Kaniz Ali, an internationally renowned role model, has solidified her place as a lifelong trendsetter in the beauty industry. She is one of the most influential and inspiring makeup artists and beauty editors of our time. Passionate and focused, Kaniz has redefined what it means to be a true beauty expert.
A powerhouse in the world of beauty, Kaniz has gone from strength to strength in her 15-year journey within this cutthroat industry, making her a game-changer in the glitz and glam world.
Her impressive portfolio includes several international awards and a staggering 50 magazine covers, all while working with high-profile celebrities across the globe. She has had the privilege of styling and working with an impressive roster of clients, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Parineeti Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Urvashi Rautela, Faryal Makhdoom, Amy Jackson, and Humza Yousaf. With over 15 years in the industry, Kaniz has worked on numerous magazine covers and with top-tier celebrities worldwide, establishing herself as a leading figure in beauty.
Despite her monumental success, Kaniz remains incredibly grounded and humble.
Kaniz’s expertise goes beyond just working with celebrities; she also glams up real brides on their special day, bringing out the best in each individual.
In addition to her work in the beauty industry, Kaniz runs a prestigious makeup academy in London, training aspiring makeup artists. Outside of beauty, she dedicates time to humanitarian efforts in war-torn countries, working in refugee camps, providing emergency aid, and contributing to sustainable long-term projects such as building water wells, boreholes, schools, and mosques. Her humanitarian aid work spans over 13 years and includes projects in Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Rohingya, Bangladesh, and Ghana.
Dedicated to beautifying celebrities, brides, and writing about beauty for multiple publications worldwide, Kaniz has earned her reputation through her drive, ambition, and creativity.
What are your favourite beauty products?
Kaniz: That’s a tough one! I have so many favourites! But if I had to pick a few, it would be:
- Huda Beauty’s Full Coverage Concealer: It gives excellent, full coverage.
- Too Faced Born This Way Foundation: Fantastic for building different levels of coverage, from medium to heavy, depending on the look you’re going for.
- Charlotte Tilbury’s Setting Spray: It’s long-lasting, gives an amazing glow, and doesn’t leave that tight, dry feeling on the skin.
What are the pros and cons of working in the beauty industry?
Kaniz: For me, there are definitely more pros than cons. One of the biggest advantages is being my own boss. Managing my business gives me full control over the direction and ethos of my work. I love the flexibility it offers, like choosing which shoots to participate in and working around my own schedule.
As an international makeup artist, I’ve had the blessed opportunity to work with celebrities worldwide, glam up real brides for their wedding day, write for beauty publications, creatively direct magazine shoots, and even interview stars. One day, I could be styling a Bollywood actress for a front-cover shoot, and the next, I’m prepping a beautiful bride for her big day. The following day might involve teaching aspiring artists at my academy. Each day brings something new and exciting. The beauty of this work is connecting with different people, cultures, and religions—there’s always something to learn.
The downside? No routine. And sometimes, taking on too much work can mean very little time for myself.
You’re involved in so many different areas! What inspired you to branch out?
Kaniz: Being a makeup artist and beauty editor is a huge part of my life, but I’ve always believed that we’re only young once, so we should follow our passions and try different things. Aside from beauty, I love volunteering in war-torn countries, providing on-the-ground aid to those who need it most. I believe in giving back and using my platform to raise awareness about global issues.
Being a humanitarian aid worker keeps me grounded and makes me truly appreciate the life I have. It’s a perfect balance—one week I could be glamming up a celebrity in a palace, and the next, I could be on the ground in a refugee camp in Palestine or Lebanon, providing emergency aid. It’s extreme, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If Kaniz Ali could be someone else for a day, who would she be?
Kaniz: I’d still be me! Alhamdulillah, I love my life. I’ve always believed in working hard to create the life you want, making it fun and amazing so that you never want to be anyone else. Allah SWT (God) has blessed us all with unique gifts, and it’s up to us to figure out what they are. Embrace your uniqueness and fall in love with it every day. Enjoy being you, and the right things and people will find you.
What’s your favourite type of food?
Kaniz: Anything with spice! I love spicy food, especially with chillies. If there’s no chilli, I can’t eat it. You’ll always see me asking for extra spice—it’s the Bengali in me!
Your best friend is…?
Kaniz: “Caffeine”—because my brain doesn’t function without it! And my Surah Book—I always keep it with me. I’m a huge believer in balancing the Duniya (world) and Akhirah (hereafter). Keeping the Qur’an close and reading or listening to it whenever I can is a big part of my life.
What does Ramadan mean to you?
Kaniz: For me, Ramadan is all about getting closer to Allah SWT, reconnecting with my faith, and spending time with the Qur’an. It’s a time to focus on my spiritual growth and make a conscious effort to maximize the goodness in the month, whether that’s spending time with family or doing charity.
What is the best advice you can give someone fasting?
Kaniz: Wake up for Suhoor and eat something, even if it’s something small—there’s barakah (blessing) in it. Make a conscious effort to understand why we fast and try to spend that time doing various acts of worship (ibadah). Do as much good as you can during this month, even if it’s as simple as smiling. The rewards are phenomenal. Ramadan is a perfect time to implement changes in your life and then continue those habits even after the month ends.
What is your favourite part of Ramadan?
Kaniz: It has to be the unity of the Ummah (global Muslim community). It’s so inspiring to see the world come together during those four weeks. As an aid worker, I spend much of the month on the ground providing food aid to war-torn countries. Watching displaced people come together during Ramadan, and seeing how much they cherish this time, is incredibly heartwarming.
