5 Minutes with… Azania Mosaka
Real Talk presenter and Radio 702 host talks impressive self-care tips and her skincare obsessions.
I ALWAYS DREAMED OF…
… Becoming an economist and being Trevor Manuel’s right hand woman. That, or being a pilot. When I was younger, I remember looking into the cockpit of an aeroplane and thinking how much I wanted to commandeer a craft like this. I haven’t gotten there yet, but just you wait.
THE NAIL TREND I LOVE
The perks of being a salon owner means I have my nails done twice a week. I’m obsessed with mirror nails and negative space right now. I love that the nail bed is left natural, it’s fresh and modern.
EAT YOUR SKIN BEAUTIFUL
Vegetables are the secret to better skin when you don’t have the genes. For years the focus was on the topical stu, like what you put on your skin. I often got breakouts, so I went to see a dietician and she revamped my diet to include more plant-based foods and protein. I saw a difference in my skin in two weeks.
MY RED CARPET HAIR CRUSH
I love what Manthe Ribane is doing creatively and her aesthetic as a whole. She is expressive, bold and breaking boundaries. She’s the epitome of the promise of what African creativity holds.
MY GO-TO HAIRSTYLE STARTED AS A MISTAKE
My braids were being cut, as it was being undone. When I looked in the mirror, I saw something that I really liked. I guided the hairstylist on how to cut and curl the braids. It’s been years since then, and everyone always asks me about how to get this look. To be honest, this style makes me the happiest and I always go back to it.
THE BEST ADVICE FOR MY TEEN SELF
Be gentle on yourself. Some of the things you stress about actually turn out not to be that important in your adult life.
DRENCH YOURSELF IN CONFIDENCE
I love and collect fragrances. It’s one of those things that I secretly coveted when I was younger. My mood is instantly elevated when I have a fragrance on.
HEALTHY SKIN IS EVERYTHING
My skin suffers because of harsh lighting in studio. My dermo put me on a highperformance skincare range from Obagi Nu-derm. Try (4) Obagi Nu-derm Gentle Cleanser (R696). Combine good skincare with rest, hydration, vitamin D and a good probiotic for the best results.
MY BEAUTY MUST-HAVES
I pride myself on my crown, and I’ve been growing my natural hair underneath my braids. I’ve recently fallen in love with (5) Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk (R299), and my natural hair is flourishing. I also see a trichologist once a month. She gives me a sense of what my hair needs so that I’m not blindly treating it. I never leave the house without Ms London Cosmetics Mineral Makeup, which is particularly made to work for African skin tones – it’s a perfect match for my complexion.
I’M VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT MY HAIR
My hair is natural, so once it’s braided I use a gel to keep the edges intact. When my edges stop being flat, then it’s a sign that it’s grown out and time for a salon visit. I like my hair done in a particular way. When I feel like the stylist doesn’t have an understanding of my face and what’s most flattering, I sometimes take the comb and takeover completely. I actually only need the salon for their big hair dryer and braiding. I guess you could say I’m a nightmare of a client!
THE PROTECTIVE STYLING GUIDE I SWEAR BY
Ensure that your hairstylist doesn’t braid on your hairline. The minute you feel any pulling and it starts to feel sore, tell your stylist and let them undo your hair. Do not compromise on this under any circumstances. To avoid any breakage, get your hair done every month instead of wearing your braids for long periods of time. Take a breather in between different styles – if you don’t, you’ll cause trauma to your hair.
NOURISH YOUR HAIR
Always take the dry air and pollution around you into consideration. If you live in a dry climate, opt for an intensively-nourishing and a high-shine leave-in conditioner.
NEVER SKIP CUTICLE CARE
Your nail grows out of your cuticles, so the health of your nails can change if you don’t take proper care of them. Often, I hear clients say they don’t have time for nailcare. When you’re sitting in traffic, massage cuticle oil into your nail beds. Gelish or acrylic can give your nails a battering, so cuticle serum is a must!
MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY HELPED ME GET STRONG
I do Yoga. It makes me aware of my body and helps calm my mind. There are also such great benefits which add to the balance of your body as well as strengthening your core and how you feel overall.
THE MIND BODY CONNECTION
We’re living in a time where so much of what we do is in our mind. When the mind is leading, you tend to neglect your heart and body. Particularly when your mind is constantly going between so many different things: social media, information overload and thoughts about what you’re going to do next. We simply aren’t making enough time to be reflective and take care of our emotional states. It’s not only about looking good, we need to treat our bodies with love, too. Unfortunately, I don’t think that these external influences are going to stop, especially when looking at technology and the role it plays in our lives. People are already struggling to come back to themselves to understand who they are and their importance in the world. In the future, we’ll run the risk of having society dictate who we are. Thanks to everyone’s expectations of you on social media, you stop thinking about who you, as an individual, want to be.