Pilar Sanders is a modern day superwoman balancing marriage, motherhood, co-starring in new VH-1 TV series “Single Ladies” and recently becoming a perfumista all while running multiple charities and dabbling in music. So now, the only question left to ask is what will she conquer next?
Chasity: How would you describe your personal taste in fashion?
Pilar: I’m fairly open, what I will say is that I am not a fan of fads, whatever makes me look and feel good and also accentuates the curves is what attracts my attention.
Chasity: Nice. What designers are you currently Jones’ing for and why?
Pilar: I have two, the first is Roberto Cavalli, I love the fabrics, the cut of his clothes, the feminine feel and his pieces are always very flirtatious. I would also say INDASHIO, he's a new fashion designer and celebrity stylist that I’ve fallen for. His designs are fresh and innovative.
Chasity: I recently bumped into you at the 2011 BET 106 & Park Award Nominations Special and I must say that your skin was and still is flawless, what are your summer must-have beauty buys and where can Jones readers find them?
Pilar: I tried everything and I’ll tell you that I ended up falling for Mychelle, it’s a lovely Gel Facial Cleanser that you can actually find at your local Whole Foods store, it’s a must -have in my beauty bag. I’ve also recently begun using a Sonic Brush day and night and it works wonders!
Chasity: Do you have any other beauty secrets you’d like to share with us?
Pilar: Yes! Coconut Oil. And it must be pure, organic and most importantly it has to be raw coconut oil. I use it as an exfoliant and a moisturizer and on both my hair and skin and it’s definitely my secret weapon.
Chasity: You’ve always been in great physical shape. How do you contour your curves and what advice can you give to women whom either don’t enjoy or don't have time to work out at the gym?
Pilar: Eating well is 80 percent of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The secret is consuming less processed foods, the less the better. Also 3-4 days of cardio a week is vital, especially for women. On days I don’t have time for a full workout, or time to go to the gym I do something I call the trinity, sit ups, push ups and squats at least 50 of each, that way even if you don’t belong to a gym your getting a workout in daily which is so important.
Chasity: What tips can you share on maintaining gorgeous hair especially while trying to beat the heat during the summer?
Pilar: In the summer I like to take advantage of the great weather and train outside. Something that actually works wonders is washing your hair and applying leave in conditioner to your hair while you exercise outside. Your hair is then being conditioned naturally avoiding using to much heat directly on the hair which is helpful and because the hair is wet it serves as a cooling tool while exercising.
Chasity: You’re not only a mother and wife but you’re a budding actress and entrepreneur as well. For a woman who seemingly has it all, at this point in your life and career what truly motivates you?
Pilar: Great question. Through the years it has changed. My first motivation was to get out of the projects, and then to buy my parents a home and when I’d accomplished those things and later became married and had children my motivation started to shift and I wanted to fulfill my own personal needs. It’s easy to lose yourself in day-to-day life especially when you’re a wife and mother. I eventually became my own motivation and began to use the gifts that God gave me. My children now take pride and look up to me as a role model and that’s a beautiful thing.
Chasity: That is beautiful. What would you say is a dream job for you at this point?
Pliar: Acting is definitely still a dream job for me, I love exploring human emotion and you know what they say, “Once you’re doing what you love you won’t work another day of your life!”
Chasity: This is very true and your stars seem to be aligned. Congratulations to you on your guest-starring role in the new VH-1 television series “Single Ladies.” Which actors would you look forward to working with on your journey as an actress?
Pilar: Without a doubt Julia Roberts and Angela Bassett.
Chasity: Aside from your personal endeavors you’ve always been very involved in philanthropy and you run multiple charities, in what ways have you given back lately?
Pliar: Well there are always 10-12 kids at my home on a regular basis but aside from that my husband and I are opening an eight-week charter school this summer in Dallas, that focuses on academics and athletics. We’re actually taking 300 of those students to Atlanta to compete in a tournament very soon.
Chasity: That’s fabulous, congratulations! Speaking of your husband, how is Mr. Sanders these days?
Pilar: He’s fantastic, we’ll be taking a trip this summer to induct Deon in the Hall Of Fame which we’re both really excited about.
Chasity: You’ve recently launched a fragrance, Shelomi. can you tell us more about that and the inspiration behind the scent?
Pilar: My daughter was my inspiration 100 percent. She’s my mini me and she always wants to play in my clothes, shoes, makeup and my perfumes which were always too mature for her. I would always have to wait until the holiday season to find perfumes appropriate for her and then the fragrance would be weak and not last. I’ve always been someone who not only talks about problems, but I like to solve them as well which is why I created this fragrance. It’s youthful, free, loving, fun and colorful and women still adore it, men as well.
Chasity: I have an 11-year-old sister so I'll have to grab a bottle for her. Are there any other new projects in the works for you?
Pliar: In the past my husband and I flirted with and we’re now playing around a bit more involved in the music industry. We have two amazingly gifted individuals that we’re working with, V-Jo who is definitely the next R&B crooner to watch, he is also a very talented actor and producer and Ce Ce G who we’ve nicknamed “beauty on the beat.” She’s the next Missy Elliott, she also produces, writes, rhymes and sings.
Chasity: That’s great! Good luck with your new project! I look forward to seeing more from you and your very talented family, we wish you many more successes and hope that you’ll come back and talk with Jones again in the future.
Pilar: Thank you so much for having me Chasity and Jones it was a pleasure.
Keep up with Pilar, her new fragrance Shelomi and her many projects by following her on www.twitter.com/PliarSanders or by logging on to her website Pilarsanders.com
