Make-up artist Geena Kashif gives us the best tips for summer
What are some makeup trends for summer?
What are some tips to make foundation look natural during the summer?
Less is more! Focus more on concealing areas where it is needed, use a sheer foundation, powder on areas where you crease and use a setting spray that holds your makeup in this heat and makes it transfer proof.
How do you suggest people protect their natural skin and hair from makeup and styling?
For skin, make sure to double cleanse your makeup followed by a skincare am and pm routine that should change after every 3 months. Make sure to use SPF daily and exfoliate your skin at least twice in a week.
For hair, I would highly recommend getting a hair mask. Hair oiling is a must and a heat protection spray when you use any hot tools.
What is your go to skincare routine?
My current go to skincare is cleansing my face with the Inkey Oat cleansing balm, The Ordinary Hylaronic Acid Serum, Glow Recipe Plum Plump cream, Clinique all about eyes eye cream, Aveeno Sunscreen SPF 50 followed by Huda beauty silk balm.
What mistakes do most brides make in your opinion?
The biggest mistake most brides do is to not take care of their skin or have a proper skincare routine that works for their skin type. You cannot expect magic to happen on your big day if you just wash your face with soap! Skincare is essential! If anything don’t sleep on SPF, moisturizer and an eye cream.
If you could give the brides who come to you advice, what would it be?
My advice would be to do your homework on how you want to look on your big day. Don’t be shy to have a conversation with your artist, tell them what you like and what suits you and then be open to the artist’s suggestions as well. All this will ensure that your experience is smooth and no time is wasted resulting in a great partnership where it is a win win situation for both the artist and the client.
What challenges have you faced as an MUA in Pakistan?
People have a lot of expectations from a makeup artist, they show us photos and videos that are filtered, airbrushed, smoothed and photo shopped to perfection and expect us to make their skin look just like that. The biggest challenge to date is educating the client about texture which is completely normal. Makeup sits on your face, it doesn’t make pores, bumps and fine lines vanish! Makeup will look like makeup! I highly encourage fellow artists to also go easy when editing their photos and videos, let’s normalize and embrace the realness of how makeup looks.
What consists of your every day makeup kit?
Glow recipe dew drops, Tarte Shape Tape concealer, Huda Glowish Luminous Powder, Lancôme Lash Idole Mascara, NARS Orgasm liquid blush, Mac Matte Bronzer, Dior Universal 001 palette, Makeup by Mario lipstick in Rasa.
Top 5 foundations?
Influencer and socialite Areesha Kamran takes us inside her closet
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is modern/glam. I definitely lean towards contemporary pieces more, yet I would much rather be the most over-dressed person in the room than under-dressed.
Your favourite fashion designer?
I would have to say that my favorite fashion designer is Coco Chanel. The class and grace that exudes from Coco is unmatched. Truly a style icon.
Do you believe in sustainable fashion? Have you changed your wardrobe in the recent years to make it more sustainable?
I do believe in sustainable fashion, however, I do believe our Pakistani market makes it a bit harder to implement in our daily lives. I love how brands abroad have clothing made from sustainable recycled fabrics, and I would love to see that trend come forward here as well.
Where in Pakistan do you love to shop?
Sania Maskatiya, Elan, & Zaha are my go-tos.
What is the oldest item in your closet?
Probably my mom’s fur scarf. Vintage, ya know?
What, in your opinion, are must have items that are essential to a great closet?
A well fitted blazer, black leather pants, a good pair of denim jeans in whatever style you find most comfortable, simple black strappy heels, and a good quality white tee.
Your most prized possession?
My diamond pendant gifted to me by my late grandfather.
Your favourite accessory?
Definitely a statement bag or earrings.
What item in your closet makes you cringe?
My old Quiz clothes, haha.
Actor, model and influencer Merub Ali gets candid about her childhood, date nights and more
Did you always want to become an actor?
So acting wasn’t something that I initially wanted to do. But as time passed and I got more opportunities I became more interested in it because I liked acting.
How did you find yourself in this career?
I was accidentally put into this career because of the music video I did for Sajjad Ali when I was younger. So yeah, it all kickstarted from there.
What was your childhood like?
My childhood mostly consisted of me just reading books and spending time with family. I was a very extroverted yet introverted child. I’ve always been that. It takes me time to open up to people and that’s how I was as a child too.
You’re very young. Does the work pressure ever get to you?
Uh yes I do feel the work pressure sometimes. I like working24/7 but whenever it gets too overwhelming for me, I just take a step back and take a break. Maybe go on a vacation or spend time with family at home, so I can kind of stablise myself before I get back into it.
What’s your favourite thing about being on set?
The fact that I’m working. I love working! I’m the kind of person that can work 24 hours if you ask me. I like making art out of whatever it is that I’m doing.
Is it hard to find time for each other when you and Asim are both working?
Yes, it is sometimes. Mainly because we’re both in different cities. But we do make a lot of time for each other because we are each other’s priority.
Where do you like to go for date nights?
I honestly like going in my PJs to watch a movie. That’s the ideal date night for me. I don’t really require a lot. Sometimes I do, but usually I don’t.
Describe your perfect day off.
My perfect day off is at home with my dog, with my family, and online shopping or playing games on my laptop. That’s it!
Name three things on your bucket list.
To skydive! I want to get a car for myself and also build a house for my parents.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In 5 years I hope to be more wiser and InshAllah be ahead in my career. I never think about the future but when I do I just hope for the best because I’ve never been on a path. I just like the flow of things in the present. I don’t like thinking about the future.
There is a major cancel culture these days. Does the pressure of always being politically correct ever get to you?
Umm, yes. Because sometimes you might say something else in an interview and people will pluck words out of a sentence and use it in a wrong way against you. But I honestly think if you don’t have enough knowledge about something it’s better you don’t speak about it. If you have a proper argument against it then sure, why not? I mean, I would still suggest not to. Just don’t make comments until you don’t know the situation. Specially if it’s very sensitive.
Do you think there are some taboos with working in the entertainment industry in Pakistan?
People view the entertainment industry in a very negative perspective. And I honestly think it wholey depends on you. If you want to do something bad that’s entirely your choice and if you’re on the right path that’s also your choice. So it’s basically how you handle yourself in the industry and not about whoever is around you. Logon ko same scale pe tolna nahi chayiye. There will be good people and bad people everywhere. I don’t think people should see this industry from such a bad prespective.
Your favourite designer?
Honestly, my personal favourites are Maria B and Zara Shahjahan. I think their clothes are amazing!
What advice would you give to aspiring actors?
Remember, accepting failures is actually accepting your success. Failures only make you stronger and determined. So there are going to be a lot of ups and down in the journey but if you’re being yourself and you love what you do you will eventually reach where you want to. Never ever doubt yourself. You should always remember your goals and whatever comes in the way, you just have to really pass through.
We are obsessed with Shanzay Sheikh’s eastern look. She wears a black kurta with flower embellishments and a skinny white shalwar. She accessorizes her look with black shades, a maroon bag and silver shoes — perfect for the summer!
Alizeh Rabbani looks like a vision in this pastel button down top and flared white pants. We love her cute little mini Lady Dior bag that matches perfectly with the blue in her outfit. She keeps her hair and makeup simple. 10/10!
One of our favourite looks from this fortnight was Sarwat Gillani’s Cannes Film Festival look. Sarwat Gillani chose to wear Elan to the red carpet and looked fabulous! She tied her hair back in a ponytail and kept her hair and makeup simple.
Sona looks super fab in this plaid blazer. Her brown blazer and brown leather pants go perfectly together. She adds a pop of colour to the outfit with her emerald green bag and shoes. We love her voluminous beachy waves!
Mahnoor turns heads in this stunning outfit. She pairs a ruffled nude top with black flared pants. Her pointed heels and black bag complete the look.
Namrah is the epitome of grace in this gorgeous Nadia Khan outfit. This look is perfect for the summer. She pairs the white dress with nude YSL heels and silver earrings. We love the sleek hair.
Konfor luxury furnishings and interiors opened their grand showroom with much fanfare in DHA.
Dil’Ara restaurant hosted an exclusive tasting to launch their new brunch menu.
New Japanese and Pan-Asian spot OKA opened its doors with a bang in Phase 5, DHA.