talk during a facial massage. He/She may just check if the pressure is okay, but that's it.

You should speak up, should you experience any of the following at any point:

• Tingling
• Burning
• Itching
• Intense pulling (unless you're having a firming/decreasing treatment. Many clay masks tend to feel like they're "pulling" a little.) Either way, if it's uncomfortable, let the therapist know.
• Too much pressure during massage. (Everyone is different.Some people prefer lighter/harder massage pressure on their decolletage and face.)

If you're claustrophobic, please indicate this at the beginning of the treatment, so that the therapist knows to avoid certain methods and products.

At the end of the treatment (if it wasn't done throughout/during the treatment), the therapist will recommend (retail) products for home use. It will most probably be an entire range of products that he/she thinks you need to improve/maintain your skin health or condition. He or she should provide you with information about it: when and how much to use, for how long, etc. If you're not sure about how the products can benefit you, ASK. Your therapist should be able to explain EVERYTHING to you. If you're still unsure, ask again and be specific. If you're using an eye cream, and the therapist suggests you use an eye gel instead, or in conjunction with your eye cream, ask her why she thinks it's better for you to use an eye gel. If you're not comfortable with her explanations or answers, ask her to write down her recommendations, and do some research. If the therapist isn't sure about something and admits this to you, and then makes an effort to ask another therapist, the manager, or checks the product packaging, or her training manual, be grateful. Don't instantly judge him/her, and assume he/she doesn't know what he/she is doing. Therapists can easily make mistakes and not rectify them because they're embarrassed or afraid of judgement, so appreciate when they make a little extra effort.

If you cannot afford the home care products, simply let your therapist know. Some products can be expensive, and there's nothing wrong with not being able to afford/purchase these products. If you're (still) embarrassed that you cannot afford the recommended home care products (or are just not interested), just simply say that you're not interested. 

If you have home care products and take good care of your skin, let your therapist know that you already have products. If you're still interested in home care, she should be able to help you fill the gaps in your regime. For example, you may use a cleanser, toner and moisturizer only, so ask about a suitable exfoliator, mask and/or sunscreen. Sunscreen is SUPER IMPORTANT!

Once the products have been purchased and you're not happy with it, call the salon/spa and let them know. If you've had a reaction, you can call, but I urge you to go back, so that they can see the reaction and determine the cause. They should either replace your products, or refund you. They should also be able to suggest a solution to your now "broken-out" skin, especially if they're not replacing your products with others that may help the situation. If they're not sure, and have never seen or had complaints about a reaction like yours, go to a dermatologist. If they were unable to solve the problem, and haven't followed up since you informed them about your reaction, find a new salon/spa, or a new therapist. A good therapist/spa/salon will make an effort to help you as much as they can, and even if they cannot remedy the situation themselves, they should follow-up and get your feedback. This is important for the relationship between you and your therapist/salon/spa as well as for future reference, should someone else have a similar reaction. Please, note that if you had a minimal to non-existent skin care routine before purchasing the products, that your skin may simply be adjusting. Sometimes, one may have underlying congestion due to poor skin care and poor lifestyle habits, so the products often bring all impurities to the surface before clearing them. Many professional products work at a deeper level. Have patience. This sort of reaction should clear within 4 weeks.

Having said that, don't expect results/improvement after using the products for a week. Many products will take approximately a month of continual use before you start seeing the results. This is because many (mainly professional and cosmeceutical/dermaceutical) products aim to work on a deeper level and affect your skin positively, from a cellular level.

Be patient and be gentle with your face.

Miss B

Fighting the Frizz

When it comes to hair, frizz  (and split ends) are the worst. For me, anyway. Apparently there's only so much you can do about split ends - trim it off! I know there are many products that claim to "repair" split ends, but that's total BS. I've tried many of them, some high-end "professional" products and some from Clicks, and got over it...because IT DIDN'T WORK! Hair is similar to skin, you have to be consistent and take care of it e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y (with an occasional trim...by a professional). There are no quick fixes that'll last forever.

As for the frizz, I've tried so many products, I don't remember half of it...which means at least that much didn't work and was forgettable.

I prefer mists and sprays as opposed to oils and serums, because I have finer hair, so serums tend to weigh me (my hair) down.

My favourite products for frizz-freedom:

1. MorrocanOil Treatment oil - for wash-and-go days. I use it whenever I know I'm not going to heat style my hair at all. Your hair needs a break. Put that GHD down, woman! It has a light scent, and makes my hair feel soft and smooth. [And my hands] Towel-dry hair, smooth it on, and put your hair in a bun, for a few hours. Loosen your hair a few hours before bed, so it can dry properly. This is assuming that you wash your hair in the morning/day-time.

2. L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni Art Smooth Control gel-cream  - for blow-drying. It's a very light gel-cream, doesn't weigh hair down. You don't need to use much. I have long hair, and only need a pea-size amount. I felt the difference while drying my hair, and my hair definitely looked and felt a lot smoother. It was also more manageable, and I didn't need as much heat as I usually when blow-drying.

3. Lee Stafford Poker Straight Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist [breathes] - when using a flat iron. I hardly ever use my "flat iron" to "flatten/straighten" my hair. I mostly use it for curling my hair. Whether I've blow-dried my hair before using my flat-iron, and have used a heat protection spray before that, or curl my hair after it's air-dried, I mist my hair with this. It's also very light (see a trend here?), and literally smells like pink. If pink had a scent, this is what it'd smell like. Reminds me a lot of Charlie Pink (go figure) Heavy scent of vanilla/cake. Protection is very important, and although this isn't specifically an anti-frizz product, it does make a difference to the end result. Plus, you're getting a dose of anti-oxidants on your hair in the form of green tea extract.

4. Lee Stafford Poker Straight Dehumidifier - post-styling/pre-activity. An anti-frizz spray. When I saw this, I was like "sure, whatever." but bought it anyway. I am a girl at heart, and have hope after all. Although this is meant for straight-styled hair, which my hair wasn't,  I tried it. What gives. The bottle says to spray all over your hair before exercising, clubbing, bed, "facing the world". I tried it before clubbing last Friday. When I got home after 2 am, my hair looked pretty much the same as when I left home. Smooth and shiny. Not as neat though. And reeked of club... So the "pink/vanilla" smell doesn't outlast the smoke in a club, unfortunately. I also used it before exercising, and my hair didn't frizz quite as much as it usually does. If you have sensitive skin, tilt your head back and spray downwards, or ask someone to do it for you. I sprayed this from the front, and some had gone onto my forehead. Consequently, I have a few fine pimples on my forehead due to a reaction. Slightly itchy. [Trying very hard not to scratch]

5. V05 Miracle Mist - an overall of everything. Kind of. I thought this mist was magic the first time I used it, but it could've just been the fact that my patient mom blow-dried my hair for me (as I fell asleep) as opposed to me doing it...in a rush, as always. Don't judge me, I have weak arms...and heavy hair. Plus, my mom offered, ok?!  This is one of those do-it-all products. You can use it on damp hair, and go about your day. You can use it on damp hair before blow-drying it as a heat-defence, shine-enhancing, and anti-frizz mist. I suppose you could also use it on dry hair before styling. You can also use it AFTER drying/styling your hair as a shine and anti-frizz spray. You could do one of the above or all of the above. Out of all my faves, this product is the most versatile. It's also affordable.


Not every product is going to work the same for everyone. Unfortunately, sometimes you need to go through a few before you find what's great for you. Never be afraid to ask your hair-care professional about what's best for YOUR hair, if you're unsure. Or just curious.


Show your hair some love. A little bit more in winter. [flips hair forward and spins around...like in every hair advert. :-) ]

Miss B

A Boob Story with Perfect Endings

I have a slight obsession with taking care of myself. Yes, I'm sure I mean slight. I started "using" bust creams when I was about 17 years old. I didn't know why, but I saw my mom use it, and I visited her cupboard often and it was there. It was new, I had no idea what it was, so I read the entire tube...and squeezed some into my hand, and off I went. Bust cream. Whoohoo. I used it everyday for a week after that first time. To my horror, I broke out. All over my chest. [That's what you get for being over-eager.] I was convinced I could never wear a tank top again, and I was afraid that my mom would start locking her products away after she had told me repeatedly not to use her stuff. (Eye roll). That's what she did when I told her and showed her my chest, she rolled her eyes and laughed at me. She them told me that some things aren't meant for girls and she hoped that I had learnt my lesson. Check. 


After that I abstained, almost completely, from my mom's cupboard. I used regular body lotion, sometimes Bio Oil, on my décolletage. I always read about products and what they're meant to do and how it works. A lot of the time, I am left disappointed and feeling like I've wasted money. After trying Bio Oil everyday for a while, and breaking out quite similarly to the above story, I decided that perhaps the oil is too rich and went in search of a gel or creme-gel. Clarins Bust Beauty Extra-Lift Gel was next on my list. Did nothing. So here we are. I decided to re-visit the very bust cream that temporarily "ruined my life" a few years ago. (Dramatic much?)

Sh'zen Cellular Boost for Neck and Bust with Pamplemousse and Marula oils

I was/am pleasantly surprised. Firstly, NO breakouts whatsoever. I've been using the Sh'zen Perfect Endings Cellular Boost for Neck and Bust everyday for 2 weeks in upward, sweeping movements, and my decolletage looks more refined and my skin feels smoother. I've also noticed a "fading" of a scar (thanks to my puppy that loves to scratch me). 


I love the fresh, citrus scent. It smells like orange peel, but prettier. The only thing I don't love about it is that  the strong scent may interfere with one's perfume. If you love and wear citrus based fragrances, I'm sure it won't ruin it for you, but I like sweet scents, and can't imagine using the two together. For the last 2 weeks, I've been spritzing my perfume at the back of my neck, to avoid potential clashes. Also, when applying this in the morning, be sure to give it a few minutes to absorb and then apply sunscreen over it. YES, you have to. You know the sunscreen drill! [Resists digression.] It has a light-ish texture, and you need not squeeze out half the tube for adequate coverage.


For those interested in ingredients...it contains the following:

• Pamplemousse oils - tones&plumps up delicate skin, while firming breasts. Known as lymphatic stimulants&could help with breast tenderness and inflammation.
• Marula oils - rich in natural antioxidants which help repair damage to skin, also serves as anti-ageing.
• Shea Butter, Palm adn Sesame oils - deeply penetrating and intensely hydrating qualities. Improves elasticity

I haven't experienced any of the other good stuff such as firming and improved elasticity just yet. Well not that I can tell, anyway. But like I have mentioned before in the post about Clarins' bust gel, I don't have any serious bust issues, but I believe that prevention is better than cure, and hopefully all this busting around with boob products can delay the decline in this delicate area. 

Miss B

Sensitive? How to handle it...

Women's Health (US) have given advice to readers suffering with sensitive skin, in an article titled "Winterize your skin. Sensitive Skin: What you can do". I am not sure I entirely agree with everything, but below I have summarized the article and added in some other important points that were not mentioned or properly explained.

There is much debate about sensitive skin being a skin TYPE or a skin CONDITION. Women's Health quoted  Marianna Blyumin- Karasik, a dermatologist in Miami as saying,  "Women with sensitive skin have hyperactive immune systems that read certain products or weather conditions as enemies and fight them off as foreign objects.  This reaction often leads to skin redness, itching, stinging, burning, and peeling." By this characterization, sensitive skin is a skin TYPE. Sometimes, with the correct care, one may "grow out of" the sensitivity, or the skin will balance, heal and regulate itself. In that case, sensitive skin would be a skin condition, as it is not forever, it is just temporary. Note that "temporary" may be 3 months, 3 years or 13 years.

Experiencing skin redness, peeling, burning, stinging and/or itching does not necessarily mean that you have sensitive skin. It means you have symptoms of sensitive skin. This may be due to trying/using a new product that contains an ingredient that you are sensitive to. Consulting with a dermatologist or medical professional can't do harm, but if you know what you're sensitive to, or sometimes allergic to, simply avoid products that contain it.

Here are a few tips to help you:

1. Choose fragrance-free products. This may extended into you body care routine as well as household cleaning. Read product labels and select products that say "hypoallergenic", "formaldehyde-free", "dermatologically APPROVED". "dermatologically tested" is no longer good enough, it needs to be dermatologically approved.

2. Many cleansers contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate which is a foaming agent, detergent and surfactant, meaning it breaks down the glue that keeps/binds skin cells together. This glue is mostly necessary, and it prevents dryness and damage. Cleansers may also contain Tetrasodium EDTA and Triclosan which is drying. This isn't necessarily all bad, but most sensitive skins are already dry, and these worsen the condition. Use cleansers only if they are prescribed/recommended by your dermatologist or if they are specifically for sensitive skin. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is milder than Sodium LAURYL Sulfate so you may find that some "sensitive skin" cleansers may contain S.Laureth.Sulfate, but try to use one that contains neither. Note: these ingredients will be second or third from the top of the ingredients list.

3. Makeup irritants:

• Ultramarine blue - common in eyeshadow (especially blue hues)
• Mica - light-reflector, common in mineral makeup and bronzers,  known to cause itching.
• bismuth oxychloride - sheen/shimmer enhancer,  known to cause stinging.

There is probably many more and these ingredients are very commonly used, so it is hard to avoid, but Dr Zoe Draelos, a consulting professor of dermatology at Duke University School of Medicine, suggests using neutral shades such as beige and brown as they contain less irritating chemical pigments. She also said, "Choosing liquid blushes, bronzers, and foundations (which aren't brushed on) will keep your skin placated," in Women's Health's USA March 2012 issue. Brushing on eyeshadow, blush, etc may irritate your skin, especially if you aren't gentle, and if your makeup accessories and brushes are on the hard side.

4. Environmental Factors. I always emphasize the importance of wearing sunscreen all year round. "Ultraviolet light mutates proteins in the skin, which damages skin cells and causes a red, stinging reaction known as photosensitivity." Annet King, director of global education for Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institute, recommends wearing a physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as opposed to irritating chemical UV absorbers such as PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), benzophenones, and cinnamates. If the climate where you live is very dry, it's best to use a moisture-rich humectant moisturizer that contains glycerin, and apply it immediately after cleansing/showering/bathing, and apply throughout the day if necessary.

5. Stop touching your face! Many people, sensitive skin or not, are guilty of this. Stop it. Just go cold turkey and stop it! You type, you text (think of all the surfaces your phone has touched), you touch the elevator buttons, then the office door, then you take someone's hand (who knows where they've been, what they've touched, when last they've washed their hands). No no no no NO! Don't put all that onto your skin.

6. Some makeup removers are not gentle enough for sensitive skin...even if they say they are. The only way to know if something is mild enough for you is to try it, so ask for samples, or buy it. I don't have sensitive skin, but I am still looking for an eye makeup remover that does not sting the skin around my eyes and sometimes burns my eyes. In this case, it is totally okay to use facial wipes instead. Many brands have a sensitive skin option. I love Good Things Total Wipe Out Cleansing Wipes, available at Clicks if you live in SA. It is biodegradable, and contains NO mineral oils, petrochemicals, parabens, sodium laureth (and lauryl) sulfate, and nothing has been derived from or tested on animals.

After removing your makeup with facial wipes, rinse your face and pat dry, before continuing with your skin care routine.

7. Slow down. Yes, you want to prevent/slow down signs of ageing being apparent on YOUR face, but be smart. Many anti-ageing products have skin-sensitizing ingredients in it, and many anti-ageing products are only meant to be used from a certain age. If you are not that age yet, leave it alone. Find something more appropriate for your age, skin type, skin condition, lifestyle. Rather concentrate on skin health as early as possible. Have a look at Environ and what they're about, and when in doubt consult a dermatologist.

Miss B

Beauty Profile: Sureshnie Rider

With a simple routine of cleansing and moisturizing twice daily, Sureshnie’s only learning to take care of her skin now. “Way too late, I know, but I always thought drinking lots of water would help.” The 5FM Top 40 host and 3 Talk with Noeleen production manager exfoliates regularly and tries to use a face mask at night. Sush, and her hubby also enjoy using nose-masks and she never goes to bed unless she’s removed all her makeup. Golden rule, ladies and gents.

When she left Durban for Johannesburg, her skin took a beating and irregular working hours did not encourage her to have a strict skin care regimen. After trying numerous well-known skin care brands, Sureshnie is currently using Nivea. “Nivea seems to be the one I love. It's clean and my skin feels light and less oily.” Also, it is super accessible and doesn’t require detour stops at salons. So she is trying to stick with it for the next 6 months. Sureshnie is also trying out Clarins Cotton Seed Gentle Face Wash and says it feels like silk. She changes products every 6-8 months out of personal preference. “Products are constantly changing on the market, as well as our lifestyles, so I try to go with what my body is saying to me.” She also goes for hydrating facials and a peel once in a while when she finds the time.

“Coming from an Indian upbringing, Ayurvedic medication and treatments have been part of my life. I have used many products that had sandalwood in it, and it really soothed my skin. My family still use Ayurvedic creams to treat skin conditions etc, and where I can, I still use home remedies before turning to store or pharmacy products.”

When asked about taking old school advice, listening to old wives tales or even tips shared with her by her mom/grandmother/aunt, Sureshnie had this to say:
“Tooth paste. Tooth paste. Tooth paste! It does NOT work! I was told that you should put toothpaste on pimples. Errrr... Not to be funny, it smelt really fresh, but it did squat for any pimple. But I tried
it...several times. I also tried the cucumber slice on my eyes. It is still widely practiced in most salons. It did cool my eyelids for a bit, but then I felt like adding an olive and enjoying it while I lay there,” she said while giggling.

Her favourite skin care product? Elizabeth Arden Skin Protectant for lips. “This has been my friend for years, and I have carried that little jar in my bag to get me through late night gigs, bad and sad days and for every moment that I have smiled.”

Sureshnie’s top 5 skin care tips:

1. Keep things natural. Try not to overload your skin with a million products, start with the basics.
2. Drink lots of Water
3. Avoid a product that does three in one, chances are it does nothing for you
4. Make time for a facial
5. Always remove make up before bed

Sureshnie says that this is the most makeup she's ever worn.

Mrs Rider likes very natural makeup and says all a girl needs is a light foundation, a little shimmer on the eyelids, liquid eyeliner, mascara and a soft lip gloss. She’s still discovering her signature makeup look, but insists on keeping it “clean”. Her focus is always on her eyes. “I never wore make up until I was in my late twenties. I grew up loving the natural feel of my skin, and I'm hoping to instill that same belief in my daughter,” said Sureshnie. “Water, healthy foods and sunscreen is all she needs.” Sureshnie’s biggest concern is skin cancer, and makes sure that her family is always stocked up on sunscreen...and more importantly USE the sunscreen on a daily basis.

Like every other girl, Sureshnie battles to answer the question “Which ONE makeup product can you not go a day without?” Her answer: “My bag full of Mac and Bobbi Brown eye-shadows”. I suppose, technically, her bag is ONE object. We’ll give it to you this time, Sush.

Sureshnie on her wedding day. She said that this was her most special day of makeup. Her hair and makeup were done by Mark and Clint. They also draped her sari. 

Miss B: What is important when getting ready to attend an event?

Sureshnie: “Your scent, your body lotion, your accessories and your hair. If you take time to pay a little attention to all it’s amazing how you begin to glow. I always turn up my music and it usually helps me pick out my best dress, and then from there, it all SOMETIMES falls into place.”

If Sush is not on air, running around at the 3 Talk studio, behind the decks at clubs or behind the wheel of a very fast car, you can find her at home (good luck getting that address) cooking up a storm...which is also a very good way of steaming your face. ;-)

Miss B

The Body Shop Colourglide™ Lip Colour #46

This is a peachy, bordering on orange, colour. Depending on your complexion, this may pass as a nude. It is not a moisturizing formulation, so be sure to use a lip balm before applying this lipstick. I'd recommend always applying a lip balm before using lipstick as the lip balm may smooth the surface of your lips. This is especially important if you have dry lips. Lipstick over dry lips looks really terrible. And of course, if you want a glossy look, you may add a clear or nude gloss over it.

I've taken many pictures so that you can get a clearer idea of the colour.

Miss B

Hands On...

I am such a girl. A girly-girl. I love lip stuff, and makeup, and dresses and stilettos. I am also never without hand cream. Hand cream is a MUST. Simple. Signs of ageing are most visible on your hands and neck. I'd say more so than the eye area, especially with great eye products, and botox and all those fancy things these days. Exciting.

I've been using different hand-creams for 6 years now, so I am kind of experienced. I'm the crazy chick at CLICKS reading all the labels, sniffing tubes of hand-cream, laughing my head off in the store because of some of the claims of these cosmetic products, and asking the store assistants why there aren't testers and/or samples. Ha ha ha. I wish I could tell you which hand creams are the best for you, but everyone has different preferences when it comes to moisturizing and anti-ageing mediums, so I'll try my best. Some women hate hand-creams, because it feels oily or "doesn't make a difference". People who suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) hate having to put on hand cream, or anything for that matter.

One thing to note is SPF. You have to find a hand-cream with sun/UV protection. It is worth it. If you're ok to use your regular sunscreen as a hand-cream, that is great, but know that it is solely sun protection. You cannot expect a sunscreen to reduce signs of ageing and/or sun damage. If you prefer something that has a better scent and/or is multi-purpose, give these a try:

Sh'zen Perfecting Cream SPF 30
I'm currently using this little gem. It contains Japanese Rice Bran Oil, Silk Extracts, Hazel Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Grapefruit, Aloe and Green/White Tea extract, which contribute to the lovely aroma. It smells great! It has an SPF of 30, and has anti-ageing properties. I sometimes use it on my feet too. Warning: This isn't a quick-absorbing hand-cream, unless your hands are super dry. Having said that, it is not excessively oily either. I've also noticed a difference in my nails and cuticles. My cuticles are much more flexible, and I don't need to push them back as often as I used to, and my nails are much brighter than before.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment
This is quick-absorbing. I often applied it twice, accidentally because I forgot I just applied it. There is almost no sign of it after you've rubbed it in. It's very light and has a light scent, too. It contains Sweet Almond oil, Algae extract. Licorice extract, Vitamin C and also has an SPF 15.

Nivea Q10 Plus Age Defying Hand Cream
I don't love the Nivea, but I really like it. It's thick, and a bit oily, but it smells lovely, and I noticed the difference in the appearance and texture of the skin on my hands after about 3-4 weeks. Thank goodness I have such patience. I'd also be very interested to try their Pure and Natural (right) hand cream. 95% of the ingredients are of natural origin and is paraben-, silicone-, mineral oil-, and colourant-free. I haven't seen this in stores yet, but will keep an eye out for it. How exciting.

Oh So Heavenly
This is super affordable and there's a variety. Available at Clicks only. My favourites are from the Happy Hands Hand Creams: Sweet Solution and Soft Touch. You can probably try them all. They often come in packs of smaller tubes. Ideal for those who love tiny hand bags and clutches.

Now that you have some options...be more hands on.

Miss B

In the nude...

I absolutely love nude eyeliners and I think that it is an essential for your cosmetic bag. It can be worn on the upper eye lid or the "Water line" of your lower lid (the part that many people get wrong by wearing their dark eyeliner there everyday. Liner applied to the lower lid, especially darker liners, should be applied at the lower lash line i.e. between/on/over the hairs, NOT(!) on your waterline.) Nude liners can make your eyes look bigger and/or brighter, especially when the rest of your eye makeup is dark as in the very popular (and proving to be timeless) smokey-eye. White eyeliners are also often used for this but white liners have lost me...YEARS AGO...when it was still cool to wear it on the upper eyelid and then go to a disco/party/rave/dark room and stand under a UV light and think you're cool. (No, I've never been in a dark room, so if there are no UV lights present, I'm sorry. And no, I didn't do such crap and think I was cool. *rolls eyes*) 

You can see the nude liner on the waterline clearly,. It looks natural compared to the white shadow on her upper lids. This could look good with a white liner instead of a nude, but mostly for such photos, I think. Not for everyday.

The thing about wearing white eyeliner on your water line is that it's obvious, and I hate seeing it. It looks tacky and untidy (even cheap)...most of the time. It can look great and serve a purpose, but you have to find the right white liner that isn't too soft, pasty, and heavy...unless of course that's what you're going for. I realize that some people wear white eyeliner for reasons other than brightening or making one's eyes "pop". 

White Liner (barf)

I maintain that a nude eyeliner can do all of above...but better than a white liner. It's less harsh and more natural. And very few people have snow white eyeballs where this can actually look natural.

It can be used everyday with ANY makeup look, just remember to remove it before bed as you would usually do with makeup. Dip a cue-tip in eye makeup remover, and gently rub the cue-tip over your waterline. Remember, your eye-makeup remover shouldn't burn or sting your eyes, if this happens, use a cue-tip dampened in luke-warm water instead. Repeat, until cue-tip doesn't show any makeup residue after wiping.

It's great with dark/heavy upper lids, and it's often better than not using anything on the lower lid at all.

Also great for a completely nude eye...with a bright lip colour or baby pink. If you go with baby pink, make sure you wear a great blush, so you don't look washed out with all the nude and muted colours.

My favourite nude liner is Essence Kajal Pencil no.19 All I Want. It is very soft, so use with a light hand, which you should be doing anyway, as your eye area is very delicate, and you should never use a lot of pressure when applying eye makeup (or removing it).

If you'd like something more glam for night-time or an event, you could also try an iridescent nude or a gold, but keep it to a light gold, such as a champagne-gold or yellow golds as opposed to your more orangey-golds. For this, I love MAC's Eye Kohl in Powersurge.

One of my favourite liners ever.

How gorgeous?!

Be daring...go nude! :-)

Miss B