Saturday 24th of October 2026

Nairobi, Kenya

Tag: Beauty

Darling Runway Kenya Fashion Show

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

Launch of Darling Runway Kenya, an annual platform about the business of Fashion COUTURE Africa magazine in partnership with Ajuma Ltd will be hosting a one-of-a-kind fashion experience on the 6th and 7th of April at the Two Rivers Mall and Sankara hotel dubbed Darling Runway Kenya.

COUTURE Africa magazine founder, Olive Gachara says that Darling Runway Kenya shall be an annual event specifically focused on the Business of Fashion. It brings together key industry players; 16 showcasing fashion designers, the creative community, and talent such as bloggers, photographers, writers, journalists, and stylists as well as a troop of 75 models and a fleet of Black| make-up artists and hairstylists. Designed to be more than a visually memorable affair.

Darling Runway Kenya draws industry thinkers for a cross-section of intense workshops and conferences open to the public on Friday the 6th of April at the Two Rivers Mall Expo Hall. This will culminate in the ultimate roundtable that will include highly-acclaimed South African designer Thula Sindi, beauty, hair, and fashion professionals and will be moderated by COUTURE Africa’s Managing Editor and award-winning fashion journalist Carol Odero at Sankara Hotel prior to the official event launch at the same location.

Saturday 7th April will see 7 fashion shows take place every hour-on-the-hour at various locations around Two Rivers Mall and event title sponsor, Darling Kenya – East Africa’s Leading Hair Brand – will launch a collection of their latest trends, a compelling live look book created by their top partner hairstylists on the runway. This will be simultaneously done on the same runway models as they showcase the fashion designers. Worth an estimated KES 25 billion, the local hair market is home to 150,000 salons and growing. Darling has a salon partnership program that currently reaches over 20,000 salons across Kenya.

“The Kenyan consumer is becoming more fashion aware and hair is a fundamental part of this awareness. She demands quality hair products and accessories that keep her on the cutting edge of fashion. She has big dreams and is clear that her hair plays a huge role in helping her achieve these dreams. Darling has become the go-to partner for this stylish woman and fuels her passion and aspirations. This means leading the conversation on fashion hence the need to be part of the premier of East Africa’s Home of Fashion,” said Victoria Kieti-Chesire, Head of Marketing, Dry Hair, Godrej Kenya.

To help realize this vision is Ajuma Ltd., founded and run by Kenya’s first supermodel Ajuma Nasenyana. “What made me come on board was my good relationship with COUTURE Africa magazine. They are outstanding when it comes to pushing fashion in Kenya.

We all know models outside of fashion capitals pretty much struggle when it comes to making modeling a lucrative career. Ajuma Ltd. is constantly scouting and doing our absolute best to push potential high fashion models through to international platforms.” Ajuma’s scouting led her to the Kakuma Refugee Camp where she discovered two gems who will come to Nairobi and strut on the Darling Runway Kenya catwalks.

Darling Runway Kenya shall bring the already vibrant Two Rivers Mall to an all-new high, with a Darling Mobile Salon, Black|Up Make-up Booth, COUTURE Africa Magazine custom covers, Pop-Up Stores by the 16 Designers, Mini Casting Sessions by Ajuma Ltd, select backstage access all wrapped up with a Fashion Party. This is an Open Access event with VIP priority parking within the mall and exclusive VIP seating at the runway shows.

Content Courtesy Of Darling Kenya, Couture Africa Magazine, Ajuma Limited & Nairobi Fashion Hub

The Power Of Lipstick

Posted on by Linda Wairegi

Lipsticks come in all types of colour, shades, and sizes.

Different types of lipsticks include moisturizing lipstick, sheer lipstick, matte lipstick, cream lipstick, glossy lipstick and long-lasting lipstick.

The lipstick that your mother used to have in her huge handbag was thick & chunky. She’d whip it out and twist out a muted colour that wouldn’t scream too much. It wouldn’t take her more than a minute to paint it on & throw it back in her bag after placing the lid back on.

Ladies of the night used to apply a bright shade to attract customers & show them that they were ready to open for business. However, lipstick it’s no longer that infamous & there’s a perfect lipstick for every lady. 

The power of lipstick lies in that you don’t need the same precision as a foundation.

Wear the wrong foundation on your face & the whole world knows. Just look at the face and look at the neck. It also takes time putting it on, so you definitely need to wake up a little early than usual and reach out for those makeup brushes.

But with lipstick, you just pull it out of your bag, paint it on your lips and you’re ready for the day.

Before you dash out to the office or head out that date you’ve been excited about. Use lipliner to have a neater look, then apply lipstick on your lips & gently blot it. Nobody wants to look like they’ve been eating their lipstick.

If you want your lipstick to last longer. Exfoliate your lips first with a damp toothbrush. Moisturize your lips with lip balm that isn’t too oily. Blot your lips to remove extra moisture. Use a lip liner to define your lips. Use your favourite lipstick. Blot off excess lipstick with a cloth. Powder your lips with a loose powder similar to the foundation that you use.

Love your bright lips from morning till nighttime.

Comment why you love lipstick below.

Best Sunglasses Brands For Women

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Sunglasses are one fashion accessory that can lift your entire outfit and put it on the pedestal. While some people are suckers for style, others are brand freaks, and most are hoarders (like me). In all this frenzy, sometimes we end up buying glasses for their sheer style, and do not bother to check if they protect our eyes from the sun (which is what they are supposed to do). I learned the hard way that sunglasses are worth the investment, and one robust pair is better than ten fancy ones. And when I say robust, I mean that they should at least be polarized, provide sun protection, or both (ideally). What does this mean? To know more, and about the top sunglasses brands for eyewear, you need to scroll down.

Types Of Sunglasses
UV Protection Sunglasses
UV Protection Sunglasses protect your eyes from the powerful ‘Ultraviolet’ rays that are known for causing damage to the skin, eyes, etc. Look for glasses that give 100% coverage, and are both UVA & UVB protected. UVA rays can cause cataracts and damage to the retina in some cases because they penetrate your eyes easily. UVB rays can be absorbed by your cornea, and are more harmful and powerful than UVA rays. The best and easiest way to protect yourself is by buying sunglasses that give your complete protection.

Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized Sunglasses are sunglasses that nullify the glare, reflection, and the intensity of light. ‘Glare’ is one of the biggest issues while driving, walking or even being out in the sun. Without getting into the science of it, here’s what they do – polarized glasses come with an invisible chemical coating that diminishes the intensity of light, and mellows down the sharpness. Polarized glasses are not always necessarily UV protectants, while the opposite is true. If you have to choose between UV protection sunglasses or polarized, go for the former, they are great value for that extra money you are going to spend.
Also, whichever one you choose to buy, make sure that your glasses cover your eye area completely to avoid skin discoloration, sunburns, tanning, etc.

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Waterproof Mascara

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Are you someone who loves fluttery, voluminous lashes and swears by waterproof mascara? If yes, you know it’s all fun and games till you actually have to remove it at the end of the day because waterproof mascara is notoriously stubborn. It’s a challenge as removing it the wrong way will have a negative impact not just on your lashes but also on the skin around your eyes. Also, what do you do when you run out of makeup remover in the middle of the night? Sleep with traces of it? That’s an enormous NO!
We’ve got a few clever hacks for you to remove waterproof mascara with ease and without causing strain to your precious lashes. Read on to find out how you can incorporate some of these methods to remove your mascara perfectly.

Here is how to Remove Waterproof Mascara Without Damaging Your Lashes And Blinding Yourself
his one’s a no-brainer. If you’re methodical and have your life together – you may never run out of your eye makeup remover because you’ll always remember to buy some beforehand. This tip is for the mascara-newbies. So listen up, using an eye makeup remover to get rid of that product at the end of the day is perhaps the most ideal thing to do.

What We Need

  • An eye makeup remover (We recommend trying the Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover or the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover)
  • Cotton pads

Step By Step Process

  1. Take a cotton pad and pour some of your eye makeup remover onto it.
  2. Close your eyelids and rest the cotton pad on the top of your lashes for a few seconds.
  3. Gently wipe the cotton pad downwards, towards your lash tips.
  4. Repeat this process until all traces of the mascara has been removed.
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Odaomo Seductress at Sunset Fall 2018 Runway Show 

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

odAOMO Seductress at Sunset Fall 2018 Runway Show went down at the tribe hotel village market the show started exactly at 5:00 pm east African time, event was graced by who is who in Kenyan fashion sector , great performance from America Pop idol and Odaomo creative director Quentin Alexander who left guest wanting more and more, fashion show was held at the poolside spectacular view with African set up.

Luxury Design for Global Citizen
Luxury line for modern women’s wear with a timeless and cross-cultural aesthetic ,Odaomo company is  based on the principle of “giving back” and supports improved social and economic conditions here in Kenya Creates exclusive and collectible statement pieces for global citizens, utilizes sustainably sourced materials to handcraft leather goods, Ready-to-Wear and jewelry in limited seasonal collectionsat the same time preserves the art of quality craftsmanship and community development through the fair-wage employment of local Kenyan artisans Odaomo produces regular fashion shows and events to foster a transcultural, stylish and philanthropic community, offers private shopping and personal styling services to clients Knowledgeable team of passionate professionals committed to providing the highest standard of products and services

History ( Odaomo Background )
Established in 2014. As you may know, in Africa, given names have significant meaning. Children are named after a great ancestor, a significant birth trait, a time, season, or an event. The designer’s name, Aomo, not only talks of  ” a time of harvest” , but is also after the great matriarch Aomo. Her grandmother was tall, strong, entrepreneurial, and left a legacy carried by many female grandchildren. The house of Aomo (od AOMO in Luo, her tribal language) was indeed the beginning of it all.
We welcome you to odAOMO, “House of Aomo”.

Perfect Foundation For Your Skin Tone

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Not every woman is blessed with beautiful and flawless skin! Some are troubled with acne, scars, pimples, while some may face dryness or over oilness. But then those of this imperfect skin are blessed with Makeup!

Further, face foundation makeup is most important for a flawless skin!!!  The right foundation for your skin tone is necessary to get all the other makeup right in place.

Simple Makeup Tips To Choose Right Foundation For Your Skin Tone

Know Your Skin Tone
Firstly, it is very important to know your skin tone to choose the right foundation. The right skin color will help you ease the further task of applying makeup. Wrong shades of foundation can ruin all the effort you take to get the right makeup look. Therefore read below to understand how to pick the right shade.

Check the colour of the veins under your wrist.

  • Green Veins: Warm Tone (You have yellow undertones, so go for foundations having yellow undertones.Yellow undertones go well with all skin tones.)
  • Blue Veins: Cool Tone (You have pink undertones, so go for foundations having pink or cooler undertones)
  • If you are balanced between cool & warm tones, then go for neutral shades.

Know Your Skin Type
To choose the right foundation i.e liquid, loose powder, compact or others, it is important to know the skin type. This procedure will help you completely avoid the risk of harming the skin. For example, when you know that your skin is prone to sun burn, it will help you pick the foundation that offers SPF protection.

  • For Dry Skin: Opt for oil / water based foundations which blends seamlessly & keeps skin hydrated. Dry skin women can benefit out of tinted moisturizers for light or sheer coverage, while cream based moisturizers also are good for medium to full coverage.
  • For Oily Skin: Opt for oil free foundations that have matte finish. Pressed powder foundations are also a good option for oily skin because they soak all the oil to keep the skin fresh for long. Mineral makeup also claims to work well with oily skin.
  • For Combination Skin: This type of skin can experiment with water based foundations to pressed powder foundation depending on your skin condition.
  • Mineral based foundations are suitable for all skin types and are highly recommended for sensitive skin.
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How Often Do You Wash your Hair ?

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Yeah, the eternal question – how often should you wash your hair? It is pretty simple actually. When you feel that your hair is greasy and unclean, wash it! As simple as that.
Other aspects of hair washing include what you need to wash it with, how often is too often, and how long you can go without washing your hair. It all depends on your hair texture, scalp, and styling method.

Shampooing Your Hair
When you think of washing your hair, you mean shampooing it, right? Yes, using shampoo to clean your hair has become synonymous with washing hair.
It is also the most popular method of cleaning hair – it eliminates dirt, product build-up, sweat, dandruff, and excess oil from the hair. It’s shampoo time when your scalp feels itchy, hair becomes excessively oily, and you notice dirt flakes in your hair.

Shampoos contain various ingredients that help remove debris and oil from the hair. While this process makes your hair cleaner, it can also damage it if used excessively because shampoos may contain harmful chemicals and sulfates. Also, they may strip the hair of the natural oils and make it dry and itchy.
You need to have some oil in your hair to protect it from damage. So, if you feel that you are shampooing your way to dry and damaged hair, reduce the number of times you wash your hair.

How Often To Shampoo Your Hair

  1. Hair Texture
  2. Scalp Type
  3. Styling
  4. Exercise Patterns
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Instagram Shopping Made Easy for Users to Shop and Buy

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Instagram has roll out a pair of new shopping features to make it easier for its 500 million users to shop without leaving the app.
How the new feature works

A “Tap to View Products” icon will appear in the bottom left of posts.

Tapping on that icon will reveal the names of, and prices for, up to five products tagged in the post.

Users can then tap on any featured product tags to then get additional details.

All of this happens within the Instagram app.

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How To Keep Your Lips Beautiful

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Just like the eyes, our lips also enhance the attractiveness of our face. Due to pollution and due to rampant use of harsh cosmetics, lips tend to turn dark and lose their natural beauty over time. And we are forced to depend on cosmetics even more. Its what you can call a chicken and egg story! It goes on forever and the end is never close. But what if you could find a few ways to break that cycle? Doesn’t that sound good?
To regain their natural color and beauty, here are some tips for beautiful lips which will help you regain the soft, luscious and kissable lips look.

Natural beauty tips for lips

Use Lipsticks Sparingly
Lipsticks are basically a mixture of wax, pigments, fragrance, oils and alcohol. And different kinds of wax, oils and pigments are used in combination to get the desired product. Chemicals as much individually are not the best option when it comes to prolonged contact with the body but when being we need to take additional care for the result may not suit us! Use lipsticks only when you need them the most. They contain chemicals, which are not good for your lips. Make sure you use Lipsticks with Shea butter, Vitamin E, jojoba oil etc that moisturize your lips. Go for a tinted lip balm instead of a lipstick for regular use, and brands like Nivea and Maybelline have some real good ones.

Keep Lips Hydrated

Water constitutes about 50% to 60% of our body approximately. It is but obvious then that maintaining the required percentage is but essential or the effects will show on your skin too. Your lips being the least naturally equipped for self preservation, they are the first to show the effects. To retaining the natural color of lips, it is essential to maintain hydration levels by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to retain the natural moisture of your lips, especially during winters when we often tend to drink less water, and dehydration is noticed. Also, add high water-content to your diet like fruits such as cucumber, watermelon, orange, grapefruit and lemon.

Avoid Licking or Biting your Lips + Moisturize
Saliva  tends to further dry out the moisture on your rather than add to them.Dermatologists hence advise us not to lick the lips to keep them wet because in the process you are further drying them out and this can lead to darkening of the lips. Even the habit of biting lips should be avoided as there is the risk of damaging them, instead keep a moisturizing lip balm handy for application as it protects and conditions your lips.
Licking your lips and lip balm is an idiosyncrasy that a lot of people suffer from. This is a reaction to nervousness or stress. This might calm your nerves at that moment but the long term damage it does to your lips is quite harsh. It leaves them dry, chapped and even bleeding at time. The best way to avoid this is to first stop using flavored lip balms and secondly to make a conscious effort to adopt other means of relieving stress.

Read more  no next  page

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Kenyan Natural Hair Beauty Products And Brands

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

A natural product is a chemical compound or substance produced by a living organism—that is, found in nature. In the broadest sense, natural products include any substance produced by life. Natural products can also be prepared by chemical synthesis (both semisynthesis and total synthesis) and have played a central role in the development of the field of organic chemistry by providing challenging synthetic targets. The term natural product has also been extended for commercial purposes to refer to cosmetics, dietary supplements, and foods produced from natural sources without added artificial ingredients.
Below are top 10 Natural Hair and Beauty Products brands in Kenya:

  • Marini Naturals
  •  Luguah Naturals
  • Shea by Asal Rebranded to ( Bu.Ke)
  • Harvest of Sunshine
  • Mugzie’s Naturals
  • Akusi Organics
  • Mosara
  • Ajani Handmade
  • Cinnabar Green
  • Keyara Organics

Marine Naturals
Marini Naturals is first Kenyan  natural hair care Line Marini Naturals 100% organic products include a sulfate-free shampoo, moisturizing spritz, and a potent hair growth oil.One of Marini Naturals’ most popular products however, is a curling butter containing oils from avocado, strawberry and coconut as well as various butters like Shea butter and mango butter.

Luguah Naturals
Luguah Naturals are a natural hair, skin and lip care line, hand-crafted from some of the best oils and butters sourced from Africa. Luguah Naturals was founded by Lulu Kimbio and Mbugua Macharia in October 2016. However, development of the products has been going on from June 2016, to find the right compositions of the natural oils and butters to create the products.What has now grown into a brand that has hair, body and lip care products was born out of neccessity. Lulu was looking for a solution for stretch marks following her pregnancy and the solutions in the market did not work. Someone recommended Shea Butter. Raw Shea butter has a strong smell and is not easy to apply. Lulu sought to improve this.After many trials and formulas, we developed a body butter. The solution worked for Lulu and she wanted to share it with the world.

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Meet Marini Naturals Brand Ambassador 2018

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Marini Naturals is Kenya’s first haircare product line designed for african women of natural and afro-textured hair. Marini was made by a Kenyan woman, for the African woman. Our product range includes a Sulfate-free Shampoo (Kenya & East Africa’s first), Detangling Leave-In Conditioner, Curling Butter, Curling Gel, Moisturizing Spritz, and a Potent Hair Growth Oil. Marini Naturals has grown to be one of the most African preferred brands for natural hair across Kenya and East Africa.

from lift to right : Michelle Ntalami , Fena Gitau , Esther Kazungu , Sherie Gakii , Noora Zein , Sandrine Simonne Umuhoza

Who Is Michelle Ntalami
Michelle Ntalami, is a strategic brand and marketing expert, is the founder of Marini Naturals, Kenya’s first 100% organic, natural hair care line. With her wealth of branding and design knowledge, she has conceptualised and designed the Marini Naturals brand, from its name to its logo, colours, scents, packaging, label design, brand plan and marketing strategy.

I wanted @Marini_Naturals to feel like it belongs to the people, not only the founders. I wanted everyone with natural hair in Africa & globally to relate to the brand by seeing skin tones and hair types that look just like theirs

Who Is Fena Gitau
Fena Gitu, is one of the most sought-after Kenyan femcees down to earth,the acclaimed singer and rapper studied International Relations and Psychology from the United States International University in 2008 10 year later she is the new face of Marini Naturals Brand Ambassador
Having grown up in a musical household, Fena developed her passion for music at a tender age. In 2008, she won the “Fete de la Musique” singing competition at Alliance Francaise Nairobi, marking the beginning of a bright music career.

Hey Hey! It’s the Fenamenal Woman, Fena Gitu ( @Fena_menal ), 8 years dreadlocked and a proud Marini Naturals Brand Ambassador! I love to see my fellow country people shine!

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Levitando en Afrika

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Levitando en Afrika is a brand of ethnic and tribal macrame jewelry  founded by Alexandra Gracia Ortiz from Spain all her collections  are inspired by Africa tribal Jewelry  hand made,Macrame is a very old art whose technique consists of making different types of knots with thread forming a tissue.

Alexandra Gracia is a self taught and versatile designer that show in her handmade designs, inspired by her trips to Africa, originality, multi-culture , colorful and ethnic essence, definitely pure African style. In Alexandra unique pieces, She fuse the techniques of micro macrame with gold, old silver, bronze, minerals, recycled materials, African beads and wax prints.

Alexandra Gracia Showcasing her Collection

Last year 2017 Levitando en Afrika participated in Africa Fashion Week Barcelona (Spain) and also showcased Nairobi Fashion Week (Kenya), and recently 03/03/2018 she exhibited her jewelry collection in the Fashion High Tea event at Zen Garden, Nairobi (Kenya)

What is Macrame?
Macrame (or macramé), is a form of textile-making where fibers or cords are knotted rather than woven or knitted together. Square knots and half hitch knots are traditionally used, and sailors have long used macrame to decorate accessories and parts of ships. Most friendship bracelets are macrame, and this knotting technique can be used to create other styles of jewelry as well.

Common materials used in macrame include cords made of cotton or linen , hemp , leather, twisted nylon and yarn. In recent years, paracord has become another popular material. Beads , charms , links and other accents can be knotted in with the cord to create a wide variety of designs.

How to Macrame
Though macrame involves knotting, the process of making macrame jewelry is almost like braiding. Multiple strands of cord are knotted together using square knots in a repeating pattern. It is often helpful to have some sort of clamp, clip or macrame board to keep the strands organized and in place.

A central cord (or cords) remains stationary and forms the foundation for your knot work. Beads, links, and other accents can be mixed in as you knot or added at the beginning. This technique is best shown visually so see below for step-by-step instructional videos on how to macrame.

Content Courtesy Of Levitando en Afrika & Nairobi Fashion Hub

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