Talia Sanhewe's make-up bag
News reporter, Talia Sanhewe, fills Leigh van den Berg in on what it takes to look camera-ready – under any circumstances...
Article: Leigh van den Berg
Fact file
Name: Talia Sanhewe
Occupation: CNBC Africa's Cape Town reporter and anchor for their weekend news program, Eye on the Western Cape.
Location: Cape Town
Despite having a job that requires she stand around election venues and court houses (sometimes for up to hours on end), Talia's always looks gorgeous and professional. In fact, the girl's whole get up seems pretty much impenetrable to the elements! When I asked her to fess up regarding her secret (beauty) weapons, I was expecting an answer along the lines of... well, I don't really know to be honest... But I sure as heck wasn't anticipating it to be something as unassuming as hair pins! However, according to Talia, nothing holds her together like a handful of little black pins. 'At the end of one shoot, I think I used nearly two packs of pins trying to keep my hairstyle in place', she says. 'I remember thinking that if I'd had to go through a metal detector, I'd be in trouble!'
Aside from the hairpins, Talia's other 'fab-in-the-field' essentials are MAC Splashproof Lash mascara in Black and MAC Studio Fix (powder foundation) in NW50 'Waterproof mascara is essential as the weather changes so frequently in Cape Town', she says. 'The one minute you look glam and fabulous, then the next its gale force winds combined with rain and hail!' As far as the Studio Fix goes, she reckons it's the best thing for quick touch ups between takes. 'It's completely brilliant for a long day of shooting in different elements, from the blazing hot sun through to indoor neon lighting', she says. 'It always manages to give me a balanced tone'.
Talia's other make-up bag must-haves include Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant ('the most brilliant, long lasting lip-gloss on the market!'), Bobbi Brown Blush in Pink Berry, Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Plum Seduction, MAC Pro Lash mascara in Coal Black and MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer. 'If I'm doing an early morning shoot I can look fabulous and dark-ring free by dabbing a few dots of concealer under my eyes', she says. 'It's brilliant because it also contains an SPF for those sunshine days...' She's also a fan of MAC Eye Kohls in Blooz and Prunella as well as the MAC Brow Duo Compact. 'I apply it with a MAC Small Angle Brush – it's great for giving your eyebrows the volume they need and to get the right shape'.
When it comes to skin care, Talia says she's a 'huge fan' of Nivea's facial products. 'Their Refreshing Wash Gel is a brilliant everyday cleanser', she says, adding that she likes to follow that up with their Refreshing Toner. She was also lucky enough to experience a La Mer facial the other day and refers to the experience as 'sublime'. 'I highly advise using La Mer The Refining Facial which uses diamond powder and refined quartz to exfoliate, along with La Mer The Eye Concentrate which is perfect for dark rings or an otherwise dull eye area', she enthuses. 'I'm officially hooked on La Mer. It's pricy, but it's really worth the investment'.
Body-wise, Talia's crazy about Bio-Oil and Coco Butter. 'My two favourite body creams are Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning body lotion and Cocoa Butter Body Butter from The Body Shop', she says.
As far as hair care goes, she likes to visit her hairdresser every three to four weeks for a deep conditioning treatment. 'I also trim the ends every eight weeks to avoid split ends and to moisturise, I apply Dark & Lovely's Moisture Seal-in Styling Mist'.
Now it's time for a few quick questions!
Any uber-embarrassing on-camera beauty disasters? Tell, tell, tell!
I've had some 'racoon mascara' moments, shiny face moments and a few 'eek! What kind of eye shadow was I wearing?!' moments... In this business, however, you just keep on going, the cameras keep rolling and you keep smiling though gritted teeth.
What nail polish are you rocking right now?
When it comes to my fingers I like to keep it clear and simple, but when it comes to my toes I just love the brighter the better! My favourite colour right now is Rimmel 60 Seconds nail polish in Coralicious.
Sooo... if we snooped around in your bathroom, what do you reckon we'd find?
I gym about four times a week, so my shower gels and scrubs are divided pretty much into two sets – the gymming set and the home set. For gym I love using Nivea Happy Time shower gel – the burst of citrus in the morning is perfect after a hard gym work out.
What perfume do you wear?
I recently discovered a brilliant local brand called Kingsley Health – their women's fragrance, Ironzi, is by far the best day fragrance I have ever used. It's musky yet slightly floral with a hint of citrus. As far as evening scents go, I'm a fan of Marc Jacobs Daisy – its fun, whimsical and fresh – and Chanel Coco Mademoiselle.
What's your biggest beauty no-no?
Caked, layered-on foundation in the wrong skin tone. Foundation should set the tone for your make-up, not be the focal point. And super-obvious lip liner, especially when the lipstick is long gone!
Finally, a last little beauty secret you can share with the girls on Women24.com?
Have fun and be playful! Beauty is all about experimenting, so try new products, fragrances, scrubs, eye liners and lip-glosses!
Catch Talia on Eye on the Western Cape on DSTV's CNBC Africa Channel every Sunday at 7pm.
- Women24