Being K Naomi

Media personality and Maybelline ‘It-girl’ K Naomi Noinyane shares what she’s learnt about style, beauty and dealing with negativity.

The media personality and Maybelline It-girl shares what she’s learnt

Attract people with your good energy

Beauty is all about knowing yourself and your own worth. When you have confidence you exude something special and people are attracted to that energy.

Listen to your mom

My mom’s beauty advice has always been simple and effective: stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.

Keep your brows on fleek

I love my thick eyebrows and brow gel is my thing. Making sure they look good means my eyes have a frame, even if I’m not wearing makeup.

Invest in more than one fragrance

I don’t have a signature scent, as there are so many wonderful ones to choose from! For day I like to wear something fresh and light, like Giorgio Armani Sì. At at night I like a richer fragrance.

Find your inspiration

Princess Diana is my big style icon. She was such a trendsetter, and the dresses and suits she wore remain timeless. I aspire to that kind of style.

Break the mould

Thuli Mola, founder of Style Alert SA (an online shopping platform), gave me the best advice: “Don’t do what people expect of you.” She showed me how to move away from classic colours, like black, white and grey, and how to introduce brights, like orange and yellow, into my wardrobe.

Find a look you love

I’m petite, so I try to enhance my shape with skinny jeans, high-waisted or low-rise.

Focus on your goals

My biggest life lessons are: Don’t compare yourself to other people, and be patient. Things may not happen when you want them to, and sometimes it may appear as if others are ahead of you. But keep working hard – it’ll all pay off in the end.

Ignore the haters

I don’t entertain negativity because that only gives it power, and I know that even if I am not be able to control what other people do and say, I can control the way in which I respond. I also try to bring positive energy wherever I go, and I like to surround myself with people who do the same.

Feel the moment

I firmly believe that the best way to deal with emotions is to experience them completely. If you’re feeling sad, then feel really sad. Have a good cry and then move on.

Go your own way

I love seeing healthy relationships, strong friendships and people in love. I also draw my own conclusions about people, rather than listen to the opinions of others.

“Things may not happen when you want them to. But keep working hard – it’ll all pay off in the end.”