Every artist knows that a painting is only as good as the canvas beneath it. Beauty works the same way. Foundation sits better, blush blends more evenly and lipstick lasts longer when the skin underneath has been cleansed, hydrated and protected. In South Africa, that canvas faces strong sun, dry Highveld winters, humid coastal summers and long days that run from the office to the school run to dinner.
That idea sits at the heart of a partnership between two brands: Willa Krause Skin Care, a South African name with more than 35 years of skincare expertise, and PHOERA Cosmetics, an international make-up brand known for vegan, cruelty-free colour. Willa Krause prepares the canvas. PHOERA adds the colour that completes the picture. And three of their products have been named winners in the Women & Home Holy Grail Awards.
The canvas: Willa Krause Skin Care
Willa Krause did not set out to build a skincare company. In 1978 she founded Argilla Pottery, crafting clay pieces at a factory north of Pretoria. The heat of the kilns and the constant dust took a toll on her skin. When she could not find a solution that worked, she challenged leading scientists to help develop one. The result launched as Willa Krause Skin Care in 1989.
Today the family-owned brand is still formulated in South Africa for local skin and climate, pairing proven active ingredients with natural African oils, vitamins and carefully selected raw materials. Ranges are built around skin type and stage of life, from normal, combination, dry and oily skin to dedicated ranges for young, mature and melanin-rich skin, and for men. A network of salons and skin consultants across Southern Africa adds professional advice.
The standout is a Holy Grail Awards winner: the Willa Krause Sensitive Skin Calming Serum. This 30 ml serum is designed to soothe, strengthen and restore sensitive skin, giving a reactive complexion a calm, comfortable base before any make-up goes on.
The recommended routine is easy to remember: cleanse, tone, care for the eye area, treat, moisturise and protect with a daily SPF, adding an exfoliator or mask once a week.
The colour: PHOERA Cosmetics
PHOERA is an international make-up brand, and PHOERA Cosmetics SA is its sole official distributor in South Africa. Every product is vegan and cruelty-free, and the formulas are designed for long wear without a heavy feel.
Two PHOERA products are Holy Grail Awards winners. The Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm melts on contact to lift even waterproof make-up and sunscreen, then turns into a light milky emulsion with water and rinses clean. Enriched with shea butter, it suits all skin types, including sensitive skin.
The Foundation Creamy Liquid Concealer gives medium-to-high coverage over dark circles and uneven tone, with a luminous, skin-like finish that resists creasing. It comes in 10 shades, from Light to Dark Coffee.
Other favourites include the Silky Full Coverage Matt Liquid Foundation, with low-cost samples so you can test your shade at home first, the multi-tasking CC+ Cream Foundation for a lighter, all-in-one complexion, and the 9D High Definition Mascara.
Completing the picture together
When the two brands started working together, the fit was obvious. Skincare without make-up leaves the picture unfinished, and make-up without good skincare has nothing solid to rest on. Today you can shop Willa Krause skincare on the PHOERA website and PHOERA make-up on the Willa Krause website, so the whole routine lands in one basket.
A weekday routine might look like this. In the morning, cleanse and tone with Willa Krause products suited to your skin. If your skin is sensitive, press in the Calming Serum, then moisturise and finish with sunscreen. That is your canvas. Then add the colour: a PHOERA primer and foundation, the Creamy Liquid Concealer wherever you need it, mascara and a lip shade.
At night, the award-winning Cleansing Balm lifts the day’s make-up, and your Willa Krause cleanser, serum and night moisturiser get the canvas ready for tomorrow. Find your canvas and your colour at phoeracosmetics.co.za and willakrauseskincare.co.za.
