Shahena Beauty

If you’re a mum like me, you know that getting your daughters ready for Eid is both exciting and slightly chaotic! I’ve got three daughters (16, 6, and 5) and every Eid morning is like running a salon from my living room. My 16 year old thinks she knows exactly what she wants until she sees herself in the mirror, my 6 year old wants “princess hair” (whatever that means changes every five minutes) and my 5 year old just wants to look like her big sister. Meanwhile, I’m trying to get everyone ready, do my makeup and somehow leave…

Your hijab style is just as important as your dress on your wedding day! I’ve styled hundreds of hijabi brides and you know what I’ve learned? The hijab can absolutely make or break your bridal look. A gorgeous dress with a poorly styled hijab? Not ideal. But a simple dress with a beautifully styled hijab? Absolutely stunning. When I got remarried as a hijabi bride, I remember panicking about my hijab style. Would it stay in place all day? Would it work with my outfit? Would it look good in photos? I spent hours watching tutorials and practicing different styles.…

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As someone who spent 16 years as a South Asian bridal makeup and hair artist, I’ve been part of countless nikkah ceremonies. I’ve seen every style imaginable…from brides in simple white abayas to those in heavily embellished red lenghas and everything in between. And you know what? They were all beautiful in their own way. But here’s what nobody tells you when you start planning your nikkah outfit: there’s no “right” answer. The aunties might…

Finding the perfect modest wedding dress that’s actually stunning (not frumpy, not boring, not looking like you’re wearing a curtain) is harder than it should be! After 16 years working as a South Asian bridal makeup and hair artist, I’ve seen literally hundreds of hijabi brides. Some looked absolutely breathtaking, some looked uncomfortable all day, and some looked like they compromised their style for modesty when they really didn’t have to. Here’s the thing that nobody tells you when you start planning your hijabi wedding look, you CAN have it all. Modest, stunning, comfortable and uniquely you. But it takes…

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog and helping me continue creating content for our community! So Eid is just around the corner and you know what that means…panic buying new outfits, trying to coordinate four kids’ clothes (why is this harder than it should be?), organising Eid money and somewhere in all that chaos, trying to make yourself look presentable for family gatherings and mosque visits. As someone who spent 16 years doing bridal makeup professionally,…

As a South Asian bridal makeup artist for over 16 years, I’ve done my fair share of gold and glitter looks. But you know what secretly lived in my makeup kit? A whole collection of dark, moody shades that I’d play with after hours. There’s something absolutely magnetic about dark romantic makeup, isn’t there? If it’s that sultry smoky eye or a deep burgundy lip, these looks have this way of making you feel powerful and mysterious. And honestly, after spending years perfecting the art of bridal glam, I discovered that dark makeup on brown skin and brown eyes?  Chef’s…

So Valentine’s Day nails…after 16 years as a professional beauty artist, I’ve done every possible variation of hearts, reds and pinks you can imagine. And you know what? Most of them were way more complicated than they needed to be. So here’s 15 Valentine’s nail ideas that range from “I’ve got 5 minutes before the school run” to “I’m feeling fancy and have time to spare.” All tested by me, all actually doable, and most importantly…all suited to different lifestyles, budgets and skill levels. Because let’s be honest…not everyone has steady hands, a professional nail lamp or the patience to…

Vintage 1920s hairstyles | Peaky Blinders makeup tutorials | Retro wedding hair ideas This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. So I have a confession. Every time I watch Peaky Blinders I end up wanting to throw on a long coat and pretend I run Small Heath even though I live nowhere near Birmingham and the strongest thing I drink is masala chai. But honestly the style in that show is just gorgeous. Sharp elegant dramatic and somehow still wearable for us normal people who are not gangsters. As…

Bridgerton inspired hairstyles | Regency era makeup | Period drama beauty tutorials Okay so hands up who has binged Bridgerton while drinking tea and thinking these women look absolutely stunning without even trying too hard. The soft romantic hair. That glowing no-makeup makeup. The gorgeous empire waist dresses that make everyone look like they own a country estate. I have watched every season twice (no shame) and I thought you know what brides and clients always ask me how to get these looks for their weddings or parties. So here we are. Fifteen Bridgerton hair and makeup ideas you can…

Digital Income Streams Every Freelancer Should Know in 2025 If you’re a freelancer: makeup artist, designer, writer, VA, coach, or creator…chances are, you’ve asked yourself: “What happens if clients slow down next month?” “How do I earn more without working more hours?” “Is passive income even real…or just another online myth?” Let me tell you straight…passive income is real but it starts with building smart, scalable systems and digital products are one of the best ways to do just that. In this post, we’re diving into 5 beginner-friendly digital product income streams you can start building today with tools you likely already…

How to Plan a South Asian Wedding in the UK Ah, weddings…The glitter, the drama, the endless cups of tea and the occasional auntie who insists her niece’s eyeliner isn’t “smoky enough.” As a South Asian bridal hair and makeup artist based in London I’ve seen it all. From the bride who cried because her henna wasn’t dark enough (love, it’s supposed to oxidise) to the groom who turned up an hour late because he was stuck in traffic on the M25 (classic). Planning a wedding in the UK…(especially a South Asian one) is like directing a Bollywood blockbuster…minus the…

Heyyy guys, It’s me again, Shahena… mum of four (yes, FOUR…pray for me) and bridal hair and makeup artist extraordinaire! hahaha Spilling the tea on the best luxurious wedding destinations you could ever dream of. If you’re planning your own big day or just love a good nosey at how the other half live, this blog post is for you nosey Parker! Now, let’s be honest, planning a wedding is like herding cats…stressful, chaotic and occasionally hilarious. But choosing the perfect destination? That’s the fun part! So, grab a cuppa, put your feet up, and let me take you on…

Bridal Nail Ideas: Stunning Wedding Nail Designs to Try Heyy and welcome my lovely brides-to-be! I’m Shahena, a London based bridal hair and makeup artist, and I know how important it is to have everything perfect for your big day, including your nails. Your nails should match your wedding style and make you feel fabulous! If you’re going for a classic, minimalist look or something more modern and bold, here are 15 stunning bridal nail ideas that will make sure your hands are just as flawless as the rest of you on your wedding day. Don’t be scared to share…

Stunning Bridal Henna Ideas for Your Big Day! Hey love! Shahena here. I do bridal hair, makeup, and henna here in London, and honestly? Talking about mehndi gets me SO excited. I’ve been doing this for years and I still get butterflies when I see a bride look at her hands for the first time after the henna comes off. That face? Pure magic. So look, you’re probably drowning in wedding decisions right now. I get it. But let’s talk henna for a bit, yeah? I promise to keep this real and actually helpful. Why This Even Matters (Beyond Just…

Salaam lovely ladies and beautiful readers I am Shahena a London based hair makeup and henna artist writing from my heart to share ideas and inspiration for Eid mehndi that feel real and warm. Whether you love something simple or full colour festive flair these henna ideas are for you. Why Eid Mehndi is Special Eid mehndi is more than patterns on skin. It brings joy tradition and a bit of magic to celebrations. With mehndi your hands and sometimes your feet become part of your festive outfit. Many women love mehndi because it celebrates faith heritage and beauty together.…

Hello, gorgeous! I’m Shahena and if you’ve landed here because your eyeshadow keeps vanishing into thin air the moment you open your eyes, welcome to the club. After 15 years as a bridal hair and makeup artist in London, specialising in South Asian bridal looks, I’ve seen every eye shape imaginable and hooded eyes? They’re absolutely stunning when you know how to work with them. Let me be completely honest with you. When I first started doing makeup professionally, hooded eyes were my nemesis. I’d spend ages creating the perfect smoky eye, only for it to completely disappear the second…

Great Gatsby hairstyles | 1920s flapper makeup | Art Deco wedding hair | Roaring twenties beauty looks This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As a bridal hair and makeup artist based in London, I’ve had the pleasure of creating countless vintage-inspired looks for my clients over the years. While I typically specialise in South Asian bridal beauty, I absolutely love when brides and party-goers come to me wanting that classic 1920s glamour. There’s something magical about the Roaring Twenties aesthetic that transcends cultures and continues to inspire brides…

As a bridal hair and makeup artist in the UK, I often get asked: “How do you create glam bridal looks for hijabis?” My answer? With flair, creativity, and a lot of setting spray. Today, I’m sharing 15 jaw-dropping hijabi bridal looks to inspire your big day. And because we’re all for tech-forward beauty, I’ve thrown in some AI prompts for those looking to visualise their dream bridal style. https://youtu.be/Pm3XUeXD6U0 The Classic Think classic winged eyeliner, soft contouring, and a red lip paired with a white lace hijab. Golden Glow-Up For the bride who wants to shine brighter than the…

https://youtu.be/u-1NGp9epMQ My clients always ask me for pictures for inspiration. The Mehndi night is all about colour, fun, and, of course, looking absolutely stunning while dancing the night away. Here are 15 gorgeous Mehndi bridal hair and makeup looks to help you make that decision. 1. Classic Mehndi Glow A radiant, dewy base with soft gold eyeshadow, a pop of coral blush, and glossy lips. Paired with a loose, wavy half-up hairstyle adorned with jasmine flowers. 2. Bold and Beautiful Think deep berry lips, a sharp winged liner, and a flawless matte base. Pair it with a sleek, twisted low…

Hello, lovely brides-to-be! If you’re anything like me, you’re probably knee deep in wedding planning, debating everything from the dress to the perfect shade of ‘barely-there’ lipstick. But have no fear, I’ve got you covered with 15 stunning bridal beauty looks to inspire you on your registry. Whether you’re a classic beauty, a boho goddess, or a bold trendsetter, there’s something here for everyone. https://youtu.be/p7QKzrdfwW4?si=XcK9PdYv5qLzdE-3 1. The Timeless English Rose Soft, dewy skin, rosy cheeks, and a pink-nude lip—think Kate Middleton on her wedding day. 2. The Hollywood Glamour A red lip, bold eyeliner, and classic waves—channel your inner old-Hollywood…