24 Hours With May Calamawy
The 33-year-old Bahraini actress is best known for her role as Dena in the Emmy award-winning series, Ramy. From waking up to 80’s tunes to shopping vintage, she chats with Bazaar about what she gets to up to during an average day
8:00 AM. I’m generally an early riser but love the occasional lie in. I usually wake up around 8:00 on a typical day, and begin by meditating and praying. I think it’s important to wake up and remember to smile and be grateful for another day. I’m not a specific type of sleeper – sometimes I sleep through a lot of sound and other times a whisper wakes me up. I keep my bedroom minimalist and tidy because clutter gives me anxiety. An ’80s track is good to get me going in the morning.
9:00AM. I drink my matcha tea at 9:00 on days when I don’t work out, and at noon on days that I do. I love black tea and coffee but unfortunately they both give me bad headaches. On days when I’m working out, I usually start my routine around this time. I work out with weights three times a week and try to supplement that with restorative yoga to get me ‘in’ my body. I was always intimidated by weights but I love them so much now; it’s all about finding the right trainer who gets what you want.
10:00AM. Then, I eat breakfast around 10:00 which usually consists of scrambled or fried eggs with beans or a smoothie. I like to cook and explore new recipes, and keep up with the news through John Oliver. I’m proud of my lasagne, it’s been a new obsession! I
11:00AM. I jump in the shower at 11:00AM and usually work from home unless I need to be on set. I use Dr Bronners for my body and a shampoo, conditioner and gel from Philip Kingsley. They specialise in hair and scalp care. I’m a firm believer that the way you look on the outside is a reflection of the inside, so for me it’s meditation to control my stress and staying hydrated with water. I will say, though, I’m on a Goop Glow Morning Superpowder kick. The only make-up I wear is a bit of blush and occasionally I’ll fill in my brows, so make-up doesn’t take me long. For blush, I alternate between MAC’s Love Thing and Ilia’s Lady Bird which is a great lip colour as well.
For a brow pencil I like Anastasia’s Brow Wiz. If I need coverage for an audition, I’ll use Ilia’s True Skin Serum Concealer and put some powder on to kill any shine with RMS Beauty’s Tinted ‘Un’ Powder. I love clothes but I don’t have a set style, it’s generally minimal and laidback, and it takes me two minutes to dress up usually. Sometimes feminine, sometimes androgynous… I don’t go into an office or have a work uniform, so whether I’m home, at meetings or on set I wear whatever feels good and comfortable. I don’t focus on designers or labels; I’ll shop from anywhere and am more interested in vintage shopping or boutiques that aren’t known. I’ll play with belts or necklaces every once in a while.
May plays Ramy’s sisters on the award-winning dramady
NOON. On my way to auditions or meetings I enjoy listening to audiobooks or podcasts. I don’t have any particular go-tos because there’s always something circulating between my friends and I.
2:00PM. Around 2:00 I’ll have lunch. I don’t have a specific meal, it’s whatever I can put together in the fridge. I do love a nice big salad at midday, though. When I’m on set, everyone involved eats together. Snacking for me usually involves fruit, Hu Kitchen chocolate, and this baked version of Cheetos I recently discovered. I used to be very disciplined about what I ate in my early 20s, but as I’ve grown, I eat whatever I want in moderation and just feel what my body is craving. I’ve learnt that there is moderation to discipline as well, because too much control will numb your connection with your body which is never a good thing.
6:30PM. My evenings usually involve eating and watching TV – I’m generally a homebody, especially with Corona, so I’d rather go to a friend’s place or have friends come over. I love entertaining and prefer more intimate gatherings, so sushi and good company sounds like my favourite way to spend an evening. I’m currently doing all the Marvels in order of story. I just finished Ozark which was amazing and I’m getting into What We Do in the Shadows which I find hilarious.
MIDNIGHT. I usually go to sleep at around midnight, and prefer wearing a baggy T-shirt or loose tank and shorts. I tried to be that person who sleeps in silk but I’m a space heater at night so it just doesn’t work out. I wish I went to bed earlier! I don’t have a big bedtime routine; I just floss, brush my teeth and put on my night cream.
My bedside-table essentials include cuticle cream and some lavender essential oil, as well as the novels Secrets of Divine Love by A Helwa, Untamed by Glennon Doyle and Orientalism by Edward Said. I love the nights I just go to bed immediately… I can easily let my mind run and keep myself up before bed, so I have to intentionally distract myself and switch it off by listening to a guided meditation or focusing on my breath.”
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s September 2020 issue.
