Makeup and multi-tasking: the hustle behind the highlight

IOL News

17-07-2025

Resh Naidoo
Image: Supplied
IF YOU'RE reading this while stirring a pot of curry, answering work emails, checking what time you have to fetch the kids from extra murals and texting your mum, then congratulations, you're probably an Indian woman too.
Hi, I'm Resh Naidoo, an occupational therapist, pro makeup artist, co-host of The Double Dose Podcast, gym enthusiast, wife to a busy businessman, mom of two almost-grown brown kids, content creator, co-owner of a fashion brand, and yes, a reality show star.
Reality TV: lights, camera, real-life madness
First, let's get the reality star bit out of the way. Being on The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice has been surreal. Never in a million years did my twin Losh (Naidoo) and I imagine we would say yes to a reality show. But when we heard it was the first of its kind representing South African Indian women, we felt a huge responsibility to our community to ensure that we were not just represented, but represented well.
As Indian women, we are raised on resilience, on mutton curry and multitasking magic. We wear many hats, and somehow, even when we're running on fumes and dry shampoo, we keep showing up. We had to showcase that to the world.
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Now people recognise me and ask things like, 'Do you really hustle that hard?' and 'Is your life always so fabulous?'
The answer is yes and no.
The show gave me a platform, but it didn't change who I am. I'm still that Durban girl, who will go from luxury events to eating a bunny chow at a small Indian takeaway in the same day.
Living between deadlines, dumbbells and DMs
The next question I often get asked is, 'How do you do it all?'
The short answer: I don't know, I just do.
I just rotate what gets prioritised (read neglected ) each week. Life is about seizing opportunities, and it is my responsibility to myself to make it happen. Some days I'm on top of my work schedule and meal prep, while other days I'm filming beauty content in full glam, ignoring the to-do list growing in the corner.
I have learned the art of multitasking. I swap Netflix for gym. Google calendar is my best friend. And I am blessed with the most supportive husband and kids. I think my superpower is that, as a wife and mum, I have built a strong, independent family that can chase their own dreams while supporting each other.
Now this may sound generic to most people, but the truth is this is not the norm in a brown home. For generations Indian moms put their dreams on pause to care for their families. Dishing for their sons, cleaning after their husbands and waiting on their daughters. I've raised my family differently. We share responsibilities and believe in family teamwork because team work really does makes the dream work.
Mom First
No matter how much I have to do, I am a mom first and raising teens is not for the feint hearted. Having older kids means less nappy-changing and more life-coaching.
My daughter, Miashca, is a final year BCom digital marketing student and runs her own marketing agency, and my son, Thishae, is in matric and a mini CEO that runs his own procurement business, so technically, I'm a momager now.
I no longer cut crusts off sandwiches. I cut through career dilemmas and relationship dramas. It's a different kind of parenting, one filled with heart-to-hearts, shared skincare products, and a healthy dose of sarcasm.
The truth? I don't have it all together
Some days I feel like I'm thriving. Other days I'm barely surviving. But what I've learned is that balance isn't doing everything perfectly. It's knowing when to go full-glam and when to just put on a hoodie and hide from your to-do list.
Being on reality TV has given people a glimpse into my world, but what they don't see are the quiet moments between the chaos. The late-night editing, the guilt for taking time away from my family, the deadlines, and the deep gratitude for being able to do what I love.
I'm not perfect. I'm just passionately showing up for my people, my purpose, and myself. Sometimes in heels, sometimes in takkies, but always with heart, hustle, and a touch of highlighter.
The opportunities life throws at you gives you wings, how high you want to fly is up to you. Me? I want to soar baby. So to every Indian woman reading this, the ones balancing ambition with tradition, strength with softness, spreadsheets with sambals - we weren't raised to rest, we were raised to rise. And now, we get to redefine what that looks like. We can chase goals and wear kajol. This is our story. Come soar with me.
Resh Naidoo is an occupational therapist, pro makeup artist, co-host of The Double Dose Podcast, mom, wife, content creator, co-owner of a fashion brand, and a reality show star.
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