In a digital age where authenticity is currency, Palesa Phillips has carved her own lane by blending beauty, fashion, and lifestyle into a narrative that feels both aspirational and relatable. As a model and content creator, she’s built a loyal community by staying rooted in honesty and sharing what she genuinely loves.
Her content is less about chasing trends and more about creating balance: a skincare routine that radiates consistency, fashion choices that reflect both identity and aspiration, and self-care rituals that nurture the woman behind the lens. With her growing influence, Palesa is not only redefining modern beauty but also showing her audience that luxury and authenticity can co-exist seamlessly.
In this candid conversation with Previdar, she opens up about the staples she swears by, the rituals that keep her grounded, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
Your content spans beauty, fashion, and lifestyle — how do you create a balance between all these elements while keeping it authentic for your audience?
I see beauty, fashion, and lifestyle as naturally connected. I keep the balance by sharing what I genuinely love and use in my everyday life. That honesty makes the content flow authentically and keeps it relatable for my audience.
Can you share your trusted skincare products list and why they’ve become staples for you?
My skincare staples are all about hydration, protection, and consistency. I start with the Nivea Rose Care Micellar Water to gently remove makeup without stripping my skin. For treatment, I rely on the Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Serum, which keeps my skin radiant and refreshed. The L’Oréal Revitalift range — especially the eye cream, day cream, and night cream — has been a game changer for firming and nourishing my skin. For the body, I love the Nivea Rich Nourishing Cream; it keeps my skin soft, smooth, and hydrated for hours. And to seal it all, I never skip the La Roche-Posay sunscreen SPF 50+, my daily shield against sun damage. And of course, I wouldn’t be a true South African without a Vaseline lip balm in my bag — that one’s non-negotiable!
Palesa’ holy grail skin-care products
Nivea Rose Care Micellar Water
R61.00
Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Serum
R2,100.00
L’Oréal Revitalift Eye Cream
R259.99
Nivea Rich Nourishing Cream
R120.00
La Roche-Posay sunscreen SPF 50+
R399.00
Which beauty or self-care rituals do you swear by to maintain a polished and confident look every day?
From an early age, I made it a habit to set aside one day a week to simply relax and love on myself. That little ritual has stayed with me. A non-negotiable in my routine is a home mask — I swear by a bentonite clay mask, which helped clear my skin when I was breaking out a few years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since. I also love indulging in Skin Republic masks, especially when I’m unwinding or prepping my skin before a shoot.
How do you curate your fashion choices to reflect both your personal style and your aspirational lifestyle?
For me, fashion is about expressing who I am while also stepping into the woman I aspire to be. I gravitate toward timeless, elegant pieces that I can style in different ways, but I also love adding trend-driven items for a fresh touch. I always ask myself: does this reflect my personality, and does it align with the lifestyle I’m building? That balance keeps my wardrobe authentic yet aspirational and allows me to show up feeling confident and true to myself.
When it comes to home décor, what are your top tips for creating a space that feels luxurious yet approachable?
I believe luxury in home décor isn’t just about expensive pieces. It’s about how a space makes you feel. My top tips are to invest in quality essentials like plush bedding and candles that set the mood. Most importantly, personalise a space based on what makes you happy. If colour brings joy in your world, don’t shy away from it just because it’s not seen as “aesthetic” right now. For me, it’s all about mixing refinement with comfort and touches that make the space feel uniquely mine.
As someone who works with global and local brands, how do you decide which luxury or aspirational products to showcase to your audience?
When it comes to working with brands, I stick to what I genuinely love and use. If it doesn’t feel like something I’d actually recommend to a friend, it’s not going to my audience. I also think about what they’ll enjoy or find useful — whether it’s a beauty must-have, a statement fashion piece, or a lifestyle product that makes everyday life a little better. It’s all about keeping things real and curated, so everything I share feels honest and relatable.
What role does self-care play in your day-to-day life, and how do you make time for it despite a busy schedule?
Self-care is a big part of showing myself love — it’s an absolute must! It also helps me manage stress and stay grounded. No matter how crazy my week gets, I always carve out time for a little reset, even if it’s just a quick bubble bath or something simple to relax and recharge.
Looking ahead, how do you hope to grow your influence in the beauty and lifestyle space, and what legacy do you want your content to leave?
Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing my influence by sharing content that’s honest, relatable, and inspiring. I have great ideas, and I know that in God’s time, it will all come together. I want to highlight beauty and lifestyle in a way that empowers my audience to feel confident and embrace their own style, routines, and self-care practices. I also hope to build my platforms and support young women who want to step into this space. Ultimately, I want my content to leave a legacy of authenticity, showing that luxury, style, and wellness aren’t about perfection, but about feeling good in your own skin and creating a life you love.
