Okay, let’s be real here for a sec – who doesn’t know Fatma Husam? The 27-year-old Dubai-based beauty who seems to be a crowd favoruite across the region revealed that she actually never planned on getting into the social media industry. Our social media exec, Sara AlHumiri sat down with Fatma to talk about all things social media, fashion, beauty and SS21.

“I started very naturally once Instagram had started,” she told us. “I had an account just like all my friends and there was no such thing as social media influencers or bloggers [at the time].”

Fatma even admitted to being so much of a rookie that she didn’t know you could set your account to ‘private’ on Instagram. But it all worked out in her favour because she’d wake up to 600+ new followers and her pictures going viral, and that you could say, was the beginning of @fatmaa.

For Fatma, the best part about social media has been being able to meet and reach so many different people. She also talked about how much she appreciates the genuine love she receives from people and that while it can be easy to take for granted, she finds it so lovely. And one of the things we love her for is her candour, we asked her what the *hardest* part about being such a big personality on social media is and she did not hold back. “The hardest thing, to be honest, is being true. Sometimes it drains you and all you want to do is close social media. But it’s just like any kind of job where it has its hard days and its good days.”

And while there are a ton of beauty trends that are super in right now, we had to get Fatma’s take on her personal faves. Turns out, she’s lurving the rise of the natural, glossy makeup look. “It’s so good to bring that [look] back after so many years of contouring, etc,” she told us.

Fatma was also rocking the straight, archless brows all our fave models and celebs are sporting right now. “Thick and arched eyebrows are done for me,” she said. “Eyebrows kind of really shape your face. The more natural you have them the sweeter you look!” And TBH, we agree.

We also picked her brains about what beauty brands are the most exciting to her right now and she said her top three were Benefit, Too Faced (she swears by their foundation and concealer btw) and NARS, who she thinks are super fun for the summer. 

Also, naturally, in true Cosmo style, we decided to get a lil playful and give her your usual stuck-on-an-island scenario. We asked Fatma which beauty product she’d take with her when she was stranded if she could only take *one*? And she chose an eyebrow pencil. I think I would too.

We also chatted about how the beauty industry has changed and revolutionized over the last decade. “10 years ago, who knew how to put [on] makeup or differentiate between highlighting and contouring?” she said laughing. “Social media, particularly, has helped us get a better understanding of the beauty and fashion industries.”

She also talked about how social media helped in creating a wider acceptance of people of different colours, sizes, shapes, etc. and that while social media has impacted our lives in a ~crazy~ way, it’s still in a positive way too.

Fatma also mentioned the *power* social media has, mentioning that previously brands would have to pay a lump sum of money to advertise on a billboard whereas now they can partner or collaborate with a single influencer and get a much higher reach too.

And although we love chatting all things beauty, we just had to get into fashion. Fatma was sporting the hottest oversized pantsuit and some incredibly chic sunglasses (yes, indoors) all from MANGO. She also is loving the whole oversized suit or blazer look for SS21 and thinks literally anyone can rock it. It’s fashionable, it’s easy and it’s not annoying to manage in any way. It also makes you look incredibly good but as though you didn’t put in a lot of effort.

She’s also loving white blouses and is happy they’re finally back in. Does anyone remember the time they were all the rage? No? Well, 12-year-old me was very fashion-forward and had quite the selection of them.

And while we loved her entire outfit, her sunglasses definitely stole the show. Fatma’s loving edgy sunglasses for SS21 and even mentioned that she has no problem walking doors with sunglasses. “I don’t care what anyone says,” she told us. And honestly, can she pass us some of that energy? What a QUEEN.

Fatma described her signature style as wearing monochromes, all natural beigish-whites and simple colours from top to bottom.

And as Cosmotel was coming to an end, we had to get Fatma’s two cents on it. Her fave part was the candy bar filled with enormous amounts of food and of course, our fashion closet that showed you the hottest looks from the mall and even let you shop it directly by scanning the QR code. Hashtag genius.

Despite Cosmotel being over, check out some of our best images from the event and our articles from our masterclasses and talks to get all caught up!