Live Loud, with LAUGH HARDER
They don’t call her the Queen of Zulu Comedy for nothing. We sit down with Celeste Ntuli and get to know this comedy powerhouse beyond the punchlines
Words by Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Photography Zhann Solomons
Styling Calista Da Luz & Austin Taylor
A KISS Seal it with
SKIN TONE VS UNDERTONE
We’ve established that identifying what your skin tone and undertone are is vital for finding that ever-elusive perfect match. But where do you even start?
Simply put, your skin tone comes down to the amount of melanin in your skin. Generally, skin tones fall into four categories: fair, light, medium and dark. The tricky part comes when trying to identify your undertone, which is the muted colour beneath the surface of your skin that isn’t affected by external factors like tanning, your hair colour or the lighting you’re surrounded by.
Believe it or not, the colour of your skin is made up of blues, yellows, reds and greens. It sounds crazy but it’s true. Finding a shade that complements your undertone has nothing to do with how light or dark your skin is; it’s matching the colour to your undertone that matters. The same rules apply across all skin tones and ethnicities. You can assess your undertone by looking at the veins on your wrist. See box right.
Let’s pick a shade
THREE CATEGORIES OF UNDERTONES
Warm: People who fall in this category tend to have veins that appear green under the skin. Their skin has a yellow hue when standing in direct natural light, and they lean more towards gold jewellery because it is more flattering and appears more radiant against their skin.
Cool: If you have blue, purple or reddish veins, and your skin looks pink or red when you do the light test, you fall into this category. You are also more inclined to wear silver jewellery, which looks better on you.
Neutral: If you can’t really determine the colour of your veins, do not discern a drastic shift in your skin tone when standing in natural light, and wear both gold and silver equally well, you are neutral-toned.
Lip Crayon in 'Poppy Red' R49.95
Lipstick in 'Fierce' R19.95
Lipstick in 'Fearless' R19.95
Lip Crayon in 'Black Cherry' R49.95 5. Lipstick & Gloss Duo in 'Generous' R39.95 6. Lip Crayon in 'Rosy Nude' R49.95
Lipstick in
Warm
Warm skin tones take a liking to red and orange hues. Cool
The best shades for cool skin tones are ones with a blue or purple tinge.
As a hint of crisp autumn air settles in, it’s the perfect time to refresh your look by Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
LET'S GET layering
Who says you can’t be stylish and cosy? Layering brings depth and interest to your outfit while embracing the changing season. Whether you’re a sweater-lover or a jacket junkie, it’s all about mixing and matching pieces to stay warm and look fabulous.
FOOTPRINTS
To bring both practicality and sass to your outfit, opt for knee-highs, cowboy-ish boots or chunkier combat boots. Bring a fun twist to your look with funky laces, a buckle or a stand-out colour or texture.
SPECIAL TOUCH
A breezy scarf is exactly the cherry on top you need to pull your layered look together. Play with colours and textures to truly make your outfit pop. 5
STYLE TIP
There are many ways to wear a scarf – experiment with wrapping, tying and draping.
Long Block-Heeled Boots R549.99, Exact
Washed Denim Western Boots R499.99, The FIX
Satin Scarf R89.99, Jet
Black/Burnt Orange 2-Pack Scarves R109.99, Jet
Checked Blanket Scarf R189.99, Exact
Lace-Up Boots with Shearling Detail R369.99, Exact
Hello, hormones
We outline some of the most important chemical messengers in your body and how to keep them functioning happily
by Andrea Robertson
Keep it happy
Studies have shown that avoiding processed sugar and increasing your intake of protein can keep ghrelin levels from topping the charts, thus keeping hunger at bay and helping you stay in a healthy weight range.
Leptin:
The ‘Satiety’ Hormone
Ghrelin’s counterpart, leptin signals to the brain when you’ve had enough to eat; crucial in weight management. The hormone is produced in fat cells, so if you decrease body fat, you produce less leptin. If you’ve ever wondered why you’re hungrier than ever when you’re dieting, this little bugger is the cause. But those with a high body fat percentage are not out of the woods – they produce more leptin, but can become resistant to its effects, causing overeating.
Keep it happy
Healthline suggests avoiding inflammatory foods such as trans fats and fizzy drinks, as well as getting enough exercise and sleep to maintain healthy levels of leptin in your body.
The Growth Hormone
Looking for them #gains? This is the hormone (also known as HGH) that is responsible for cell growth and regeneration – read: increased muscle mass and bone density – particularly in women, as they can’t rely as much on testosterone (see opposite) to do this. It’s also involved in growth spurts in children and in adults helps control metabolism and decrease body fat. It also slows down the effects of ageing (as you age, HGH levels decrease).
Keep it happy
Studies have found that those who eat a well-balanced diet and avoid refined sugar have higher levels of growth hormone. High-intensity exercise and a decent sleep schedule also help to keep levels constant.
THOSE WHO EAT A WELLBALANCED DIET HAVE HIGHER LEVELS OF GROWTH HORMONE. HIGH-INTENSITY EXERCISE AND A DECENT SLEEP SCHEDULE ALSO HELP TO KEEP LEVELS CONSTANT
CRUSH A chocolate
Chocolate coffee panna cotta recipe on pg 61
What’s better than receiving a box of chocolates? How about a plate full of these chocolate delights, made with love
Double chocolate brownies with poached pears
Top your brownies with finely chopped pistachios, orange zest or icing sugar.
COOK'S TIP
Q+A
WITH A LITERACY ACTIVIST AND KIDS’ BOOK CLUB FOUNDER
This digital content producer is all about making dreams come true
Q: TELL US MORE ABOUT
YOURSELF...
A: I’m a vibrant 30-year-old with a passion for living life to the fullest. As an avid reader, jazz enthusiast and fashion lover, I thrive on all things bold and beautiful. With a strong conviction that education unlocks endless possibilities, I’m proud to work on one of Africa’s biggest magazines [Glamour]. I’m also the founder of Chosi-Chosi, a children’s book club in Philippi, Cape Town, where I aim to inspire young minds and foster a love for learning.
Q: WHO INSPIRED YOUR JOURNEY?
A: My family is my greatest source of inspiration. Growing up in a female-led household, I was surrounded by strong, compassionate women who taught me the value of empathy and kindness. My mother and aunties paved the way for me to chase my dreams, and I carry their legacy with me wherever I go.
Q: ANY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
A: Securing my current position is a dream come true! Growing up, I could have easily been held back
by the limitations of my environment. But my mom’s unwavering support and the freedom she gave me to dream big have been instrumental in my success, including the launch of the book club.
Q: WHY DID YOU START CHOSI-CHOSI?
A: My love for education led me to start the book club, but it was my own experiences that fuelled my passion. Growing up, I wasn’t the top student, but I worked hard and found my niche in reading and storytelling. However, as I grew older, I realised that the education system was failing many children, especially those in public schools. I knew I couldn’t sit back and wait for change. After many sleepless nights, I launched the book club in 2019, and it’s been an incredible journey.
Q: WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT CHOSI-CHOSI?
A: The book club’s mission goes beyond fostering a love for reading; we aim to inspire children to dream big, beyond the limitations of their surroundings. Through our excursions, we hope to spark curiosity and broaden their horizons, showing them the endless possibilities that await.
Q: WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO WHAT YOU DO?
A: My motivation stems from my own childhood experiences. I never owned a book until I was 22, after landing my first permanent job. This sparked a desire to create change. With the help of generous donors, we’ve collected and distributed thousands of books to the Philippi community. Seeing every child with a book is a dream come true and my greatest achievement with the book club so far.
Q: WHAT’S NEXT?
A: The best is yet to come! In 2025, we’ll be taking a major leap forward, moving Chosi-Chosi into our very own permanent home. I’m beyond excited to see Chosi-Chosi flourish into a household name and a beloved institution in Philippi, where kids can come to learn, grow and dream big.
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@cndeka @sindekam
SINDEKA MANDOYI