Saeeda Mandviwalla hardly needs an introduction. She is one of the most sought-after names in the fashion circuit both on national and international level.
Saeeda Mandviwalla hardly needs an introduction. She is one of the most sought-after names in the fashion circuit both on national and international level. She has many firsts to her credit which makes her an apt choice for our special issue.
In December 2003, Saeeda brought to Pakistan ESSENSUALS, sister concern of the largest British Hairdressing Company TONI&GUY, the first hairdressing franchise in the South East Asian region. This was followed by the opening up of the largest state-of-the-art TONI&GUY salon in 2008 in Karachi.
There’s more! Saeeda Mandviwalla is recognised as the Pond’s Skin Expert and a key innovator in the Skin Care services profession in Pakistan. She is the major force behind the industry’s leading and premium hair and skin collaboration TONI&GUY POND’S Skin Centre. In June 2013, Saeeda was honoured to be part of the Business Roundtable with the British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron. She was recently chosen as one of the ten Pond’s Miracle Mentors from all across Pakistan and she in turn nominated 10 women. Saeeda is a strong believer and supporter of women empowerment and feels that as a successful person it is her responsibility to encourage women to stand up on their own and work alongside their male counterparts.
Just recently she attended London Fashion Week 2015 at Freemasons, the biggest and most coveted event on the international fashion calendar, where she worked with the TONI&GUY Art team to create sizzling looks for spring/summer 2015.
Here, our ace beautician/stylist shares some of the hottest hair and make-up trends and tips straight off the ramp.
You! What is the best makeup look for 2015?
Saeeda Mandviwalla: Black eyeliner never goes out of style, but the current trend is to wear it drawn as close to your eyes as you can get it for a rebellious twist on the beauty classic. The focus point to note is the waterline - the area between your lower lashes and your eye.
You! What kind of a base is best for a smooth finish?
S.M: Mousse or Whipped Foundation Mousse - also marketed as ‘whipped foundation’ - is liquid makeup with air whipped in. Mousse foundations tend to have a perfect matte finish and a weightless feel. It is typically good for all skin types. For women interested in natural, organic makeup, mineral foundation is the best bet. Mineral makeup is great for women with sensitive skin or allergies. Mineral foundation is best applied with a big, fluffy brush.
You! Should primer be used? What does it do?
S.M: Skin has natural imperfections and often your complexion can change. Primer, a formula applied after cleansing and moisturising yet before foundation, creates an ultra-smooth canvas for long wear. It preps your skin for makeup by filling in every crease and crevice or line and wrinkle on your face to even out the skin. If your skin is dull and has no glow then a light pink primer can add a glow.
You! Share some tips for long-lasting makeup...
S.M: Prime it: Adding layers may seem tedious, but primer is vital. They refine pores, act like a barrier to the skin with some versions offering SPF, corrective and reparative properties all in one. Beyond acting like a protective glove for your skin, primer creates a layer for makeup to rest on top of. Water based primers do your skin right.
Read it: Labels baring the words ‘long-wearing’ and ‘water proof’ can be the key to your success. For long-lasting eyeliner and mascaras this is a must-have.
Set it: Set the face with a light dusting of your favourite loose powder. The lighter the version, the better for you.
You! Popular lip colours this season...
S.M: Lip colours for 2015 are deep red, browns and Bordeaux, wine colours also bronze red tones are really in for 2015. You should look for moisturising lipsticks with beeswax and manuka honey to keep lips hydrated.
You! How can we avoid chapped lips?
S.M: Extreme cold or hot weather causes chapped dry lips. Use a lip balm or a chap stick. Drink lots of water and also use lipsticks that moisturise. Avoid matte lipsticks.
You! Is applying lip liner important?
S.M: Lip liners and lip pencils are essential in keeping your lipstick from feathering. Use a mineral or studio fix lip liner to define lips and shape it to perfection.
You! Party looks of the season....
S.M: We’ve always been told never to pair a strong eye with a bold lip but the holiday season is the perfect time to really play with this look. Celebrities like Keira Knightley and Cara Delevinge have both been spotted glamming it up on the red carpet with a smokey eye and bright red lip, and the result is sheer perfection. This is how perfect this bold beauty look is - strong bold and very glamorous Hollywood style.
You! What is the current rage in hair styles?
S.M: The modern Farrah Fawcett - this popular cut takes inspiration from the 1970s beauty icon, but is still completely oh-so-cool. The shoulder-length feathery layers will work with or without bangs like Taylor Swift’s and complement all face shapes.
The blunt midi cut - this blunt mid-length style is having a major moment, too. It has absolutely no layers, just a straight across cut with a bit of feathering at the ends, and works best on those with an oval face shape like Kendall Jenner.
Full graduated layers instead of the been there, done that, mermaid waves that we usually see on the red carpet. Starlets like Suki Waterhouse are opting for shorter, more graduated waves that fall just below the collar bone.
You! Tell us about Hi Brow definition that you have recently introduced?
S.M: Hi Brow is the new beauty salon service and products exclusively for eyebrows. A unique eyebrow salon service suitable for every client whatever their age, face shape or image. Hi Brow training provides a therapist with a range of practical skills that can be selected collectively, or individually to give a unique result.
You! Also tell us about the recently introduced semi permanent and express extension eyelash in Pakistan?
S.M: Eyelash extensions are one of the fastest growing beauty treatments internationally especially in the UK. Lash Perfect semi permanent eyelashes enhance your natural lashes by adhering a synthetic individual eyelash to each natural eyelash using the finest medical grade adhesive that is EU compliant and comes with an allocated ISO number. They are light and comfortable and are available in various curls, lengths and thicknesses.
Lash Perfect individual eyelash extensions are semi permanent and can last up to 8-12 weeks, depending on your natural lash growth cycle. We recommend infill maintenance every 2-3 weeks. With expert application by a Lash Perfect trained technician and by avoiding the use of oil-based eye products, these eyelash extensions behave just like natural lashes and achieve a thicker, fuller and more flattering look.
You! Share some makeup/grooming tips girls need to look into before getting married?
S.M: Flawless, glowing skin and shiny glossy hair are often high on the priority list of a bride-to-be. The number one priority for healthy glowing skin is hydration. Dehydration often makes the skin dull and lack lustre. The general rule for adequate hydration is 40ml of water per kilo of your body weight per day. This, with a balanced diet particularly high in vitamin C, strengthens the cellular walls inside your skin. As well as focusing on your internal vitamin intake, feeding the skin topically is equally important. So, book in for a facial regime one month prior to the big day.
For those with chemically weakened or naturally delicate hair, a protein based treatment to restore the hairs’ elasticity will help. If you have a hairstyle in mind for your wedding day that requires showcasing wave or curl, it’s important to have hair with a healthy spring and elasticity in order to support and hold the curl. One of my favourite treatments is the gold mask treatment that we offer at TONI&GUY which contains silk proteins and keratin and is also very hydrating for brittle, dry hair.
Remember to work back from your wedding day and book all your beauty and hair services in advance, especially for your last pre-wedding facial, peel, or haircut and colour. Don’t forget to sit back, relax and enjoy all the wonderful pampering.
