If I had to pick one word to describe Miss Zaina's work, it has to be transcendent. Based in Copenhagen, Lois Zaina is a makeup artist whose skills elevate a regular look into a true work of art. Her creations are not just makeup, they are vivid expressions of bold, unapologetic individuality. She goes beyond beautifying, she transforms, bringing to life visions that resonate with both creativity and authenticity.
18 January, 2024
To start, I'd love to know what first drew you to makeup. Was there a moment or influence in your early life that sparked this passion?
I started playing with makeup from a very young age. My mum and her seven sisters used to experiment a lot with fun eyeshadow colors and lipsticks, which drew me to it. I also remember my aunty gifting me my first ever product which was a Mac studio fix pressed powder foundation in a very bronzed shade that was definitely not my tone but I still wore it with full confidence till I realized that I looked orange in most of my pictures.
When I came across your work, I saw how beautifully you were inspired by flowers. Could you share how these influences resonate with you personally?
I found most of my artistic inspiration as an editorial MUA through sessions. As sessions change so do we and I love to incorporate that into my work. My eyes tend to gravitate to bright colors shapes and objects and I try my best to bring them to life with makeup and photography.
And the 2000s inspired looks, what is it about the era that appeals to you? Are there any iconic looks or trends that you particularly enjoy revisiting and creating?
The early 2000s had a great impact on who I am as an individual and an artist because that’s what I grew up with. My dad used to listen to a lot of hip-hop and RNB. I remember falling in love with Toni Braxton because of her thin brows and pixie cut, Brandy because of how she always used to change her hairstyles in every music video, and Mariah Carey because of her style and how feminine she was. The video vixens also impacted me because they always looked unapologetically hot and I wanted to be them.
Every creative journey has its ups and downs. What has been the most challenging aspect of your career as a makeup artist, and conversely, what achievement are you most proud of?
Staying creative and finding my niche has been the toughest challenge regarding my work. Staying unique in a world full of so many creative people can be difficult. I started sharing the process of my art on TikTok and realized that many people understood my vision, which has pushed me to be more creative and I will be sharing more this year.
In your work, how do you strike a balance between keeping up with current trends and creating looks that are timeless?
I don’t care about trends because I feel like I easily get trapped and that makes it hard for me to stay unique.
Among all the looks you've created, do you have a favourite?
It’s hard to choose what look that I've created that’s my fav. I have a weird attachment to all of them cause every moment I get to express myself I create something even more better than the one before. I love creating with my sister cause it feels like I’m doing it on myself. She’s been my muse and given me the space to express myself and for that. So if I had to choose a look it would be the cool tone vixen look I made on her or the skunk brow look.
What’s your prediction for 2024 makeup looks?
In 2024 I see a lot of people still experimenting with thin brows, which I think everyone should... (it’s cuntyyyy) I also see people playing with fun mascara colors not just the black and the blue ones. I see a lot of people supporting more independent brands.
In the world of makeup and beauty, self-care is important. What’s your go to?