Essence reveal: favourite beauty trick

By Temo Mpodi

Have you ever wondered what the easiest and most cost-effective trick to flawless skin is? Have you ever been to a beauty event and thought, this is exactly what an event should be? We spoke to Essence and Catrice’s make-up artist, Alana Du Plooy, to find out more.

Alana says the trick to flawless skin is simple: water! She explained, ‘Staying hydrated is personally very difficult for me because, believe it or not, I don’t enjoy drinking water. However, I’ve found that eating foods with a high-water content keeps me hydrated and gives my skin a naturally healthy glow. Your skin can easily dry out if you aren’t getting enough fluids, and roughly 20 percent of fluids come from the food we eat.’

Foods high in water include watermelon, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, celery, and leafy greens. Try to incorporate these into your diet to nourish your skin from the inside out.

Over the years, the focus on skincare has shifted drastically. The emphasis has moved from heavy make-up to prioritising a healthy, radiant complexion. ‘As a make-up artist, I see a growing trend towards a more natural approach to beauty, where make-up is used minimally to enhance a client’s or model’s natural features rather than to mask imperfections.’

She also highlighted the Clicks Beauty Playground as an undeniable hub of beauty creativity. ‘It’s an annual event hosted by Clicks, where the best beauty brands come together for a two-day expo. It allows consumers and beauty influencers to experience the best in skincare, make-up, fragrances, hair products, and more.’

‘The goodie bag is the talk of the town – women literally travel from different regions to attend this event, knowing they’ll receive full-sized products from most of the featured brands,’ she added.

The event also features live entertainment, masterclass sessions with top celebrity make-up artists such as Rene De Wit, Vongai, and Charli Boi, as well as live panel discussions revealing the latest trends and products. Each expo has amazing prizes to be won, making it one of the most highly anticipated events on my calendar every year!

It’s clear that beauty isn’t just about skin – it extends to every aspect of our lives.