At the Vanity Table With… is a series that dives into a personality’s beauty tips, tricks, non-negotiables, and more. In this edition, Nailah Huda speaks of how she maintains her gorgeous curls, the brands that will always have her heart and back on TV, and more.
This is the face that has delivered multiple news to your home. An anchor at Malaysia’s 24-hour news channel, Nailah Huda (@nylahuda on Instagram) has spent a number of years in the hot seat of Awani 7:45, living her life—including finding a life partner in her former co-anchor—on screen.
But of course she’s more than just a talking head. She is also an avid traveller, and has cropped up in campaigns, including one of our very own ‘At the Vanity Table with…’ alum, Wan Nur Syaira’s campaigns for her clothing brand, Saoi. As evidenced by how she speaks about her relationship with beauty, a true blue beauty enthusiast.
Ahead, she shares her beauty opinions, must-haves, and little fun facts that make her Nailah Huda.
Confess a beauty crime that you have committed before
I can’t remember the last time I washed my makeup brushes. Yikes, I know. I pride myself on being a so-called clean freak—I wash my hands obsessively, I replace my face towel and pillow case every few days… But when it comes to my makeup brushes, I just can’t be bothered. I also don’t believe in buying a million brushes so I tend to use the same one for different purposes. This is why my blush sometimes turns out dark or my eyebrows sparkly. It’s like playing Russian Roulette with my brushes.
A beauty item you would immediately replace if it’s lost
My Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel. I have the wildest brows that get swept in 10 different directions throughout the day and this is the only gel I’ve tried that can truly tame these bad boys.
Three items that are on your beauty wish list right now
Believe it or not, my hair is actually thinning and I can’t do a ponytail without bald patches appearing on the sides of my head, so I’m aiming for the Cécred Hair Growth Drops because I have yet to see a single bad review. I’m also looking for a new scent and all the notes in Kilian Angels’ Share Paradis eau de parfum are up my alley. Third on my list is Patrick Ta’s Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil—I’m planning a beach vacation and this is the one thing I need to complete my island girl look.
A person you have the biggest beauty crush on, and why?
Emily Wood (@emilywoodmakeup on Instagram) does her makeup on the go with just a few pencils and her fingers. I strive to be as original, creative, and blunt as her. She also proudly flaunts her buck teeth, a trait she shares with her Hollywood-famous sister, Aimee Lou Wood, star of The White Lotus. I’ve always been insecure about my own wonky teeth so I love that people are starting to embrace natural smiles—now a rare gem in the sea of veneers in Hollywood.
Something you’re gatekeeping right now. Spill.
It’s technically not a secret but apparently not many people know this. If I get a huge zit on the day of a major event, I would run off to my skin specialist and get an acne spot injection. It dramatically shrinks the zit in size and reduces inflammation. Unpopular opinion, but skin treatments are the true saviours of my skin problems, whereas skincare just helps to maintain it.
A trend that needs to die
First, I have to preface by saying that there’s nothing wrong with following trends and people should do whatever they want. But I do have a bone to pick with those who promote excessive skincare regimen. I mean, a 20-something-step skincare routine? Surely we have to draw the line somewhere! Is it self-care or is it just plain overconsumption? This is something I’m guilty of too.
A viral product that does nothing for you
Like everyone else, I gave in to The Ordinary skincare craze once upon a time. It’s probably no fault of theirs, I just bought too many of them without figuring out what my skin actually needed.
A makeup step you will never skip before you head out the door
I need concealer under my eyes or I’ll risk having every Tom, Dick, and Harry asking me if I’m unwell. My dark circles are just THAT bad. But I’ve recently become brave (or lazy) enough to head out bare-faced.
The skincare item that completely transformed your skin for the better
Not an item but a change of habit. Since I was a kid, I’ve had this habit of picking at my skin and squeezing every pore in my face, creating problems where there are none. I’ve had to learn to stop scrutinising every single blemish and instead embrace them. My skin’s doing a lot better, but I still indulge in pimple popping every now and then as a little treat. Yes, I know it’s an issue.
Your trick to achieve the best hair day
Sleeping with a satin or silk bonnet! Close to zero effort, but does the job in ensuring my hairstyle lasts longer. I’ve also noticed my curls are less frizzy and damaged over time.
An unexpected beauty hack you always incorporate into your routine
I find that my Beauty of Joseon sunscreen kind of works as a primer for my foundation. It creates this smooth and glowy finish that I haven’t been able to achieve with actual primers.
An underrated perfume you think everyone should give a chance to
Acne Studios Par Frederic Malle is the Clean Girl signature scent on steroids. With my personal favourite notes like rose and musk, mixed with unexpected pairings like orange blossom and peach, it’s an experimental take on clean-smelling fragrances, yet has a strong potential of becoming a signature scent. I’ve never gotten more compliments than with this perfume.
The last beauty indulgence you had done
Lasers! I’ll indulge in a laser treatment at least once, if not twice a year. This is one of the few high-maintenance beauty habits I believe is worth investing in so that I can become more low-maintenance over time. I spend a lot less on skincare products now thanks to lasers. #girlmath
A song that will always get you in the mood to get ready
Nothing like “Kiss It Better” by Rihanna to help me tap into my femininity and build my confidence.
Brands that check all the boxes for you
You can’t go wrong with the OG brands like Make Up For Ever and MAC. I wear heavy makeup as a news anchor and sometimes I go from the studio to reporting on the ground, so our in-house makeup artists need to make sure I stay snatched all day long, no matter the circumstances. Trendy brands may come and go but these are the two brands I always see in their armour.
Malaysians you look up to
Nadirah Zakariya and Junad M Nor. Either in filmmaking or photography, they each have a distinctive style and I have the utmost respect for them and their ability to assert their individuality in an environment that so often encourages conformity.
A mantra that you live by
F*** it.
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