LIFESTYLE: #SABLEBEAUTYTALKS

 

A mini series wherein we talk to Sable Beauties in our community from all walks of life, shapes, shades and cultures
#SableBeautyTalks: Tiana Khan – Actress  

Home is?

Southfields, London

Place you last visited for holidays

Sicily. The combination of great food, sun and friendly people just make it work.

Most romantic thing someone has done for you? 

I've had a couple romantic moments however the most romantic things I find are those that are sincere, honest and sometimes completely out of the blue.

Signature dish? 

My secret Chilli recipe! It is basically a normal Chilli recipe but I actually add kidney beans in chilli sauce and I add tomatoes, fresh or dried chilli and garlic. Then just keep stirring to break the mince meat until everything is just nicely cook in this beautiful sauce. I never add any hot sauce as it alters the flavour too much.

You can conquer the world because?

 I work hard, believe in myself and have great people around me. Anything is possible!

Most useful beauty tip you ever received? 

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. That is the one beauty mantra I care most about. Especially when I spend hours rehearsing under bright lights my skin screams for some hydration. 

Women you look to for inspiration? 

There's not really one, as I get older I draw inspiration from a number of women, their experiences and stories some of whom I know- my family and female friends and some of those I do not know Oprah Winfrey, Malala Yousafzai, Emma Watson, Lena Dunham. 
There are so many women I admire and who inspire me.

What are you listening to/watching/reading at the moment?

Listening- I love music so anything and everything
Watching- I'm not following anything at the moment but I think there is a new series of Luther, which I will definitely be watching.
Reading- What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey

Biggest achievement so far this year? 

Really realising who I want to be as a person- what I stand for and what I believe in and taking the steps to become that person without comprising.

Weekend essentials 

Good food, good music and good company.

Life motto 

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

We talk to Sable Beauties in our community from all walks of life, shades and cultures

We talk to Sable Beauties in our community from all walks of life, shades and cultures

#SableBeautyTalks: Kendra Matthews, product developer at Ralph Lauren
Home is?
Manhattan, New York

Place you last visited for holidays 
The island of St Maarten in the Caribbean, the French Side 

Most romantic thing someone's done for you? Take me to a fantastic sunrise sail, just watching the sun come out and the birds sing their wake up tunes made it feel like magic.

Signature dish?  My Mexican quinoa and beef casserole. It just combines all the good of the Mexican kitchen without compromising on being healthy. A penchant for healthy food is definitely a trait lot of New Yorkers have which is a great thing. And it is one of my son's favourite dishes which is also always a good indication of a signature dish!

You can conquer the world..  if you believe in yourself. In my opinion nothing is impossible. If you really want something, set your mind to it, be dedicated and you will find a way to achieve whatever you want. And a positive attitude combined with a smile will also go a long way.

Most useful beauty tip you ever received? always, always wear sunscreen on your face, neck and chest. It might seem too much of an extra step especially when the sun is not visible but it is really crucial if you want to prevent your skin from suffering unnecessary sun damage.

Woman you look to for inspiration? My mother, she is my number 1 fan and always inspires me. And in my industry; Anna Wintour, what she has done and continues to do for the fashion industry is amazing and really inspirational

What are you listening to at the moment Bebel Gilberto, a famous Bosa Nova singer and icon to everyone who loves Bosa Nova and Jazz. I love to listen to her music, it takes me to this divine tropical, relaxed destination.

Biggest achievement so far this year? the birth of our second son. Truly amazing.

Weekend essentials apart from my family and friends Sunglasses, a good facial moisturiser with spf, a concealer with spf and I always carry Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream which is a long time favourite I can not live without. 

Life motto For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that your are never alone is having remorses than regrets (Audrey Hepburn)

#SableBeautyTalks

We talk to Sable Beauties in our community from all walks of life, shades and cultures

#SableBeautyTalks: Anoushka Silva Gibbs, a former Senior Transport Policy Officer, just back in London from Doha Qatar and ready to take the beauty/skin care industry by storm

Home is?

LONDON! I am definitely a proud British, London girl and this has become even more pronounced having returned from a stint in Qatar. A special place in my heart is however reserved for the lush forests and soothing shores of Sri Lanka where I originally hail from. Whenever I visit it puts a smile on my face.
Place you last visited for holidays The Lake District...We plan to travel around Britain in 2015 and kicked off with the Lake District. They do cracking rum butter scones. To be continued...
Most romantic thing someone's done for you? Hmmm. I like romance to be humorous and with a touch of elegance which does not mean it has to cost the world. Highlight is when my husband and I took a rickshaw after seeing Priscilla queen of the desert. That ride was an absolute hoot, buzzing around London, soaking the vibes, wind in our hair all the way to the Langham where we stayed the night and my husband proposed to me.
Signature dish?  I like to cook and like to try new things. My signature dish would be belly pork, brined for three days and stuffed with caramelized red onion and chestnuts and oven roasted to give that cracking crackling. I have my eye on attempting black forest gateaux which takes an epic 4 hours to make! Just need to find an occasion/excuse to make it.
You can conquer the world.. You have had a strong dark cup of tea, NO MILK  OR SUGAR ALLOWED!! Blush and lipstick always helps! I have my eye on Kevyn Aucoin bloodroses.
Beauty obsession Experimenting with formulations and making lotions and potions at home. I make use of L-ascorbic powder to make a potent vitamin C serum, storing it in a dark bottled glass, and making a new batch every week. It boosts collagen/elasticity, lightens age/sun spots and is an antioxidant. My greatest beauty tip however is to smile! It really completes and brightens any look. 
I also like to watch Wayne Goss make up tutorials, I like his style. He keeps it simple, no nonsense or faffing. There are some real gems, simple tricks and solutions for all. He is also a tease with his smile and naughty winks. I would love for him to work his make-up wonder on me! If you’re reading this Wayne, holler!
Woman you look to for inspiration? I’m often inspired by Hindu goddesses; beautiful, intense, with a range of qualities/traits and with many arms juggling a variety of things. I find inspiration from my mum, to the woman in the street, those working in a shop or high powered business women, students, the homeless, survivors. There is a lot to be inspired by and it is also not restricted to women only. If I had to name someone it would be Leila Janah, CEO and founder of Sama Group who use technology and private sector methods in new ways to measurably improve poor people’s access to dignified work, critical medical care, and education. Beauty, brains and a kind caring spirit is intoxicating.
What are you listening to at the moment I love listening to the radio, from all time classics to cool new stuff. Billie Holliday, The Doors, Kate Bush, Kings of Leon, London Grammar, Prince, Jay Z. Am, and the beat goes on. Can I mention what I watch as well? I m a big fan of the series The Knick
Weekend essentials A lie in with a cup of tea made by and with my husband, the papers and all the glossies, researching new beauty tips, oils, ingredients and making potions and lotions, a nice home cooked breakfast , bit of interior design/diy and family and friends. Followed by a cup of tea (I guess you can say that I love tea!)
Life motto treat others as you would want to be treated yourself.

 

We talk to Sable Beauties in our community from all walks of life, shades and cultures

#SableBeautyTalks: Nathalie Fouilloux, owner of Youchka, an online store selling upcoming european designers and a contributor for Houzz

Home is?
London but Paris in my heart

Place you last visited for holidays 

A skiing trip in the Troodos Mountains in Cyprus 
Most romantic thing someone's done for you? My boyfriend knew I was fascinated by Japan and always wanted to visit. He bought me a plane ticket for my birthday to go with him and his 6 friends to join them for a 2 weeks trip in Japan.
It was a very romantic gesture and I had a lot of fun with the boys!
Signature dish?  I don't want to boast but I love cooking and people tend to agree that I am very good at it. I have a lot of signature dishes and are notorious for making too much food but if I really have to pick maybe my strawberry and pistachio bavarois
You can conquer the world.. with a smile, a pure heart and a lot of imagination!
Beauty obsession a classic red lip always works for me
Woman you look to for inspiration?  Niki de St Phalle because she is not only beautiful but incredibly smart and creative at the same time 
What are you listening to at the moment
Prokofiev, Duran Duran (my love for them goes way back and is steady) and always Gerschwin
Summer plans? One of the Greek islands or somewhere nice and hot in the South of France
Weekend essentials Jet black mascara (without I am just not awake), red lipstick, miscellar water, sun glasses and my trusted notebook because I am always working on a project and it is great to carry with you and download ideas on to go. 
Life motto Better is having remorses than regrets (I know this sounds very French!)

Miami, a great place with the most gorgeous mix of interesting people, great food and fantastic art

Woman you look to for inspiration? It would be more a collective than a single woman. I call them the 'life changers'. Women who have made a difference for others by being fun, smart, fearless and always up for a challenge. To name a few? My mother who no matter what always stays positive, Oprah Winfrey for changing the perception of what a tycoon looks like and Amal Clooney for giving a whole new meaning to the word top barrister. Her sense of style is even more elevated because you know she is smart and that is hugely inspirational, especially for younger girls to realize that it is perfectly ok to be beautiful and smart and have a profession to match your brains not only your beauty.