Feb 2026 - Lowveld

The Leonard
family
Choosing joy
over adversity
Local apparel
with a
difference
Recalibrating
Skincare rejuvenation
for the Lowveld
Win!
A Kate Spade New
York Pop fragrance
is up for grabs
Pause.
Reset.
Thrive.
SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
FEBRUARY 2026

A love
affair of
the soul
A marriage of
chocolate & coffee
Page 20

contents
Why don’t you
02 Enjoy a night market or indulge in Korean food
03 Books you’ll love
Editorial
Phone 013 591 4666
Lowveld Media
12 Stinkhout Crescent, Mbombela
Facebook Get It Lowveld
Instagram Get It Lowveld
Website getitmagazine.co.za/lowveld/
Editor
Mellissa Bushby
mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za 084 319 2101
Photographer
Belinda Erasmus 082 567 0596
Layout
Wessel Cöhrs 074 801 4477
Graphic
Hannelie J v Rensburg
Izak de Villiers
Subeditors
Annica Fourie
Sales
Colletha Noppé Rattray
colletha@lowvelder.co.za 082 745 2387
GET IT NATIONAL
National Group Editor and
National Sales
Kym Argo
kyma@caxton.co.za 082 785 9230
Facebook and Instagram:
Get It National Magazines
Distribution
Get It Lowveld is distributed free of charge.
For a full list of where to find a copy,
phone Monya Burger on 083 555 4992
Published by CTP Limited
Competition rules
The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be
transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions
are not open to the sponsors or Caxton
employees or their families. Get It Magazine
reserves the right to publish the names of
winners, who will be contacted telephonically
and need to collect their prizes from Get It
Lowveld within 10 days or they will be forfeited.
Prizewinners names are published on our
Facebook page monthly.
WISH LIST
04 All the things we love the most
Socials
06 Furry friends meet-up at Friends Café
06 A laugh a minute with Kevin Fraser
07 Christmas in the garden
people
08 The Leonard family, facing up to MS with love
12 René Rudder is all wrapped up
BEAUTY
14 Love is in the air with scents for him and her
16 A fairy-tale makeover
FOOD
20 A love affair of the soul
COMMUNITY
22 Recalibrating 2026
ART
24 Giving new life to any old iron
Rejuvenate feature
26 Get that Summer glow with our skin reboot
WIN
32 A whirlwind of radiance with Kate Spade
New York Pop fragrance
COVER LOOK
The Leonard family.
Photographer: Belinda Erasmus - Belle-Grace Photography
Make-up: Melissa Minne - Melissa Minne Hair & Make-up Artistry
Venue: Friends Café, Mbombela
february 2026
February 2026 Get It Lowveld 01

A hot
date!
Pencil these events into your February
diary right now
14
5-6 Ambermacs is hosting its 5th
two-day Macadamia Expo at the
Ambermacs Factory in White River. With
over 150 exhibitors and top-tier guest
speakers, this expo is the largest of its
kind and a must-attend for anyone in
the macadamia industry. Attendees can
expect seminars and presentations on
macadamia farming and industry insights,
while renowned economist Dawie Roodt
will provide a macro-economic outlook on
the South African economy for 2026. There
are also be plenty of prizes to be won
and great live entertainment. Tickets are
available on Quicket. Details: 082 375 5109
Gather your favourite people and
soak up the magic at Riverside
Park in front of the Southern
Sun Hotel for an evening
filled with love and twinkling
lights! Enjoy delicious treats,
food trucks, a cash bar, live
entertainment from Just Sam,
beautiful stalls, and a relaxed,
joyful atmosphere the whole
family can enjoy - including a
fun kids’ zone. Join us from 4-8
pm for an evening to remember.
6-8
It’s time for the annual
Sabie Tube Race! Held at
Castle Rock Campground in Sabie,
this much-loved annual event is
hosted by Round Table White River
64. Gates open at 10 am. Details:
www.sabietuberace.com
27
Experience the magic of
Korean cooking in the
beautiful, tranquil setting of The
Seedling Kitchen at Old Joe’s Kaia
at A Taste of Korea. Savour the
rich flavours shaped by harmony,
fermentation, and balance. Details:
083 229 3751
If you have a date for our diary, email the info at least a month in advance to mellissa@getitlowveld.co.za
RIV02RM

Book club
Books passionate readers will adore.
Compiled by: Kym Argo
“When you think of everyone you love ...
“, said the fox “I hope you include yourself.”
Charlie Mackesy’s Always Remember -
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse
and The Storm is page after gloriously
thoughtful page of his drawings and
sentiments about being brave, being loved,
being kind and patient and gentle. With
others, but mostly with yourself. “Be patient
with yourself. Shouting at a flower won’t
make it bloom.” If you, or someone close to
you, is struggling, it’s a gem. It’s a gem even
if you aren’t. Penguin
The purpose of A Beautiful World
is not, says author and artist James
Norbury, to make you happy. It’s
simply to give you a little poke and
help you remember that the world
can be beautiful if you choose to look
at it that way. In the book, Big Panda
and Tiny Dragon look at loss and
living with the past, fear and anxiety,
anger and finding peace, self-doubt,
depression and feeling incomplete,
recognizing beauty where you are
right now. You can read it as a story, or
open it on a random page each day
to see the wisdom of how to face a
challenge. Micheal Joseph
All these, and more exciting new
releases, available in store and online
at Exclusive Books.
Light aromas of berries, orange blossom and grapefruit, with fresh, lively and
fruity flavours ... serve Lillet Rose as a long cocktail ... pour 50ml of Lillet Rose and
100ml premium tonic water over ice in a tall wine glass, add a slice of citrus and
happy days. R389 from Takealot.
February 2026 Get It Lowveld 03

Wish list
Rosé. Middle Eastern Food. Strawberry preserve. All the things we love the most.
In Persiana Easy, Sabrina
Ghayour shares more than
100 Middle Eastern-inspired
dishes ... all delicious, all
achievable, all easier than
you’d think. She has, she
says, used every shortcut to
create fuss-free recipes for
every mood, craving, occasion
and time frame. R810 from
Exclusive Books.
Victoria Gin is
turning up the
sunshine with two
limited-edition
striped designs
that embody the
joy of Summer
... fresh, stylish,
and ready to
elevate every
celebration. There’s
a Pink Edition,
as well as this
Orange Blossom
with rose hip ...
all sun-soaked
Mediterranean
charm. R379 from
Checkers Sixty60.
Delaire Graff Cabernet
Franc Rosé ... crisp and
fresh, this wine displays
flavours of cassis,
strawberries and ripe
cherries with a seductive
hint of spice. R219
from Woolworths.
04 Get It Lowveld February 2026

Nothing says I love you quite like a bunch of gorgeous
flowers. For beautiful, bespoke floral arrangements
from the heart, contact Hartsblom floral design.
Details: Esti on 083 563 2473.
Strawberries and rose petals have been paired perfectly
for a preserve to posh up toast with cheese, or to use
as a cake filling. Strawberry & Rose Flower Preserve,
R95 from babylonstoren.com.
Exquisitely crafted wedding bands
for him and her, designed to mark life’s
most meaningful moments, weddings,
anniversaries, and timeless celebrations.
Available in silver, 9ct, 14ct and 18ct
gold, as well as platinum, from Violet & Rose
Jewellery. Details: 076 545 7779
and 071 202 7375.
Meet your new body BFF. Sol de Janeiro’s Rosa Charmosa range
includes the Rosa Charmosa Dewy Cream - a dreamy water-whipped
cream that hydrates skin for up to 72 hours. Because who doesn’t want
to be luminous and feel confident? And the Cheirosa 91 fragrance
... think a refreshing cocktail made with Rio Pink Rose, passion fruit
and honey caramel. Bright, playful and totally addictive. Perfect for
any mood, any day. These Brazilian-inspired skincare rituals, with an
irresistible rose scent, are R560 and R610, at ARC, Woolworths, Edgars,
Takealot, Truworths, BASH, Foschini and Superbalist.
Win!
A voucher to the
value of R2000 from
Bodycure
To enter, go to our Facebook page
(lowveldgetit), find the post and follow
the prompts. Closing date for entries is
February 27. Good luck!
February 2026 Get It Lowveld 05

Prime Pet
Walk Walkies!
More than 40 furry friends met up at Friend’s Café for a fun walk in
partnership with Prime Pet Veterinary Day Clinic and Lowveld Canine
Coaching.
Heila Meintjies and Chica
Marcél, Amy Eloff and Sage
Sarida Jordaan and Kaenzi
A laugh
a minute
Catherine Toweel, Charmaine
Coleman and Eliza Toweel
The hilarious comedy sensation, Kevin Fraser, had
the audience in stitches at the White River Art Gallery
with his new stand-up show “Heart of the World.”
Emma and Johnathan Patterson
Bheki Dlamini, Shayden Rill and Bossie Bosman
06 Get It Lowveld February 2026

Christmas
in the garden
SPAR’s Christmas in the Garden celebration at the Lowveld National
Botanical Garden brought lots of cheer to friends and families.
Charne, Luhan, Ewan, Chjuan and Luca
Oberholzer, Jan Nel and Chantelle Smith
Stix Dumisa
Precious Mthethwa, Uyanda Makhanya,
Florah Mamba and Asande Lushaba
Bert and Jackie Smith
ZONA02R

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
The Leonard family
When Louis and Lize Leonard talk about the past
few years, there is often a pause before the words
arrive. Not because they do not know what to say,
but because it is hard to untangle everything that
has happened.
When they met, it was not quite the way romance novels would suggest. Lize
was giving a group of men a hard time about their golf swings, confidently
holding her own. Louis’s first thought was that she was a bit of a know-it-all. He
soon learned that dynamite comes in small packages. “I’ve never been one to try
to impress anyone, and I always have my say,” Lize laughs.
Despite this, something clicked. Conversation came easily, and hours slipped by
as they spoke about life, dreams, and
inevitably, golf. It became their shared
language, and their first official date
was a round of golf. “A bold move,” Lize
says, “because there’s nowhere to hide
on a golf course.”
“You learn quickly how someone
handles frustration,” Louis agrees.
“Looking back, that day feels like a
quiet foreshadowing of our future.
Teamwork, humour, honesty.”
Life together felt easy. Weekends
were built around adventure, holidays
around bucket lists, and dreams
followed an expected order. “We
had good jobs, busy social lives, and
we were always outdoors,” Lize says.
“Adventure was our love language.”
And then everything changed.
The first warning sign was almost
laughable: Louis missing the shower
door handle. “I’ve opened doors my
whole life,” he says dryly. “I’m actually
very good at it.” He brushed it off, but
then it happened again. Then came
double vision, balance issues, and a
growing disconnect between brain
and body. “At first we Googled it,” Lize
admits. “We thought it was vertigo.” It
was not.
When Louis began losing his vision
while driving, denial turned to fear.
After multiple tests, an optometrist
urgently referred them to a
neurologist. After months of waiting for
an appointment, the diagnosis came.
Multiple Sclerosis. The couple stood in
the parking lot afterwards, stunned. “I
knew what it meant,” Louis says quietly.
“But Lize didn’t yet. I had to explain MS
while trying not to fall apart.”
From that moment, nothing was
theoretical. There were medical aid
battles, cortisone drips, and the
requirement to wait for a second attack
before treatment would be approved.
But there were also small victories, one
of them an experimental medication
that became available in South Africa,
and which Louis was granted access
to. “Treatment began,” he smiles, “and
then we got a surprise, the best kind.
You’re not supposed to conceive on
this medication, but our son Louis was
already growing. We just didn’t know
it yet.”
But the cracks were starting to show.
MS did not just change Louis’s body, it
rewrote the rhythm of their lives. Golf
was the first loss, their social world
08 Get It Lowveld February 2026

Louis and Lize Leonard

Logan and Louis
narrowed, plans became tentative, and
hospital bags replaced holiday bags.
Eventually, Louis had to stop working
and driving became unsafe. “Even short
walks were exhausting,” Lize says. “The
pain was relentless.”
There was more to come. A second
diagnosis, trigeminal neuralgia,
brought crippling pain. Then Covid
hit and all income was lost. Lize
discovered she was pregnant with
their second son, Logan, and the
family moved from Pretoria to White
River. “In every way, we were starting
from scratch,” Lize says. “The fear felt
insurmountable.”
Louis (6) and Logan (4) rose to the
challenge. Parenting two young boys
inside chronic illness requires a kind
of grace that cannot be taught. “Louis
has to walk with a cane now, and the
boys accept it without question. There
are stares and assumptions,” Lize says.
“There are falls, sometimes dramatic,
sometimes absurd, like the day Louis
tumbled down the stairs and sent
twenty vetkoeke flying into the garden.
It could have been tragic, instead, we
laughed until we cried. That’s how we
survive, humour first, fear second.”
The Leonard household does
not run on schedules; it runs on
teamwork. Medical files live next to
lunchboxes, and medication alarms
ring. Dinner is sometimes toast, and
energy is rationed carefully. The boys
are growing up fluent in empathy;
10 Get It Lowveld February 2026
they know when their dad needs a
warm beanbag and when he needs
someone to sit quietly beside him.
They celebrate small wins. A lost
school shoe found after months, an
anonymous payment covering school
fees, a toothpaste cap that flips instead
of twists. “These may seem small,” Louis
smiles, “but to us, they are miracles.”
Despite this, MS was taking its toll. Both
Louis and Lize had been struggling
quietly for a long time. Therapy
became a turning point, and writing
their story became a form of healing.
“We spent so much time focused on
what it was taking from us,” Lize says.
“It felt like MS was writing our story,
and we were just reacting. We looked
at our boys and realised that they had
never known the adventurous life that
came before hospitals, schedules, and
logistics. We reached a point where
we knew we couldn’t keep living in a
world built only around MS. We had to
start living in what we still had.”
‘MS may have
changed how we do
things, but it does not
get to define our life’
That decision changed everything.
If they did not get the future they
imagined, they would create a
new one. Not by denying the hard
parts, but by refusing to let them
define everything. And so L4 Family
Adventures, our YouTube Channel, was
born. A declaration of a life still being
lived. They began exploring places that
were both kid friendly and mobility
friendly, finding gentle, accessible
ways to adventure. “Our outings aren’t
extreme,” Louis says. “Sometimes it’s
a short hike, fishing trip, or a drive
somewhere beautiful. But every
moment matters.”
Support arrived in waves. Family
brought meals, lifts, financial help,
and time.
“Love in our home is deliberate and
imperfect,” Louis says. “It’s pizza nights,
dancing in the lounge, fetching ice
packs at midnight. Choosing joy when
fear would be easier.”
“We want to show what life really
looks like with MS,” Lize says. “But we
don’t want pity. The point isn’t ‘shame,
he has MS’. It’s look what is possible
despite it. Our story isn’t about illness.
It’s about choosing life anyway. It’s a
story about a marriage that deepened
under pressure. Two boys raised on
resilience, curiosity, and joy. A family
rediscovering wonder in small, ordinary
moments, because sometimes the
small things are all you have, and that
makes them matter more. We want our
boys to grow up rich,” Lize says. “Not in
money, but in memories.”
“Adventure is a love language,” she
adds. “Love for our boys. Love for
Louis. Love for the place we call home.
And love for life itself. MS may have
changed how we do things, but it does
not get to define our life.”
They may not measure success the
way the world often does, but the
Leonard family is rich in partnership,
resilience and hope. Perhaps that is
the truest love story of all. Not the life
you planned, but the one you keep
choosing, together.
Smiling at his wife, Louis says their aim
is simple. To inspire families to slow
down and find adventure in small
things, even on hard days. Because in
the Leonard home, love does not just
survive difficulty. It adapts, expands,
and chooses joy, again and again. And
that is an adventure worth sharing.
Louis during treatment

advertorial
The value of
In the month of February,
we are often surrounded
by symbols of hearts and
associations with love.
Love is a core need of the
human soul, and yet it
remains one of the most
misunderstood concepts.
So, what is the quality of love that we
all seek, and yet that seems so absent
in our world?
Love is often associated with
emotions of attachment or romance.
However, love of a spiritual nature
offers something deeper: a feeling
of being genuinely cared for
and valued. It creates a sense of
belonging, of being protected and
safe. This love heals, transforms, and
nurtures. It becomes the foundation
for growth, balance, stability, and a
true sense of self-worth.
So what is love?
Dadi Janki’s teachings say, “To
experience true love, we should ask: ‘Is
my heart clean? Is it honest? Is it open?’
If it is not, if my heart is still broken, I will
not be able to experience true love. It is
honesty that shows us what love is, and
real love shows us what honesty is.”
This invites us to consider that love is
not simply an emotion, but an innate
quality of the soul - a value one chooses
to live by. Love expresses acceptance,
closeness, and above all, deep respect.
To develop such a quality of love
requires deep inner work. Often,
the obstacles are personal desires,
expectations, and the clash of egos.
One must be prepared to let go and
allow others to be as they are. Without
this inner work, dependencies are
often mistaken for love, leading to a
rollercoaster of possessiveness, jealousy,
insecurity, fear, and selfishness, patterns
that seem all too common today.
One tool for cultivating this awareness
is Raja Yoga meditation. This practice
begins by grounding the individual in
the awareness of one’s spiritual identity,
the core of one’s being. We often define
ourselves by the many labels and roles
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identities are circumstantial and subject
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Beneath these layers lies a spiritual core
imbued with the qualities of peace, love,
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realisation that all I need is within me; I
am enough. From this understanding,
a natural love for the self emerges,
fostering contentment and reducing the
neediness that fuels the pursuit of the
elusive dream of ‘perfect love.’
As Khalil Gibran beautifully expressed,
“Love gives naught but itself, and takes
naught but from itself. Love possesses
not nor would it be possessed; for love is
sufficient unto love.”
From this awareness, I become more
open to the presence of Divine Love. The
universe and all creation are expressions
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In silence, I look into the mirror of
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I am love.
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077 374 1967 | captetown@za.brahmakumaris.org.

After 25 years in the packaging
industry, René Rudder never
imagined that her next chapter
would involve fabric instead of
cardboard, or that she’d be wrapping
women, not products.
But as the founder of All Wrapped Up, a vibrant clothing
brand based in the Lowveld, that’s exactly what she’s
doing: wrapping women in confidence, colour, and
comfort. “Packaging was in my blood,” René laughs. “I
worked my way up from being an on-the-road sales
rep to a sales manager at one of the leading packaging
companies in the region. But after seventeen years in the
same role, I reached a point where I needed a change of
pace, and a fresh challenge.”
That challenge arrived in the most unexpected way.
“After many prayers and conversations with family and
friends, the answer came: buy a sewing machine.” So she
did. René had always loved clothes, bold prints, feminine
cuts, and anything that made her feel fabulous. “As a kid I
used to try and draw my own fashion designs,” she recalls.
“The problem was I couldn’t draw to save my life! My stick
figures never looked like what was in my head.” Years later,
she found another way to bring her childhood dream to
life, by cutting, sewing, and creating instead.
Starting from scratch meant no formal training, no
background in fashion, and no roadmap, just a belief that
comfort and beauty belong together. “I didn’t have any
experience with sewing or design,” René admits. “But in my
sales career, I always noticed how much clothes mattered.
When I felt confident in what I was wearing, it showed in
my attitude and even my sales. Life is too short to wear
boring clothes!”
That idea became the heartbeat of All Wrapped Up, a
clothing line designed for real women, real bodies, and
real lives. Her signature wrap garments, pants, dresses,
jumpsuits, and halter tops, are designed to flow, flatter,
and fit comfortably no matter what life stage you’re in.
“Women’s bodies are always changing,” René explains.
“Why should we have to buy new clothes every time? I
wanted to create pieces that move with you, whether it’s
moontime, menopause, post-pregnancy, or just one of
those bloated cucumber days!” The result is clothing that’s
René Rudder
free-flowing, forgiving, feminine, and adaptable, made for
every mood and moment.
René’s range includes more than just her iconic custommade
wrap pants. She also makes halter tops, jumpsuits,
dresses, and wrap shorts, all designed to celebrate comfort
and individuality. Her creative spirit doesn’t stop there:
she also sews bags, bowl cozies, table runners, satin pillow
slips, and zipper pouches, many of which make perfect
12 Get It Lowveld February 2026

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
gifts. Her clothing is currently available at Plantana in Kaapsehoop, the Orchid
Farm Stall on the N4, SuperSpar Westend and at various markets. Orders also
come in via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, proof that word of mouth is
still the best marketing tool around. “The response has been amazing,” she says.
“Some women are hesitant to try a new style at first, but once they do, they’re
hooked. I often get messages and selfies from customers saying how confident
and beautiful they feel, and that’s the
best part of all.”
Leaving the corporate world was both
liberating and terrifying for René. “It
was like Dorothy leaving Kansas,” René
smiles. “One moment I was in the world
of deadlines and sales targets, and the
next, I had time. Time with my family,
time to create, time to breathe.” Still,
being her own boss comes with its
own challenges. “Sometimes I have to
stop myself from sewing all day,” she
laughs. “Paperwork and marketing are
just as important. Finding a balance
between creativity, admin, and stock
management takes discipline, but it’s
worth it.”
René gravitates towards locally
sourced, soft, flowing fabrics that
complement her designs and suit
the Lowveld’s warm climate. She’s
especially drawn to bright, fearless
prints. “As Dr Seuss said, ‘Why fit
in when you were born to stand
out?’” Looking ahead, she’s working
on launching an online store and
expanding her range. “I’ve just
introduced wide-leg, elasticated pants
with pockets, they’re selling really well,
and I’m developing a kaftan dress
and top next,” she says. “I’m always on
the lookout for designs that are cool,
comfortable, and fabulously feminine.”
Her philosophy remains simple: look
beautiful, feel spectacular. “All shapes
and sizes, all wrapped up in beautiful
outfits,” René says with a grin. And
really, that says it all.

Find your match
Love is in the air ... with scents for him and her.
Revlon Fire & Ice Blaze for men -
fresh and sporty with citrus bursts
and a modern woody body. A
captivating everyday fragrance that
balances spicy, woody and musky
notes. From R380 from Mopani
• Jimmy Choo Man Extreme ...
a potent fragrance signifying
red hot adventure. It is fiery
at its core, with the intense
piquancy of red thyme and
black pepper making up its
top notes, combined with
an aromatic accord of fresh
and crisp geranium fused
with clary sage. Vibrant
amber woods, tonka beans
and punchy vetiver linger
afterwards. R1725 from Mopani •
A little flirty and aromatically fruity
... Club De Nuit Intense Man is all
lemon, pineapple, bergamot, black
currant and apple, followed by
birch, jasmine and rose, ambergris,
musk, patchouli and vanilla. R1915
from Dis-Chem. • Bergamot stands
out. The spiced cardamom and
ginger add depth. At the
heart, an elegant bouquet of
lavender and violet leaves. And
the potent patchouli, combined
with tonka bean and amber
amplifies the intensity.
Say a warm and
handsome hello to
Lacoste Original
Parfum where elegance
meets assertive power.
R1799 from Edgars. •
Dressed in a black leathersheathed
bottle and
evoking the true spirit of
exploration is Montblanc
Explorer Extreme. Vibrant
bergamot, woody patchouli
and fiery vetiver mingle
with sensual accords of
amber and leather. R2110
from Mopani.
14 Get It Lowveld February 2026

Defined by its floral ambery vanilla character, Montblanc Signature Elixir is a love note to opulence and luxury. It’s all red
orchid and vanilla absolute and is sensational! R1895 from Mopani. • Pure perfume. No spills. No spray. No Fuss. Just a clean,
natural, and alcohol-free perfume that goes where you do. SoyLites Solid Perfumes are available in six variants.
This month, we are loving the Kindred ... a sweet wild-litchi profile that’s vibrant, creative, and full of heart. R220 from
soylites.co.za • With an alluring bouquet of delicately woody citrus and cyprus notes, Eau Dynamisante is the classic
epitome of freshness and vitality. R855 for 100 ml from Mopani. • Viva La Juicy. Think sweet, sexy and classic. Think bright
mandarin and wild berries meeting honeysuckle, gardenia, and jasmine, all wrapped in caramel, vanilla, and sandalwood.
R1990 for 100ml from Dis-Chem. • Bursting with pear and ginger, jasmine and solar accord, and sensual vanilla and amber.
Lacoste Original celebrates timeless femininity with a touch of modern grace. R1199 from superbalist.com
February 2026 Get It Lowveld 15

A fairy-tale makeover
There is something powerful about a makeover
that doesn’t try to change the face in front of
it, but instead leans into and enhances what is
already there.
Before
After
Chanté Schoonraad
For Chanté Schoonraad, make-up
artist Melissa Minne drew on Chanté’s
natural warmth, flawless skin, and
striking features, resulting in a look that
feels effortless, modern, and beautifully
considered.
Skin
Chanté’s skin is naturally flawless, with
a slight oiliness through the T-zone.
Preparation focused on keeping the
skin hydrated and comfortable without
adding heaviness. A lightweight
hyaluronic serum was applied first,
followed by a light moisturiser to
keep the skin fresh and supple. This
combination helped create a smooth
base that would hold makeup
beautifully throughout the day.
Base
Chanté’s warm skin tone with an olive
undertone guided the base makeup.
A medium to full-coverage matte
foundation was used to even out the
complexion while still allowing the skin
to look natural. Concealer was kept to
a minimum and applied only where
necessary, softly under the eyes, at the
corners of the mouth, and lightly over
the eyelids to help the eye makeup
last longer. A subtle yellow undertone
in the concealer helped brighten the
under-eye area and counteract any
dark circles.
16 Get It Lowveld February 2026

Brows and lips
Brows were shaped to frame the face
while still looking natural. A fine pencil
created structure, softened with brown
eyeshadow, and set with a brow gel
to keep everything in place. For the
lips, a dusty rose shade completed
the look. It’s one of those universally
flattering colours that works across skin
tones and ties the entire makeup look
together effortlessly.
Hair
Chanté’s hair was styled in soft, classic
beach waves, using a comb for a bit
of light teasing and wax powder for
texture. The finishing effect was a light
spritz with a wax spray to define the
curls, add gentle hold, and create a
natural, healthy shine.
The final look is classically pretty, warm,
and confident, a makeover that feels as
good in real life as it looks on camera.
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY. Photographer: Belinda Erasmus from Belle-Grace Photography
Structure and glow
Definition was added with a light hand. Contouring and bronzing were placed
along the forehead and under the cheekbones, with a gentle sweep up
toward the temples to lift the face. A touch of highlight on the bridge of the
nose and softly under the jawline added dimension without drawing attention
to itself. Muted bronze and rose tones were used on the cheeks, working
especially well with Chanté’s deeper, warm complexion. Applied along the
cheekbones and blended upward, they brought warmth and a natural-looking
glow to the skin.
Eyes
The eye makeup was kept soft and
warm to complement Chanté’s
hazel eyes. Blended terracotta and
brown shades were layered across
the lids, enhancing the natural
colour of the eyes while remaining
understated. A hint of highlighter
on the inner corners of the eyes
and along the brow bone helped
open and lift the eye area. A gel
liner was applied along the top
lash line and gently softened with a
darker shadow at the outer corners,
with the same liner lightly defining
the waterline. Natural cluster lashes
added fullness without heaviness,
finished with a tubing mascara for
length, lift, and long wear, ideal for
resisting smudging, flaking, and the
challenges of Lowveld humidity.
February 2026 Get It Lowveld 17

Dark Chocolate Espresso Pots
de Crème
Silky, intense, and spoon-soft, these
are made for eating quietly, perhaps
with eyes closed.
Serves 4
Ingredients
• 150g good-quality dark chocolate
(70% cocoa), finely chopped • 1½
cups full-cream milk • ½ cup cream
• 2 tbsp strong brewed espresso
(or very strong coffee) • 3 egg yolks
• 2 tbsp caster sugar • 1 tsp vanilla
extract • A pinch of sea salt
Method
Place the chopped chocolate in a
heatproof bowl.
In a saucepan, gently heat the milk,
cream, espresso, sugar, vanilla, and
salt until just below simmering. Do
not boil.
Whisk the egg yolks in a separate
bowl. Slowly pour the hot milk
mixture over the yolks, whisking
constantly.
Return everything to the saucepan
and cook over very low heat, stirring
constantly, until slightly thickened
and able to coat the back of a
spoon.
Immediately pour the custard over
the chocolate. Let it sit for a minute,
then stir until smooth and glossy.
Divide between small ramekins.
Chill for at least 2 hours.
Serve cold, with nothing more than
a dusting of cocoa powder - or a
single espresso bean placed on top.
Love affair of the
They say food is the language of love. The way we express it, the way we
experience it, and the way we share it with others.
We certainly believe that to be true when it comes to
coffee and chocolate, and what better time to splurge on
the very best, than the month of love?
Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be over-the-top. Sometimes
love is quieter, darker, and infinitely more satisfying, like the
first sip of strong coffee, or the way a good-quality dark
chocolate melts slowly if you let it.
Coffee and chocolate are old lovers. Both bitter and
complex. Both misunderstood as quick fixes, when in fact
they are rituals. They wake us, steady us, and console us.
They ask us to pause, to smell, to taste, and stay a little
longer and savour them, if only we allow ourselves
the time.
There is something deeply intimate about sharing these
flavours. A cup warmed between two hands, a square of
chocolate broken and passed across the table.
This Valentine’s Day, consider setting aside the fanfare
and leaning into something richer. Brew the good coffee.
Use the chocolate you’ve been saving. Dim the lights. Let
indulgence be deliberate and decadent.
20 Get It Lowveld February 2026

Coffee-Soaked Chocolate Date Cake with
Warm Mocha Sauce
This is comfort dressed up for the evening. Sticky,
fragrant, and deeply satisfying.
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
• 200g pitted dates, chopped • 1 cup hot strong coffee
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 100g butter • ¾ cup brown
sugar • 2 eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup flour • ½ cup
cocoa powder • 1 tsp baking powder • A pinch of salt
Mocha Sauce
• ½ cup cream • 50g dark chocolate • 1 tbsp instant
coffee granules • 1 tbsp brown sugar
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease and line a small loaf
tin or square cake tin.
Pour the hot coffee over the chopped dates, add the
bicarbonate of soda, and set aside for 10 minutes.
Cream the butter and sugar until soft and glossy. Beat
in the eggs and vanilla.
Stir in the date mixture.
Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
Fold gently into the batter.
Pour into the tin and bake for 35-40 minutes, until
just set.
For the sauce, gently heat all ingredients together until
smooth and glossy.
Serve the cake warm, drenched in mocha sauce, with
strong coffee or tiny cups of espresso.
Love doesn’t always need to be about grand gestures or
big promises. Sometimes it’s enough to sit across from
someone, share a delicious meal, and soften the edges
savouring an exquisite dark and flavourful blend mix of the
finest quality chocolate and coffee. It’s not something you
would do every day, so why not spoil yourself.
Bookings:
078 095 0578
Christie’s Restaurant
32 Russell Street

January is often spent finding our feet
after what always turns out to be a
rather costly affair, from festive season
indulgences to school supplies.
This is why February is the ideal time
to restructure your finances, make any
changes, such as putting away extra
savings or making additional debt
repayments. This puts your financial
plan for the year ahead into focus, with
tangible goals to work towards.
The first step is to assess your current
financial status with a critical eye. Be
honest with yourself, where have you
overspent? Which accounts need to be
brought down (the answer is the ones
with the highest interest), and where
can you pinch a few pennies to add to
savings or rainy day accounts? Paying
yourself first, meaning putting money
aside for emergencies, education
funding, a well-earned holiday, or
retirement, is important, but only after
your debt has been paid off.
Set up a planning sheet and rank your spending clearly:
• Food • Rent/bond • Electricity, transport • Insurance and medical aid
• School fees • Debt repayments.
Everything else, including streaming services, extra data bundles, beauty,
clothing, eating out, and so on, gets temporarily parked. It’s not forever;
just long enough to regain control. February is notorious for ‘silent drain’
expenses that crop up after January, so plug the slow leaks.
Set aside 20 to 30 minutes and
make a note of the following:
• Your actual current bank balances
(not the number you think it is) • What’s
left on credit cards or store cards
• Any festive-season debt still hanging
around • Back-to-school expenses you
delayed or underestimated • Annual
costs coming in March/April (licence
renewals, car services, etc.).
Think of this as a financial X-ray, you
can’t fix what you can’t see, and the
important thing is to be brutally
honest with yourself. The sooner you
get your bank account in order, the
sooner you can breathe a little easier.
The next step is to reestablish your
priorities for the next four to six weeks.
22 Get It Lowveld February 2026

That includes:
• Subscriptions you forgot you restarted • Bank fees • Unused app payments • Gym
contracts you don’t use • Data creep (constant top-ups).
This is the ideal month to cancel, downgrade, pause, or renegotiate. Remember,
every R100 you free now is hundreds saved over the year. Create a lean budget
that is doable, even if it means tightening your belt a little further. This isn’t the
time for major financial transformations; think of it as stabilising the ship.
Include the following in your
budget:
• A fixed grocery amount • A fixed
fuel/transport amount • A tiny,
realistic ‘unexpected’ buffer • A strict
cap on extras.
Cooking strategically is key.
Stopping in at your local grocery
shop on the way home for bread
and milk every day, or even every
second or third day, is a silent
money guzzler. Now that you are
back into your daily routine, it
is easier to control your grocery
spend and stick to it. By switching
to planned weekly shops, packing
lunches instead of buying
takeaways, cooking bulk meals for
busy evenings and using pantry
staples to stretch fresh ingredients
can go a surprisingly long way to
saving a buck or two.
One of the largest pitfalls for many
South Africans is the ‘second wave’
debt trap. Statistics show that on
average, it takes people nearly four
months to recover from festive
season spending, and a whopping
18% take six months or more.
February is when many people
take out a loan because they’re still
recovering from January. Do not
do it!
Before you borrow, ask yourself
the following questions:
• Can you return or exchange
something? • Can you sell any
unwanted goods you have at home
that you no longer have a use for?
• Can you negotiate a payment delay?
• Can you cut something temporarily,
DSTV or gym membership?
February loans become April panic,
and end up costing more than they
help in the long run. Cash decluttering
is an excellent way to get back on
track. When February rolls around,
many households find themselves
with unused or unwanted gifts, items
bought in December in impulse
mode, duplicate appliances, outgrown
kids’ clothes, and decor that no one
particularly likes anymore. With a bit
of innovation, you can turn these into
an immediate cash flow. It’s also a
good time to renegotiate wherever
you can. This includes insurance
premiums, medical aid options, and
data providers. Wherever possible, ask
for reduced interest or better rates and
cut unnecessary add-ons.
Remember that every cent counts.
Start building a cushion fund now;
small habits and small changes add
up later on. Set a debit order for this,
so that as soon as you get paid, the
money leaves your account. If you can
save R50 to R100 a week, it adds up
to R200 to R400 a month, which is
R2 000 to R4 000 by the time
December comes around.
Linda Grimbeek, CEO of the
KLCBT, gave us her tips on
how to make ends meet in
todays economic climate.
Linda believes financial habits should
start early. “When I was growing up,
my father divided our money into
envelopes and we had to live within
those limits,” she says. “That’s how we
learned to work with a household
budget. Sometimes saving feels
impossible, but even putting away
10% of your income each month,
no matter how small, can make a
difference.”
One of her strongest saving habits is
reducing food waste. “There are so
many specials available today, but
people need to learn how to freeze
food properly and use it wisely.
Simply not throwing food away can
save a surprising amount of money.”
She recommends processing and
freezing bulk fruit and vegetables,
and turning leftovers into new meals.
“Bread puddings, savoury bakes and
casseroles are easy ways to stretch
what you already have.”
She also urges people to be mindful
of everyday purchases. “Sugary drinks
add up quickly. When you track daily
spending, even coffee or bread, you
start to see where your money really
goes.”
Linda suggests cancelling
unused subscriptions, shopping
collaboratively with others to save
fuel and money, and rewarding
yourself with experiences rather than
food or alcohol. “Enjoy picnics, time
together, and what’s around you. A
balanced, meaningful life doesn’t
have to cost much.”
February 2026 Get It Lowveld 23

When Graham Ricketts
speaks about metal,
it’s clear he isn’t talking
about a material so
much as a lifelong
companion.
24 Get It Lowveld February 2026
Graham Ricketts
His hands have shaped it, welded
it, repurposed it and, more recently,
turned it into something whimsical
- part art, part function, and part
stubborn refusal to let useful things
die. “I left school in the UK and went
straight into an apprenticeship with a
large engineering firm as a plater and
welder,” Graham explains. “Back in the
1970s, apprenticeships were timeserved.
Four solid years.”
Once qualified, he worked for several
engineering firms as a tradesman,
building deep, practical skills that
would later prove unexpectedly
resilient. Then came a turning point.
“My wife and I had the opportunity to
emigrate to South Africa,” he says. “At
the time, there was a real shortage of
artisans.”
After contracting for various
companies, the couple eventually
settled in the Lowveld while Graham
worked at Sappi Ngodwana. It was
there, amid heavy industry, that a
second, very different fascination took
hold. “I discovered computers,” he says
simply. “And I trained myself, at my own
expense, to become an IT network
engineer.”
That self-taught pivot carried him
through decades in the IT industry,
right up until about a year before
Covid changed everything. “I semiretired
from IT and went back into
fabrication,” Graham explains. “Small
projects. Nothing large. I already had
most of the tools and machinery, over
the years I’d built up quite a collection.
I love tools,” he smiles. When Covid hit
the Lowveld, work stopped overnight.
Clients disappeared and opportunities
went with them. Many businesses
didn’t survive. “Afterwards, most of my
clients had gone out of business,” he
says ruefully. “So I started coming up
with quirky objects made from what I
had lying around, things I could sell at
markets.”
That was the birth of Any Old Iron.
“When it comes to creativity, there’s
no blueprint,” Graham grins. “I never
really know what the end result will be,
I lay stuff out on the bench and let my
imagination take over.” Online images
offer inspiration, but the work itself

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
evolves organically. At one point, flying
witches became a surprise hit. “I went
through a phase making witches on
flying brooms,” he laughs. “Handlebars,
a seat, some even had a simulated
engine with a propeller on the back.
The guys especially loved them. It just
goes to show, you never know what
will take off,” he winks.
Graham has learned that trends
are unreliable. “There’s never really
one popular item. The hardest part
is having variety. These days, my
workbench table is a small menagerie
of metal life. I’ve got dogs, cats, wildlife,
airplanes, tractors, cars,” he says. “I find
that useful items such as pen holders,
plant holders, and card holders are
particularly popular. Lately I’ve been
making smaller things like keyrings and
little pets from old spark plugs and bike
chains. They also make great gifts.”
Interest in Graham’s creations is
never lacking. “I always get a lot of
compliments,” he says. “Nearly everyone
responds positively to the finished
products. I often get repeat orders that
way.” A few local businesses now phone
him when something interesting turns
up, which he is especially grateful
for. “You never know what you get; it
makes things interesting,” he adds.
Behind each piece is a deceptively
involved process. “The biggest part is
coming up with the idea and figuring
out how to build it,” Graham explains.
“I get all the parts together first, then
I start assembling.” A recent upgrade
to Graham’s arsenal is a gasless MIG
welder, something which has opened
up endless new possibilities. “It’s
allowed me to work on smaller, more
detailed creations, like plants, which
are proving to be surprisingly popular.”
Once complete, every piece is cleaned
and sealed. “Clear coat, varnish or
paint,” he says. “It depends on the
item.” Challenges remain, particularly
the constant need for materials and
consumables. “Any money I make
usually goes straight back into
supplies,” Graham says. “Welding wire,
grinder discs, paint, varnish, it’s an
ongoing process.”
Is it art or craft? Graham doesn’t rush to
define it. “I think a lot of it is artistic,” he
says thoughtfully. “But I try to make it
practical whenever I can. It’s a mix
of both.”
Every now and then Graham gets the
odd negative comment, “Usually from
a guy saying, ‘I could make that myself,’”
he smiles. His response is always
unfailingly polite. “I ask them to send
me a photo if they do, I’d genuinely like
to see it,” he says, handing over his card.
So far, it hasn’t happened.
Underlying it all is a quiet concern
about the future of hands-on skills.
“Trades and tradesmen are dying off,”
Graham says. “I’ve yet to meet a young
person who says they want to be a
tradesman before finishing school,
which is a shame.”
He pauses. “Back in my day, you were
encouraged to leave school and get
a trade. Even if you didn’t stay in it,
you always had something to fall back
on. Being able to use your hands is
something no one can take from you.
There are plenty of people who have
had to resort to turning their hobby
into an income.”
And so, out of decades of skill,
reinvention, and salvaged metal, Any
Old Iron became not just a business,
but a statement: that usefulness,
creativity, and craft still matter.
Even when they’re made from scraps!
February 2026 Get It Lowveld 25

Lowveld Summers can take their toll on even the
most pampered skin, leaving it feeling dull, dry, or
tired. The secret to radiant skin lies in gentle renewal
and smart protection, whether your complexion is
oily, dry, combination, or sensitive.
1
Gentle cleansing
First, remove any sunscreen or make-up, ; second, use a gentle gel or creamy
cleanser to clean without stripping. Avoid harsh soaps or strong foaming
cleansers, which can dry the skin or damage its protective oils.
2
Hydration & barrier repair
Switch (or add) in serums or toners with humectants like hyaluronic acid,
glycerin, or ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides. These help attract
moisture and lock it in. Use richer moisturisers at night. For daytime, aim for
lightweight, breathable moisturisers (gel-creams or creams that don’t feel heavy).

3
Exfoliation & renewal
Mild exfoliation once or twice a week helps remove
dead skin cells so new skin can shine through. Use chemical
exfoliants (lactic acid, enzyme-based, or gentle AHAs/PHAs)
rather than harsh scrubs. Consider doing a facial mask
or renewal treatment (hydration mask, a gentle peel) to
brighten up tone, but only if your skin tolerates it well.
4
Sun protection: Non-negotiable
UV rays in South Africa are strong year-round, but
in Summer, UV intensity worsens. A broad-spectrum
SPF 30 or 50 daily essential. Use sunscreens that suit the
Lowveld climate: non-sticky, non-greasy, preferably gel
or fluid textures that won’t feel like a mask in humidity.
Hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing (especially when
outdoors in mid-morning to mid-afternoon) are important.
5
Lifestyle & internal care
Hydrate from within. Water intake, hydrating foods (fruit,
vegetables), and adding omega-3s help skin bounce back.
Sleep well. Repair (including skin repair) happens during
sleep. If you’re sleep-deprived, you’ll see dullness, puffiness
or uneven tone.
Reduce stress: Skin flares, breakouts, and pigmentation often
get worse when we’re stressed.
Watch diet: High sugar, very processed foods tend to
promote inflammation; local seasonal produce often gives
vitamins that support skin renewal.
Summer-ready additions
For Summer resilient skin, include night serums with
antioxidants. This helps with pigmentation, improves
tone, protects against sun and pollution. The ‘glass
skin’ trend in the Lowveld emphasises vitamin C and
lightweight serums.
Oil-control strategies: If your skin
tends to get oily in summer, use
non-comedogenic moisturisers,
mattifying primers or lightweight
oil-free day creams.
Face mists: cooling, hydrating
mists (rose water, green tea, aloe
base) can refresh skin during
the day.
Regular masks: one cool,
hydrating mask per week
(sheet mask or gel mask) to
boost moisture, plus clay masks
occasionally if you’re prone to
congestion in pores.
Common issues
• Over-cleansing. Aggressive cleansers damage the barrier.
• Skipping SPF because you feel sticky or think ‘there’s no
sun’. UV still harms even when cloudy.
• Heavy creams in daytime if you’re sweating or humid,
these can lead to breakouts or discomfort.
• Don’t neglect lips, hands, feet.

Skin reboot: A routine for every skin type
1
Rebuild and quench
Over-exposure to sun and water can leave dry skin
feeling papery, tight, or flaky, so your focus should
be on moisture replenishment and barrier repair.
• Cleanser:
Use a cream or milk cleanser with soothing ingredients
like aloe, oat, or chamomile. Avoid foam cleansers; they
strip natural oils and worsen dryness.
• Exfoliation:
Once a week, use a lactic acid or enzyme-based
exfoliant, gentle enough to remove build-up without
aggravating dryness.
• Serum:
Layer a hyaluronic acid serum or a hydrating essence
under your moisturiser. Look for panthenol (vitamin B5)
or niacinamide to restore elasticity.
• Moisturiser:
Use lighter emulsions or gel-creams rich in ceramides
or squalane. These nourish without suffocating skin in
humidity. For night-time, you can still use a richer cream
or sleeping mask.
• SPF:
Use an SPF 50 hydrating sunscreen that doubles as a
moisturiser.
• Extra tip:
Mist your face during the day with rosewater or an
aloe-based spray to stay fresh and supple.
2
Oily or acne-prone skin: balance, don’t strip
Summer heat can trigger excess sebum, breakouts,
and shine, but harsh cleansers and over-exfoliating
can make things worse. Balance and barrier strength is key.
• Cleanser:
A gel or foam cleanser with gentle surfactants works well,
avoid anything that leaves skin ‘squeaky clean.’ Ingredients
like green tea, niacinamide, and zinc can help calm oil
production.
• Exfoliation:
Use a salicylic acid (BHA) or gentle enzyme exfoliant once or
twice a week to clear pores. Skip harsh scrubs, they inflame
and spread bacteria.
• Serum:
Choose a light, oil-free serum with niacinamide or tea
tree for soothing antibacterial benefits. Vitamin C serums
brighten dull skin and fade old acne marks.
• Moisturiser:
Go for oil-free, gel-based formulas. Look for ‘noncomedogenic’
on the label. Even oily skin needs moisture;
dehydration actually causes more oil production.
• SPF:
Use a mattifying, non-greasy sunscreen, ideally a
lightweight fluid or gel that won’t clog pores.
• Extra tip:
Blotting papers or a dusting of translucent powder mid-day
help control shine without over-cleansing.

3
Combination skin: target and
tune
If your skin feels dry on the
cheeks but oily in the T-zone, adjust
your routine to treat both areas
differently.
• Cleanser:
Use a pH-balanced gel or cream
cleanser, nothing too foamy or too
rich. Morning cleansing can be just a
water rinse if you’re not oily.
• Exfoliation:
Alternate between a mild BHA for
the T-zone and a lactic acid for dry
patches. Exfoliate once or twice
weekly to keep texture smooth.
• Serum:
Layer strategically: a lightweight
hydrating serum all over, and a
pore-refining serum on the T-zone.
• Moisturiser:
Use a hybrid moisturiser, light
enough for oily zones, hydrating
enough for dry spots. Gel-creams
with aloe, glycerin, or squalane are
ideal.
• SPF:
Choose a breathable sunscreen
with a semi-matte finish to suit both
areas.
• Extra tip:
Multi-masking: apply a clay mask on
the T-zone and a hydrating mask on
the cheeks at the same time.
4
Sensitive or reactive skin: calm and protect
The shift from Winter to Summer can trigger flare-ups, redness, or
tightness. Sun, heat, and humidity all increase irritation, so focus on
soothing and protecting the barrier.
• Cleanser:
Use fragrance-free, creamy cleansers. Avoid alcohol, essential oils, and
exfoliating beads.
• Exfoliation:
Limit exfoliation to once every 10 to 14 days, and use only mild enzyme or PHA
exfoliants.
• Serum:
Go for calming ingredients like panthenol, centella asiatica (cica), or oat extract.
Niacinamide at 2 to 5% can improve resilience and reduce redness.
• Moisturiser:
Choose simple, fragrance-free creams with ceramides and shea butter to fortify
the barrier.
• SPF:
Opt for a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). These reflect UV
rays instead of absorbing them and are less likely to irritate.
• Extra tip:
Keep your products in a cool spot (even the fridge), chilled moisturiser or mist
soothes heat-stressed skin instantly.
Red-light therapy is taking the
world by storm, and a large
part of its appeal lies in how
fundamentally gentle it is.
Owner of Rapha Wellness and Health Studio
Janine Taljaard explains that at a cellular level,
red-light therapy works by energising your skin
cells. “When the skin is exposed to red and nearinfrared
light, the mitochondria, the power plants
of the cell, absorb that light. This boosts energy
production, reduces inflammation, and signals
the cells to repair more efficiently.” This process
is known as photobiomodulation, and it’s the
foundation of red-light therapy’s wide-ranging
benefits.
Unlike lasers or more aggressive light treatments,
red-light therapy doesn’t heat, damage, or
resurface the skin. “That’s a huge distinction,”
February 2026 Get It Lowveld 29

GET IT DIRECTORY
BOD02RM_D
Janine says. “Lasers rely on high-intensity beams
to target pigment or resurface skin, which can
mean higher risk. Red-light therapy uses lowlevel
wavelengths, typically between 600 and 850
nanometres, to gently stimulate collagen and cellular
repair. It’s painless, non-invasive, and safe for regular use.”
The skincare benefits are cumulative rather than
dramatic overnight transformations. “Red-light therapy
is excellent for fine lines, improving texture, calming
inflammation, supporting acne and scar healing,” says
Janine. “It stimulates collagen production and improves
overall skin health, but consistency is everything.”
Its rise in popularity among women in perimenopause
and menopause is no coincidence. “Hormonal changes
during this stage of life reduce collagen, elastin, and skin
thickness. That’s why skin can suddenly feel drier, looser,
and more lined. Red-light therapy helps counteract
those changes by stimulating collagen and improving
firmness, without stressing already sensitive skin.”
The benefits aren’t limited to the face. “Near-infrared
wavelengths penetrate deeper into the body,” Janine
continues. “Research shows promise for easing joint
pain, muscle aches, and inflammation, symptoms
many women experience during menopause. There’s
absolutely a whole-body benefit.”
Results, however, require patience. “Most people notice
subtle improvements within two to four weeks,” says
Janine. “But visible, lasting results usually take one to four
months of consistent use.”
While red-light therapy is generally safe for most skin
types and ages, it’s not for everyone. “People who are
pregnant, have active cancer, epilepsy, or light-sensitive
conditions should avoid it or only use it under medical
supervision,” Janine cautions. “Eye protection and proper
guidance are essential.”
Quiet, consistent, and science-backed, red-light therapy
is less about quick fixes and more about working with
the body, cell by cell.
Contact Janine on 082 859 3091 for more information or
visit www.raphawellness.co.za
MELII1252NI
30 Get It Lowveld February 2026

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Spoil
February
Kate Spade POP
A joyful blend of blood orange and raspberry, a blossoming floral heart
of jasmine and lily of the valley, with delicate cedarwood and musks,
Kate Spade New York Pop fragrance is a whirlwind of radiance and
playful modernity. This floral, fruity, woody Eau de Parfum was inspired
by the bright colours of the Kate Spade universe.
From R999 from stores including Woolies,
Edgars, Dis-Chem, Takealot, Superbalist.
For a chance to win a bottle, pop over to
@getitnationalmagazines on Instagram
or Facebook and follow the prompts
on our February Spoil post.
32 Get It Lowveld February 2026