The woman has chutzpah and lots of oomph. She loves people with a big heart and an even bigger appetite. She isn’t apologetic about eating biryani for dinner or her ignorance about protein shakes and new-gen diets.
Yet the super fit and gorgeous mom can boast of a flat board stomach and super stamina. Her love affair with jewellery has women swooning for her designer trinkets. But ask her about her favourite pass time and she turns all mushy- just spending time with her husband and kids in her terrace.
Meet Shaheen Abbas, leading jewellery designer under her own name,beautiful in an almost impish sort of way and an infectious laugh that can literally bring the roof down.
That juggle between boss woman, wife , mom, daughter and buddy. What does “me” time mean to you?
The past few months have been crazy with absolutely no “me” time, so these days its just Netflix and reading that keeps me going. I love spending time in my terrace with my family and friends and do try and travel whenever I can.
You have 5 minutes to doll up and dash out. What artillery will you reach out for?
I would just reach out for my Nars concealer (most trusted creamy concealer ) , Lancome Grandiose mascara ( makes my eyes look really pretty ), the Urban Decay Perversion eyeliner and Benetint cheek and lip tint ( gives you that just exercised flushed look ). I would say, thats under 3 minutes !
Whats your prep for the day like ?
I dislike wearing make up during the day unless there is an event. So my face is mostly bare except for my Vitamin C serum by Ainhoa which is to die for ( it has transformed my skin !) , an Origins sunscreen and some kohl. I do feel that great skin is your best make up, you don’t need to hide behind a mask.
Bag spill time- what will we find there ?
So I do carry a bit of stuff with me in a pouch in case I need to suddenly turn up somewhere. I always carry the Nars compact, a Tarte blush ( they make the most natural looking blushes ), a kajal and a few lipsticks. And of course my Caudalie face mist, I have them in every size everywhere , cannot do without it !
How do you glam up for the after hours ?
When it comes to night, I do like to spark it up a bit. I prep with the Jose Maran Argan Moonlighting Primer or the Farsali Rose Gold Elixir. Charlotte Tilbury also has an amazing primer called Wonder Glow.
I love the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation, as the name says it really feels like your skin is naked, gives you that clean no foundation look.
I suck at eye make up so products which multi task work for me. I just use my fingers to apply eye shadow from the Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette , and use the Stila Glitter Eye Shadow in molten midnight or gold goddess. These liners are awesome, it makes you look like a professional has worked on you !
The Kat Von D Tattoo Liner for a great cats eye look and I am totally partially to pinks and reds when it comes to lipsticks. I love the Fenty Stuna which is such an awesome red shade and Huda Beauty in Bombshell and Sugar Mama. And I finish off with a cloud of Narciso Rodriquez For Her , its my signature perfume.
Skin care vs Make Up , what wins and why ?
Skin care for sure, and I am really meticulous about my skin care not so much about make up. And taking care of your skin really shows through. Some of my favourite products are Ole Henriksen Truth Serum , SK ll Facial Essence, Ainhoa Vitamin C and the Caudalie Divine Oil .
For night treatments I prefer the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Creme , the Laneige Firming Sleeping Mask and the Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum In Oil. When it comes to masks, nothing can beat the SK ll Facial Treatment Mask.
Shaheen, how would you describe your food diary on a normal day ?
Firstly let me tell you , Im a big foodie- I don’t believe in diets, I love eating and feeding people ! So when people around me say they are on so and so diet, I’m like – ” Can we calm down and just eat the food we have grown up eating !!”
I drink apple cider vinegar with hot water on rising.
Breakfast could be anything but I need variety, I could eat a dosa, poha, a cheese omelette or anything that fancies me.
Lunch is always home food- vegetables, daal, kebabs with rice or roti.
Evening is when real hunger strikes, so I eat either a sprouts bhel, a dosa or a typical Bombay sandwich stuffed with vegetables .
Dinner at home could be a khow suey, Thai food, biryani or tikkas, just something that the entire family likes to eat.
So as you can see, I’m a normal food person, I eat everything !
Is fitness a priority for you? How has your journey been?
I am a firm believer in regular work outs. I have never gone on a diet so its absolutely necessary for me to work out atleast 4 to 5 times a week. I have been blessed with an amazing trainer who has kept me in the best shape without going on a crazy diet.
Since he has a sports background, he understands my nagging back issue well and makes me do everything right from strength training and circuit to running.
If there is one thing I’m proud of its a flat stomach, all thanks to the intense core training he makes me do without affecting my back.
Do you take any nutritional supplements on a regular basis?
I don’t take any protein shakes or supplements because I feel my diet is wholesome in itself. I eat everything right from vegetables and chicken to fruits and nuts, so I don’t think anything is really lacking in my diet. I do take the Solgar Hair Skin and Nails formula for a couple of months a year, but thats it.
Whats your message for women out there who want to cage their age ?
If you are a 20 year old , please don’t wait till you are 30 to start exercising, the earlier you start the better.
As for other women, I would say please own up to your age, be proud of who you are and take care of yourself . Be happy, healthy and be fit from the inside out. I am 40 and I have never felt more fabulous !
