Ronel le Roux is not just strikingly pretty. She’s a tough businesswoman, a go-getter and she will help you go from drab to fab with the swish of a brush.
This small town girl has big dreams. Ronel is a makeup artist, image consultant and trainer, and is undoubtedly making her mark as a styling force to be reckoned with in the entire
country.
She grew up in Hartswater and completed a course in Hospitality Management at the Northern Cape Hospitality and Career College. A businesswoman, Elize Davids, who has become a good friend through the years, offered her a job at a company where she met Charl, her future husband. “Looking back, I realise that Elize never really needed a temporary assistant, but rather appointed me for Charl! Needless to say, I traded the temporary position for the relationship, and 11 years later we are still in love. We got married in 2014.”
Since Ronel can remember, fashion and beauty have always taken centre stage in her life, but never could she imagine that she would make a living from it. While working for a corporate company, Ronel started doing makeup part-time, and was trained by a dear friend and one of the best in the industry. “I got the opportunity to make a career change and move into the world of image consultancy. I started out as the office manager, but I completed the training and started assisting with the company’s clients. Eventually I embarked on my own business, doing makeup and image consulting full time. This was such a breath of fresh air for me. I could not believe my luck: I’m living out my passion every day!” She also became an approved trainer for an international image consultant training company, Image Innovators SA, and has been providing training to other up-and coming image consultants across the country since 2017.
Her business and clientele have grown so much over the past few years, that Ronel was able to establish Studio Luxe Collective (located at Warm Karoo). “This is a studio space
where I and a team of artists of the highest quality provide makeup and hairstyling services. We also offer workshops for the everyday woman, and masterclasses for other artists where they can develop their artistic and business skills. We are also in the process of establishing an academy where we are considering taking hands with other academies to offer internationally accredited courses in the Free State and Northern Cape.”
Being an entrepreneur in the business of luxury has been utterly rewarding for Ronel, but definitely not always easy. “I think the hardest part is that the return on investment is slow. Everyone thinks that being an entrepreneur is like being an influencer: it’s fun, you get to travel, attend events and that it’s financially rewarding, and I suppose in the long run it will be. But the everyday reality is that every cent made goes directly back into the building blocks and the time and effort put in don’t always pay off immediately. Is it stressful? Absolutely. But is it worthwhile? No doubt.”
So, makeup and fashion… it’s something every woman can do on her own, right? Wrong. What Ronel does is offer direction, which largely translates to the ultimate confidence booster. “To me, it’s not about how you look when I’m done but rather about how you feel. If you don’t feel like a million bucks when you leave, then I haven’t done my job.”
Three strict “rules” Ronel offers her clients when figuring out their unique styles, are: “You were created uniquely, there is no one like you, so I encourage you to enhance your God given beauty. Secondly, find your style personality and embrace it. It will make you feel confident, empowered and worthy. And lastly, create a good balance between your style, your wardrobe and your lifestyle.
Style is a personal thing
“Style is different for each and every person. A lot of women dress for their lifestyle or they dress the way others want them to. Sometimes they dress for how they want to be perceived. So often, they live a life wearing what they think they should, but are not true to themselves. Once you discover your true unique style, you will feel more confident and will most likely be complimented on how well your style suits you.” Ronel suggests booking a personal colour consultation with an expert to determine which colours best suit your personality and complexion. A personal style consultant will help you discover which styles of clothing best suit your body shape, and you’ll learn how to enhance your features best.
The future
Ronel has stars in her eyes. She plans to expand the studio with more artistic talent, work on accreditation for the academy and host more national and international talent to upskill and develop artists, consultants and stylists. “What exactly the rest of the future holds, I’m
not sure, but what I do know, is that I trust that God has one amazing plan and I’m all on board, whichever way it goes.”
Ronel’s top 5 beauty rituals
• Always remove your makeup before you go to bed.
• Always wear sunblock.
• Hydration is key.
• Use a good skincare range. You don’t have to use a lot of products or expensive ones. Invest in a good facewash and a good moisturiser, a little goes a long way.
• Whenever you need a boost, wear lipstick, it makes the world’s difference to your confidence levels.
Text: Lani Fouché
Photos: Lana Human Photography
Dress: EL Heathcote Designer Wear
Background flowers: Room of Bloom
Location: Monte Bello Estate
