Photo Credit: Zanele Kumalo
Zanele Kumalo is the amazing Beauty Editor of Marie Claire South Africa. Her work is an inspiration. I was honoured when she agreed to document a day in her busy life for the 24 Hours In The Life series.
Do read on for her day.
8:03
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Zanele Kumalo.
I wake up with a start when I hear someone leaving the complex. My Blackberry has died – screen is frozen and I can’t switch it on or off. I was supposed to wake up an hour ago! The day begins on a rushed note. It takes me an hour to get ready as I have to wash, blow and flatiron my hair because I’m meeting new clients today. Normally I would have just twisted my hair into an updo. I don’t usually have breakfast so skip it as normal. I only get hungry around 10am.
9:30
I race to the PR agency who organized both myself and the fashion director two new Blackberries. My cellphone provider has given me a long story about how it will take 10 working days to fix, and that they can’t give me a loan phone while they do so. I cannot function sans mobile when I spend a large part of my day out of the office. They come to my rescue and I set up my phone at every red light. I’m finally connected again and hoping no one has tried to get hold of me in the last hour.
10:14
I arrive at the Westcliff on time. They’ve asked us to arrive 15 minutes before the start of our scheduled interview with the doyenne herself, Essie Weingarten who creates all those fabulous bottles of nail colour. Only a few publications have been granted interviews so I’m lucky and I get to experience the new resort collection and anti-ageing hand treatment range a few hours before the other beauty eds. The colours are going to be perfect for my upcoming trip to Croatia. I catch up with the PR lady, a really sweet women, but all I can think is I wish I’d had time to paint my nails. I would have chosen my current favourite from the brand – Neo-Whimsical – a pinkish lilac.
10:28
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Zanele Kumalo.
I finally meet Essie, after months of anticipation and have a moment of panic when I can’t find a pen. She’s beautiful, engaging and very savvy and we chat about fashion, colours and groomed hands. I’m glad my nails are bare though as chipped nail polish would have been unforgivable.
11:00
My half hour interview is up and I have 30 minutes before my next meeting. I’ve decided to conduct all my morning meetings at the beautiful hotel. It’s one of my favourite places in the city because the views overlooking the Zoo and Jozi’s leafy suburbs are spectacular. Even in winter. You can see trees up until the horizon. I’m tempted to lock myself into a bathroom and play with the new colours but I know I’ll make a mess of it.
11:27
A skincare range, developed by an infamous surgeon is being launched in SA and they’re talking to Marie Claire about it first. We all love a scoop. Sipping on sparkling water, out in the sun at a table by the pool, makes for an incredible setting. Marie Claire is an easy sell so I keep it simple and we’re both excited about upcoming opportunities. The guy to my left is very cute, and straight. I’m surprised because the industry is largely female with a few gay men. I’m single so that’s the only relevance.
12:45
A large group of beauty eds and salon owners settle down to lunch. One colleague who I consider a friend, has just come back from a 20 day trip to Italy and France and I’m dying to hear how it was, particularly Milan where I visited a few months ago. We chat for a bit over a Chardonnay but have to postpone the conversation to a weekend catch-up. Essie is going to be unveiling what I’ve already been privy to but I don’t mind. She’s eloquent and I hear a little more about what makes her tick. She crawls into our hearts when she says that South Africa has been one of the best places she has ever visited and I’m super happy that she’s enjoying the World Cup. The buzz here has been historic. We have a lovely starter of butternut soup followed by Kingklip and risotto. Nice and light.
14:38
I have to rush off to do a radio interview and we both sneak out while Essie is talking. It’s rude but I can’t be late for my next appointment. And we both have all the info already.
15:01
I arrive at the broadcaster and am told at reception that the ladies I was supposed to be meeting, have left for the day. Usually I would have been quite angry but after a glass of wine and a lovely day at the Westcliff, I’m in no mood to pick a fight.
15:42
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Zanele Kumalo.
I arrive back at the office and show the ed, fashion director and assistant ed the colours. They all pick a different colour, which expresses their personalities perfectly but I let them know, they’ll have to wait til I get back from Cape Town after shooting them for the next issue. I have to add a few more colours to my mood board to reflect these new pastels. I explore one of my cupboards to see what else I can include as part of an upcoming story.
17:27
I get home with just enough time to finally give myself a mani before meeting a friend for drinks at the nearby Hyde Park Hotel. It’s my favourite bar in Jozi – our slice of Manhattan. Quiet, chic and unpretentious and I never seem to wakeup with a hangover after.
20:21
The day ends as I look at my diary to see what’s planned for tomorrow. I fly to Cape Town and have a function in the evening. On a boat, with a nautical dress code. Exciting. Can’t wait to sample the new fragrance they’ll be launching. Will definitely be glamorous.
22:30
After packing my bags, reading a chapter of a neglected novel (due to the World Cup) and watching a bit of television, I put my lights out. Early to bed, early to rise.
I am honoured that Zanele agreed to document a day in her life. It was such a joy to read. I absolutely loved her day. Being a nail varnish enthusiast myself, I think it is amazing that she met and interviewed Essie Weingarten.
Zanele’s day was as busy as expected for a beauty editor. I adore that despite its pace, she still managed to have drinks with a friend at the end of it all.
It is clearly evident that she is passionate about her job, Marie Claire SA and works incredibly hard.
I am sure her trip, the following day to Capetown, for the event on the boat went well. Functions with dress codes are always fun!
Visit the Marie Claire SA site here.
Many kind thanks and regards to Zanele.
Read all the other fabulous features in the 24 Hours in the Life series here.
