Bok Captain, Jean De Villiers Drop the READ ROLENE STRAUSS
Transcription
Bok Captain, Jean De Villiers Drop the READ ROLENE STRAUSS
EDITION 4 2015 Drop the PLUS! 7 READ ROLENE STRAUSS’ MISS WORLD DIARY 5 Bok Captain, Jean De Villiers Shares His World Cup Fitness Tips 4 6 8 Paperwork June/July Competitions Editor's Note Miss Congeniality 12 19 20 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 Pageant Pro's Meet the 2015 Mrs SA finalists Pageant check list What we can all learn from pageants 007 beauty queens 5 reasons why you're not winning the crown Beauty pageants that enable the disabled Making beauty titles work for you and for charity She did what?!?! Scene & heard Miss World diaries Newly crowned Miss Universe finalist not so BIG in Japan 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 Model Material Qantas announces supermodel Jessica Hart as trend consultant It's time to drop the plus Tit for tat An App to help you with modelling poses, confidence and safety #KylieJennerChallenge Gisele calls it a day Modelling check list 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 Fitness Focus Did someone say the 'B'word? Jennifer Nicole Lee busts 7 fitness myths It's a foam party for your muscles Bok fitness tips from the captain Which whey to go The importance of picking the right gym wear & training shoes The dark(er) side of tanning 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 Health, Beauty & Wellness Hair trend: grey is the way Nailing it I love my lyfie (love your body) The low-down on a check up for down-under Read my nude lips Winter beauty survival guide There's a Nu Tan in town... 86 88 90 94 Men's Matters Skincare 101: the low down for men Plastic surgery trends for men Dressing for an interview: WEAR fashion meets success 5 minutes with Sello Nhlapo 98 101 Beauty With A Cause Nelius du Preez: a heart for people Cell C take a Girl Child to Work Day 104 106 Social Sides Socially speaking Social pages Edition 4 2015 2 www.MPSAmag.com Editorial Contacts Madelain Roscher – Managing Editor [email protected] Shannon Roscher – Content Editor [email protected] Chantal Riley – Digital Editor [email protected] +27 (0) 11 896 1818 www.MPSAmag.com www.facebook.com/MPSAmag @MPSAmag Edition 4 2015 3 www.MPSAmag.com PAGEANT DATE VENUE SA Dream Model Search - Entries close 01 June 2015 Queensburgh Miss Lolly Pop 06 June 2015 Rustenburg Miss & Mr Frost, & Mrs Frozen 06 June 2015 Klerksdorp Mini Miss Hope Photogenic 12 June 2015 Photo comp Mej Aalwyn Fees & Baba Kompetisie 13 June 2015 Albertina Father's Day Photo Competition 15 June 2015 Photo comp Mr & Miss Youth 16 June 2015 Gauteng Star of Edenvale 20 June 2015 Edenvale Country Girl 20 June 2015 Montana Miss Picture Perfect 20 June 2015 Photo comp Mnr & Mej Winterfees 20 June 2015 Collinghy Tjops & Toks Photo Competition 20 June 2015 Photo comp African Wild 21 June 2015 Midrand Mej Hittefees 27 June 2015 Phalaborwa Miss Centurion Systems 27 June 2015 Gauteng Beauty with a Purpose 27 June 2015 Port Elizabeth King & Queen of the Cape 27 June 2015 Cape Town Mej Thabazimbi Wildsfees 28 June 2015 Thabazimbi Miss Deaf SA - Entries close 30 June 2015 Gauteng Miss Earth Zambia - Entries close 30 June 2015 Zambia Mis Earth Namibia - Entries close 30 June 2015 Namibia Mr & Miss Umvoti - Entries close 30 June 2015 KZN Gauteng Talent Search 30 June 2015 Gauteng Miss Polokwane - Entries close 30 June 2015 Polokwane Winter Wonder Photo Competition 30 June 2015 Photo comp King & Queen of Glitz 30 June 2015 Photo comp Miss Jnr Bosveld - Entries close 30 June 2015 Ellisras Edition 4 2015 4 www.MPSAmag.com Pageant Date Venue Mr & Miss Middelburg -Entries close 01 July 2015 Middelburg Miss Bosveld 03 July 2015 Ellisras Miss Winter Beauty 04 July 2015 Secunda East Rand Natural Beauty 04 July 2015 Brakpan Miss Teen Joburg Auditions 04 July 2015 JHB Fashion Extravaganza 11 July 2015 Piet Retief Mr & Miss Gert Sibande 11 July 2015 Piet Retief Mr & Miss Apache Wildfire 11 July 2015 Alberton Miss July 19 July 2015 Midrand Mrs Mpumalanga - Entries close 22 July 2015 Mpumalanga Queen of Cape Town 25 July 2015 Cape Town Face of Be An Angel 24 July 2015 Photo comp Miss Selena 25 July 2015 PE Miss Be An Angel 26 July 2015 Brakpan Pretty Angel 26 July 2015 Brakpan Mr & Miss Welkom - Entries close 31 July 2015 Welkom Mr & Miss Galaxy SA - Entries close 31 July 2015 Limpopo Little Miss Cupcake - Entries close 31 July 2015 Pretoria Face of Winter Photo Competition 31 July 2015 Photo comp Please download all entry forms at www.pageantkingsandqueens.cc. Submit your event information to [email protected] for a free calendar listing All dates and information correct at time of publishing. MPSAmag takes no responsibility for change of dates, times or venues. Edition 4 2015 5 www.MPSAmag.com FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK If you’re looking for the hottest modelling, pageantry and fitness read this winter, look no further than this edition of MPSAmag.com! Our modelling pages are jam packed with interesting articles such as supermodel, Jessica Hart’s recent appointment as Qantas Airways’ trend consultant and Gisele Bündchen retirement from modelling at the age of 34. As we all know, size really does matter in the modelling industry. Earlier this year, Australian model Stefania Ferrario and television presenter Ajay Rochester started a campaign, #droptheplus to stop the reference to ‘plus size’ models. This term applies to models who are above a US size four or size 32 in SA terms. If you agree that a size 34 is far from a plus size model, you will love this campaign. We also investigate the latest trends including tattoos for models and the #KylieJennerChallenge, which has seen some girls plump their lips beyond recognition. An added bonus in this month’s mag is that aspiring models can download a free app which will help with modelling poses, and confidence and safety tips! Our pageant experts sat down with the 2015 Mrs South Africa finalists to give you an idea why they entered the competition and how beauty titles can work for you and your charity. Rolene Strauss again shared her Miss World diaries with us, while her stylist, Werner Wessels shared his experiences about what we can all learn from pageants. Our team also looked into beauty pageants that enable the disabled, the record number of Miss World titleholders that have become Bond girls, and the furore about the newly crowned black Miss Japan. Talking about uproars, don’t miss this edition’s Scene & Heard column which follows your social media rants and raves, you might just be quoted… If fitness is more your focus, then you must wonder what Jean de Villiers, Bok captain is doing on our cover? Well, wonder no more! In preparation for the Rugby World Cup in September, Jean shared his fitness tips with MPSAmag and let’s be honest, if it works for him, it can work for you! Further, fitness model, Jennifer Nicole Lee busts seven fitness myths and we burst the bubble on women and bulking. If you’re not sure which ‘whey’ to go, or which gym wear and training shoes to pick, or what foam rolling is about, read on… We know how important a decent tan is for fitness fundi’s so check out our beauty articles ‘The dark(er) side of tanning’ and ‘There’s a Nu Tan in town’. Looking beautiful on stage is part and parcel of anyone involved in the modelling, pageantry and fitness industries so check out our winter beauty survival guide, the latest nail trends, nude lips and the century’s greatest hair trend: grey, which also inspired my column pic for this issue! As always, men’s special interests are also taken care of so don’t miss the skincare and surgery trends’ articles for our menfolk, and how to dress for success to land that desired job! We also spent some time with top SA model, Sello Nhlapo and humanitarian, Nelius du Preez, who is not only making a difference in his local community but is working hard to claim the Mr Commonwealth SA 2015 title. Remember, we always welcome your feedback so drop me a mail at [email protected] and tell us what you like, dislike about the industry or want us to investigate… Until next time, look after yourself and those around you! Madelain Roscher Managing Editor MPSAmag Edition 4 2015 8 www.MPSAmag.com “Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh never mind, you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded…” When American journalist, Mary Schmich opened her hypothetical commencement speech with that quote in 1997, she was probably speaking from experience. She knew that the appreciation for youth is often underestimated and that many a times the youth wish their years away in their desire to be older. We all have this misconception that life gets better when you are older because once you are older and you work, you have complete control over your life. Right? Well, it wasn’t until I grew older that I realised that we don’t embrace our youth as much as we should, and the unfortunate thing is that – once your youth has faded, you can never get it back. I am not in any way saying that being older is a disadvantage, every age and phase our lives has its beauty and it is imperative for us to learn to celebrate these phases. The reason I say that the beauty of being young is often underestimated is because we perceive “youth” as some king of disadvantage. When you are younger, you know less and you’re not in a position to make tremendous decisions. Being young is often associated with being irresponsible or having the tendency of making poor decisions because you do not know better. But you know what? Your youth is the best time to learn from your mistakes, to fall down but to dust yourself off and remember that everything happens for a reason, even though we’re not wise enough to recognise it. Celebrate your youth while you still can, don’t feel bad for not knowing the answers to everything. Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them and you hold onto the wisdom so that it can be your lighthouse as well as another youngster’s guidance in the future. And whatever you do, don’t look back because that is not the direction you are going in. Learn to embrace the beauty of growth and don’t let your inertia get in your way. Live your life with your arms wide open, love, learn and leave a legacy so that you can path the way for tomorrow’s youth. Love, peace and happiness. Miss Congeniality Edition 4 2015 9 www.MPSAmag.com Name: Aldytha Da Silva Age: 39 Employee: Self-employed What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? As a contestant, my goal would be to promote the ethos and values of this incredible pageant. It's my desire to challenge myself and explore facets of myself that have laid dormant for years. Being a contestant for Mrs SA, would see a personal childhood dream become a reality, but now for all the right reasons. I am so proud to be called wife, mother and businesswoman. and want to share my journey. Name: Anèle Jansen van Rensburg Age: 38 Employee: Southern Implants What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I did not enter this competition without giving it serious thought and prayer. I am going on this journey with an open mind and the expectancy to grow as a person. To me competing is out of my comfort zone, but I realized that I cannot achieve my purpose in life by simply being comfortable. I am truly blessed by the life I currently live, but I embrace the fact that there is so much more for me. This contest is a wonderful platform to make a difference. I will take it one step at a time, but will make sure I am available to offer my worth where I am needed. My main focus will be to build a supporting base, offering a foundation of encouragement to others. I am competing to make a difference through change. Name: Anneke Nortjé Age: 25 Employee: Elturion Independent School, and a clothing gear shop 'Warrior Gear' What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? As a Mrs South Africa contestant, I would first like to inspire women to see their beauty without doubting themselves. I would not only like to raise funds for the less privileged and organisations such as CANSA, but also influence and touch hearts of children. During this journey I want to learn more from other women and discover the 'more factor' within myself. It is not about perfection. It is being the best I can be, doing the most I can do and investing time in others. Edition 4 2015 12 www.MPSAmag.com Name: Arlene Sousa Age: 28 Employee: Self employed What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? Bring awareness to the inhumanity animals face in this country. To try and change the perception of the majority of people in the country that animals are just things. They are living creatures in need of love, understanding and nurturing. Name: Bianca Parsons Age: 27 Employee: Fluor SA (Pty) Ltd What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? As a Mrs South Africa contestant I wish to grow and discover myself. It has been a lifelong dream and I have just been too scared, but I have decided to move out of my comfort zone and that 2015 will be my year. I wish to make a difference not only within myself and to grow as a successful business woman, but for others women as well, I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say because of you I didn't give up. I will work hard in all aspects of my journey to change the lives of others and to leave my mark and footprint behind in this beautiful country. Name: Candice Abrahams Age: 32 Employee: Self Employed What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I love meeting people, and networking. I wish to share all my tips, knowledge and life experiences (good or bad) with my fellow contestants. We need to encourage and educate one another as women even if it's in the smallest ways, with this being said I can't wait to share my life lessons. I am excited to gain personal growth and make new lifetime friends. Name: Chantelle Maree Age: 32 Employee: Full time mom What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? Being a Mrs South Africa contestant, will definitely be an experience of a lifetime. The journey will help build my self confidence and give me the opportunity to meet amazing people, make new friends and inspire others. It will definitely make my parents and family proud and is an opportunity to make my dream a reality. Edition 4 2015 13 www.MPSAmag.com Name: Grace Makgoka Age: 37 Employee: Head of Health Sciences Faculty What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I would like an opportunity to represent women, especially women doctors in South Africa. I would like them to know that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I believe there is a need for the young women of South Africa to look up to and be inspired by strong role models. I hope to be one of those role models so that I can help encourage and build them up to be the best that they can be. Name: Jackie Wilson Lowe Age: 32 Employee: GreenKid Pty Ltd. What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? When I came across the Mrs South Africa entry online, something just resonated for me. I try to live my life with the intention of making my minutes count and this would definitely be one of those defining things that spark growth and change and inspire courage! I hope to show my daughter and other women just like me that despite being a normal mom, an imperfect normal mom at that, that you can do things that challenge you and scare you and make your life unique! I am also closely linked with CANSA, since my company is endorsed by them, and I would love to be involved in raising funds for them! Name: Jacqui Fernandez Age: 39 Employee: Self Employed What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I would hope to achieve a few things that would have a positive effect on my community. I have a passion for children and would love to use this opportunity to enrich and create awareness in my area for children who are not fortunate and are influenced by drug addiction. I understand that Mrs South Africa does support cancer awareness and I will completely be dedicated to the cause. Further, I have had firsthand experience with drug addiction of a loved one. I have been educated and completely understand addiction and would like to create an awareness and help save our children from falling prey to this addiction. Name: Karien Henrico Age: 30 Employee: University of Johannesburg What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? Most often we focus on what we do wrong and various other negative aspects of our lives. It is generally easier to make a list of your negative attributes than your positive attributes. As a Mrs SA contestant I want to advocate that women (and men) celebrate who they are, their world, their capabilities and their family. No one is perfect or the same, by embracing that we will all find our rightful place and our unique calling. Also, I know that Mrs SA would allow me to market myself in a way suitable for future business prospects in consultancy. Edition 4 2015 14 www.MPSAmag.com Name: Karin van Wyk Age: 46 What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I hope that it will give me a bigger opportunity and platform to continue what I enjoy so much - to have an influence on schoolgirls’ and farm workers’ lives. I bring them the story of Esther in the Bible- how an orphan girl was used to save a nation and that one must never underestimate the plans God has for you. I hope that by being a contestant it will open up doors for me to bring the message of hope to more beautiful women in SA. Name: Kedidimetse Tswai Age: 34 Employee: Department of Water and Sanitation and Business Owner What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? To gain the respect of the nation as a sophisticated married woman, having to spend my time and energy on Important issues such as community upliftment projects and fund raising for charity organisations in our country. Name: Lisinda Thomas Age: 39 Employee: Ricoh SA What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I'm looking forward to meeting great and remarkable women., women with passion and purpose that transforms and support each other to shape our children, communities, country and our future. Beauty is not about being flawless, but it's about elevating through your flaws! Being married doesn't mean you have to be boring - my goal is to be an example that demonstrates married women can still be sexy, fashionable and driven! Name: Mampa (Geraldine) Sekoba-Diakanyo Age: 33 Employee: Personal Assistant What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? As a contestant for Mrs South Africa, I hope to awaken women my age, who are married or in the process of getting married, that one's life, hopes and dreams do not end when you say 'I do'; instead that's only when it begins, with your partner by your side to complement it. Edition 4 2015 15 www.MPSAmag.com Name: Marcelle Allison Age: 32 Employee: Cirel (Pty) Ltd What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I am very passionate about helping people. I would like to focus on bringing awareness to the great need for help out there. My husband and I are proud of the fact that we've made a positive difference in an orphan boy's life. We welcomed him in our home and supported him to get an IT qualification, and a driver's licence, and to lead a normal family life with love. We also recently started to export blankets to Malawi and hope to get this growing. My dream is to also establish a children's home in Blantyre, Malawi, Zeerust, and Gopane. Enterprise development plays a vital part in my quest to help others. Name: Marlene Naiker Age: 33 Employee: KPMG What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I hope to achieve a memorable experience, to meet new people and hopefully a few great mentors. I hope to learn more about myself through the competition which will help me in my own personal journey as a woman. No matter the outcome, I will have no regrets because every step in life is catalyst to your growth. Name: Nokuthula Tanda Age: 29 Employee: Pooe and Associates What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? Firstly, I would want to empower women with knowledge regarding their bodies. Most women tend to struggle with weight issues especially after giving birth. Sometimes as women we need to accept and learn that sometimes our bodies change as we grow older. I always say beauty starts from within. I would also want to help wherever I can when it comes to couples going through an adoption process and want to work with people living with HIV. Name: Pamella Marlowe Age: 32 Employee: Barloworld Motor Retail What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? It will be outside of my comfort zone being a contestant so I hope to walk away with the ability to be spontaneous as you will be expected to perform impromptu tasks and respond to impromptu questions. As you would be in a team I would like to be a better and more tolerant team player as everyone will have different backgrounds and ability skills. Edition 4 2015 16 www.MPSAmag.com Name: Rene Roberts-Patel Age: 38 Employee: Self Employed What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? Being a team player and going in knowing that all the contestants and finalists are in the same position as me, and that we all are winners. I firmly believe that knowledge is power, and to get given the opportunity to be part of the Mrs SA women's movement is and will be a honour in itself, as not only will I gain and learn so much from other women in similar, happy marriage lives, with kids, but also from their life experiences and what made them who they are today. Name: Riandi Conradie Age: 27 Employee: Cientele Life What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? As a Mrs SA Finalist, I would like to focus on enhancing the objectives of the Mrs SA brand, one of them being women empowerment, and supporting CANSA. As a business woman, I want to help empower previously disadvantaged women in rural areas, by providing them with general as well as etiquette training. I would also like to focus on young girls and developing them into future business women in fields that are originally seen as male dominated like the IT industry. I am excited to support CANSA, as I have lost my godfather to cancer and so it is close to my heart. Name: Roxy Zowitsky Age: 32 Employee: Self Employed What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I really feel like I have lost my mojo as a woman.....being a wife (which I love) and being a mother (which I also love ) has just sucked the life out of me, I want to rediscover myself and not just be a wife and a mommy. I want to be a woman on a mission with the confidence to match. I want my husband to look at me and burst with pride and I want my daughters to look at me and think, "I want to be like mommy!" After attending the workshop I realised that this was exactly the kind of movement I need to become a part of. " Name: Shoni Mulaudzi Age: 34 Employee: Self Employed What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I hope that I can learn a lot from the other contestants, and visa versa, experiences that I'll take home with and share with others even after the Mrs SA competition. Seeing that one of the sponsors is CANSA I'm hoping as a contestant I can assist with the awareness campaign especially amongst the women and men who don't know what cancer is, by educating them to go to the doctor for a general check up every year, this I will continue with even after the Mrs SA competition, helping others is one of my passions. Edition 4 2015 17 www.MPSAmag.com Name: Sylana Brink Age: 35 Employee: Nimue Skin Technology What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? I truly believe that God has a calling for everyone...a uniqueness! I strive to gain and share as much knowledge, experience, personal growth, emotionally and intellectually in order to equip me to be the best version of me and to add value on this journey. There is also so much value for me to spend time with ladies who share the same vision and to stand together to make a change. Name: Thando Mbele-Sibotshiwe Age: 32 Employee: Self Employed What do you hope to achieve as a Mrs South Africa contestant? Being a contestant is symbolic of how far I have come as a person. To enter, demonstrates to me, my victory over the circumstances and challenges I have faced as a young woman, wife and mother. Years ago, I had to dig deep to find the true light that was hidden in the vast darkness and emptiness. Entering this competition shows that the light is beaming through, and there is joy unspeakable coming from deep within me. Me being a contestant must give hope to other women, that one day they too will let their light shine, just by believing. To avoid pre-competition jitters, you need a pageant check list to ensure everything is ready before the big day. A pageant tool kit is an absolute must and is something every pageant competitor should have. One important thing to remember is to keep this kit for pageantry purposes only. Do not be tempted to dig into your pageant kit for a lip gloss or a set of false nails when you’re at home as you will forget to replace it and come pageant day, you will be sitting without the item you might need most. Extra Makeup Clothing Hair Grooming DESTINATION TYPE OF EVENT ORGANISER’S CELL NUMBER LOCAL WEATHER Nail file & clippers Nail polish & remover Extra false nails & glue Tweezers Feminine products Cotton swabs & balls Ear buds Facecloth & loofah Deodorant (clear) Perfume Talcum powder Body wash Breath mints Toothpicks & floss Toothbrush Tooth paste Sunscreen Razor & shaving cream Body lotion Spray on tan Brush Dry shampoo Bobby pins Hairspray/mousse/gel Teasing comb Curling/straightening iron Hair dryer Roller clips Ponytail holders Clips Hairnet Shower cap Arrival outfit Formal outfit Interview outfit Other competition outfits Swimwear Cover-up Coat Garment bags Stockings Accessories Jewellery Shoes National costume Talent outfit Sheet for the floor Matching warm coat Underwear Bathrobe Slippers Pyjamas Makeup Makeup remover Cosmetic brushes Cosmetic sponges Fake lashes Acne treatment Facial wipes Facial cleanser Toner Moisturiser Primer Finishing spray Sunglasses Camera with batteries Emergency cash Gel shoe insoles Journal Cell phone & charger iPod & iPad charger Gift for host Fees Admission ticket/s Paperwork Directions Sewing needles & cotton Small scissors Safety pins Extra buttons, sequins, etc. Pain killers i.e. Panado Cough drops Eye drops Plasters (various sizes) Towels Hand held mirror Double sided tape Two & three-pin plugs Portable iron Dress rail Umbrella Extension cord Snacks & water Pen & notebook Insect repellent Books & magazines Press release to [email protected] Photographs Thank you cards Social media update If you are doing a pageant that requires you to wear multiple outfits, it is a good idea to take along a dress rail as well as a portable wardrobe. Once you get to the event, you can quickly iron anything that has creased in transit and then hang everything up neatly. You can also place all your items, including shoes and cosmetics on the various shelves in the portable wardrobe so that you know where everything is when you have to do quick multiple changes. You can lock up this wardrobe and know that all your items are safe while you are on the ramp. Edition 4 2015 20 www.MPSAmag.com Werner Wessels, personal stylist to Rolene Strauss, Miss World 2014, tells MPSAmag readers what we can all learn from pageants. My journey into this awe inspiring world of pageants began as a young boy. Come December, my mom and I would be glued to the television screen as we watched the most prestigious pageant in South Africa live. I have vivid memories of running out of the room just before they announced the winner, I simply couldn’t process the overwhelming emotions and auditory overload of cheering as the crowds celebrated our new Miss SA queen. It remains one of my happiest childhood memories. At such a young age I was enthralled by these beautiful women, they seemed to float above the stage in gorgeous gowns with megawatt smiles to complement the glamour of the crowning night, little did I know what a big affect these "glamazons" would have on my life at a later stage. As I got older I started to realise the magnitude of a pageant such as Miss SA. It was so much more than those floating women in glittering ball gowns. If I had to sum up these women in one word it would be - INSPIRING. In a world where so much focus is placed on ordinary people doing mundane things and getting worldwide fame and recognition for it (yes, I’m looking at you Kim Kardashian), the importance of beauty queens and what they represent has solidified itself in my mind. That is partly why I decided at a young age that I wanted to be a part of this incredible world which many people dismiss as being frivolous and degrading to women. NOT TRUE, if you are one of those sceptics, please feel free to read on... Yes, they do walk around in swimsuits flicking their hair and flashing whiter than white smiles (I challenge you to try doing that in 6 inch heels before you criticise), but there is so much more to them than the “on stage” aspect. Now, I know that the first argument is always, "Why should women be judged on how they look?” My rebuttal to that is next time you see a beautiful woman walking down the street, don’t look at her and don’t even think about her glossy hair or her endlessly long legs, after all you will be participating in the same ritual you seek to condone. Women are glorious, elegant and stunning so why shouldn’t their beauty be celebrated? Beauty is and should be appreciated in all aspects of life so why are we having such a hard time digesting this issue? Yes, they have to measure up to a certain standard but show me a sport where that is not the case (and yes, you read that right - I said sport). Pageant contestants need to be committed, dedicated, live a healthy lifestyle, exercise restraint and forethought in what they say and post on social media, develop personal skills, take good care of their bodies, work on their interview skills and presentations, and decide on which charities and causes they would want to promote as a titleholder; the list is endless. In the case of competing in Miss SA, these ladies must do all this before they turn 24! Most 24 year olds can’t even decide if they want Coco Pops or Rice Krispies for breakfast, let alone how they can bring about change and make an impact on the world (but I love you all nonetheless)! Having worked in this industry for the past four years I have met countless young women who only wanted to do one thing - inspire. They are smart, educated, loving, caring and adamant that they can bring about change. They are prepared to work hard for it and they are dedicated beyond measure. Why should their achievements be judged by others as menial because they manage to do this all while wearing a crown on their head? To be perfectly honest, I think every single woman should have a crown on her head, all day every day! In the past four years, over 80% of the ladies who made the finals of Miss SA either had college degrees behind their names or were in the process of obtaining a degree with most of them having started their own NGO’s or other charity driven endeavours, like our current Miss SA, Liesl Laurie. Some have obtained national colours in sports and arts, and represented South Africa internationally in their respective fields. Our reigning Miss World, Rolene Strauss plans to continue her studies towards becoming a doctor after having completed her reign as Miss World, where she has already helped raise over $5 000 000 for underprivileged communities. Miss SA 2012, Marilyn Ramos is giving her testimony in churches all over our beautiful country inspiring our younger generation to have faith and to believe in themselves. I have met so many young girls who look up to these women, they long to take a picture with them and tell them that they wanted to be like them, vowing to work hard in school, keep healthy and active and in turn begin reaching out to those in need, this is the example that these ladies are setting for young people and especially young girls. Now, I don’t know about you but I’d rather have my daughter look up to the likes of Kerishne Naicker (Miss SA 1997) who has helped build over nine tuberculosis centres of excellence, or Basetsana Kumalo (Miss SA 1994) who sits on the board of five companies and has established the Romeo & Basetsana Kumalo Family Foundation which aids in youth development in South Africa, then have them long to be Kim, Khloe or Kourtney. Many former titleholders and finalists have gone on to build their own business empires and national organisations committed to helping others and build a better future for our younger generation, and still some people are shocked that it all started on a pageant stage. During my time working in this industry, I have learnt so much and continue to be inspired daily by designers, coordinators, national directors, former titleholders but most of all those that have yet to win a title; young girls with a dream not just for themselves but for others around them, their families, their friends. It has left me humbled to a point of awe, to watch as these young girls are literally transformed into formidable young women right before my eyes. They are creating and bringing about change in their communities giving hope and turning dreams into realities. They touch the lives of so many who so desperately need their special touch and who really need this beauty in their lives because what these women bring to others is as the cliché says is not just skin deep. Now I’m not trying to convert you into a pageant fanatic, I promise. But the fact is, I’d rather have the children of today look up to positive role models who have focus, commitment and a cause. To see the extent of what can be achieved through their dedication and commitment to be the best they can be, working on their talents and education and taking calculated risks that will make them grow and reach their full potential. And face it, the world is in desperate need of such people. I can’t help but think that maybe out there somewhere a little girl (or boy) was watching the recently concluded Miss SA competition where a young lady from Eldorado Park defied all the odds and took home that illustrious title that would change her life forever! That child must be out there, thinking, maybe one day that could be me too! This industry revolves around celebrating women (and men), of all shapes and sizes… I’m not kidding! You can find any type of pageant, there is even one exclusively for pregnant women (which I don’t recommend you entering) but at the end of the day the core remains the same. Pageants give young people of today a platform where they can express themselves, learn who they are through hard work and commitment to a goal they set for themselves all whilst trying to inspire and change the world one floating glittering gown at a time! Edition 4 2015 22 www.MPSAmag.com 007 Beauty Queens By Shannon Roscher Edition 4 2015 24 www.MPSAmag.com When it comes to the Bond movies, it is inevitable that there will always be a drop dead, gorgeous woman playing the role of either a heroine or a villain, but what makes this even more remarkable is that you would be surprised to learn that the Miss World pageant can boast having the highest number of Bond Girls in either a leading role or brief cameo role in a Bond movie. Take a look at the beautiful Miss World women who appeared in a James Bond movie. Denise Perrier (Miss World 1953) – Diamonds Are Forever The French vixen appeared in Diamonds Are Forever, where she flaunted her vava-voom body briefly. She played Marie, who Sean Connery forced to give up the location of the villain Stavros, after he strangled her with her bra. Claudine Auger (Miss World 1958 - 1st Runner Up) – Thunderball Claudine was Miss France and later the first runner-up at Miss World 1958. She played the role of Domino, an Italian beauty associated with the villain Largo in the film, Thunderball. Lesley Langley (Miss World 1965) – Goldfinger The English beauty from Weymouth had a brief cameo performance in Goldfinger, where she served as a pilot for a globetrotting circus group. Eva Rueber-Staier (Miss World 1969) – The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy This Austrian beauty queen played a recurring role as General Gogol’s assistant Rubelvitch in an astonishing three James Bond movies. Mary Stävin (Miss World 1977) – Octopussy and A View to a Kill This gorgeous blonde from Sweden played two distinct roles in two James Bond movies. She first appeared as one of the Octopussy girls and later as agent Kimberley Jones in A View to a Kill. Michelle Yeoh (Miss World Malaysia 1983 - finalist) – Tomorrow Never Dies Michelle was a Miss World finalist but unfortunately she was unplaced. In 1997, she rose to fame after playing the role of Colonel Wai Lin, a Chinese spy allied with James Bond played by Pierce Brosnan. Halle Berry – (Miss World 1986 - 5th runner-up) – Die Another Day This bombshell is an Academy Award winner actress who was a 5th runner-up at Miss World 1986. She played the role of Jinx, a femme-fatale NSA agent who falls in love with James Bond played by Pierce Brosnan in the movie, Die Another Day in 2002. Edition 4 2015 25 www.MPSAmag.com 5 reasons why you’re not winning the crown… By Baradi Moletsane Edition 4 2015 26 www.MPSAmag.com And the winner of 2015’s Miss Beauty and Brains of the Universe is…not you. It’s bad enough that you didn’t even make it into the top five, now you’re forced to stand up straight on stage, smile from ear to ear and pretend to ignore the fact that your heart just dropped into your stomach from disappointment. It’s okay to feel the way that you’re feeling, it really is because you win some you lose some right? You can do this, you really can. You just need to go back to the beauty pageant drawing board and come to terms with the fact that maybe there’s something you might not be getting right in this pageantry game… Because MPSAmag always wants you to be the master of your fortes, we’ve come up with five reasons why you might not be winning in the pageant world. You’re lacking some confidence I’ve gone to numerous pageants, some where I’ve seen the most awkward looking women being crowned the winner and think to myself… “There’s no way in hell this person could have won by a fair chance, one of the judges is probably her boyfriend’s best friend’s sister.” Until after careful observation, I’ve come to realise that the title holder’s confidence trumped all the other women’s attributes. Being confident is probably one of the most crucial attributes you can possess in this industry. When you’re confident, you own the world. When you own the world, you can be anything. You can win anything. your physical attributes and what you have to say. It really is psychological, a locking of the eyes can be all you need to understand someone and through this, judges can determine whether you are confident, capable or if you have the fitting characteristics for the role. You’re not choosing the right attire How do you pick your outfits for the various pageant categories? The garments that you wear to pageants play an integral part in the entire process. Don’t underestimate the importance and impact of aesthetics, remember that you are judged first on how you look before you make an impression with your personality. As a woman, it’s important for you to know which kind of items flatter your frame and which don’t. Also, because you’re a pageant title aspirant, you need to know what kind of garments work perfectly for the industry. Surf the net and see which trends are popular right now, or ask a professional in this line of work to assist. Whatever you do, don’t just walk into a store and assume that because you like a specific item, everyone else will like it. Perhaps this industry is just not cut out for you… I hate to be the bearer of bad news but perhaps it’s time you realised that not everyone was cut out for the pageant industry. It’s a hard pill to swallow and sadly, we can’t always have it our way. However, rest easy knowing that there are so many other things that you’re probably the master of, perhaps you should look into that and make a conscious effort to work towards improving your other talents. You’re not practicing enough We’re often told that we shouldn’t rehearse for these kind of things because judges can smell inauthenticity from a mile away right? Wrong. Don’t believe everyone that tells you that being natural will always afford you the title. This is going to be a hard pill to swallow but some judges who are seated on the panel are seeking something that’s really close to perfection, only two out of the six judges will score you high because they believed that you were natural and that you weren’t trying too hard. Many judges won’t admit this but subconsciously, when we want to distinguish if something is the best, we look for perfection and avoid something that is flawed. Think about it… You’re failing to make eye contact Doesn’t sound too important does it? Well it is, they say that the eyes tell it all. And guess what, they do. The minute the judges look into your eyes, they can already tell if you were cut out for this thing or not. What you need to understand is that they see it all in your eyes before they do in Edition 4 2015 27 www.MPSAmag.com Beauty pageants that enable the disabled Edition 4 2015 28 www.MPSAmag.com By Roeline van Eck We all know that pageantry is a showcase for beauty, charisma and talent. It’s about your assets (mostly your looks) being rewarded and celebrated. Prizes aren’t given to those who don’t fit the bill. Criteria is in place and the judges will score you accordingly. So what if you don’t fit the standard pageantry bill for beauty? We’re not talking about meeting the height and weight requirements. What if you have a disability or if you had an illness that has made an impact on your appearance? Surely all people need to have the opportunity to take part in pageantry – even if they don’t fit the standard beauty mould? The good news is, there are pageants that have been established for individuals with disabilities and who are challenged in some way. The bad news on the other hand – not many of these are found in South Africa. The USA is leading the way when it comes to disabled pageants. Competitions like Miss Amazing, Miss Abilities, and Miss Wheelchair have all been created to rework the standards of beauty and to give these deserving ladies a chance to celebrate their uniqueness. The Miss Amazing pageant, for one, is aimed at affording girls and young women with disabilities the opportunity to build self-confidence in a supportive environment. The atmosphere of this competition pageants centres on building encouragement and support, to Edition 4 2015 encourage further inclusion for individuals with special needs and get their community excited about their achievements also. Interestingly, the pageant was not started by someone who comes from a disabled background. Established by Jordan Somers, who has been passionate about pageantry since the age of seven, the Miss Amazing pageant only came into being after her work at the Special Olympics. After seeing how these participants let their abilities take centre stage so that they could accomplish their goals, the need to create a pageant that would enrich the lives of people with disabilities was identified and had to be created, disability pageants admirably promote beauty, accomplishment, and success, they are still regarded as niche events, to be promoted to special audiences only. Can we ever really change our perceptions on beauty? Why do all countries not have these pageants as standard requirements? Imagine the change that could be created if more people treated disabled persons like they are worthy of crowns. In 2007, Somers made use of the experience she had to host the first annual Miss Amazing pageant in Nebraska. To date, the mission has spread across the US and is growing rapidly as more people realise the importance of affording those with disabilities a chance. While these types of pageants operate at being a bit gentler on participants, they should not be seen as pity parties. Entrants still need to complete walks on the ramp, undergo interviews and showcase their talents, to ensure a fair competition. The sad thing, however (aside from the African continent not really being prone to hosting pageants for disabled persons) is that people with disabilities remain highly stigmatised and segregated. Although the existing 29 www.MPSAmag.com Making beauty titles work for YOU and for CHARITY Winning a beauty pageant and a title is one thing but maintaining and upholding your title like a true beauty queen extends beyond just the crowning moment. This statement rings very true for a few young ladies who recently embarked on a life changing experience where they got the opportunity to represent their country at the Little Miss World/Globe & Miss Teen World pageant in Turkey in May. Having won the titles of Little Miss World SA – Kayleigh Swiegers; Miss Mini Teen SA Eastern Cape – Kayla Loock; Miss Teen Africa – Katlego Ncala; and Miss 7 Continents SA – Belinda Schreuder, these four young ladies jetted off to Bodrum in Turkey, where they competed against contestants from all around the world to win their prestigious international titles. Kayleigh was crowned as Little Miss Globe; Kayla was awarded as Photo Model of the World and Best of the Best; Belinda won 2nd Princess for Photo Model of the World while Katlego walked away with the titles of Photo Model of the Globe, Best Talent as well as the Miss Teen World title. Carrying a title that has merit can offer huge opportunities to the titleholder. This was recently proved when Katlego, Miss Teen Africa 2014 and Miss Teen World 2015, received a personal invitation from President Jacob Zuma to be one of his special guests at the Africa Day Celebrations that was televised to the country. Edition 4 2015 30 www.MPSAmag.com Katlego was seen dancing with the First Lady and having official photographs taken with many dignitaries at this event. She was also nominated by Anusha Singh of the IIWNF as one of her official ambassadors and ‘Kat’ as she is fondly known in the industry, is now seeing just how influential carrying a prestigious title can be. Since winning her Miss Teen Africa title and in addition to attending important events with leading dignitaries, Kat has done several interviews with television stations, radio stations and news media. This is not because she is ‘lucky’ but rather because she and her parents made a concerted effort to win a title of substance and to use it to not only open doors for Katlego, but to also help the disadvantaged or those in desperate need of help. You can follow Katlego with her duties as Miss Teen Africa / Miss Teen World on her official public figure page on face book: Katlego Ncala Miss Teen Africa 2014 “In less than a month another lucky girl will get the amazing opportunity to become the New Miss Teen Africa 2015, and experience the same path that I went through! The glitz, the Glam, the opportunity to represent South Africa on a world stage most importantly to make a difference,” – Kaltego Ncala Winning a title should not only be a case of going to a pageant, winning the title, sash and crown and going home with the next pageant already in mind. It should be about entering a pageant that has a reputable title and a title with which you can make a name for yourself, whilst at the same time doing your duty of getting involved with charities. The more doors you open for yourself with your title, the more people in need you will be able help. Therefore, before you run headlong into your next 20 pageants for the year, think carefully about the money you will spend on seemingly unknown titles and rather place your efforts into winning a title that will help you to realise your long term goals. “Beauty with a purpose” is the slogan used by Miss World and when you see the doors that fly open for Rolene Strauss and the resultant charity that follows, then you will understand the importance of carrying a worthy title. To put it into perspective, in the short time that Rolene has held the title of Miss World, she has already helped raise over $5 000 000 (R55 million) for underprivileged communities. Edition 4 2015 31 www.MPSAmag.com Edition 4 2015 32 www.MPSAmag.com When we read or hear any news about the pageant industry, it usually is a glamorous tale about beautiful women wearing remarkable dresses, who politely battle it out on stage for the number one spot. But every now and again we get startled by some news that the queen-B had a little bit more than pageantry dresses in her closet. MPSAmag gives you a quick rundown of five pageantry scandals that have raised more than just a few eyebrows... Some of them might be before your time, but will make you think twice before you add an extra year to your age, tick that single box while hubby is holding your hand, or share that raunchy picture with the boy next door. 5. College over crown Starting at number five, is the dethroning of Miss Universe 2002. Oxana Fedorova’s title was taken from her when she failed to perform the duties expected from her as a Miss Universe. The reason for her not owning up to her duties? Well, she clearly had a lot on her mind She claimed that all the responsibilities interfered with her university studies, which she wasn't willing to put on hold for the year of reign. She should have thought about that before she entered, just saying. 4. When photos leak Coming in at number four, is Miss Nevada USA 2007, Katie Rees. This beauty’s “not so pageantry approved” nude photos leaked onto MySpace and she was forced to return her crown. Katie was clearly a good girl gone bad, because she soon found herself on the wrong side of the law, when an altercation with a cop got her arrested in 2008. 3. Penthouse called… Stumbling in humiliatingly at number three is singer Vanessa Williams, the first ever African American Miss America. Vanessa’s past caught up with her and her victory short lived after Penthouse magazine, and no not the one that advertise property in Leisure Bay, published some sleazy photos taken several years before. Ouch… 2. Mom-in-law strikes back And then there's Leona Gage, Miss USA 1957. She was stripped of her crown just a day after she won her title, after her mother-in-law revealed that she was married with two children and that she was actually 18 and not 21 as she claimed on her application. They say you must keep your friends close and enemies closer...Take about perpetuating the stigma that mother-in-laws dislike their daughter-in-laws. 1. From Miss to Mommy Then finally taking the number one spot, (drum roll please), is Ashley Harder. Miss USA 2007 was stripped of her title after she fell pregnant during her reign. The Miss USA clearly state that they don’t allow contestants to compete in the pageant if they are pregnant or have children. This just goes to show that even a little white lie can turn into the dirtiest laundry. Rather be honest and win with grace. Edition 4 2015 33 www.MPSAmag.com SCENE & HEARD Edition 4 2015 34 www.MPSAmag.com It’s a good enough reason to brag! Who said pageantry wasn’t a dirty business? The Ms SA National Pageant clearly making waves… Yip, we’re with you on that one Chantelle! We agree Claudia, the pics Kevin Mark Pass took of Liesl are gorgeous! Edition 4 2015 35 www.MPSAmag.com Miss World Diaries Glamour Magazine's most GLAMOURous Women event is an event I always love attending. It was one of the first events I attended as Miss South Africa in 2014 and it was so lovely attending it for the third time; this time as Miss World 2014 Third time lucky they say.. ;-) Edition 4 2015 36 www.MPSAmag.com Glamour to me is not what you look like, what you have achieved or how others see you. I see glamour as knowing that you were made for greatness and with that in mind, constantly working towards the best, greatest you. The event reminded me that dreams do come true; from Miss South Africa to Miss World. We celebrated women of South Africa who believe in themselves, and see themselves worthy of succeeding in what they do. I feel honoured to have been chosen among them. You are GLAMOUROUS, you are made for greatness, you are worthy of every good thing that comes your way! Source: www.missworld.org Edition 4 2015 37 www.MPSAmag.com After her mixed-race friend committed suicide, Ariana Miyamoto who turned 21 in May, entered the Miss Universe Japan beauty contest to come to terms with the death. The emotional trauma she suffered with the loss of her friend, made her even more determined to fight for a cause that also affects her directly - racial equality. Ariana is the daughter of a Japanese mother and a black American father, making her a target of racial abuse, especially after winning the Miss Universe Japan title in March. Even though she knew that this kind of reaction would hurt her feelings, Miyamoto said that she prepared herself for the media and public’s backlash. It was never her intention to win the title, but more to raise awareness of racial inequality. Miyamoto was bullied as a schoolgirl growing up near Nagasaki. Says Miyamoto: "I used to get bullied as a kid but I've got mentally stronger, to protect myself." Her victory opened a can of worms when critics took to social media platforms to express their disapproval of her winning the title. The title should have gone to someone who according to them is “pure” Japanese. Miyamoto is known in Japanese culture as a “haafu”, a term that describes a person of mix race, which means half. She said that her title now gives her a great opportunity to send a message as the first black Miss Universe Japan. Newly Crowned Miss Universe finalist not so BIG in Japan Edition 4 2015 38 She says she looks up to model Naomi Campbell who also had to endure racial discrimination when she first started out her modeling career. "I'd like to use my position to become a leader. I'm like a sponge always absorbing new things. But I haven't thought too deeply about politics yet. It's still a bit early to think about becoming Prime Minister!" she joked. This tall and caramel skinned beauty certainly turns heads in Japan, and even though she is not considered a “pure” Japanese, she remains proud of her heritage. By Yolande Swanepoel www.MPSAmag.com Qantas announces supermodel Jessica Hart as trend consultant Edition 4 2015 40 www.MPSAmag.com Qantas Airways is teaming up with international supermodel and businesswoman Jessica Hart to connect what’s trending in fashion to what Qantas customers can experience in-flight and on the ground. The Australian-born, New York-based model will become a Trend Consultant to Qantas, in an arrangement that will draw on her knowledge of global fashion and lifestyle trends to work on projects benefiting Qantas Frequent Flyers. The first of these projects will see Qantas and Hart work with leading Australian scarf designers, Bird and Knoll, to nominate a destination that “Feels Like Home” off the back of the recent Qantas advertising campaign. The destination will be photographed and produced into a limited edition exclusive Bird and Knoll scarf. Qantas Group Executive Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Olivia Wirth, said the airline is excited to be working with Bird and Knoll and Jessica Hart to ensure Qantas continues to innovate when it comes to travel and style. “Qantas has a long history of being fashion forward, from our early uniform designs to our current Martin Grant designed outfits, our Kate Spade amenity kits and our award-winning Marc Newson designed Lounges and aircraft interiors,” she said. About Jessica Hart Born in Sydney, raised in Melbourne and now based in New York City, Supermodel Jessica Hart is known for her gap toothed smile and effortless style. Discovered at the age of 14 at a shopping centre in eastern Melbourne, Jessica has forged one of the most successful careers of any Australian model. Jessica has featured on the cover of numerous magazines including Vogue and GQ and has appeared in fashion campaigns for iconic global brands including Guess, Banana Republic, Saks Fifth Avenue and Victoria’s Secret. Jessica is currently the face of Australian fashion brand Portmans, and has recently launched her own cosmetic range LUMA. “Jessica will bring a fresh eye to some terrific initiatives we are looking at and bring extra style to the Qantas travel experience, starting with the exclusive Bird and Knoll scarves.” “While the scarf is the ideal fashion travel accessory, it will also promote the unique beauty of Australia, and as the country’s national carrier, we take great pride in flying the flag for home-grown fashion designers, destinations and talent.” Jessica Hart said she has spent her fair share of time in airport lounges and on Qantas aircraft flying around the world, and is excited to combine her love of flying with her love of fashion. About Bird&Knoll The meeting of a fashion mind and a creative eye Bird and Knoll was founded by Macayla Chapman and Natalie Knoll in 2013. Inspired by their love of accessories and travel, they have created a signature brand of luxury scarves using the softest cashmere blend as the “canvas” for their artistic photographic narratives of global destinations, including Bondi Icebergs, the alleyways of Hong Kong and the streets of San Francisco. Stockists include David Jones and www.husk.com.au The scarves are favoured by celebrities including Lindy Klim, Rachel Hunter and Lisa Wilkinson. Further information on Bird and Knoll is available at www.birdandknoll.com Edition 4 2015 “Having travelled as much as I have to so many cities, I can honestly say it has inspired my sense of style,” Hart commented. “I love expressing myself through fashion and I believe style evolves as a result of different experiences and travel is a gateway to those experiences. “I am really excited about partnering with Qantas. Contributing to travel style is something I have always dreamed of so I am excited it’s becoming a reality. I already have a number of ideas I can’t wait to share with the Qantas team.” 41 www.MPSAmag.com By Roeline van Eck It’s time to drop the Edition 4 2015 PLUS 42 www.MPSAmag.com In the modelling industry size always counts. It is a requirement and standard that to be a model you not only need to have the right look, but also have the right number. The right size number that is. The term for a plus-size model has also been synonymously referred to as ‘full-figured model’, ‘extendedsizes model’, and ‘outsize model’. Even the term ‘large size model’ has frequently been used. It seems that the concept started in the early 1900’s when Lane Bryant, a clothing producer, started selling clothing under the category 'For the Stout Woman'. Initially the earliest catalogues made use of illustrations to showcase the merchandise, but after photographs were integrated into catalogues (thanks to improvements in printing) and the industry started to evolve, Bryant started making use of curvier models to give more life to her outfits. Initially those who were interested in modelling for this category had to freelance directly with retailers and magazines. It was only in the 1970’s where things started changing and plus size models started being represented by agencies. While great strides have been made to provide a platform for models, who many like to refer to as having the bodies of ‘real women’, controversy is still rife over the classification of these models. While it is fine to classify modelling based on age, should this distinction be made between shape and size? Launched by Curvy Kate, a popular lingerie and swimwear retailer for ladies with cup sizes D to K, the competition looks for ladies of all sizes, ages, frames and heights to enter to form part of their catalogues. All of the models seen in their brochures are discovered through this annual competition and the ultimate aim is to showcase relatable role models and promote a positive approach to body image. While some retailers are celebrating curves and more models launching and building on successful careers in the plus industry, others are not as enthusiastic about the stigma and ‘discrimination’ that goes with it. In February 2015, Australian model Stefania Ferrario and television presenter Ajay Rochester established a campaign to end the use of the term ‘plus size’, which applies to models who are above a US dress size of four. The campaign was sparked by a picture of Ferrario in her underwear with the words ‘I am a model’ written on her abdomen with the hashtag ‘#droptheplus’. The image was well received by most with positive reactions being expressed in support of the idea. For the most part, the reaction from within the industry has been noticeably more muted, as expected. However, some modelling agencies, such as Models 1 (one of Europe's biggest modelling agencies) have come out in support of this bodypositive movement. Another campaign was launched by Lane Bryant, who established the platform for plus size modelling. In an attempt to redefine the term ‘sexy’, an ad campaign was launched, featuring six famous plus-sized models talking about what they think makes them sexy. The ad ends with a sweet little twist with the models proclaiming ‘I'm no angel’. Of course making a not-so-subtle dig at lingerie brand Victoria's Secret. The campaign has received great support on social media to date with many women taking to Twitter and Instagram to give Lane Bryant's #IMNOANGEL campaign a thumb's up. Women are also posting their own pictures on these sites using the hashtag. With so much support being given the world over, maybe society should redefine their idea of beauty? Wouldn’t you agree that we need to empower each other and show that beauty is not defined by size? Perhaps it’s time to start living outside the tightly closed box of the fashion industry. Although the debates have been ongoing for many years, plus size modelling has been progressing, some pageants and competitions have even been introduced to celebrate curves. Competitions such as ‘Star in a Bra’ is one popular option that is aimed at addressing the public outcry for the use of more realistic images in the media. It’s time to drop the Edition 4 2015 PLUS 43 www.MPSAmag.com Tit for Tat Because Super Tatted Models Do it, Should You? Celebrities like David Beckham, Justin Bieber, Pink, Miley Cyrus and even Reese Witherspoon are known for their love of tattoos. While body art is considered the norm in the entertainment industry, it is still considered a no-no for models. The reasons are quite simple and the realities are quite harsh. Models with a large number of tattoos struggle to get paying jobs because clients don’t want the model to compete with their product. The model is considered the hangar or the prop that shows off the product, which is the star of the shoot. Designers do not want the model’s body art to interfere with the shoot. However, with super models such as Kate Moss showing off her Lucian Freud swallows, Cara Delevingne’s lion on her knuckle making a regular appearance in shoots, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s heart inking making an appearance in Vogue, it seems that tattoos on models no longer carry the stigma it once did. In fact, fashion photographer Christian Saint believes the tattooed model will reign supreme in the future. Check out the Top Ten Tattooed Models that rule the runway: When asked about her tattoo, Kate Moss said, "[Artist Lucian Freud] told me about when he was in the navy, when he was 19 or something, he used to do all of the tattoos for the sailors. And I said, 'Oh my God, that's amazing.' And he went, 'I can do you one. What would you like? Would you like creatures of the animal kingdom?' I mean, it's an original Freud. I wonder how much a collector would pay for that? A few million?" In case you were wondering too, one collector paid over $7 million for Freud’s 2002 nude of Moss, which did not feature the tattoo in question… "It's a shooting star, for my grandmother. She died when I was young. When I first moved to New York, there were no stars in the sky, so to remind me of her I drew one on my wrist and kept it there for a month, and then had someone draw it in, which is why it's a little crooked. It's held up pretty well for 10 years. It helps me to remember her," said Gisele Bündchen of the star tattoo on her wrist. When asked about the lion tattoo on her index finger, Cara Delevingne explained: “I’m a Leo. It’s the first tattoo I got. I grew up being fearless in everything. I just used to climb anything. But, I lost that when I started modelling. When you work a lot and don’t really know what you want, you just do it because the work is there. I lost that inner fire, so I got the lion to bring that back in my mind.” Clearly Chanel Iman didn’t give her tattoo too much thought, which may also be why it is considered the worst in the industry. Her argument, “You put clothes on a hanger, and you put clothes on a model. It represents being a model." Edition 4 2015 44 www.MPSAmag.com Clearly not scared of needles, Freja Beha Erichsen said of her 16 tattoos, "I've never had any issues with it. I think by now it's become a part of my style. I think if you are a brand new model, it might be a bit more difficult for you to get started [with one]." Abbey Lee Kershaw clearly loves her body art. She has an owl on her middle finger, stars behind her ears, a peace sign on the palm of her hand, the word “truth” on the inside of her bottom lip, and the word “index” tattooed on her index finger, just in case she needs a reminder of what it is called. "Let's just say, if I weren’t a model, I'd be a walking collage. I see my body as a blank canvas that's aching to be decorated," she told W Magazine of her collection of talismans, including a skull on her middle finger. Alexander Wang’s on-off muse, Erin Wasson has never shied away from a tattoo and admits that there is no grand design behind her body art creative. She told The Gloss, “I’m the girl who just thinks up something as I walk into a tattoo parlour and then I get it an hour later. I believe in ornamentation of the body… I believe if you feel it, you should just do it.” Judging by the number of tattoos she has, Wasson is clearly in touch with her feelings… Australian model, Catherine McNeil allegedly has 108 tattoos, including a slice of pizza and bottle of beer on the bottoms of her feet. The scrawl on her rib cage reads, "The day that I die will be by far the most beautiful day I ever lived." She has said: "[Getting tattoos] is about bringing good energy into my life. They're addictive. Like seriously addictive." Having worked for big brands such as Dolce & Gabana, Versace, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino and Balenciaga, McNeil harbours aspirations to become a tattoo artist. We hope she can spell better than her last tattooist, who inked her left foot: “Life is like a waterfall were (sic) one in the river then one again after the fall.” With a common love for tattoos, it’s no wonder that Cara Delevingne’s and Jourdan Dunn are BFF’s. The two recently decided to get the double Ds tattooed onto their hips as a symbol of their friendship. According to the gossip mongers, Delevingne loves Dunn so much that she asked to marry her and she said yes. DD does not reflect their bust size but came about after the realisation that they’d have to double up their last names. Dunn also has the phrase “you owe it to yourself, set the world on fire” tattooed on the inside of her right arm and the Egyptian goddess Isis inked on her upper back. This one is remarkably similar to the one that Rihanna has under her breasts. Who’s got who’s heart… Best known as a spokesperson for the French beauty brand Lancôme, Canadian model Daria Werbowy has seven tattoos which includes a stylised snake and a wave on her foot and a script on her neck, but it’s the anchors on each hand that memorialise her sailing across the Atlantic in 2008. While the nautical tattoos are symbolic of her passion for sailing, her other tattoos such as the writing on the back of her neck and the ink behind her ear, are yet to be decrypted because Werbowy prefers to keep the meaning a secret. Edition 4 2015 45 www.MPSAmag.com An App to help you with modelling poses, confidence and safety Edition 4 2015 46 www.MPSAmag.com These are three vital aspects a photographic model should be aware of: poses, confidence and safety. Dawid Roux of Dawid Roux Photography has just the right Android app to keep you in the loop. You can download it FOR FREE at http://dawidroux.com/apps it is mobile phone, tablet and PC friendly. Striking a Pose You’ve booked the job but you’re quite nervous that you may let the client down if you don’t strike the right pose. So why not use the App practice before the shoot? But don’t simply copy a pose, use it as your guide and add some imagination. 10 Safety Rules There are many people walking this planet with a camera around their necks. That doesn’t mean they are all professional photographers. But how would you know? Some are just trying their luck and others could be dangerous. This doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream. Just set up a few ground rules for yourself: 1. Choose your photographer wisely – especially if it’s your first professional shoot. You have the right to check out his (or her) experience. Does he have a website – and not one that is registered with a funny, long, free domain name or Hotmail address. Check it out and see what type of work he does and what type of models he attracts. Edition 4 2015 2. Warning lights should flicker if a photographer offers to do a professional shoot free of charge “to build his portfolio”. What experienced, professional photographer would offer a shoot for free? Unless it’s a good friend or a trusted family member, stay away! Rather pay a professional, and remember, the cheapest option is not always the best option. 3. Discuss the shoot before booking an appointment. Tell the photographer what you have in mind, and make sure he knows exactly what you’re prepared to do and what not BEFORE the shoot. Don’t let some dodgy guy smooth talk you out of your clothes when you’re on the spot. If you feel uncomfortable during the shoot – SAY SO. Never do anything you don’t want to! 4. Can some of my friends come with? No, it’s not a party but do bring one good friend or trusted family member with to help you and relax. A boyfriend or girlfriend is usually not a good choice, because they might affect the atmosphere. 5. Always sign a model release form before the shoot. It’s in your best interest and the photographer’s. Don’t forget to bring your ID, passport or driver’s license as a form of legal identification. 6. If you’re under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian 47 with to sign the model release form. NEVER spend time alone with a photographer. A photographer who puts himself in this position is a fool. This is not negotiable! According to law, the minimum clothing for children under 18 is *swimwear or lingerie presented in a nonprovocative way. 7. Make sure someone knows where you are. Give somebody your cell number and the time and place of the shoot. Keep your cell phone on during the shoot. It can be disruptive, but your safety comes first! 8. Inspect the changing area. Look out for hidden cameras. Many “nice guys” have been caught before. Make sure you get away and report the “photographer” to the police. It’s important to have a witness, which is yet another reason not to do a shoot alone. 9. Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right. Pack up and leave – rather be safe than sorry. *Although posing in lingerie is accepted by law for children under 18, it’s not recommended and most respectable photographs would never accept such an assignment. Dawid Roux is a photographer in Johannesburg and can be reached at http://dawidroux.com. www.MPSAmag.com Edition 4 2015 48 www.MPSAmag.com The celeb world is full of influential people. Whether they have made a meaningful contribution to their industry, or society at all as a matter of fact, there is no denying that celebs have a great deal of pulling power. You only need to look at their followers on social media sites to know how great an impact they make. Consider this, Katy Perry has a following of a whopping 69,332,630 Twitter fans. The population in France is just shy of this amount. Following her lead is Justin Bieber with 63,319,291 followers and then Barack Obama with 58,857,454. If these people have such appeal, imagine what their followers are willing to do to be just like them… In many instances these wannabe tendencies usually turn bad. Just ask Kylie Jenner. Yes, we know you must be sick to death about hearing what the Kardashians are up to, but in Kylie’s instance, fan fanatics are going one step too far. The youngest Kardashian sister, daughter of Kris and Bruce Jenner, has been a hot topic after having a remarkable, and sudden, transformation. Over the past year, the world has noted how Jenner has been sporting fuller, perkier lips and how some of her facial features had even been enhanced for her to look more ‘Kardashian-like’. Jenner has been bashing the rumours, claiming that her changed appearance was as a result of her maturing and because she finally learned how to do her makeup right. Some of her fans have remained a little too loyal to her and felt that by enhancing their own lips they would look more like the reality star. After all, if she can achieve a look without surgery, surely everyone can? And so the #KylieJennerChallenge was born. And no, it does not involve plastic surgery or expert make up techniques. Crazed followers have been giving themselves fuller lips by placing a shooter glass over their lips and sucking the air out – basically creating a vacuum. So what actually happens? Once the air is sucked out of the glass, negative pressure from the suctioning is created. This causes “vessel engorgement,” meaning your blood vessels fill with blood. In the blood a mix of chemicals is then released that then flood your soft tissue to give the lips a swollen appearance. While the exercise seems harmless enough, it is very easy to break the fragile blood vessels around the lip area. This can often result in bruising, tearing and not to mention horrible looking lips. While Jenner has addressed this extreme that her fans are going through with a simple; “I'm not here to try and encourage people/young girls to look like me or to think this is the way they should look” - the craziness persists. Yes, celebs can’t be blamed for their fans doing stupid things, but surely they could do more to use their platforms of influence to make a positive impact? In this instance, the 17 year old Jenner has a golden opportunity to actually be a role model. Aside from this, she really might be the only person to put a stop to this silly behaviour. Whether she sees it in this light remains to be seen… By Roeline van Eck Gisele calls it a day By Karen Cooper Edition 4 2015 50 www.MPSAmag.com She has been named the world’s top model, been on the cover of leading fashion magazines, walked the runway for Victoria Secret to Christian Dior, was named sexiest girl in the world, all this in just over 20 years. Having become a household name, Gisele Bündchen was one of the first Brazilian models to strike international success in the late 1990s. It all started at a young age when she enrolled in a modelling course with her sisters. A year later she was discovered by a modelling agency while on a school outing and took part in the Elite Look of the Year competition where she came second. Bündchen got her big break in 1996 where she walked the catwalk in New York City in her very first Fashion Week. She then continued to take over the modelling world by modelling for Alexander McQueen and posing as the cover girl for British Vogue. Soon she became the most in-demand cover girl of her generation with 10 covers in less than four years. 2004 saw Bündchen setting off her acting career after playing a bank robber for the film Taxi and then in 2006 got a minor role in The Devil Wears Prada. Behind this beautiful face is a generous heart as well. She has donated over $150,000 to Brazil’s Zero Hunger program, raised money for cancer research and treatment, as well as donated a cheque for $1 million to the Tohku earthquake and tsunami fund. In 2011, Bündchen was added to a list of celebs who made the largest donations to charity called ‘The Giving Back Fund List’ and was ranked number 15 on Forbes’s 30 most generous celebrities. Now wife and mother to two beautiful children, Bündchen has finally taken off the modelling hat and bowed goodbye to the runway. Although she has retired from modelling, we are sure this is not the last we have heard about this Brazilian beauty. Never one to shy away from making headlines, here are Gisele’s top 3 news making moments Bündchen’s career was in full swing after being contracted by Victoria’s Secret and shared the honour of being one of the elite four models ever to be on the cover of Rolling Stone. 1. The announcement of her relationship with American actor Leonardo DiCaprio 2. A picture she loaded on social media with her breastfeeding her 1 year old daughter 3. The night she wore the most expensive Victoria's Secret Fantasy bra of all time, the "Red Hot Fantasy Bra", worth $15 million Things didn’t stop there... In 2000, she opened shows for for Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana for who she later become the face of the brand’s fragrance. Edition 4 2015 51 www.MPSAmag.com TYPE OF EVENT (Complete details below) Nail file, clippers & tweezers Clean nails free from polish Nail polish remover Extra false nails & glue Feminine products Cotton swabs & balls Ear buds Facecloth & loofah Deodorant (clear) Perfume Talcum powder Body wash Breath mints Toothpicks & floss Toothbrush Tooth paste Sunscreen Razor & shaving cream Body lotion Spray on tan Brush Clean hair & dry shampoo Bobby pins Hairspray/mousse/gel Teasing comb Curling/straightening iron Hair dryer Roller clips Ponytail holders Clips Hairnet Shower cap Nude strapless bra & thong Black strapless bra & thong Nude heels Black heels & pumps Wear loose fitting clothes Loose fitting sweat pants Loose fitting T-shirt White ankle socks Black leggings Black sheer stockings Nude sheer stockings Black opaque tights Bathrobe Props i.e. hats & scarves Jewellery & accessories Garment bags Makeup Makeup remover Cosmetic brushes Cosmetic sponges Fake lashes Acne treatment Facial wipes Facial cleanser Toner Moisturiser Primer Finishing spray Sunglasses Camera with batteries Emergency cash Gel shoe insoles Pain killers i.e. Panado Cell phone & charger iPod & iPad charger Gift for host Towels Hand held mirror Eye drops Snacks, water & straw Pen & notebook Safety pins Plasters (various sizes) Two & three-pin plugs Insect repellent Double sided tape Directions / Address Paperwork i.e. contacts Good attitude Professionalism Sense of personality Be well groomed A smile Clear skin Toned body Be yourself Extras Makeup Clothing Hair Grooming DESTINATION (Complete details below) Edition 4 2015 ORGANISER’S NAME & CELL NUMBER 52 www.MPSAmag.com LOCAL WEATHER “I don’t lift weights, because I don’t want to look manly.” Does this sound familiar? If not then you have either not been to the gym in a while, or you no longer call earth your home. Bulking is one of the most overused and commonly misunderstood words in the fitness industry, and probably a fitness professional’s biggest pet peeve, especially amongst female athletes. So what is this buzz everyone is referring to? It’s BULKING - a process commonly used in order to gain weight. It is mainly used by bodybuilders in their off-season, but any fitness enthusiast can use this method in an attempt to build muscle mass. This is achieved by following a very strict diet over a certain period, consisting of meals that are high in protein and contain complex carbs i.e. rice, pasta, oats, etc. While the major contributor for muscle growth is testosterone, the word often conjures up images of men, beards and big muscles. This principal male hormone enhances muscle growth, which is why men build faster and bigger muscles than women ever will. While women also produce testosterone, their production is substantially lower than that of males, but does this mean that women can’t build muscle? Of course not, women can build muscle but not as excessively without increasing their testosterone levels. Busting the bulk myth One can almost compare this with a car. Any car, whether you put on bigger tyres, add a turbo or other nifty performance enhancement gadgets, will still be the same car. It will be a bit faster, look and sound better but won’t suddenly be suitable for a Grand Prix race. The same applies to weight training. You’re physically going to feel stronger, have more energy, and increase your athletic capabilities, but will not become a bulging bodybuilder. So ladies, embrace the iron the next time you go the gym. Not only does it have physical benefits, but it is a great mood enhancer as well. By Yolande Swanepoel Edition 4 2015 54 www.MPSAmag.com Jennifer Nicole Lee Busts 7 Fitness Myths By Shannon Roscher Fitness model Jennifer Nicole Lee’s story is truly inspiring. She began her journey as an overweight mother of two with an inactive lifestyle. Jennifer had no athletic background whatsoever, and had struggled with her weight her whole life. When Jennifer started her journey she weighed in at around 90 kilograms after the birth of her second child. To ultimately improve her physical and mental health, and become more active with her children, Jennifer decided that a change of lifestyle was needed. So she set about losing weight, with her ultimate goal of entering a bikini contest once she reached her ideal weight. Less than one year after she decided to make her commitment, she entered the ultimate figure competition and was crowned Miss Bikini America 2005. The 36-year-old's personal weight loss journey was anything but easy. She stated that she had to eliminate all the myths and had to get real with herself, as well as all the excuses such as "I don’t have enough time" or "it's expensive to live healthy”. The hardest part of Jennifer’s journey had to be giving herself the gift of time as that’s what she needed the most to see instant results. Her biggest motivation was that she was sick and tired of being a fat mother with little to no energy. Even if your goals aren't to appear on a fitness magazine cover, or to compete in a fitness competition, you can still achieve and enjoy having the body of a fitness model. Let’s take a look at some of the fitness myths that Jennifer has busted: Myth #1 No matter how hard I work or how good I eat - I will NEVER look like a fitness model! FALSE - This was Jennifer’s attitude at over 90 kilograms and now she IS a fitness model! Myth #2 I have to kill myself in the gym training 3 hours a day and eat little to nothing to gain these types of results! FALSE! With the correct eating and fitness programme, you will learn how to work out smarter not harder. With a proper plan, you will learn exactly what to do, and your workouts will last no longer than one hour, 4 to 6 times a week! Myth #3 I would have to buy an expensive gym membership and spend thousands of rands on a personal trainer who is going to kill me in the gym! FALSE! You can achieve that coveted fitness model body, by following a proper home workout, with the correct at home gym equipment. The fact is that you only need five small, easy to put away pieces of equipment. Myth #4 I have to compete on stage or be a fitness competitor to achieve the body of a fitness model. FALSE! You don’t need to put yourself on stage in order to look like you compete! You don’t to have train for a fitness competition to have this sexy strong look. Edition 4 2015 Myth #5 I would have to take steroids to achieve these kinds of results. FALSE! Some coaches or mentors may lead you down this path but be aware that steroids change your entire genetic makeup-with side effects leaving your body scarred Because Jennifer is a natural athlete – she promotes natural athleticism. With the correct diet and exercise program, you can gain the hard ripped muscular look of a fitness model. Myth #6 I would have to hire an expensive nutritionist to create a personalised diet for me to look like a fitness model. FALSE! Nutritionists are not necessary! They do not specialise in sports related athletic goals and objectives. In addition, you will be wasting your time, money and energy listening to a mainstream dietician who really only relies upon the word “diet”. Myth #7 I have to starve myself to look as good as a fitness model. FALSE! With a proper fitness programme you will actually be eating more, and eating more often! You will NEVER go hungry on a fitness plan! 57 www.MPSAmag.com How your muscles can benefit from foam rolling Edition 4 2015 58 www.MPSAmag.com Self-Myofascial Release Technique (SMRT), also known as “foam rolling”, one might say is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but until now it has been a tool only used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts. This technique requires you to do exactly what its name entails, rolling your muscles with a foam roller, on any other object that can fulfil the same function. Sounds like fun right? While it might seem complex and feel a bit awkward and painful for some when they first get started, but once you get rolling and feel the difference in your muscles, you’ll be glad that we invited you to join this party. So how does it work and how does it benefit your muscles? SMRT is a soft tissue therapy treatment for when your skeletal muscles are stiff and in pain. It helps to soothe tensed muscles, improve blood circulation and stretches out your muscles. Almost as if you were like rolling out dough. Many therapists use this massage technique to reduce chronic pain and rehabilitate certain injuries. Edition 4 2015 SMRT can also help relief trigger points formed in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles, bones and joints providing support and protection to the body. Trigger points are suspected to be linked to certain injuries such as tendon and muscle tears. What causes trigger points to form? Some of the probable causes are physical trauma, poor posture, over training, limited rest between training sessions and even nutrient deficiencies might contribute to the formation of trigger points. In order to perform this SMR technique, you will have to purchase a foam roller. They are inexpensive and can be purchased from most outlets that supply fitness gear. This is a great technique to warm up before your exercise and will help your muscles to get the most out of the workout. Who said massages had to be expensive? The next time you feel some tension in your muscles, grab your foam roller and target those trigger points with SMRT therapy. By Yolande Swanepoel 59 www.MPSAmag.com By Karen Cooper Edition 4 2015 60 www.MPSAmag.com Although winter is here, many South Africans’ hearts are burning with excitement for the upcoming Rugby World Cup which kicks off on 18 September in England. With any major sporting event like the Rugby World Cup it is key for players to be game ready, mentally and physically fit, conditioned and healthy. MPSAmag recently had the pleasure of chatting to Springbok captain, Jean de Villiers about his preseason training tips. What is your daily workout routine leading up to the World Cup? At the moment, I’m basically only doing rehabilitation on my injured knee to ensure I put myself in the best possible position to be in the selection frame when the World Cup squad is announced. At the same time, I’m keeping my general fitness up and I’m dabbling a bit in things I don’t normally do, like cycling and swimming. Does your fitness routine for the World Cup differ to your normal Super Rugby or Curry Cup season training? If I was fit to play, I don’t think so. Obviously at the moment it’s different for me, but I’m not someone to make big changes as to how I prepare just because of a big upcoming event. Does a healthy diet play a big role in your fitness programme? For sure – it’s very important to put the right fuel into your body and it’s something I’m very aware of. Can you bust a fitness myth that people have been misled by in the past? Unfortunately, I don’t have any ground-breaking advice unfortunately, but I do know that every person is different and you should train in a way that is best for you. Also, balance between training, eating right and relaxing is very important. What is the best workout you would suggest to anyone trying to lose weight? I’m not an expert and I’m lucky that I have quite a fast metabolism and have been more on the skinny side for most of my life, so my advice would be to rather consult experts in the field – train wisely and diet wisely. Except for the obvious reasons, why does fitness play such a key role in rugby? You have to be able to go full-tilt for 80 minutes during a match of high-impact collisions, where speed, power and decision making are vital ingredients. If you’re not fit, you will lose focus and will make mistakes in the end. When does the official fitness/pre-season programme start for all the players before the Rugby World Cup? The “uninjured” guys have been going since the start of the year – the Boks usually get a few weeks off after the tour in November and join their Vodacom Super Rugby franchises in January. For the guys who didn’t tour with the Springboks and played in the Absa Currie Cup, their pre-season would’ve started at the beginning of December already. What does your eating plan consist of? My diet consists of a good mix of all the main food groups and I like fresh and healthy ingredients. We also use specific supplements to aid recovery, for instance. Are there a certain criteria you have to adhere to for selection, for example body fat? It’s different for every player and with us being professional, each of us knows where the limits are. Having said that, we all have a “fighting weight” and the aim is always to be close to that. Edition 4 2015 61 www.MPSAmag.com By Yolande Swanepoel Edition 4 2015 62 www.MPSAmag.com Most fitness enthusiasts have probably experienced a trip to their local supplement store or retail outlet selling whey supplements and walked out with a hundred questions. For those of you haven’t, how can I put it? It’s like a kid having to choose one ice cream flavour when the display freezer is filled with ninety other delicious ones to choose from. The store’s shelves are stacked with a variety of brands and flavours to choose from and to make matters worse, being bombarded with “you should rather use” recommendations by your friends who have already jumped onto the whey wagon. Now don’t be discouraged, the first thing you need to remember when buying any form of supplement, is to have a clear goal in mind. What do you want to achieve? Do you want to shed a few kilos or gain more muscle? Once you have a clear goal in mind then you can start looking at the different whey protein options that are available on the market. As with all things in life, you pay for quality. The same goes for whey protein, the more premium the brand and purer the whey, the higher the price. The good news is that there are some quality brands with affordable prices, and supplement brands are always running specials, you just need to keep your eyes peeled. To help you out, I have reviewed three main whey protein powders for your convenience. Whey Concentrate: For those of you that are on a tight budget, this protein is for you! It is also great for newbies who are looking to add protein to their diet without having a sad looking bank account after the Edition 4 2015 purchase. The only downside of this whey, is the digestion thereof. It is not as easily digested by some people, which might cause gas or bloating. You can take this whey before or after a workout, it will even do as a snack in between meals. This whey benefits you more when taken during the day, and must preferably not be used at night. Estimated price: R242 for 1kg Whey Isolate: This whey is a bit more expensive than whey concentrate. Isolates are one of the quickest absorbing proteins and is the perfect source of protein for people who maintain a low-carb lifestyle. Many proteins today that are strictly whey isolates contain a very low amount of carbs or sugar. This whey can be used before or after a workout, and also contains BCAA’s and glutamine – the fix-me-uppers that promote muscle recovery. Estimated price: R357 for 1kg Whey Hydrolysate: This is one of the most expensive whey products but it also has the highest absorption rate of all the proteins. Being a pure whey, it is more compatible with your digestive system compared to other whey concentrates. This protein can also be used before and after a workout. Estimated price: R409 for 1kg We recommend you start off with something basic like whey concentrate and measure your results over a month or two. Your body might respond well to this whey, and you could continue using it without having to fork out more. If you are still a bit unsure, you can always speak to a health care specialist or a brand ambassador. 63 www.MPSAmag.com Photograph: Anton Alberts Model: Chantell Kelly The importance of picking the right gym wear & training shoes By Karen Cooper Edition 4 2015 64 www.MPSAmag.com A while back nobody cared what you wore to the gym, but those days are long gone. When it comes to training whether at the gym, on the track or at home, your clothing and shoes choice play a vital role. MPSAmag spoke to Chantell Kelly, personal trainer and WBFF competitor, about the criteria for selecting training outfits. Does your clothing play a role in your training? Yes, it needs to be comfortable and be able to stretch. What tips can you give our readers when choosing sportswear? Clothes must be light and breathable. You should feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. Your clothing needs to move with your body while working out. Do you choose different clothing when training in general compared to training for the next WBFF competition? Gym clothes play a role in general but when I train for a competition, form fitting outfits help you mentally because you can see your weekly changes and that motivates you. What are the type of gym wear/clothes you use when training? Mostly tights, both short and 3/4 pants, with loose fitting razor back shirts & Vibram shoes Edition 4 2015 How do you feel when people make comments about gym wear i.e. ‘it’s just a fashion statement’? You eventually ‘create your own style’, it becomes your ‘signature’. If you’re comfortable and look good, an opinion is just an opinion. Need new training shoes? Check out these helpful tips to make your decision a bit easier: Road-running shoes - These trainers are designed to support your joints when making contact with paving or when you decide to take the occasional venture on an irregular surface. They are light and flexible, and their main purpose is to provide cushioning or stability for your feet during repetitive contact with hard surfaces. Trail-running shoes – These are designed for the adrenaline junkies who prefer venturing on the road less or hardly travelled. The design is suitable for off-road endeavours filled with rocky routes, muddy puddles or any other obstacles. The treads of these trainers are thick, enhancing foot grip in order to provide stability, support and underfoot protection. Cross-training shoes – These are perfectly designed for gym, Crossfit training or any workout which requires balance. They are light treaded and flexible, providing the necessary support and stability for this type of training. 65 www.MPSAmag.com The dark(er) side of tanning By Shannon Roscher Let’s be fair, novices often wonder how and why the fitness pros achieve such dark, radiant and perfect tans. You would be excused if you assumed that it would be a simple process of applying the selftanner the night before the show. Think again ladies and gents, there is a whole process that takes place in order to get that dark look. The tanning process that fitness athletes go through is a lot more complicated that just buying a can of spray tan from Clicks as over the counter products are not nearly dark enough for the stage lights to not drown away your colour. Here is the process that fitness gurus go through before a show: Two Nights Before You firstly need to shower, shave and exfoliate vigorously. Use a PH Edition 4 2015 balancing body wash to make sure that your tanning solution will react the best way possible with your skin. Remember that this is going to be the last time you are able to shave before your big day. Also, we know that this sounds crazy, but you need to shave your entire body. After showering and shaving, your first coat should be a regular spray tan as this will act as a base. Use any product you see fit. The Night Before The next day, preferably 24 hours later - you may have a quick shower just to rinse off the extra bronzer that might still be clinging to your body. It is suggested that you do not use any type of lotions after as you never know how it will react with the self-tan. 66 The evening after your quick shower, you may start the second phase of tanning. This time use a high definition cream self-tanner to get a much darker colour than you would from using an ordinary spray tan. Apply the first coat by rubbing it into your skin but remember to use latex gloves. After the first application, wait about 30 minutes before you apply the second coat. Make sure you apply two coats the night before your show. Show Day The morning before the show apply one more coat because you will be shocked to notice how much the stage lighting drowns out your colour. A little advice, if you are not sure if you are dark enough, go darker! www.MPSAmag.com Edition 4 2015 70 www.MPSAmag.com Forget about ombres, unicorn-hues and beach brondes. #GrannyHair is in. If you thought grey was reserved for the old and wise who have many years of experience on their side, you’re wrong. Kelly Osborne, Kate Moss, Rihanna, Nicole Richie and even Madonna’s 18 year old daughter Lourdes have all converted to the granny glam trend. And we can’t blame them – universal stylists and hair authorities are saying that grey is the way! Teamed with venetian red lips, dark sculpted eyebrows and bright, modern colours, you’re ready to rock the look of the century! For too long the silver fox look has been negatively associated with aging or ‘women letting themselves go’ but it’s invigorating to see that grey is now challenging the concept that only the young can be bold and beautiful. While we’re not advocating that you wait for nature to take its course or that you dip into a home-dye kit, we do suggest that you book an appointment with a professional stylist to help you achieve the world’s hottest hair hue. FOUR London's colour specialist Brooke Bohan warns that it’s not the easiest trend to achieve by yourself. “It can look totally fabulous if done professionally, but beware it is the hardest of all the colours to achieve with no damage to the hair. The first step is to have a professional consultation so that a plan of action can be worked out with the client . It will usually take around six months to get the hair to the gorgeous grey colour, depending on how much colour build-up the client already has. You have to grow out as much of the existing colour as possible. "Once the client is back to as much of their natural colour as possible the technique used is to bleach the hair to bring it up to almost white and then put an ash tone over it. Only go to a reputable colour salon as it is very easy to end up with yellow not grey and demarcation lines where the buildup of colour hasn't been properly removed." To achieve a sleek, modern look, Hersheson’s creative colour director Sibi Bolan adds, "A great haircut is key to going grey so you don't end up looking like you have given up on yourself! Women who have opted for gorgeous grey i.e. Diane Keaton, Dame Judy Dench, and Helen Mirren, all have beautiful haircuts with a few flattering brightening highlights and clear gloss treatments to keep them looking fresh and feminine.’" And her top tip to look like an A-listers sporting gorgeous grey tones, "Use a silver shampoo to help brighten and remove yellow unflattering tones that grey hair has a tendency to do, as grey hair is often more dry therefore absorbs things like pollution or cigarette smoke dulling down the silver fox making it look like tarnished brass." Edition 4 2015 71 www.MPSAmag.com Edition 4 2015 72 www.MPSAmag.com Winter is here and those cold mornings certainly seem to be taking a toll on lovely hands and nails. While some of us may think that simply donning a pair of gloves all winter is the best solution, there is nothing better than to keep on trend despite the icy weather. If you can’t spare the time, or don’t have the patience to do your nails at home, then indulge yourself and splurge on a manicure. Having pretty looking hands and nails will no doubt improve your mood and lift your spirit. As long as you’re armed with a few winter nail care essentials (cuticle oil and hand cream), there is no reason that your nails need to suffer from the winter months. So what's on trend this season? Whether you're heading to the salon or just DIY-ing at home, there is a colour trend train you need to be on. Matte called! Shiny beautiful nails are what we all want to achieve! After all, isn’t that why we use top coats? And while women love to get their shine on, sometimes you need to go a little matte. Something edgier. Darker. Matte nails have been trendy for few seasons now – ever since king of cool Alexander Wang sent matte nails down his Fall 2010 runway, the trend has been everywhere. You can either use a matte topcoat over your regular polish to achieve a matt effect, or recently nail polish companies have been launching their own matte polishes. Edition 4 2015 Ombré baby, ombré! The style for hair and clothes has finally reached the nails – ombré! Do yourself a favour and get yourself the Essence Pastel Ombré top coat which lightens the colour of your nail polish with each application. What we loved about this particular product is that the more layers you put on, the lighter it gets. So for a truly trendy look, keep the nail polish on one finger its original shade. Then apply one extra layer per nail to create five shades on one hand – absolutely eye-catching. gel top and base coats, along with a range of gel colours that mean you can kiss your lamp goodbye. Now all you need to get that gel look is the base and top coat, super easy. Plus there is no battle to get it off either, conventional nail polish remover works super quick, meaning you can change your gel colour to suit your mood. Mr Grey will see you now Also popular this winter - grey. And sorry ladies we don't mean Christian. Perhaps it’s the 50 Shades of Grey phenomenon, or that greys match with almost everything. Whatever the reason grey is here to stay. LA Girl offer a great grey that lasts and will even make Anastasia jealous. It's ok to be nude in public... ...As long as it's only on your nails. From light beige to soft apricot and rosé shades to brown tones – the selection of different colours and effects is huge. Now there is no reason for you not to get your nude on (or should it be off) this winter season. Gel is the word If you don’t have the patience to spend time under the UV lamp to get your gel to set, you’ll love Catrice. The brand has launched a new range of 73 www.MPSAmag.com I love my lyfie (Love your body) By Karen Cooper Edition 4 2015 74 www.MPSAmag.com We can often be our biggest critics, especially when it comes to our bodies. I am a great example of this. After having my daughter more than a year and a half ago, it took a very long time and some deep soul searching to finally come to terms and accept the stretch marks, dark pigmentation and changes to my body that I could probably only fix through surgery. During my journey of trying to salvage what I could by eating healthier and doing some exercise, I came across this inspiring and motivational page called ilovemylyfie. I was instantly hooked. Proudly South African, Claire Thomson is the owner and creator of this page and project. Claire photographs brave volunteers that have a story to tell about their body. Her pictorials then get a write up, highlighting the person’s specific journey before it is uploaded onto her Facebook page. The ilovemylyfie page currently has just over 4000 followers and encourages everyday people, like you and me, to start loving what we are made of. She reminds us that we are wonderfully made and at the end of the day we need celebrate our bodies and share our journeys with other people alike. I had one question for Claire. Why start a project like this and what was your motive behind it. “For so many years I allowed myself to be put into a category which was much lower than what I was worth. I was forced into this category by none other than myself. I felt that because I didn't look like those models in magazines, that I was not worthy of everything I wanted out of life. This is widely influenced by the media and the imagery they choose to communicate to the masses. While the girls they use in the magazines are gorgeous, their aesthetic appearances are not always realistic to us normal girls. If we all sit in hair and make up for two hours, and got our bodies lit and air brushed we would also look pretty hot. But that is not what real life is about. We need to start accepting the packages we have been put in, but not only accepting them, but appreciating and loving them! We should be so proud of our bodies, they are unique and exclusive as there is no other like it! It is so important that as women we band together and give each other the support we need to feel comfortable in our own skin. Stop judging other women because you are uncomfortable in your own skin. If you are start looking after it and loving it the way it should be loved. We only have our bodies for such a limited period of time and they are so fragile. They are the vessels that are here to allow us to create a beautiful example to others and to our children. Let’s start sharing the love and stop expecting perfection. It is unhealthy to be so focused on the outer appearance. We should be spending more time worrying about our morals, character and happiness. A body is so basic, it’s who you are inside that determines your life. I think it is time we started focusing on our positive characteristics and stopped zooming in on our flaws. After all, your flaws are what make of YOU.” uncomfortable then maybe you need to look at the relationship you have with your body and Claire Thomson – 26 For years I did not allow myself to shine the way I could have because I believed I did not deserve to. I believed that because I was not tall and slim, I was not important. Now in my late 20s I am confident in who I am and believe that my worth goes far beyond my waist line and I refuse to sit still and hide away. Life was made for me to live to its fullesyt, and that’s exactly what I am going to do! Edition 4 2015 75 www.MPSAmag.com #ILOVEMYLYFIE By Roeline van Eck Edition 4 2015 76 www.MPSAmag.com There comes a time in every woman’s life (young and old) where a visit to the gynaecologist becomes a very real reality. Whether it be for a check-up, addressing a problem, to start using a contraceptive or in preparation for a baby, visiting the gynae is a must – and is nothing to be scared or ashamed of. The main reasons for paying a visit to the 'doctor down-under’ usually applies in the following instances: • When a woman/girl becomes sexually active - it is important to see a gynae who will advise on and administer the correct contraception and protection against sexually transmitted diseases. • When a woman/girl of any age, sexually active or not, thinks something might be wrong – for example, an unusual discharge, abnormal periods, abdominal pain, etc., she needs to see a medical specialist. It is, however, crucial to note that annual check-ups are important to ensure your health – whether sexually active or not. Ladies, you need to realise that you are empowering yourself by doing regular check-ups as this ensures the early detection of treatable diseases which cause too many unnecessary deaths of thousands of women every year. It starts with education. By knowing and understanding your body and what it needs, you will have better control over your health. Here’s what to expect when seeing a gynae: The chat Firstly, the gynae needs to determine your background. This is done by asking questions about your medical history, menstrual cycle, sexual activity, and so on. The checks The doctor usually also checks Edition 4 2015 blood pressure and does a urine test to check for urinary tract infections and the like. He/she could possibly also check your heart, lungs, chest and thyroid gland. This enables them to detect any abnormalities. You will then remove your items of clothing, in a private area, and put on a hospital gown. Don’t worry, you will not be completely exposed. The doctor will usually ask you to lie down on the bed and will then perform a routine breast examination. While many ladies frequently check their breasts, some are not as practiced and don’t really know what they need to feel for. Should there be any abnormal lumps or swelling, this can then be tested further so that the right treatment can be administered. The doctor will then either place your feet in stirrups, a frame on either side of the bed where your feet will rest, or will ask you to place your feet apart enough for them to make their assessment. The examination then starts with the external areas, where the doctor will check the outside of your lady bits. While this sounds very daunting, remember that these doctors are professionals that only have your health in mind. Besides, your privates will not be the first or the last that they will see. Thereafter a pap smear will be performed. The smear test, derived from the name Papanicolaou, should be performed from 21 years of age, even if you are not sexually active. Basically, an instrument, called a speculum, will be inserted to gently widen the opening of the vagina and enable the doctor to see your cervix. While this sounds very daunting, rest assured that modern medical equipment has made great advances and have been shaped according to your 77 internal shape to make this process pain free. Once there is access to the cervix, the doctor takes a swab of the cervix lining, with a brush-like tool, to gather the cells that are needed to be tested at the lab. Like you would take a cotton bud swab on the inside of the cheek to gather cells, the pap smear does the same. How it feels will vary from person to person. Some feel a little more discomfort than others – but the process will be virtually pain free and will be over before you know it, promise. The doctor will also likely feel through the vagina to make sure your ovaries and uterus are healthy. They might make use of an internal sonar scanner to do this as this gives a visual depiction of what is happening on the inside. Again – over before you know it and something that is necessary. The call Once the cells taken for the pap smear have been analysed and checked, you will receive a call from the doctor’s rooms where they will inform you on your health. A clean bill in most cases, but should anything have been picked up that appears abnormal, they will advise you on the next steps. Ladies, this is really not as bad as it may seem. Yes you will be a little bit exposed, but this discomfort is nothing compared to what you may face should something unhealthy be potting. The World Health Organisation cites that cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide. How many of the reported cases do you think could have been successfully treated had the right precautions been taken? Come on girls – you can do it! For yourself, your health and your future. www.MPSAmag.com Edition 4 2015 78 www.MPSAmag.com Want to make a statement this winter that is on trend and trés chic? Then you need to keep it simple. Really, simple. For the ladies that don’t like donning too much makeup, the new nude makeup trend is simply the best. Spotted at both the 2015 Grammies and Oscars, the stars are opting for a less is more look. The Grammies saw stars like Miley Cyrus and Gwen Stefani ditching their crimson lipsticks for just some moisturiser and tinted gloss. Beyoncé paired her wavy locks with a nude lip and sculpted cheekbones. Even Rihanna explored the softer side of a smoky eye with metallic beige shadow instead. At the Oscars, Jennifer Aniston and even Rita Ora donned some toned down hues and simply rocked it. The good news is that the stores are already full of all the materials you would need to ‘nude-ify’ yourself (with your clothes on of course). We’re talking nail polish, blush, concealers and lipsticks. Aside from the great nail polish shades on offer, the ‘it’ thing has to be the nude lip. You can dress it up, or down, with any colour outfit and it give you some lee-way to do something a little more dramatic with your eyes. Edition 4 2015 Here are some tips to follow: • First of all, gently exfoliate the lips. This will ensure that all dry, flaky skin is removed. You can do this with a wet washcloth or even some sugar. • Place moisturiser on the lips to ensure you lock in some moisture. • Cover your lips with concealer to create the perfect canvas for lining and colouring • Choose a nude colour liner that is a shade darker than your skin tone, so that you can actually see the lining when you apply it. Then, fill your whole lip in with the same creamy liner as a base for your lip colour to cling to. • Then comes applying the right shade. As pale colours can be tricky, remember that if you have a fair skin, you can try a peachy, pink, or even a totally nude shade. If you have a medium/dark skin, on the other hand, you can go for a peachy beige, or something warmer in colour. Avoid pale beiges, creams or white tones – unless you are going for a ghostlike look… • Finish off with some gloss and you are good to go. 79 www.MPSAmag.com By Baradi Moletsane It’s easy to look good in summer because it’s a season that allows you to. Winter on the other hand, somehow manages to leave you feeling unattractive because the cold air dries out your skin, causes cringe worthy static hair, and layers and layers of clothing that make it difficult to accentuate your figure. If you’re suffering from the winter blues, fret not… MPSAmag has put together the ultimate winter beauty survival guide to help you kick this dreadful season to the curb: Avocado facemask because nothing works better for dry skin As the temperature drops and your skin starts flaking, ensuring that your skin is hydrated is a vital part of your skin care routine. Make it an easy process by creating a DIY avo facemask. Avocado is an excellent choice for dry skin as it contains a lot of oils (which is also why it’s quite high in calories). All you’ll need is half a ripe avo and six tablespoons of honey. Mix these ingredients together and apply it to your clean skin. After 10 minutes, rinse the mask off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry. This will leave your skin feeling hydrated, smooth and refreshed. Lip balm for luscious lips Prevent dry and chapped lips by opting for a smooth and tasty lip balm. While lip glosses make your lips sparkle, they don’t necessarily moisturise your lips the way balms do. The next time you visit your favourite grocery store, make sure a rich lip balm with vitamin E is number one on your shopping list. Edition 4 2015 80 www.MPSAmag.com Bamboo style dry shampoo to keep hair looking photo ready You may think that dry shampoo is only for the hot, sweaty months but think again, dry shampoo can be used all year long to get rid of unwanted grease to make your beautiful blowouts last longer. Also, bamboo style dry shampoo is great for achieving volume on freshly washed hair. Add it to grocery list ASAP! Weleda Skin Food Cream for moisture lacking skin They don't call this must-have product skin food for nothing. This hydrating lotion feeds your delicate skin with moisture when it needs it the most. Whether you have dry or oily skin, somehow winter always manages to strip away the moisture in your skin. To ensure that this doesn’t happen, visit your local pharmacy and give your skin the treatment it deserves. Lemon feet soak for happy feet Whoever said that you don’t need to worry about your feet in winter because they’re covered up, clearly don’t understand the requirements of being a glam goddess! It doesn’t really matter what time of the year it is, it’s important to ensure that your feet look and feel sandal ready. So here’s a secret foot care remedy that might just be what you need this winter: soak your feet in lemon juice for 10-15 minutes, the acidity will dissolve dead skin, making it easier for you to scrub it off with a loofah. Avoid this remedy if you have any deep cuts. And just before bedtime, lather your heels in Vaseline and pull on a pair of woollen socks. Your skin will feel remarkably softer in the morning! Oh and Vaseline, oh dear Vaseline… You can’t possibly make it through winter without Vaseline. Is it even necessary to explain why this multipurpose product is a cosmetic must have? Vaseline is every girl’s instant lip care, it sooths cracked heels, protects a sore nose when you have ugly colds and flus, protects your skin when you’re colouring your hair or painting your nails… The list is really endless, if we carry on, we’ll never stop! Edition 4 2015 81 www.MPSAmag.com There’s a Nu Tan in town… By Yolande Swanepoel Edition 4 2015 82 www.MPSAmag.com We all want that to achieve golden glow throughout the year, as it not only helps you to look healthier (as long as it's not orange) but also makes you appear skinnier. While there are a lot of tanning products out there, I decided to give Nu Tan a try and test the results myself. So how does Nu Tan work? Let’s get one thing out of the way, if you have a fear of needles, than Nu Tan is not for you. To administer the solution you need an insulin-type syringe, alcohol swabs and patience. To inject the solution you first have to mix the water soluble with the tanning solution, by injecting it into the tanning solution vial. This is the most time consuming part of the process but if you have to compare it to going to a tanning salon, or having to risk the wondering eye of your neighbour, unorthodox or not, it is worth it. It is a more private and convenient method to get that tanned summer look all year round. Another bonus is that you can get a golden glow without having to take your clothes off, which can be dreadful during the winter. When injecting Nu Tan, depending on your pain reflux, you may experience a small sting or you won’t even notice you injected yourself at all. It is the same method used to inject insulin, with the needle injected 4cm to the left or right of your belly button. Like with any other substance injected or taken orally, it can have some side effects, which include nausea, and light headedness. This will obviously differ from person to person. To curb the side effects, I found it was best to administer Nu Tan before I went to bed at night, to sleep through any side effects. They say that the proof is in the pudding, but in this case the proof is in the injecting. You have to inject yourself every night in order to see effective results. To see faster results, we recommend that you do at least one sunbed session or expose your skin to a little sun. Depending on your cosmetic budget, Nu Tan’s cost might be over the top for some. Even though you get a free alcohol swab and a syringe, you are still going to have to buy more needles and alcohol swabs as this is not a one-time injection. And the verdict is in, if you are not afraid of needles, have a lot of patience to mix solutions and inject yourself, and are looking to forgo the tanning bed , then Nu Tan is worth the shot (pun intended). Edition 4 2015 83 www.MPSAmag.com Communication exposure that Worx… …and ensures our clients stay in the spotlight! By defeating conventional obstacles, PR Worx can achieve long-term successes and victories through carefully planned initiatives, by developing, executing and managing comprehensive communications and marketing plans. Planning and implementing PR strategies and playing an integral role in clients’ market positioning, are strengths the agency has developed over the past 12 years. Importantly, PR Worx is supported by a reputation of quality, innovative ideas and professional expertise. We offer invaluable experience in media relations, publicity generation, internal communications and social media strategies to ensure the successful positioning of your company or brand. Having been independently voted as the city of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and South Africa’s best PR agency, PR Worx has also claimed the International Association of Business Communicators’ best publicists in Africa award for three consecutive years. We received these awards because we regard every client, regardless of size, as our “big fish” and consequently aim to provide a world class service by ensuring their expectations are not only met, but mostly exceeded. Want to hear more? Call us on +27 (0) 11 896 1818 or email [email protected] www.prworx.com Skincare 101: the low down for men By Chantal Riley Edition 4 2015 86 www.MPSAmag.com Picture this - you're out at the local club, having an ale with your friends, when a hottie catches the corner of your eye. Your interest gets the better of you and you make your way across the dance floor to get to know her a bit better. But as you get closer, you notice something isn't quite right. As a strobe light catches your face, she recoils in horror! She runs off saying, “You have clearly never heard of soap or the concept of exfoliating and moisturising!” Don’t be that guy! Taking care of your skin should be part of your daily routine. After all you don't want to watch your chances of meeting the girl of your dreams fade into a sea of dancers. While some men shy away from spending time looking after their skin, too traumatised by the large amount of products which women use, the good news is skin care is usually a simpler routine since men typically don’t wear makeup. Just follow our three simple guidelines below and you could soon be well on your way to glowing, but still manly, skin: Bar Soap or Liquid Cleansers for Men Most men prefer bars to liquid cleansers. That’s fine as long as you have normal or oily skin. But bar soap tends to dry skin out more than liquid cleansers. If your skin feels tight or a little itchy after you wash your face, try switching to a liquid cleanser. However, if you insist on bar soap, look for moisturising soaps that contain items such as glycerine, or are made with vitamin E oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil, as this will be kinder to your skin. Edition 4 2015 Also be on the lookout for soaps or liquid cleansers that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzyl peroxide. All three of these exfoliating agents remove the upper layers of dead skin and allow for deeper cleaning of pores. They also have antibacterial properties. Moisturisers for Men Some soaps are laced with moisturiser, like Dove for example, and for some men they work just fine. But the surest way to moisten your skin after washing it is to apply a separate moisturiser. For dry skin, choose a cream, which is the thickest formulation. For normal skin, reach for a lotion, which is lighter and less oily. For oily skin, choose a skin toner or gel. Sunscreen Protection for Men Sunscreen is not just for the beach gents - you need to ensure that you are applying sunscreen daily if you want to keep your skin looking young and healthy. Anywhere your hair is thin also needs to be protected against sun damage. That includes bald spots and receding hairlines. The best bet is applying sunscreen. Choose a spray-on sunscreen if you don’t like the idea of putting lotion on your head. Some hair sprays, gels, and mousses now come with SPF protection. An even safer option? Wear a cap when you’re out in the sun. Just like your female counterparts, you should slather on an everyday sunscreen with at least an SPF 30. options you may want to consider adding to your skin care regimen: Clay masks Think of it as an intense, deep cleaning treatment for your skin that takes less than 15 minutes. It clears out your clogged pores, removes dead skin and evens out your skin tone while reducing oil and sebum that makes your skin unpleasantly shiny. Eye Cream You know how people say that your eyes are the window to your soul - well they are right and no girl wants to look into your eyes and see a tired old man! The skin around your eyes is especially thin; this is where guys first start showing signs of getting older. An eye cream helps prevent those fine lines that deepen into crowsfeet and make you look older than you really are. A cream with caffeine in it also helps reduce puffiness and dark bags under your eyes – handy for hiding the aftermath of a long night or a weekend’s hangover. Lip Balm Guys almost never think about their lips until it’s too late. Guess what: your lips can get sunburned too. A lip balm with some SPF protection helps keep them from being dry, cracked and chapped – all of which is going to guarantee you’ll not be getting that good night kiss you’re hoping for on your date tonight. Skin care is important, but it’s not nearly as difficult – or feminine – as it seems. Picking the right products and knowing when and how to use them can make all the difference between horrible looking skin and putting your best face forward. Going The Extra Mile The above are considered the basics of skin care. If you want to go the extra mile , there are other 87 www.MPSAmag.com Edition 4 2015 88 www.MPSAmag.com We live in a culture where youth and beauty are prized — even for men. Over the last few years, there's been a huge increase is men's plastic surgery demands, national trends agree. According to stats from a number of plastic surgeons, procedures for men have increased by more than 110% since 1997 to date. Men want plastic surgery for either of these reasons: • Male model: He wants jawline augmentation, high definition liposuction to show off his abs, pectoral implants and gluteal implants - in layman’s terms - this guy wants a sharper jawline, and nice abs which are really ripped and very defined. • Body builder: He has similar procedures done as the male model, but wants to look more muscular, big chest, big glutes, but muscularly defined. • CEO or Board Member: These men are at the top of their career and they feel young and confident, but they're worried they don't look it, so they generally opt for a necklift, eyelift, jawline contouring and perhaps liposuction as well. • The only category that doesn't specifically reference a career is the "athletic dad": He is married with kids, probably put on a couple of kilos, is in his 40s and is reminiscing his university days. These men typically go for jawline recontouring, liposuction and possibly a small eyelift. Edition 4 2015 Currently, the most common cosmetic procedures for men are liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose job), eyelid surgery, gynescomastia (removal of breast tissue) and ear shaping. The list of the most popular minimally-invasive procedures for men is topped by Botox. A brief overview of some of the most common surgeries: Jaw Augmentation Jawline contouring involves injecting Juvederm (a hyaluronic acid) into the jaw and chin to make it more angular and strong. The patient may also choose to do the same thing on the cheek bones to augment facial structure and give more definition. Recovery time: Less than 24 hours Cost: +- R45,000.00 Liposuction Liposuction typically removes the fat from around a specific area to better show off muscles. The healing process may often involve drainage tubes, compression garments, and antibiotics. Recovery time: 2 days Cost: +- R60,000.00 89 Pec Enhancement Pectoral enhancements are the most common with the male models and body builders who make money with their physiques. Surgery requires general anaesthesia and involves a small incision in the armpit. Recovery time: 4 - 6 weeks Cost: +- R90,000.00 Gluteal Enhancement The most common method of gluteal enhancement is fat transfer (extra fat from liposuction is used to make the glutes appear "perkier"), but silicone implants may also be used. Recovery time: 4 - 6 weeks Cost: R100,000.00 Gynescomastia Gynescomastia is most common for body builders, but is a surgery for anyone who has extra fatty tissue around their pectoral muscles. It's achieved by liposuction by removing excess glandular tissue, and is currently one of the biggest trends in male plastic surgery. Recovery time: 2 - 3 days Cost: R35,000.00 www.MPSAmag.com Dressing for an Interview By Johann The Groomer Els WEAR Fashion Meets Success Edition 4 2015 90 www.MPSAmag.com While we often ask, “What should I wear?” this question is even more pertinent for a potentially life changing meeting such as a job interview. Think about it. The moment a stranger – your new boss, a potential client, or your future wife – lays eyes on you, his or her brain automatically makes hundreds of assumptions about you. Are you confident, capable, reliable, approachable, honest? Or do you look distrustful, guarded, insecure, iffy? And that is only within the first seven seconds of meeting you. Even though we can’t stop people from making spontaneous suppositions of who or what we are, we can use certain external factors to work in our favour. Research has shown that first impressions are mostly shaped by nonverbal cues, which have four times the impact on the impression you make than what you say. While clothes are important and reflect your social standing, it also indicates what is important to you. So before you rush out and burn your credit cards on a wardrobe makeover, do some research about the company that you’re applying at to make sure you look like them. This concept might sound bizarre but understand that it is important that you dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Consider the following pointers: • • • • The type of business you’re applying at. You will dress very differently for a finance or law firm, compared to an advertising agency or creative consultancy. The history of the company. If the firm was established in 1942, know that their business approach will be quite sedate and established so bright, bold colours will not do it for you. Its culture. If “safety first” is a philosophy that the company’s employees live by, know that you might require safety boots instead of square toed shoes if you’re meeting on site. Understand the demographics: age, race, sex, economic status, level of education, income level and employment. You will not be wearing jeans and a sports jacket if you’re applying for a position at the stock exchange. Edition 4 2015 Once you have established a clear picture of the company, only then consider your interview outfit: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 91 If your budget is tight then rather look at altering an old suit to give it a new edge. Make sure it is clean and pressed at all times. Colour has a major psychological effect on people, so pick your hues carefully. Never wear a sports- or fun watch, it shows you not serious about the job. Always make sure that your shirts are of a high cotton mix to avoid attracting unnecessary body odour. The cuff of your shirt should only just touch your watch and collars should provide space you’re your little finger when buttoned up. Make sure your jacket or blazer fits properly. Spend some money at a tailor to ensure it looks like it was custom-made for you. Remember to always make sure that the roll of the jacket shoulder is in line with your own shoulder. Bending your arm, the sleeve should only move up a few inches revealing your cuff. Never travel with your jacket on. Your interviewer wall always remember the person with the crinkled clothes as you walk away. Wear trouser that fit not ones you think you are going to grow into. Make sure that the tip of your tie just touches your belt and that the knot reflects professionalism. Select a belt that will reflect the image you are aiming to project. Choose wisely. Sports or novelty socks are meant for exactly those purposes. Blend your socks with the hemline of your trousers or the colour of your shoes. Ensure your shoes are clean. You don’t need buy expensive shoes but make sure that they are formal enough for an interview and match your outfit. Don’t wear Bronx, CATS or safety boots with formal pants. These are reserved for the outdoors. Ensure you nails are clean and your hands perfectly manicured. Don’t over spray cologne or deodorant. Don’t eat spicy food or garlic the night before. Always make sure you that you have an travel elegancy pack in your car which consists of shoe cleaner, deodorant, hand cream,, a sewing kit in case you lose a button, and breath mints. www.MPSAmag.com C Check your Stylee Edition 4 2015 92 www.MPSAmag.com www.MPSAmag.com 2 Thandokazi Mashalaba had the pleasure of catching up with Sello Nhlapo, one of SA’s most successful (and best looking) male models, who regularly graces our TV screen and has modelled for Fabiano. Despite growing up as an orphan, Sello always had big dreams and knew that he was destined for greater things. What do you get up to in your spare time? I am a sports-oriented individual; I play indoor soccer and basketball but also watch a lot of movies! What is your favourite food? My favourite food right now is a lettuce tuna wrap but I have a weakness for rice and chicken. How do you stay in shape? My Schedule is hectic, so I only gym twice a week. Which 5 items would you never leave the house without? Car keys, cell phone, wallet, lip balm and a water bottle. What was your childhood dream, did it involve being a model? My childhood dream included everything to do with television, radio, magazine and fashion but I never thought that I would become a model. I knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry. How did you get into modelling? I was scouted while I was an extra on Rhythm City but nothing materialised from that and I had thrown in the towel. I then met a lady at church who introduced me to my former agency and that is how my career was launched. Which agency did you start with and are you still with the same agency? I was with Model HQ JHB and now I am represented by Boss Models. What was your first modelling job? I featured in a KFC commercial in 2011. What are the pros and cons of being a model? The advantages would certainly include the travelling and meeting different people while the disadvantage that I mostly struggle with is the fact that it is a seasonal career. You have done so much work in your career, does any one of your projects stand out? Yes, my first runway experience at SA Fashion Week. That really goes in my history books! What was the experience like? I was very nervous! I thought I would trip and fall as I had seen plenty of runway models stumble, and it is extremely embarrassing. 5 minutes with Sello Nhlapo Is there something that people do not know about you that you would like to share with MPSA magazine? I grew up without both parents in Tembisa, a little township in the East of Johannesburg, which is where my passion and drive started from. My favourite quote is “Some people think I won’t make it but I know that I will escape the loneliness ‘cause that thing is slow when it kills”. MPSAmag readers can follow me on twitter: @Sellonhlapo and on Instagram:@sellonhlapo. Edition 4 2015 94 www.MPSAmag.com Nelius du Preez: A heart for people Edition 4 2015 98 www.MPSAmag.com Renowned philanthropist, pageant organiser and Mr Commonwealth SA finalist, Nelius du Preez was born in Odendaalsrus in the Free State, and is the youngest of five children. He finished Matric in 2005 in Klerksdorp, and since then has been fortunate to have had two short stories published in the Department of education lecturing books for Afrikaanse Onderrig Taal . He also received few gold certificates at music competitions. Nelius has been involved with philanthropic work since a very young age. In my spare time I like to spend time with family and friends, and to write and compose music. Since 2007, I have been part of international and local filming projects. I am based in Rustenburg from where I run my own modelling school and event agency while still working full time for Anglo American as a Chemical Processor. And through it all I am also the youth leader and assistant worship leader at my local church. How did you get involved in the pageantry world and why? I have had an interest in the pageantry world since a young age, but focussed more on my acting and music. I spent my time working on various filming projects and I was a co-owner of a casting agency and through the casting I joined a modelling school in Rustenburg giving models extra acting classes. Unbeknownst to me, some of my models entered me into a competition, and I ended up winning the competition. I have a soft spot for those with a passion for what they are doing, and I really enjoy working with the models, providing them a platform and to achieve their goals and dreams. amazing animals for generations to come. What has been the most important lesson you have learnt on your journey to date? I can answer this question with an Africa proverb, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. I have learnt that you will never be able to accomplish all that you want to achieve if you insist on standing alone. You need people to support you, and I can say I am blessed with all the amazing people that I am surrounded by. What has been the hardest part? The hardest part to date was the event I hosted to raise funds for my main project. We are in the progress of building a brand new orphanage in Rustenburg, and a building project takes a big bite out of your budget. So to put a show together with no budget was bit stressful. As I have to guarantee the council that I will be able to give their money back at the end of the show, I put together a task team, and took on the challenge by funding the event myself. I have to say through faith and hard work we managed to raise a total of R15 000. Why did you feel it was important for you to get involved in your local community? Since a very young age I was introduced to various projects, especially since I grew up in a community where we supported one another. I think it is important that a community stand together. As everyone knows Rustenburg went through a mine strike last year, and it is in cases such as these that we need each other. I got involved in the community to try and help direct our support efforts and encourage everyone to do their part. What projects are you currently involved in? My main project that I am involved in is Rustenburg Child Welfare, I also support the old age homes, Rehabilitation of the Wildlife, the SPCA, Causes for Paws and through my one of my competitions I am supporting DeskBags. Furthermore, I am supporting those in need trying to make their life's easier. Why have you chosen these projects? I believe that one should be balanced and I chose these projects as they cover almost every angle that form part of the environment; children to be leaders one day, elderly people who build our country, pets as they bring hope and joy, and wildlife so that we can still have the Edition 4 2015 99 www.MPSAmag.com hat has been the hardest part? The hardest part to date was the event I hosted to raise funds for my main project. We are in the progress of building a brand new orphanage in Rustenburg, and a building project takes a big bite out of your budget. So to put a show together with no budget was bit stressful. As I have to guarantee the council that I will be able to give their money back at the end of the show, I put together a task team, and took on the challenge by funding the event myself. I have to say through faith and hard work we managed to raise a total of R15 000. Do you think that it is true that only titleholders can truly make a difference in the lives of those around them? Why or why not? No, I do not think it is true. There is a story about a young boy who walked on the beach one day and found thousands of starfish lying on the beach. One by one he picked them up and threw them back into the sea, a man passed and said, “you are wasting your time”. The boy replied and said that he was not. As he threw the star fish back he said to the old man, “I am making a difference in this one's life and this one and this one.” What advice would you give to other contestants who want to become more involved in their local communities? There is a saying: "if you want to achieve excellence stop asking for permission." And Ghandi said that you should be the difference that you want to see in the world. It is not always about doing something big, sometimes a touch or quality time spent with someone is more life changing than you can imagine. To make a difference, the only requirement is willingness and dedication. You are currently a finalist for Mr Commonwealth SA 2015, why did you enter and what are you hoping to achieve through the pageant? As I wrote on my entry form, I know what it is to have, and I know what it is to lose everything. Through life experience I have learnt how to stand up again and again, and to build myself up. I want to encourage and assist young people to become what they are destined to be, to achieve their dreams. Anything else you would like to share with our readers? Never compare yourself with anyone else, you are a blue print and not a copy. If a door does not open build one, and build towards a better and stronger you. I'd also like to thank everyone for their support up to now. Please keep voting for me by smsing : Nelius du Preez to 35554, R3 per sms. Also please follow me on my page: ww.facebook.com/pages/Nelius-du-Preez-MrCommonwealth-SA-2015-Finalist Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day The Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day® campaign, which celebrates its 13th anniversary this year, has attracted a record of more than 520 companies and various government departments from around the country who will participated in this year’s event. “Cell C believes that women can be vibrant contributors to the economy and leading job creators for South Africa. By empowering young women to think about the future that they would like for themselves, Cell C believes that this possibility will become a reality.” Utilising the theme Dream, Believe, Achieve, Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day® is targeted at Grade 10 to 12 South African girl learners, giving them the opportunity to visit a place of work and to experience at first-hand, the “world of work” and the various career opportunities available in the industry and within the public service sectors. Says Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, the Honourable Susan Shabangu who is supporting the campaign: “I believe that Cell C’s initiative to inspire girl learners forms a key in helping empower women in our society. Choosing a career after leaving school is one of life’s major decisions and not everyone is fortunate enough to know what they want to do and be able to vigorously pursue it. With strong support from businesses and institutions around the country, this initiative has already been a huge success which has impacted on the lives of many young women.” Suzette van der Merwe, Managing Executive of the Cell C Foundation says: “Anyone can become involved in the programme and make a difference in the life of a young woman – whether by sharing their experience and time or making a cash donation towards a bursary for a girl child. Edition 4 2015 Take a Girl Child to Work Day® campaign, said she was honoured to be the spokesperson for the brand. “I am passionate about women and South Africa and firmly believe that South Africa will become a thriving nation when the women thrive. “ Since its launch in 2002, more than 2 300 companies and government departments have participated in the award-winning initiative. By supporting Cell C’s call to action for the advancement of women, more than 700 000 girl learners have been exposed to a multitude of businesses and varied career and job opportunities. The project has found its most ardent support from the Presidency, which has hosted girl learners since the inaugural event, as well as being endorsed by the Department of Education. Miss South Africa 2015, Liesl Laurie, who is the ambassador for the Cell C 101 www.MPSAmag.com Exclusive MPSAmag.com Readers offer: only R1,000 for 3-outfit portfolio shoot! T&C apply [email protected] I +27 (0) 71 889 4664 I www.dawidroux.com Edition 4 2015 104 www.MPSAmag.com We collated your winter beauty questions to make sure that you keep your look fresh despite the chilly weather! My skin is super dry in the winter and I feel the need to apply moisturiser throughout the day. What is the best way to keep my skin hydrated during the day without ruining my makeup? The key is to make sure you are using the right moisturiser for your skin type before you put your makeup on. You may just need a richer moisturizer. Also try a hydrating foundation or tinted moisturiser. If you still want more moisture during the day, gently pat on moisturiser or face oil over your makeup, just be sure to do it sparingly so you don't smear your makeup. What foundation formulas are best for dry skin in the winter? Should I start using a tinted moisturiser or can I keep using my liquid foundation? Switching your foundation when you skin is feeling dry is a good idea, especially in the dryer months. Look for something that has a creamy, moisturising texture and skip the powder. Tinted moisturiser is always a great option as they are infused with moisture and feel good on the skin. You can also do your own mix with a facial moisturiser and regular foundation. To give skin a healthy glow, add a gel bronzer to the mix. Should I switch my regular cleanser to different one in the winter? My skin seems dry after I wash it now. You should absolutely switch your cleanser when the weather changes. Try swapping your current formula for a cream or oil based cleanser that will get your skin clean but also add moisture. I love winter, but I hate the pale look. What is the best way to have a bronzed look without being too bronzed for winter? Strategically placed powder bronzer can be used to brighten and warm up your face all year round. The key is to choose a bronzer that is not too red and does not contain too much shimmer. You can sweep the bronzer lightly across your forehead, across your eyelids and brow bones, down the sides of your face, and bring the brush in to contour your jaw line. Don't forget your neck and chest area. Remember though that lightly does it - you can always add another layer if you want to go a bit darker. With the wind chill factor up, it always leaves my face looking a little red. How can I tone down winter redness without looking too pale as a result? For extreme winter redness, consider a green foundation primer or green corrective concealer. Green cancels red and thankfully nowadays there are many green-toned colour correcting concealers out on the market. Dab it on sparingly using your ring finger, and only apply it on the areas you need it most, make sure you blend it well. Edition 4 2015 105 www.MPSAmag.com Social Pages Seen out and about… Edition 4 2015 106 www.MPSAmag.com Social Pages Seen at 2015 Mercedes-Benz Bokeh Fashion Film Festival Jacques La Jagadi Couture Shirt & Co.