Saudi-Moroccan MUA @ayatariqmua is all about fresh skin, bright colours, and bold editorial looks. Although she’s based in NYC, this beauty guru always stick to her roots and is adamant about supporting Arab creatives worldwide (yaaaas!) #HireMoreArabs. 

We spoke to the talented make-up artist for our November/December issue featuring her life in beauty, from Aya’s fave budget buys to the first make-up product she’s ever bought! 

Scroll down to read all about it…

Cosmo ME: First ever memory of fragrance?

Aya: “The Body Shop’s White Musk scent, Dhs96 at The Body Shop and Thierry Mugler’s Angel were my favourites ever since I was young.”

C: Most expensive beauty product you’ve ever bought?

A: “Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extrême. Dhs175 at Sephora”

C: A beauty product you always stole from your mum?

A: “All the black and blue Kohl pencils that I could find in her boudoir hahaha.”

C: Best budget buy?

A: “Deffo the Real Techniques sponges and brushes (Dhs142 at faces.com), I love using them for my makeup looks.”

C: Product you cannot go a single day without wearing?

A: “B3 Lillie Face Oil, Dhs450 at b3balm.com. It is such an amazing product; I apply it the minute I wake up and when I’m about to go to bed. It’s part of my ritual.”

C: Miracle product every woman needs to own?

A: “The REN Ready, Set, Glow Daily AHA tonic, Dhs140 at revolve.com. And Weleda Skin Food, Dhs50 at Carrefour.”

C: First beauty product you ever bought?

A: “A Makeup Forever blush. It might be discontinued now, but they’ve got the Artist Face Colour blush, Dhs80 at faces.com, in iridescent peach, which is pretty close. It looks great on brown-medium tones like mine.”

C: Product that has become your signature look?

A: “This is a weird one, but I use hair gel from Got2b Glued as my eyebrow gel because it’s the only thing that keeps them in perfect shape. Dhs28 at Carrefour.”

C: Most embarrassing beauty product you’ve ever bought?

A: “A frosty lipstick from the ‘90s!”