The philanthropist and style icon lets us in on his grooming routine, and it’s not as complicated as you might expect. Follow his guide to feeling fresh and looking sharp all day, everyday. 
PR extraordinaire, award-winning sartorial figure, campaign strategist, humanitarian, brand influencer for Bvlgari – Matthew Mensah’s resume is impressive! We love that his personal style and grooming are always on point, despite his crazy busy schedule. We asked Mensah to share his grooming secrets.

What’s your approach when it comes to male grooming?
A man with respect for himself looks after himself, and there should be no excuses. If our female counterparts can manage a grooming routine, so should we. Manicures, pedicures and waxing should be part of every man’s grooming vocabulary.

Take us through your daily grooming routine.
It's simple; I apply a rich moisturiser with shea butter from Ghana after my shower, brush my hair and beard, check that my nails are clean, and finish off with a great scent.

Which three key items are always in your bathroom cabinet?
Fragrance, moisturiser and a scissors for my beard.

Is there one grooming product you carry with you wherever you go?
I have a little miniature bottle of my favourite fragrance that I always carry in my bag, so I can refresh my scent throughout the day.

What are your top tips for men who would like to start a grooming routine?

• Start and end your day by cleansing your skin with a mild cleanser.
• Find a great barbershop like Bespoke Men in Sandton City, Legends Barbershop, Joburg CBD or La Familia Barbershop in Rosebank.
• Invest in a monthly manicure and pedicure.

Do you have a signature fragrance?
Yes, Bvlgari Wood Essence is currently my go-to scent, and it’s so fitting as I am now the official brand influencer for Bvlgari – a dream position as it’s always been one of my favourite luxury brands.

Which fragrance family are you most drawn to?
I prefer masculine scents with notes of cedarwood, ambergris, fresh citrus and coriander – which actually describes the composition of the Bvlgari Wood Essence fragrance, hence why I am drawn to it! Tom Ford, Paco Rabanne and Gucci Homme are also fragrance houses that produce scents I gravitate towards.

Your beard is in impeccable shape, how do your maintain it to ensure it always looks on point?
Aah, thank you! Many people don't understand that grooming a beard takes time and effort and you should consider the same approach as you would for your hair. It needs to be washed, brushed and trimmed (or shaven) to create the style you desire. A beard oil is also an essential product that will ensure your beard is keep soft, nourished and smelling good.

When it comes to grooming, is it all about the products for you or does healthy eating and exercise also play a big role?
Eating healthy and keeping active is very much a part of my routine. I have a bit of a sweet tooth so going to gym is crucial!

In 2017 you were named GQ’s Best Dressed Man Of The Year – how have you established your go-to style, and what style advice do you have for our readers?
It was such an honour to be given this accolade. When it comes to my style, I have always dressed for myself. I love wearing a suit but I think it’s all about the fit, so I tend to tailor most of the pieces so they fit properly. I then add my own spin on it with interesting shoes and accessories. My advice would be to create your own style and identity, and look at the shape and fit of clothing – not only the brands and price points.

SHOP GROOMING

When we meet up with body positivity activist and writer Siphokazi Veti on set in Cape Town, she’s every bit as radiant as she seems on social media. And while her personality bubbles with enthusiasm and an undeniable optimism, we soon find there's a depth to Siphokazi that is beyond her years. She opens up with the kind of refreshing honesty that is so rare in the age of social media.

Maintaining that level of positivity and energy isn’t always easy she admits, especially when it comes to the relationship she has with her body. Rather, it’s a journey and a process that needs daily practicing. So when Siphokazi revealed some of her daily mantras for happier living, we were all ears.

Why do you think it takes people so long to learn self-love? 

I think over time the world got lost in communication. Especially in media, and how it defined beauty and self-worth for so long. That kind of thing shapes young minds, and children lose something important at a young age.

What were your experiences growing up regarding self-love? 

I had an eating disorder and social anxiety. On top of that, my body started changing and maturing from an early age, but I didn’t feel comfortable to ask advice to find out more about what was happening to me. And so for a long time, I didn’t feel comfortable with myself.

When did you start feeling comfortable with your body?

Only when I got to university, and started exploring feminism. That was a major turning point. A whole new world opened up for me.

View this post on Instagram

No matter how hard you attempt to shrink me, the truth remains.. You can’t unsee me 📸: @everydaypeoplestories

A post shared by Siphokazi Veti (@siphokaziveti) on Jan 9, 2019 at 9:24am PST

How did feminism help you through this? 

It taught me the importance of choice, individuality and fighting for who you are, and fighting to tell your story. It taught me to be proud of being a woman and the magic that is womanhood.

Do you find yourself looking to other women for guidance and inspiration? 

I am inspired by so many incredible women, but I’ve had to take the path to self-love alone. I’ve realised I am my own healer. Until you can look at yourself in the mirror every single morning and love what you see, nothing else matters.

And do you feel this way about yourself every morning? 

Definitely not every single morning. Every day is a new chapter. Every morning that I get up, I have to set my intention. I have to affirm my value and to affirm that I am enough. Self-love is a way to enjoy the journey with your body, without being hard on yourself. If I didn’t practice that and if I continued to pay attention to others’ perceptions of me, I think I would still be in a dark space. A space that never fulfilled my purpose.

Do you ever experience negativity from people online? 

Oh yes, all the time. Especially on social media. But I even experience hate in the supermarket or on the street. But these reactions come from a place of fear. People fear bodies that exist unapologetically. I try my best not to live in that moment of hate. It’s hard, don’t get me wrong. It’s why self-affirmation is especially important. And it’s why I also turn to people that inspire me. Like my grandmother. She was raised in a time when black women couldn’t thrive yet, against all odds, she did it. And so she has become the person who really drives me forward, no matter where I am in my life. My mother is another driving force for me. I am who I am because of women like my grandmother and mother.’

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another day in love ••• self-love is a choice available to you right in this moment. Be open and stay open to the ways your existence wants to shift and manifest. Self- love is all yours; moment to moment- allow it, choose it, feel it. You don’t need to reach a level of perfection to accept yourself or to know that indeed you are enough just as you are. Come back into your body, slow down, loose your grip on expectations and surrender to love. ••• Affirmation: I am no longer afraid, I no longer apologize. I uphold my boundaries. I see the woman in the mirror, She is divine magic. She is all that I am. I will love myself in this form and the next

A post shared by Siphokazi Veti (@siphokaziveti) on Aug 16, 2018 at 8:14am PDT

Siphokazi’s 5 mantras to live by

1. SELF-LOVE 
Practice self-love every day. Do not seek validation outside of yourself through instant gratifications. If you do that you will lose yourself, and you will stop telling your own story.

2. WELLBEING
Keep on learning, keep on questioning the world around you and what it’s telling you. You are your own healer, so trust your instincts and do not always turn to others to learn and understand. Have faith in your own perceptions.
3. PROFESSIONALISM 
Remain authentic, because your story is important. I studied accounting, which wasn’t who I truly was. I was on a path where I could easily have been lost, but I remained true to who I am and what I want in life and steered myself in the right direction.

4. SPIRITUALITY 
Spirituality is important for reconnecting to your deeper, inner guide. It helps make sense of – and deepens – your purpose on earth. I grew up in a religious home, but over the years my definition of spirituality has broadened to include many different practices, including yoga.

5. GRATITUDE
Be grateful for the time you – and your loved ones – have on this earth. My sister passed away several years ago. She helped me appreciate my own existence so much more. Her passing also made me realise that she had a powerful story, and it was never told… So her passing taught me to be grateful for the time we have, and to use that time wisely.

Check out Siphokazi's Instagram
Photography: Instagram
Words: Edwain Steenkamp

Denim for winter? How original, you may be thinking. But when style and body-positive activist and influencer Siphokazi Veti lets you in on her best styling tips, you’ll be rethinking your denim strategy for the new season.

1. Add a Killer Accessory

A pair of jeans and a sweater is an easy go-to look for winter, but it can get boring day after day. Add the trendy moon bag to your ensemble for an instant update. Finish off with a pair of heels, and voila, your look strikes the perfect balance of sophisticated and cool.

Kelso Curves colour-block jersey 279.95; Kelso Curves skinny denim jeans 449.95; Free 2BU transparent earrings 39.95; Accessorize moon bag 399; Free 2BU pointed-toe patent heels 299.95

2. Embrace stripes

Denim and a white T-shirt is a fashion staple so classic no wardrobe should be without it. Take the timeless appeal of this look and throw some stripes into the mix for a modern upgrade. A stripe down the side of the shirt is understated and cool. Add a pair of statement boots and you’re good to go!

Kelso Curves side-stripe shirt 349.95; Kelso Curves high-waisted denims 399.95; Free 2BU tassel drop earrings 79.95; stacking rings (set of 5) 59.95; Steve Madden pointed-toe sock boots 1599

3. Layer like a queen

Layering is an art. It can be tricky to get it just right, but it's essential for trans-seasonal dressing. Start with the base layers, which need to be the thinnest, and then pile on according to thickness. To get the balance right and avoid looking too bulky and sloppy, make sure you mix tight with loose. Go for tight-fitting jeans and a comfy pair of ankle boots to complete the look.

Kelso Curves quilted gilet 549.95; Kelso Curves striped jersey 299.95; Kelso Curves distressed denims 499.95; Free 2BU hoop earrings (set of 3) 59.95; Accessorize beaded bracelets (set of 9) 199; Steve Madden suede ankle boots 1499

4. Keep it casual

For casual days at the office, pair a blazer with your statement T-shirt and jeans. It’s versatile, timeless and effortlessly chic. Add buckle-up boots and colour popping accessories to bring your relaxed but stylish look together.

Kelso Curves statement T-shirt 159.95; Kelso Curves rip and repair denims 449.95; Accessorize beaded necklace 299; stacking rings (set of 5) 59.95; Accessorize satchel bag 799; Steve Madden buckled boots 1299


To learn more about Siphokazi and what she stands for, click here or follow her on Instagram at @siphokaziveti.


All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

Fashion direction & production: Brittany Penebre. Photography: Katinka Bester/Hero Creative. Styling: Rushana Burton. Hair & make-up: Shahnaz Cola-Wrensch/SNCM. Talent: Siphokazi Veti.

Follow these styling tips when updating your home for a designer finish without the spend.

Style tip 1 Go with geometric accessories 

Geometric furniture, prints and accessories are big news right now. We’re seeing a move towards sculptural, precious-gem-like sidetables and furniture made from wire, which add interest and depth, giving the illusion of bigger space due to the open frames. If you’re keen to give your home an entire makeover, you can introduce the  geometric trend in small ways. Use diamond-shaped tiles to create an Escher-esque artwork for your kitchen or bathroom backsplash, go minimalist with geometric-print cushions or art prints, or add subtle dimension in the form of a matt black faceted vase or accessory. The trick here is to balance the scale of the design colours – if the pattern is busy, go for subdued colours, and vice versa. Create a sense of luxury without spending a lot of money by introducing gold accents on smalls and accessories.

Style tip 2 Bring in plant life

Indoor plants provide us with a connection to the outdoors that’s especially appealing to inner-city dwellers. The focus is on compact, sturdy succulents that are simultaneously water-wise and easy to maintain. The larger, leafier varieties still reign supreme. ‘Our most popular house plants are Monstera deliciosa and Philodendron selloum. Magnificently lush and leafy, both of these look amazing displayed in handwoven baskets, as kokedamas (moss balls), or in water instead of soil in beautiful vases,’ says Ashleigh Martyn, owner of online nursery Mother City Jungle. It’s also worth considering artificial plants to spruce up your space. Orchids, which are notoriously difficult to care for, can serve the right amount of class without all the hassle, and you get to enjoy the plant’s gorgeous blooms all year around.

Style tip 3 Add candy colours

On the other end of the colour spectrum, we’re seeing a resurgence of candy colours in interiors. ‘Pastel candy shades, which are traditionally quite feminine, have been reintroduced in soft metallic finishes, coloured glass and beautiful blush linens,’ says Melissa Lawrence, owner of Cape Town-based creative consultancy Studio Melissa Louise. ‘These elements are easily paired with a neutral colour palette and, when used in abundance, create visual intrigue.’ Consider bringing in woven textiles such as rattan, cane and wicker to balance out the fun pastels for a look that’s adult appropriate. In terms of paint, Plascon’s Glamour range fits the bill. Mermaid Jewel and Candy Tuft on a feature wall or ceiling will add character to any space, just be sure to use these attention-grabbing hues sparingly – your chosen candy colour should only make up about 30% of the colour in the room.


SHOP HOMEWARE

All items subject to availability. Prices may change.