Beauty Diaries: Saudi Entrepreneur and Filmmaker Lina Malaika Shares Her In-Flight Essentials, Signature Scent and Miracle Products
The multifaceted creative from KSA shares her insider secrets for looking effortlessly fabulous…
For the career woman constantly on-the-go, making time for self-care can be hard — and no one should know this better than filmmaker, entrepreneur and all-round creative Lina Malaika. From make-up to wellness, she shares her Beauty Diaries here…
MAKE-UP/FRAGRANCE
Favourite make-up brand and why? Benefit. It’s my all-time favourite brand, I’ve been using their products for more than 15 years now. I love the Gimme Brow gel, Roller Liner eyeliner (SAR125) & Hoola bronzer.
Foundation/Concealer: I never use foundation. Makeup for me is just a way to subtly enhance features or conceal minimal flaws. My go-to concealer is the Dior 1.5n.
Go-to lip colour: MAC Mull It Over and Soar Lip liner (SAR80). Trish McEvoy LIP Perfector Conditioner Balm (SAR118).
Mascara: Currently using the Better Than Love black mascara by Two Faced. It’s amazing and super effective.
Signature scent: Can’t live without these two hair mists by Chanel no.5 (SAR245) and Byredo’s BAL D’AFRIQUE (SAR700).
Make-up hack: Not sure if this is considered a makeup hack, but I love doing natural eyelash extensions, once I have those done, I don’t need any makeup.
HAIR
Hair stylist: Currently I’ve been going to Les Doer Salon, they glammed me up for a new look for my recent film premiere at the Red Sea film festival.
Hair schedule: I get a blow dry twice a week. I have never dyed my hair before and I rarely cut it, I just get a trim every now and then to maintain the health of the hair, I’m like a hair hippie!
Style secret: Definitely my curler wand, after a blow dry I like big natural waves, my go-to look.
Treatments: I love using natural products for my hair, I rotate between aloe vera, castor or cactus oils. You really don’t need anything else.
Favourite products: Oribe Leave in Conditioner (SAR220), Olaplex No.3 Mask and No.6 Bond Treatment (SAR150).
Off-duty hair look: A messy high bun.
Bad hair day secret: Dry shampoo or a hat! Both work miracles.
SKIN & BODY
Skincare routine: I use the Sisley Neck Cream, Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, La Mer Face Cream (SAR350), Tata Harper Eye Cream, and the Vitamin C day serum from Drunk Elephant (SAR418).
Moisturiser: I rotate a lot between different moisturisers, recently been using Protini by Drunk Elephant.
Cleansers: The Tata Harper Facial Cleanser (SAR265), it’s the best!
Flight essentials: I love the Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Glow Water Face Mist by Fresh, I spray that a lot on my face during any flight.
Miracle product: RevitaLash and RevitaBrow (SAR473), I’ve never used a product that literally works, this one makes my lashes and brows really thick, it’s a miracle!
Manicure: Believe it or not, I do my own nails, and my go-to colour Is the OPI Lisbon Wants Moor (SAR52).
Sun cream: La Mer SPF 50 sunscreen is my favourite, I just trust anything from La Mer!
INTERVENTION
Attitude to injectables: Terrified, but will eventually do it. I’m hoping to find the fountain of youth in the meantime.
Future intervention: Definitely Botox!
Secret surgeries: Not a surgery, but currently doing Invisalign, it’s been a year and I’m almost done!
DIET & FITNESS
Food intolerances: I don’t eat any meat products and have been following this since I was a kid.
Go-to snack: Mixed nuts and dried fruits.
Workout method: A lot of swimming and Pilates.
Guilty food pleasures: Glazed donuts bits from Dots and Nutella crêpes!
Beverage preference: Black coffee, iced matcha with coconut milk, and green juice.
Breakfast: Festive açaà bowls, or banana pancakes with honey.
From Harper’s Bazaar Saudi Arabia’s Spring 2022 issue.