Six Style Sensations – Pt I
WE share with you today, in the first of a two-part series, beauty and style secrets of six Jamaican women. Be inspired!
Racquel Jenkins
Racquel Jenkins is 36, holds a 3rd degree (karate) black belt, is by profession an intra-dermal technician and if you’re not in the know, what it means is that she’s a whiz at applying permanent cosmetics.
On style.
The lady dresses to turn heads. “I’m no shrinking violet,” she confesses as she cosies up in the couch wearing a design from her favourite Kingston boutique Kerry’s manwomanhome. “I like easy, comfortable, but definitely sexy clothes.”
On beauty.
The woman is as focused here as she is in the dojo. “I must exfoliate every day. I use Neutrogena facial scrub and pore-refining toner. Ice-cold water is excellent for the skin keeping the pores closed and by extension ensuring youthful skin.
“For the rest of my body it’s Dove exfoliating body scrub and a combination of Body Butter, Baby Oil and a skin-firming lotion,” she shares with a chuckle. She’s not finished yet. “I eat light snacks every two hours (my metabolism is very high).” It’s no idle boast as she retrieves her Ziploc bag from her handbag with her wholewheat tuna and chicken sandwiches. Exercise is a way of life and as such she spends two hours each day at Gymkhana with her personal trainer. Naturally, there’s lots of water and for breakfast it’s egg white and tuna.
Kamille Jackson
Kamille Jackson is 31 and a structural engineer with Peter Jervis & Associates. Before returning to Jamaica, she enjoyed life aboard oil rigs in the North Sea and in the Atlantic Ocean in Gabon.
She describes her style sense as “very eclectic, bohemian with touches of grunge. I basically dress according to my mood”.
And on beauty?
“I pray each day to reduce stress, drink lots more water than I used to, and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. I’m prone to acne and have used (for many years) ice cubes once a week at nights as a means of controlling acne. The ice forces blood to the surface and regenerates the face.
I also use aloe vera and Clean and Clear acne soap. For the rest of my body I use Johnson’s Baby Soap, or oatmeal soup and sometimes Pear’s.”
Body oils like Red Jasper or Magnolia that she picks up in Miami are her favourite smells. In Jamaica, she can be found shopping at Collectibles, Shimmer or Elan.
Fern Proctor
On style
37-year-old Fern Proctor speaks to her creative soul and love for nature, the outdoors and travel that have led her on an interesting journey exploring eclectic avenues of expression and style. Her 12 years of overseas existence (with roots firmly planted in JA), the help of global/cultural exposure, art school at home and abroad, a wide variety of interesting friends and a career in brand development, her taste in clothes, furniture and art are unpredictable – a fusion of many styles yet all her own.
“I’m not into the typical stuff like pink or lace,” she shares, “but I’m ‘all woman’ in casual, comfortable lines . I’ve always preferred a more rugged look-sporting jeans and a singlet in earthy colours and textures – but there’s still the girl in me that loves to dress up.”
On beauty
“When it comes to hair and make-up there’s really not much to it. ‘wash and go’.” Currently, Proctor is sporting a shaggy cut which is in her own words ‘easier to manage’ along with her trusty Aveda Elixir that really keeps the frizz down.
Make-up is minimal with natural tones. These days she’s grown attached to her Aveda Bronzer Mascara and brow pencils. “They’re a quick and easy fix for the often impromptu lyme. I’m very low maintenance and my skin care routine is very basic – Aveda cleanser, toner spray and moisturiser. Ultimately, I like to just be natural and this is reflected in everything I own.”
You’d find Fern Proctor checking out the thread and trends at Stanley & Empress’ Cross Roads loft, Heart & Sole or Shimmer.
Pt 2 continues next week
