Who is Mooiste?
I’m Liezl Leach and I’ve been a makeup and hairstylist in the South African Beauty industry for 21 years.
My career started the day I walked into the Special Effects Makeup Class at Tshwane University of Technology in my 1st year in 2002. Up until this point I’ve only considered Fine Arts a viable career choice, but instantly fell in love with Make Up.
I’ve completed my degree at TUT, and got further training at Professional Make Up in Johannesburg (In the early 2000’s it was a prestigious makeup school and professional brand)
With my certification done, I started working at Terenzo Hairdressing, and from there went on to work full time at MAC cosmetics. This time in my life was full of steep learning curves and wonderful connections made in the South African Fashion and Beauty industry.
Baby Liezl working at the MAC counter in 2009
Backstage at Copenhagen Fashion Week 2009
As part of the MAC events team, I got to travel to Scandinavia and work backstage as a Makeup Artist at Copenhagen Fashion week, which was life changing for me. I knew I wanted to freelance full time. During my time as MAC Events Team artist, I got to work on many local fashion shows and music videos.
In 2010 I took the big leap and started freelancing full time. Through creative agencies I worked on many TV commercials, Feature Films, Music Videos and Magazine shoots. During this time I honed my skills to perfection, as timing, execution and professionality is a non negotiable.
2011 on a commercial shoot set with the legendary Lyn Kennedy
Backstage at SA Fashion Week 2012
On an album cover shoot for Eloise Cupido 2014
Hairstyling demo for Fudge Urban as a Makeup Lecturer at London International School of Fashion 2014
From 2011 - 2014 I was a Makeup Lecturer at London International School of Fashion. (now Stadio)
I LOVED teaching aspiring makeup artists, and some of my then students are successful makeup artists still working today.
So many personalities, so many makeup looks!
On set for Gaschette Mag 2014. Sometimes I need a chair to reach the models!
Pregnant on the set of Your Pregnancy Magazine 2014!
Heavily pregnant on set of Business Class Magazine 2014 with model Adera.
At the Rimmel touch up booth, SA Fashion Week 2015
I've been so blessed to work on Magazine publications, at SA Fashion Week for many years, and a few years of Miss SA.
NOTHING hones your skills as a fast, efficient makeup artist as these events. Your makeup needs to be flawless, needs to LAST the show, the evening, and it needs to happen under so much pressure.
On set for a jewellery brand, 2015
Miss SA 2016, Ntando. Backstage
With makeup artist Krassi Toma at SA Fashion Week 2016
SA Fashion week 2018 backstage with artists Krassi, Orli, and Nthato.
SA Fashion Week backstage 2019
SA Fashion Week 2019 with Lesley Whitby
SA Fashion Week 2019 with Renate Verwey, Mirriam Machucha and Krassi Toma.
In May 2017 I officially started MOOISTE!
While still being very active in the fashion industry, I started to focus more on the Bridal Industry. My kids needed me more, and I slowly took on more brides as clients.
The bridal industry NEEDS all the different aspects of the skills perfected in the fashion industry.
“It’s beauty portrait makeup, its event makeup, its a high pressure backstage environment, ALL IN ONE MORNING!”
At beautiful Bronwen’s wedding 2020. Captured by my favourite Anandi.
With Karen Zoid at a 2025 Range Rover event
2026 GHD Event with artist Annice Gerber and models
21 years later… Still painting faces, still loving every moment.
What do I bring to the table as your makeup artist?
I bring THE WHOLE TABLE, the ring light and 2 decades worth of experience!
I’ve seen trends come and go.
I’ve seen which techniques and products last the morning of champagne splashes, the afternoons of first-look-tears and the dance floor evening shenanigans.
Your face is in 95% of the pictures.
It shouldn’t reflect the year you got married.
It isn’t just content in someone else’s social media post.
It should only reflect YOU.
At your most beautiful.
