Hala Owais On Her Favourite Make-Up Brand, Signature Scent, And Bad Hair Day Secret
The Founder of make-up brand The Shop Hala reveals her go-to products, flight essentials and the key to glowing skin
Beauty educator, and Dubai-based influencer Hala Owais gets candid about her routine with Bazaar Arabia…
MAKE-UP / FRAGRANCE
Favourite make-up brand and why? This is the hardest question and the answer changes all the time. However, I’ve been loving Dior Beauty at the moment. I admire how it’s a timeless brand and every product is perfected in production.
Foundation / concealer: Has to be the Nars Light Reflecting Foundation. It has great coverage and the shade matches my pigmentation perfectly, something that I often struggle with having an Indian skin tone. For concealer, the Huda Beauty Faux Filter is what I’ve been using since it launched.
Go-to lip colour: I wear the Fenty Beauty Lip Tint, I apply it once and it doesn’t budge.
Mascara: When it comes to mascara, I’m very skeptical. I’d like to state that I’ve got ‘problematic’ lashes. I’ve been using the Hourglass Caution Mascara, it really curls them from the root and gives incredible volume as well.
Signature scent: Anything Tom Ford is my go-to. I’m a little perfume hoarder so it’s hard for me to pick one. Nonetheless, I have been gravitating towards Tom Ford Ombré Leather. It’s a classic!
Make-up hack: Using eyeshadows as liners to smoke out and give a soft yet bold look to the eye. It takes less time and makes your eyes look more lifted.
HAIR
Hair schedule: I wash my hair only twice a week. If you want your locks to grow thick and healthy the natural oils (sebum) on our scalp need to be present.
Style secret: I never blow dry my hair after I wash it. I always let it air dry so it’s easier to style across the week. Blow drying causes long term damage and creates frizz.
Treatments: Olaplex is my favourite treatment, it’s the only product on the market that treats damaged ends by rebuilding the structure. Also I’m Indian so I’m really big on oiling my hair, I use the Fable and Mane oil and I do this two times a week for my scalp.
Favourite products: Since I live in Dubai, it’s almost always humid, the Kerastase Anti-Frizz product is something I can’t do without!
Off-duty hair look: Brush and leave my hair open or in a light clip so there’s enough room for my locks to breathe.
Bad hair day secret: A flat bun, takes less than 5 mins and it’s super easy.
SKIN & BODY
Skincare routine: I start with the CeraVe SA cleanser, if I have make-up I double cleanse with the Clinique make-up removal balm. After that I go in with the Tatcha Essence and then use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid all over my face and neck. Next up is my Summer Fridays vitamin C eye cream and I finish with my Laroche Posay SPF sun screen and my morning routine is done.
Go-to product for skin emergencies: I’ve got dry skin, so lack of hydration has always been my ‘skin emergency.’ The Origins Over Night Mask fixes all my problems immediately.
Flight essentials: I use Dr. Barbara Strum’s Face Mist throughout the flight. It’s perfect for keeping your skin fresh and glowy. Manicure: I’m a basic girl and I love my classic nude shades.
DIET & FITNESS
Go-to snack: Atkins low-carb snacks, peanuts or salted almonds.
Workout method: Spin classes at Motion Cycling. For women in general, morning workouts are recommended to balance our hormones.
Guilty food pleasures: Ice cream!
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s November 2022 issue.