5 make-up brushes your beauty kit needs

Make-up brushes are an essential part of ensuring your make-up is flawless. We brush up on the five brushes to invest in.

Extremely versatile and easy to use, these are the essential brushes you need to create breath-taking looks. Brush up on your basics and read on.

THE FOUNDATION BRUSH

The foundation of your beauty arsenal, this brush is really a non-negotiable when it comes to creating a flawless canvas. Typically firm and wide with a slight dome shape; a foundation brush will give you more coverage and a smooth, poreless finish.

Artist tip #1
For the most natural finish, apply foundation to the centre of your face first, and extend toward your hairline.
EXCLUSIVE TO EDGARS
Beautique Foundation Brush 92.95

THE BLUSH BRUSH

Another staple in your make-up bag, a blush brush can be used for blusher, bronzer and powder. Boasting a feathery feel with ultra-long bristles, this brush is ideal for picking up and depositing blush to define, contour and shade your cheeks.

Artist tip #2
Softer bristles will create a more subtle flush while a more densely packed brush will deliver a more potent colour payoff.

Clarins Blush Brush 395

THE CONCEALER BRUSH

Dubbed the ‘magic wand’, a concealer brush tackles some of your worst beauty woes – think dark circles, blemishes and scars – in one step. A brush with a tapered head and bristles that are both firm and flexible can reach those areas your other tools (or fingers) cannot.

Artist tip #3
For the best results, apply concealer over foundation as this will ensure that the concealer wont be wiped away.

Mac Concealer Brush 355

THE BLENDING BRUSH

When it comes to eye shadow, there are so many brushes that will aid in the application of your chosen pigments but the tool that does the trick best is the blending brush. This flexible brush makes it easy to blend colours and soften lines, and is ideal for dusting eye shadow along the crease of your lids.

Artist tip #4
When applying your eye shadow, target areas around the eye, such as the inner and outer corners, with the most intense pigment.
Estée Lauder Blending Brush 495

THE DUO BROW BRUSH

It’s no secret that brows frame your face, and can really pull your beauty look together. Keep them in shape with a brush/spoolie duo. Super convenient, this brush is great for full fill-ins and precision touch-ups while the spoolie helps to distribute colour evenly and allows you to have that brushed-up brow look that’s gorgeous and natural looking.
Artist tip #5
Perfect brows start with a spoolie brush! Simply brush the hair upward to see where there is any unevenness. And then using brow powder or pencil fill in the sparse areas to ensure brows look perfectly on point.
Smashbox Camera Ready Define and Groom Brow Brush 430

Is your home protected?

Make sure your house and the valuable contents within it are protected with an insurance plan you can trust, knowing you will be covered.

When you go away for the holidays, the last thing you expect to return to is a burgled or damaged house. Plan ahead with an insurance policy that plans for the unexpected – giving you more time to organise your much needed holiday.
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End-of-year-burnout is real. You’ve probably been planning your holiday for the last few months, waiting for the time when you can finally kick back, relax and enjoy your free time without any work or school-related worries. Make sure that you really can go away knowing your home and its contents are covered should something happen. Because the last thing you want is to return home and deal with the consequences of a house that’s been burgled or damaged by a major water leak. With the Edgars Home Plan, your house will be restored back to the condition in which you left it, in no time at all. Giving you one less thing to worry about during your holiday.

The Edgars Home Protect plan provides cover against accidental damage to your home and covers stolen possessions in the event of a burglary.

For R49.50 per month, you can get cover of up to R100 000. Get R50 000 in the event of a natural disaster causing damage to structures and walls or accidental damage to structures and walls. Or get R50 000 in the event of a natural disaster causing damage to home contents or accidental damage to home contents. Or get  R15 000 in the event of theft of household contents (limited to two incidents per year). 

BY THE WAY:

    • Premiums for your insurance products are collected via payment on your retail account
    • For continued insurance cover, please ensure that your account is paid in full on a monthly basis.
    • Available in South Africa only.
    • Damage excludes owner carelessness.
    • An excess of R100 applies to every claim.
    • Benefit cover excludes informal dwellings (i.e. mud house, shack)
    • No waiting periods apply.

      This list is only a summary, highlighting some of the policy conditions and exclusions. The full conditions and exclusions will be sent to you within thirty (30) days of enrolment.
      Call 0860 555 334 or speak to an insurance agent in store. Standard rates apply.
      This product is underwritten by the Hollard Insurance Company Limited (Reg. No. 1952/003004/06), an Authorised Financial Services Provider. Edcon is a juristic representative of Hollard. Terms and conditions apply.
      This post is sponsored by Hollard Financial Services
      *Character for illustrative purposes only

      Swimming shorts for every man out there

      It’s the season to stock up on your swimming clothes; so we have compiled a list of the must-have swimming shorts you need to add to your wardrobe.

      Your swim trunks should be cool enough to wear from the beach to the street. When on a scouting mission for new swimwear, keep the following points in mind – making sure you’re up there with the latest trends.

      SIDE-STRIPES

      This season’s side-stripe detail is still a big trend and has carried over to your swim shorts. This design detail is best seen on mid-thigh to longer lengths that fall just below the knee.
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      Stone Harbour side-striped shorts 199.95

      THIGH-HIGH

      Over the past decade, shorts have got shorter, going back to how it was done by our dads. Don’t be scared to flaunt your legs in shorter-than-short shorts. The desired length of your trusty trunks is largely dependent on your height. Note: the shorter your shorts, the longer your legs appear.
      Getty Images

      Stone Harbour shorts 199.95; JX shorts 299.95

      FLAMBOYANT FOLIAGE

      Break away from tradition and experiment with loud and fun prints that scream nature. Oversized, leafy prints are great if you’re already a lover of prints; but for those who want to ease into it, embrace monochromatic background colours and subdued patterns.
      Getty Images

      JX palm-print shorts 259.95

      AZTEC

      If you’ve been wanting to add this print to your wardrobe, now’s your chance. Aztec-print shorts are bold and busy; luckily, you won’t have to fret about what top to wear them with, as a simple and plain tee (in pretty much all colours) is the best option.

      Getty Images

      JX aztec-print shorts 259.95

      CLASSIC & COOL

      You’ll never go wrong with a clean and classic pair of casual shorts that can easily double as swim shorts. Plus, these go well with the graphic and trendy tees you’re going to wear this summer.
      Getty Images

      Stone Harbour shorts 259.95 each

      Photography: André Wepener/Pixel Lounge
      All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

      10 Best Perfume Gift Sets

      We love a good fragrance, especially when it comes with a complimentary gift. We round up the best perfume gift sets around.

      Fragrances are perhaps the most beloved gifts of all time, and when they’re accompanied by a complimentary gift, it’s an added bonus. Here’s our pick of the best gift sets for the holiday season.


      Photography: Andre Wepener/Pixel Lounge; styling: Leila Petersen

      WATCH: Party eye make-up tutorial

      We have put together a step-by-step guide on how to nail the party eye, plus a video tutorial for the best tips.

      Nothing adds a glam touch to your peepers more than luxe, jewel-toned eye shadow. Watch and learn with these easy steps below and you’ll be party ready in no time. 

      1. Apply primer to your lids

      Start off by prepping your lids with a primer. This gives your eye shadow something to adhere to, ensuring minimal creasing and longer lasting colour.

      2. Apply and blend dark cream eye shadow 

      A dark cream eye shadow applied and blended on the lid creates the perfect base before adding your pigment, as it will intensify the colour, making it look bolder and brighter.

      3. Pat green eye shadow and blend

      Using your ring finger, gently tap eye shadow onto your lids as this will help get a more pigmented, even layer of application than if you simply wipe the colour over your eye.

      4. Apply copper eye shadow to the crease 

      This step adds depth while softening the edges of the make-up, and allows your eyes to look bolder and bigger. When it comes to applying the colour, choose a large blending brush and gently add the colour into the crease.

      5. Line your top and bottom waterline with black eyeliner

      Also known as tightlining, this trick is important to intensify and define your eyes. Rest the eyeliner pencil between the roots of your lashes and carefully trace it along your upper and bottom waterline.

      6. Apply cream eye shadow and copper colour to lower lash line 

      The cream eye shadow creates a base on which the pigment can adhere to and helps it last longer.

      7. Using a flat eye shadow brush, apply a blue-green pigment to the lower lash line

      For an eye-catching look, add a second complementary jewel shade to your lower lash line. The flat eye shadow brush will allow for precision when applying and will help you create a clean, defined line.

      8. Apply mascara to the top and bottom eyelashes 

      To prevent your top lashes from smudging when you look down, start by first applying mascara to your bottom lashes. When it comes to the top lashes, give them a press with an eyelash curler before you coat them, as this will make your eyes look bigger. Place the wand at the base of your lashes and apply the mascara in a zigzag motion to help lengthen and volumise your lashes.

      9. Place highlighter along the brow bone and the inner corner of the eye

      A highlighter instantly infuses a bit of life into any make-up look. To give the illusion of larger eyes, simply apply some product under your brown bone (but above your crease). To brighten and make your eyes look more awake, add a pinch of highlighter to the inner corner of your eyes.

      10. Complete your look with a nude glossy lip

      With such a bold and bright look, keep the rest of your face relatively low-key with a touch of highlighter on your cheekbones and nude gloss on your lips.

      Videographer: Roice Nel, hair & make-up: Renee De Wit/Gloss, model: Fabienne/Pulse Models, production: Leila Petersen

      All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

      How to take your look from the beach to the bar

      These items are ideal for when you need to transform your look from lazing on the beach to bar-chic and ready.

      Summer days spent on the beach often end with an impromptu trip to the bar for a spot of sundowners. You’ll want to make sure your beach bag is packed with the right essentials to transform your look from beach-lazy to bar-chic.
      Getty Images
      The South African summer is all about soaking up the sun, cooling down with a splash in the ocean and quenching your thirst with sundowners at the bar. Transitioning from the beach to a night of cocktails can be tricky if running home to spruce up isn’t an option. For when those spur-of-the-moment plans happen, we’ve got you covered with fashionable pieces and accessories that will take you out of the water and on to dry land in no time.
      When sporting a one-piece with a detailed neckline such as off-the-shoulder, it’s easy to transition from a day on the beach to a night of fun. Simply pull on a pair of shorts and add some cute accessories like earrings. Voilà, you’re bar ready.

      Free 2BU floral one-piece swimsuit 359.95; Free 2BU striped shorts 249.95; Free 2BU tassel earrings 79.95; Edgars tassel bag 139.95; Free 2BU striped trainers 299.95


       It’s the happiest time of the year, so have some fun by mixing your prints. Treat your bikini top as though it’s a cropped top and pair it with high-waisted wide-leg pants – don’t worry if the patterns clash; it’s part of the look. Then add that statement necklace you packed for just in case, and a simple clutch to hold all your goods.

       Free 2BU floral bikini top 189.95; Free 2BU floral bikini bottom 159.95; Free 2BU tropical-print wide-leg pants 279.95; Accessorize beaded necklace 399; Dune London clutch bag 1199

      Let’s be honest, you’ve always wanted to wear this one-piece off the beach – and you can! Show it off by pairing it with on-trend items like side-striped denims, a sequinned waist bag and some dad sneakers. Street style cred on fleek.

       Free 2BU one-piece swimsuit 359.95; Free 2BU denim shorts 299.95; Free 2BU sneakers 349.95; Accessorize beaded necklace 249; Accessorize sequin moonbag 599

      All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

      4 benefits of getting back-to-school ready right now!

      Like most daunting things in life, getting ready for the new school year is a task best tackled early.

      While the kids have only just closed for end of year holidays, there are some real benefits to being ready for the new year school rush, now.
      Getty Images and Shutterstock

      Nelson Mandela famously said ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done’. Many parents feel this exact way when faced with the mountain of check lists, new uniform requirements and book wrapping and labelling that faces them at the beginning of a new school year. But, like most daunting things in life, back to school tasks are best tackled early, and piece by piece. 

      Benefit 1:

      Avoiding the long queues at school supply stores

      Doing your school shopping in December means that the school supply stores will be relatively quiet (except for the other efficient parents winking at your brilliance as they walk past), allowing you to shop with less rush and frustration.

      Benefit 2:

      Taking advantage of festive season specials on school essentials

      Many grocery stores have specials meant to appeal to the Christmas shopper, but those items are just as useful for back to school. You can stockpile on things like small fruit juices for lunch boxes, wrapping paper for school books (avoid the Christmas-themed kind and stick to abstract prints and patterns) and healthy snacks like nuts and dried fruit.

      Benefit 3:

      Make the book wrapping a part of gift-wrapping fun

      The festive season is a time of exchanging gifts so there’ll be lots for you and the kids to wrap. Throw the school books into the mix and cover a few every day so that it doesn’t feel like a tedious exercise days before school opens.

      Benefit 4:

      Purchase Edgars exclusives while stocks last 

      There are a number of school essentials that are only found at Edgars, making it worth your while to head to stores before others get the same idea. Bata Bubblegummers are casual shoes exclusive to selected Edgars stores. Playful, colourful and fun, these girls’ and boys’ sandals are kind to kids’ feet and durable, with slip-resistant soles scientifically designed for each stage of growth. What makes them even more fun is the fact that they are bubblegum-scented.

      BEST SWIMWEAR FOR YOUR BODY TYPE

      It’s the season to shop for new bathing suits. Here’s a guide to help you find the right fit for your body shape.

      With so many options out there, shopping for swimwear can be quite a stressful and daunting experience. Here, we focus on swimwear that’s made to show off your beautiful frame, no matter the shape.

      SLIM & ATHLETIC 

      With your slender frame you can basically pull off any swimsuit. But, if you want to create the illusion of curves, look for a swimsuit with bright and bold patterns, or ruffles to add volume. Necklines that show feminine features like shoulders and a bit of cleavage will also soften your look.

      HOURGLASS 

      If you’ve been blessed with a slender waist and wider hips, à la Marilyn Monroe, take advantage of your curves and go for a bikini set with a crop top and a high-waist brief. The pairing will cut at just the right spot, accentuating your narrow waist. A full-piece swimsuit with a band in the middle will achieve the same desired effect if you don’t want to show your tummy.

      PEAR SHAPED 

      For those with more of a pear shape, an itsy-bitsy bikini is the way to go. Go for high waisted bottoms for the illusion of a lift, and a small chest looks great in a triangle bikini or tube top.

      Looking for that perfect bikini? Now’s the perfect time to go shopping because you get 30% off swimwear at Edgars until 31 December 2018!

      Photography: Getty Images & Shutterstock

      Boys with major street-style cred

      The athleisure trend is here to stay, so why not kit your kid out in stylish active pieces for boys from Edgars. Gifting made easy.

      Take your style cues from the streets this season and shop the best athleisure pieces for boys. As well as being stylish, this trend is comfortable to wear – making it perfect for after-school and weekend outings.
      Pro-Action colour-block T-shirt 149.95, Pro-Action graphic T-shirt 129.95, New Wave longer-length T-shirt 139.95, New Wave colour-block T-shirt 119.95, Pro-Action melange joggers 299.95, New Wave side-stripe shorts 159.95, flatbill cap 169.95, Pro-Action taped side-stripe shorts 299.95, New Wave mesh side-stripe shorts 159.95, Pro-Action shorts 299.95, Pro-Action trainers 259.95, Pro-Action backpack 159.95, Pro-Action moon bag 129.95

      1

      Time to shine

      A funky watch can really add a cool edge to your outfit – especially one with a sporty look which can transform a normal outfit to one that screams athleisure.
      Kylian Mbappé photo: Getty Images

      Cool Kids sporty digital watch 249.99

      2

      Sporty Backpack

      Backpacks are super cool, and are essential for the holiday season, as well as super handy for school. Take a page out of Zayn Malik’s book and add a sporty backpack to finish off your look.

      Puma active phase backpack 349.95

      Zayn Malik photo: Getty Images

      3

      Loose Silhouette

      A big trend this season – oversized or loose-fitting clothes such as T-shirts. Basically the bigger the better. Don’t let it drown you though, but don’t go for tight-fitting either. À la The Biebs.
      Justin Bieber photo: Getty Images

      Pro-Action reflective running shorts 159.95

      4

      Monochrome

      Monochromatic looks are all the rage right now – especially when it comes to sporting gear. Pair a black and white sports vest with a pair of casual shorts to add the edge your outfit is looking for.

      Pro-Action world champion vest 149.95

      Michael B Jordan photo: Getty Images

      5

      Colour Blocking

      This trend has already been around for a while and isn’t going anywhere fast. Look to cool dudes like Jaden Smith for some inspiration on how to colour block your athleisure wear.
      Jaden Smith photo: Getty Images

      Pro-Action active printed hooded T-shirt 179.95

      Photography: Andre Wepener/Pixel Lounge, Getty Images; styling: Rushana Burton

      All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

      Going on a destination holiday? Here’s what to wear

      Look no further than our guide to dressing like the glamorous goddess you are on your destination holiday this summer.

      Whether you’re heading to the bush, the city or a glamorous resort, we’ve got the best items to keep you stylish for all the spots.

      BUSH

      If you’re off for an adventure to the bush, be sure to include earthy tones and lightweight fabrics in your bag. Small pops of colour can be brought through with accessories for a modern take. After all, blending in with the wildlife is key to capturing all the special moments.
      Kelso wrap-around shirt 259.95; Kelso paperbag shorts 299.95; Accessorize geometric-shape earrings 349; Accessorize bangles 299; Kelso leather-strap watch 479; Steve Madden espadrilles 1099 

      SHOP THESE PRODUCTS

      CITY SLEEK

      You’ve decided to hit the streets and embrace the big-city life this holiday – and you plan to be fashion-focused of course. While it’s key to look on-trend, you also want to be super comfortable,  because city life means lots of walking. Sporty ’90s-inspired pieces will do the trick.
      Free 2BU turtleneck top 99.95; The Watermelon Social Club chambray jacket 549.95; The Watermelon Social Club chambray pants 649; Free 2BU sunglasses 99.99; Kelso hoop earrings 59.95; Free 2BU sneakers 349.95

      SHOP THESE PRODUCTS

      RESORT

      If you plan on doing sweet nothing during your luxurious resort holiday, we don’t blame you. Take in the sunset and drink your cocktail in glamorous neutral looks to impress. Remember to accessorise appropriately with a sun hat and sunnies, and a bag that will hold everything you need.
      Charter Club wrap dress 699.95; Kelso sunglasses 129.99; Kelso charm bracelet 69.95; Aldo sandals 699

      SHOP THESE PRODUCTS

      PHOTOGRAPHY: NATASSJA DUNCKLEY & MELISSA CANT; STYLING: BRITTANY PENEBRE

      All items subject to availability. Prices may change.