Video Blogging Helped Me Find My Confidence'

Professional make-up artist Marlize Veenhof – better known as YouTube beauty vlogger Kandy Kane – chats to Leigh Hermon about career upgrades, what’s really important in a marriage and becoming a social media star

Born in cape town and raised in Joburg, Marlize, 28, was dead set on studying graphic design after school, but after losing out on a bursary, she had to rethink her life plan. She job hopped for a while before entering the world of cosmetics, where in 2013 she landed a job in sales at haircare brand Schwartzkopf. about two years later Marlize caught the eye of Moroccan Oil and became the brand’s national educator. during this time she’d been working weekends as a make-up artist and had started making videos for her YouTube channel, Kandy Kane. in 2016 she took the plunge and left the safety of her full-time job to pursue a career as a professional make-up artist and YouTube Vlogger. She lives in Germiston with her husband Kevin, 30, and their dog Ivan.

I have my mom to thank for my make-up obsession.

From the age of 11 I became fascinated by my mom’s morning beauty routine. I’d watch as she outlined her eyes in blue eyeliner and added a lick of mascara to her eyelashes. I’d notice a shift in her confidence when her make-up and hair were done; it was as if it brought out this bolder, more courageous woman. I wanted to experience this change too, so I begged her for eyeliner. During the school holidays she’d let me wear some and I loved it. Once I had been given a taste of make-up, I wanted more so I spent my pocket money on building my own collection of cheap eyeshadow and eyeliner. Soon enough I was that girl in high school who’d wear a full face of make-up to parties on weekends. I knew it was frowned upon, but I didn’t care, because it made me so happy.

My make-up education didn’t come from an expensive course.