Women should embrace beauty rituals for themselves, and find empowerment in these acts of self-care. Confidence comes from looking after yourself, whether through a pampering spa treatment, perfect brows, lush lashes, or dazzling nails.
The only thing more beautiful than a woman who knows what she wants, is a woman who beautifies herself solely for her own pleasure. These small, almost ritualistic acts of self-care, are incredibly empowering. When you choose to take care of yourself, you become more confident in who you are and what you do.
In essence, women don’t owe anyone their beauty but themselves. As a young adult discovering my true identity, I am grateful for the many women who have helped me find myself, to grow and to continue to question things. Through it all, I have embraced some of these monthly routines not for anyone else, but for myself, and in this edition, I am so excited to share my Top four August picks with you.
Starting with haircare, I don’t know if anyone else can relate, but when I get my hair done, the wash is one of the best parts for me. That lovely head massage that can send you right to sleep… Well, there is a new treatment in town that so many people have been raving about. At Body Beautiful, Durban North, they have something called The Hydrobar Spa. It’s literally ALL ABOUT the wash and massage! You can choose a 45, 60, or 90-minute scalp massage treatment. Not only was my head and hair loving the TLC, but I also completely melted and decompressed. A scalp scrub, hair wash and condition, professional JOICO 4-phase treatment, head/scalp massage, and basic blow-dry… Now that’s a monthly routine I can get behind! Oh, and did I mention the spa beds you lie on during the treatment are heated? It was like getting into a cosy bed and then being treated like a queen, just magic.
Next, we focused on what gets done more consistently, starting with a feature that shows your emotion—the eyebrows. As someone with light hair, I don’t need this too often. However, I learnt some very valuable tips at Her Brows, Durban North. After a lovely scrub and cleanse, my eyebrows were mapped out for the best shape to fit my facial features. My henna colour was custom-mixed to blend well with my current hair colour, I loved the result! After dyeing my eyebrows, I experienced threading for the first time… Ouch! But being told that waxing ages the skin faster, resulting in easier sagging skin, I will confidently recommend threading. Having a lady so passionate about eyebrow health and growth, was wonderful and very informative, helping me understand how to ultimately get full luscious brows.
Now that we are on a roll with new brows, what about new lashes? I love to spoil myself every now and then by getting my lashes done because putting on and wiping off mascara is a mission. Again, light hair makes it look like I don’t have lashes. Miaco by Cobi Naude, located in The Skin & Laser Clinic, Durban North, exceeded my expectations. She delicately gave me a classic set of lashes. Usually, you would only find black extensions, but Cobi surprised me with a range of brown shades, which made my lashes look all the more natural… truly gorgeous.
Even after just these few treatments, my confidence in myself escalated. But you know there is still one last thing that needs to be done. I know I am not the only woman who feels this unexplainable feeling of strength and power when her nails are beautiful. Long or short nails, french or wildly colourful, it really does not matter… Every woman is different, and we can have our nails as we like and what best suits your personality. Très Beaux Studios at The Pearls bedazzled my nails in a black and white star design with silver diamantes for that extra bling. Tandi ensured that I felt special by decorating her nail station with a sign welcoming me to the salon. I left feeling like a 10/10 and ready to conquer the rest of the day.
No matter what you like to get done to feel great about yourself, don’t do it for anyone but you. Use your confidence as the fuel to your success, and always remember that confidence looks different on everyone… nails, hair, or lashes. We can all agree, us women find power in feeling good, looking gorgeous and walking in confidence.
The Hydrobar Spa: @bodybeautifuldurban
Eyebrows: @herbrows2020
Lashes: @miaco_bycobinaude
Nails: @tresbeauxstudiopearls
Words: Kai Coates