Who is Aliona? The Saudi-based Creator Answers All Our Questions
The social media sensation has authentically amassed an audience of millions of followers across a multitude of platforms. Bazaar Arabia sits down with the 24-year-old creator as she discusses her background, growing up in KSA and what it’s really like to go viral…
Social media sensation Aliona is a formidable force in the digital sphere. With millions of followers on TikToK, YouTube, and Instagram, the 24-year-old creator’s success across the platforms is impressive, especially considering she’s just been in the content creation game for a few years.
In 2022 after marrying her husband, Jordanian national Yazan Abweny, the Saudi-based lifestyle and beauty enthusiast posted a spontaneous video of the couple in their first month of newlywed bliss – and the rest, as they say, is history.
@aliona.ess رجعنا للمكان اللي تقابلنا فيه… مع البيبي. واهل السعودية اشتقنالكم ❤️ #اثراء_الظهران #اثراء_ارامكو #الشرقية #الخبر #السعودية #الدمام ♬ All Eyes on Me – DJ Belite
The video went viral on TikTok within a couple of hours, opening up a new career path for the young couple. Now, with two years of marriage under their belt and a one-year-old son, family life is in full swing, but so too are their respective careers.
Aliona’s platform continues to grow as she shares glimpses into her daily life. From outfit posts and beauty tutorials to travel vlogs, family outings and attending luxury events, the creator has become a trusted source on all things fashion and beauty-related while managing to create an engaged online audience. Now, she’s harnessing her digital prowess with the launch of her upcoming beauty line: Aliona Cosmetics.
While her success is palpable, many people are eager to know more about the star, such as her background and who who she was before becoming the Aliona we know and love today.
Below, Bazaar Arabia, chats exclusively with the creator about her family life, career goals, her new business venture, and more.
11 Questions With Saudi-Based Lifestyle Creator Aliona
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): Can you tell us about your background?
Aliona Ess (AE): I feel like I have the most interesting background. I am fully Belarusian on both sides and I was born there, but I have lived my whole life in Saudi Arabia, raised by my mom and step-dad.
HBA: When did you start creating content for social media? At what point did you realise you want to do this as a career?
AE: I got married two years ago and my husband and I decided to create a TikTok video together for fun during our first month, which happened to get millions of views within a few hours. It kept being a fun little side hobby for a few months until we started being approached by big agencies in Dubai to get signed. Once we accepted a few paid collaborations, that’s when we realised this could become a full time job.
HBA: How did you learn Arabic?
AE: My first language is Russian and after moving to Saudi Arabia, I was placed in an English-French school throughout elementary. It wasn’t until middle school when I started learning Arabic, but it took me all the way until university to start speaking fluently. I decided to study Political Science and enter a fully Arabic programme to differentiate myself and get better at the language.
HBA: How did you meet your husband?
AE: We met in the most random and unexpected way possible. Neither of us were even looking for a relationship at that point, but it was fate. We met in Ithraa Culture Center in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Specifically, in the library while I was doing research for my Bachelor’s degree, and he was reading up on Civil Engineering for an upcoming project he was doing.
HBA: What does your typical day look like?
AE: Firstly, I’d like to say my days are very filled with love. I have the most wonderful husband, Yazan Abweny, who I spend most of my time with throughout the day, and I am also a new mom to my one-year old angel boy, Zayan Abweny, who accompanies us absolutely everywhere we go. A typical day together is usually mostly work: recording, shoots and business meetings, but we also love to have fun and constantly try out new things together.
HBA: What activities do you love to do with your husband and son as a family?
AE: I don’t know how to explain it but we just love being together, so anything we do turns into a fun adventure. We love to travel and experience new places, and document that for memories.
HBA: What do you love most about being in the beauty, fashion and lifestyle sphere?
AE: I love being what I needed most when I was younger. As a young viewer, I wanted to see someone real. Someone who doesn’t ever use filters on their stories, who doesn’t portray a “perfect” lifestyle, and who doesn’t even have to be in the best mood all the time. I love that with this opportunity, I can do more than just be a pretty face on social media. I am now doing my Masters in Psychology and I love incorporating this into my content to advise young girls and change old thinking patterns that were prevalent when I used to be a viewer.
HBA: You have an amazing online platform. What are your career goals?
AE: I honestly think I am living my career goals at the moment. Because yes, I am working, but I enjoy every second of every day making both fun and inspiring content, and connecting with a huge audience. I am also working on two businesses at the moment: the first being AlRaz, which is an abaya collection I started with my best friend, Razan ElSalhat, and the second is my brand Aliona Cosmetics, which is coming soon. My husband and I have been working on it for over a year now, and my followers are super excited.
HBA: How would you describe your style?
AE: I would describe my style as “unlimited”. I love to try everything out and express how I feel in the moment through my clothes.
HBA: Can you tell us a bit about your cosmetics line? What can we expect?
AE: Aliona Cosmetics is my pride and joy because after a whole year of dealing with multiple factories, different formulas and many many samples, we have created the perfect Lash & Brow Growth Serum that is based on peptides and vitamins, instead of hormones or only moisturizing agents. And that actually works wonders and is side-effect free (which was most important for me).
This started out as my personal journey in trying to grow my lashes with all the different serums, mixes and concoctions I have created for myself, which either didn’t work or came with major side effects. This is why I created and tested my own and I am super excited for people to give it a try.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@aliona.ess