“IT’S ALL RATHER TOUCHING, ISN’T IT?”

British Pathe – Vintage Make-up Tutorial 1936.  What an absolute treat to have come across such a treasure, which it is presented by a gentleman in a unique way.

About make-up, I have never heard a truer word: “It’s an art, if only one knows how.”  And an art it is.  Watch this video and tell me that make-up artistry is not a skill to be mastered. Even back in 1936, if not more so, in that era.

During the tutorial the gentleman made a few statements that I believe to be applicable not only to one’s face but to individuals as well.  One of which is:   “Make-up:  Making up what the face lacks in uniformity.”

Just as cosmetics are there to make up for facial imperfections, clothes and accessories are tools that can completely transform your body and confidence as well as  your personal brand.  It can change the way you are perceived by others, whether that is in a working environment, at an event, or at home.

Yet the biggest mistake made by most of us is forgetting that just as a garment should fit your body well, your brand should fit your personality.  This, for example, is one of the reasons I have never chased after trends.  I keep falling in love with them but I can never allow myself to follow one. Firstly, it’s in and out of fashion faster than you can say ombre, and then one is stuck with a cupboard filled with garments that you cannot be seen dead in.  Secondly, trendy outfits and hairstyles do not suit every personality and body type.  Rather find something that works for you, keep it updated, classic and classy.

It is rather amazing to experience the confidence change in someone when they learn which colours, make-up applications, necklines, shoes and accessories amongst many others are best suited to their body and skin types as well as their personalities.

We owe it to ourselves to showcase our best attempts at designing our personal brands.  “Just be you” is a term I found to be misguiding.  “Being you”, for example, doesn’t mean you have to look like you are wearing a tent because you want to hide your thighs or l as if you just walked out of the gym when you go for dinner.  Being the “best you” on the other hand, I’d say, is to be aware of your flaws, not defeated by them.  Look the best you can,  dress according to a certain situation and most importantly, true to your personality.

Have a look at my website for more information:  www.mariadevos.co.za

A lovely week to you all.

THE PRODUCT THAT SAVES ORDINARY HUMANS FROM THEMSELVES

“…fresh from the primordial gene pool, the best cutters, designers and lab rats in the business have created:  the most luxurious, innovative and yet sensible hair care range that has ever existed. Born from a desire to produce a high quality salon range (and not sell it as the answer to life, love and other woes), this product steps outside the normal realm of truth-stretching invention, to help people think a little and look good, all at the same time.  … sweet revenge against an industry of over-inflated truths…”

I present to you South Africa’s latest hair styling addition, evo!

The launch took place at the Neigbourgoods Market in Braamfontein.  A more fitting venue does not exist.  The blah-di-blah’s and demonstrations were kept short and sweet.  Afterwards they sent us all to heaven on a Monday afternoon with  “orange robots” (Fanta and cane), gourmet waffles/pancakes, good company and great music.

evo products, venue, yours truly as a model.

I had the pleasure to participate in the launch of this exciting product in South Africa on Monday.  – as a model!  Just to set the record straight, I am no model, I usually feature behind the scenes as hair/make-up artist and stylist.

So obviously they put the “non-model” in the tightest pants known to man – Disco pants by American Apparel.  Which turned out to be miracle pants, so I’m definitely not complaining.  Katherine Mortner was the stylist on the job, and what a brilliant designer she is.  Enough about my new-found modeling career ;)  – Let’s talk evo.

Alwyn van Wyk, owner of Fugo Salon in Parkhurst is the reason why South Africa can now also have the evo experience.  And when I say experience, I mean it.  Have a look at this video and you’ll have a better understanding, and no, I am not on acid.

 

“Granny Zef” is the best way to describe this brand.  Does it work?  Having been a model yesterday, experiencing the product and its characteristics, I can definitely vouch for that.  I was one of 6 models on which they demonstrated 2 different hairstyles, completely changing the first look by adding but one product.  The products, design and descriptions have a very fun way about them.

The venue, styling in action and evo look and feel.

PRODUCT:

“We’ve made it so simple, it makes cheese look complex”

To make it easier on us lot, evo has divided the product into 6 families, catering for different hair needs and distinguished them by colour-coded packaging:

Blue:  CALM – dry follicles unite,
Moisturise dry, frizzy, colour-treated hair.

Red:  CARE – love is in the hair,
repair weak, brittle, colour-treated hair.

Black:  VOLUME – fat and happy,
volumise fine, limp, colour-treated hair.

Purple:  CURL – twisted for life,
support curly hair and enhance natural wave.

Pink:  STRAIGHT – tame the strays,
smooth coarse hair and control the frizz.

Green:  STYLE – great sculptors don’t use tofu,
styling and finishing options for all hair types.

They have even been so kind as to add a section on their website with hair styling techniques that are easy to do, you don’t have to be a hair stylist.  You can have a look at styling techniques on their website.

In short, evo is a no nonsense brand that is very clear of what it can deliver, saving ordinary humans from themselves.

NOT MADE IN CHINA

KIKO-

The name of a wonderful new make-up brand I have discovered over the past two weeks while I was away on an amazing holiday in Italy with my boyfriend.  I was walking down the most beautiful street in Florence when I first laid eyes on the simplistic and modern logo standing out amongst its antique surroundings.

Once I crossed the threshold, there was no turning back.  I got so caught up in the glorious world which is KIKO that I only noticed my poor boyfriend tagging along behind me once I reached the pay point.  (That dear friends, is what I call a keeper).  They’ve got everything you could possibly imagine, displayed in neat, matte black packaging.  And the best is, it’s not made in China!  The whole production process happens in Milan.  I could not resist.

KIKO has plenty of different ranges within their brand, but the beauty of it is that all products are compatible and can be used together to create a unique look.  If there is one place in the world that is famous for a trend, it has to be Milan – this product on the other hand may be focused on trends, but is transformed into new concepts of colour and products and are always able to be reinterpreted and worn again.  KIKO products are also extremely blend-able so you always end up with a flawless finish.

Over the next few weeks I will be doing reviews on some of my favourite products from KIKO and how well they work with other brands I love.

A gorgeous weekend to you all!

RATHER LATE THAN NEVER!

I have finally made it to the blogging world!  Herewith I would like to introduce myself, I am Maria de Vos, a Johannesburg-based Independent Personal Brand Designer. My Journey in the big city started 5 years ago when I moved to Jo’burg to study Creative Brand Communications at Vega.  I specialized in Multimedia Design.

I absolutely dreaded Multimedia halfway through my course and found that my favourite part of the day, and the only part that kept me sane was the few minutes in the morning when I did my make-up.  It gave me a little bit of time to myself and it was definitely the most creativity experienced in those 3 years.  So eventually I got my degree and decided against joining the big bad “industry” of advertising and rather doing an Image Consulting course through the South African Image Company.  Yet, I was craving more.

I did my make-up course through Studio Make-up in Bryanston and have never looked back!  Since then I have worked with many friends and great photographers!

But why not add hair styling to the list as well?  I did a hair styling course a short while ago in London at the London Hair Academy.  It was my first time in London, and what a treat it was!

I went from Multimedia designer to Image Consultant, Make-up artist and Hair Stylist so I think it is safe to assume everyone understands why I call myself a Personal Brand designer!  My branding experience gained from Vega wasn’t a waste after all.  I realized this whilst doing my Image Consulting course – what is a person if not a brand? The same rules apply!  So join me through my journey of designing personal brands through fashion, beauty and Image.  I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!

You can have a look at my work on www.mariadevos.co.za