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By Leigh Crymble

Beauty and fashion columnist


The Lo Down: Behind the Red Door

Two weeks ago, ladies in Johannesburg were treated to the first (of hopefully many) beauty events hosted by international beauty brand Elizabeth Arden at Sandton City.


Offering a complete beauty experience, guests were taken on a journey that started with general skincare maintenance and culminated in achieving the perfect professional makeup look. Here’s what went down behind the iconic Elizabeth Arden red door …

Greeted by MC Elana Afrika, and with celebrity guests including Jay Anstey, Zuraida Jardine, and Jen Su in attendance, the #RedDoorExperience was a weekend of skin pampering and beauty tips for all skin types.

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The five-day beauty school aimed to equip ladies with makeup tools and tricks to achieve a professional makeup look. Picture: Supplied.

Elizabeth Arden’s skincare expert, Ursula Mdluli, kicked things off with her insights on creating healthy, glowing skin. Her advice? “Looking after the skin around your eyes is a priority, as this is a vulnerable area when it comes to ageing, so use skincare products that promote your collagen and elastin levels for a firmer and more lifted look,” suggests Mdluli.

Following on from Mdluli’s presentation was a makeup workshop hosted by makeup artists Gina Myers and Lucoh Mhlongo. Echoing the brand’s mantra: “To be beautiful is the birthright of every woman” Myers and Mhlongo took us through a beginner’s guide to better brows, eyelashes, eyes, and lips. “The key tip for all of your makeup is to blend it in. You shouldn’t see any harsh or unnatural foundation lines and your eyeshadow and lip colour should match your skintone,” stresses Myers.

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Actress Jay Anstey joined in the fun as one of the invited celebrity guests. Picture: Supplied.

According to Elizabeth Arden’s Public Relations Manager, Alice Cardarelli, “The Red Door Experience events are about empowering women to live a healthier and more beautiful life by equipping them with knowledge and confidence on how to look after their skin and how to enhance their natural beauty through makeup.” She adds that these “Beauty Schools” create the perfect platform for anyone to explore, revisit, and learn more about their current skincare regime and makeup skills.

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Behind the Red Door at the Elizabeth Arden beauty school workshop in Sandton City. Picture: Supplied.

Top 3 #RedDoorExperience beauty tips:

1. Wiggle your mascara as you apply it from the roots of your eyelashes to the tips to give lashes a fuller, longer appearance.

2. Make eyeshadow last longer throughout the day by dipping your eyeshadow brush into some water before applying.

3. Always apply skincare products and foundation in a circular, upward motion to help lift the face.

For more information about these beauty workshops, follow @EArdenSA. Leigh is a beauty and lifestyle blogger. Follow her on twitter @Le1ghLo or on her blog www.Le1ghLo.com.

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