
5 GUEST looks that SLAY EVERY TIME The Ultimate BRIDAL GLOW GUIDE PLAN MORE THAN JUST A WEDDING! + LOVE, LAW AND LOBOLA
Flawless & Forever with
5 GUEST looks that SLAY EVERY TIME The Ultimate BRIDAL GLOW GUIDE PLAN MORE THAN JUST A WEDDING! + LOVE, LAW AND LOBOLA
Flawless & Forever with
aAll eyes naturally shift to Khanyisile Madikiza as she walks in. The air is crisp, with a faint whiff of lavender, and the only sound is the rustle of leaves and chirping of birds. We meet her in a place designed to take your breath away, but instead of the scenery, people start looking at her. She’s magnetic in a way that only special people are.
Khanyi fills the room with the kind of confidence that is deeply rooted in who she is. You feel it in her laughter, her quick wit and soft demeanour that immediately puts you at ease. There’s no façade here. What you see is what you get. It would be easy to view her as only a stylish content creator – which she undeniably is – but spend a few minutes in her company and that quickly becomes the least interesting thing about her. She’s kind-hearted and grounded, and when she talks about her life, it feels less like a rehearsed performance and more like a conversation.
DO: A professional skincare consultation is the best place to begin. A dermatologist or aesthetician will be able to help you build a targeted plan specific to your skin concerns. Whether this plan includes facials, serums, peels or microneedling, it should be tailored to your skin's needs and your timeline –the key is to remain consistent and start as early as possible. The more time you give your skin to improve, the better!
DON’T: It’s easy to get caught up in social media trends. Just because a product or skincare routine goes viral does not mean that it is the solution to your concerns. Stick to the products recommended by your dermatologist and trust the process. You will eventually see results.
DO: Now’s the time to focus on nourishing your skin from within. Be intentional about the lifestyle habits you embrace – from your diet and exercise to the amount of rest you get. Load up on whole foods such as berries, greens, beetroot, ginger shots and green juice. And remember, it's very important to stay hydrated.
DON’T: Adequate sleep is essential and now is not the time to skimp on it! Your skin regenerates at night, so it is essential that you get your beauty rest. Aim for at least seven hours a night to avoid puffiness and stress breakouts.
DO: Give your skin a boost and opt for a calming, soothing, hydrating facial. And if you're thinking of doing a teeth whitening treatment, this would be the perfect time to allow for any sensitivity to settle before your big day.
If you want to look radiant on your big day, we've got the beauty plan for you by
Azola Fihla
DON'T: Going for facial treatments like harsh peels or big extractions is a big no-no at this point. Avoid anything that would stress the skin, no matter how effective the results might promise to be.
DO: Approach your monthly facials like you do your workouts: get serious about them! Consistent treatments give your skin time to adjust and respond effectively.
DON’T: Avoid major procedures such as intense chemical peels or laser resurfacing treatments so close to your big day. These treatments run the risk of irritation or adverse reactions – and there’s no room for surprises right now.
TOUCHES (1 MONTH TO GO)
DO: Now’s the time to lock in those final beauty appointments: brows, lash extensions, waxing, manicure, pedicure and hair colour touch-ups. This avoids the last-minute panic and lets you ease into your final look.
DON’T: Avoid making drastic changes at this stage. Trying a new hairstyle or changing your hair colour might take a wrong turn. Stick to what you know works for you.
PEACH, PLEASE (24 HOURS TO GO)
DO: Pamper your skin with a gentle, hydrating mask – only use a product you've already tried and trust. Ask your hairstylist if they prefer your hair to be washed on the day or the day before.
DON’T: The day before the wedding is always the busiest but make sure you don’t stay up all night. Your skin and your mood deserve peace, tranquillity and enough rest.
DO: Eat something nourishing to keep your energy up: a smoothie, eggs or oatmeal will keep you going. Don’t forget to drink enough water – it's your glow’s best friend.
DON’T: Don’t sweat the small stuff –it’s time for you to enjoy every moment. You’re radiant and ready for your big day! It’s not about trying to be perfect, it’s about feeling beautiful and ready to say “I do”. Sit back, relax and let the pros prepare your skin and hair for your special day.
It’s said that long weekends pose a danger for relationships… It might just be that your partner is getting married to someone else behind your back! We explore this phenomenon in South Africa
by Sinqobile ‘Gezzy’ Sibisi
he union of two people is often a joyous affair, with friends and relatives travelling from far and wide to witness the wedding. In South Africa’s remote villages and townships, this event can be even more spectacular and heartwarming as those who have moved away to work in the city get to finally come home to visit and be part of the celebrations. However, there is an unsettling trend that has cast a shadow over these events – a love triangle that involves another partner left behind in the city, with no clue that their boyfriend or girlfriend is actually the one getting married behind their back.
When Sibongile told her boyfriend Thabo (surnames withheld for privacy) of five years that she would be visiting her mother back home in KwaZulu-Natal for the holidays, he never imagined that it would change his love story forever.
The pair met when Sibongile was a student and they eventually moved in together. In addition to covering their daily living costs, Thabo was also working odd jobs to support her studies. From his perspective, they were building towards a future together, and even though he didn’t have much money at the time, he wanted to save up and marry her someday.
While Thabo was still trying to come to terms with the shocking news, the stranger continued: he wanted to offer Thabo money as a “token of appreciation” for all that he’d done over the years to support his new wife.
Apparently, losing a lover to marriage over a long weekend is a fairly common occurrence in South Africa. It’s usually women who are the victims of this. There are several comedy sketches and posts by women all over social media about this phenomenon, with hashtags such as #mjolothepandemic, #umjoloUzok’khathaza [‘dating will tire you out’] and #tlogela banyana/ bashimane [‘let the girls/boys be’].
In one post on TikTok, a woman named Thato shared how after taking out a loan for her village boyfriend, he decided to use the money to marry his baby mama back home.
For most of the victims of this love scam, the news is usually very unexpected. One minute you might be chilling comfortably on the couch, waiting for your partner to return. The next, a social-media status update will suddenly appear on your phone and you’ll see videos of them happily dancing and marrying someone else!
A TikTok user by the name of Ellen referred to Heritage Weekend in September as the “most dangerous long weekend for someone who is in a relationship that is not standing nicely”.
Another TikTok user, Buhle, shared how one of her relatives took leave from work to do the unthinkable. “It’s painful, my uncle did the same to a lady he was dating here in Gauteng. He went to KZN for his leave in July – kanti, he was getting married, leaving the pregnant girlfriend in Jozi.”
However, as the days became weeks after Sibongile left, he heard nothing from her or about her plans to return. He tried calling her but his calls were ignored. He began to worry. Then one day he got an unexpected call from a stranger. It was a man who proclaimed his love for Sibongile and told her boyfriend that they were now married. Hearing Sibongile’s voice in the background confirmed that the two were, in fact, together at the time.
Creamy chicken + sundried tomato pasta (see page 58)
Welcome to Love on a Platter, where sizzle, spice and romance meet! These recipes are perfect, whether you want to surprise your beloved or have fun cooking them together
(see page 58)