“Mirror, mirror, on the the wall,” whatever poetry you have in mind when applying makeup, blush is certainly on the brain. 2024 has been a blush year, and one of the hottest beauty trends is without a doubt liquid blush. Instead of matte powder and even cream-based pops of color to accentuate cheekbones, fluid formulations with skincare like benefits are all the rage. Pigmented, emollient, fast-absorbing, and ultra-blendable, the best of these liquid formulations are like foundations in their multi-purpose use and buildable color payoff. A few dabs on the cheeks, upper eyelids, and lips can create uniform yet striking makeup looks in soft rosy pinks, bold or subtle corals, bright orange-reds, and sultry plums.
Another liquid layered over foundation sounds like a disaster in the making for textured or oily skin types. As a sebum-afflicted girlie, I steered clear of the numerous cream and liquid blush launches until I tried the product that launched MrayaBeauty (“Mraya” means mirror in Arabic”) – The Velvet Lip Tint. Way before the trend hit, Founder and CEO Rana Banafa had been concocting her own clean and halal liquid option by mixing favorite blushes and moisturizer.
Available in 6 shades – Light, Medium, and Dark in Camellia and Rose – for the full spectrum of skin tones, these clean, halal, vegan blushes are next-level. Enriched to nourish the skin with Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, they dry down without stickiness or accentuating pores for a finish that strikes the perfect balance between matte for true color payoff and radiant for an illuminated snatch of the cheek. Warning: the shades are so versatile and stunning, a descent into blush blindness could be on the horizon.
With self-taught expertise at mixing pigments, Rana Banafa branched out into eyeshadow with a universally-flattering palette of essentials for all eye looks, from minimalist to smokey. With 12 expertly-milled and pressed, warm neutral shadows in matte and shimmer finishes, The History Eyeshadow Palette will find a place in your daily and special occasion makeup routine.
The clean (free of parabens, sulfates), vegan, and halal collection of light and medium peaches, browns and deep oranges, and a perfect, matte black offer endless, universally stunning eye looks. The black and brown shades are perfect for brows, smoking, and lining. The light highlighter shade works for cheeks as well as the inner eye corner, and the peach shades are the perfect base or singular shade to mix with Liquid Veil in Camillia Light, Medium, and/or Dark. Almost impressive as the colors, is the quality of the palette- absolutely zero fallout.
The most recent MrayaBeauty launch, the Lip Veil, applies the same principles of skin care-like nourishment with SPF 20 for sun protection on the often neglected area. In a pinch, the balm in Nude and Clear doubles as gloss.
Now that she’s made me a believer in liquid blush, I was thrilled to speak to MrayaBeauty Founder and CEO Rana Banafa about clean and halal beauty, the joy she derives from happy customers, and the future of the beautysphere.
Q &A
1. I’ve noticed more halal-approved beauty products in the mainstream. Can you explain how halal – as I understand it – a dietary guideline, applies to makeup and skincare? How is MrayaBeauty halal-compliant?
Halal, while commonly associated with dietary guidelines, also applies to cosmetics and skincare. For beauty products to be halal-compliant, they must be free from any ingredients considered forbidden in Islam, such as animal-derived substances like gelatin or certain fats (Certain animals that we are prohibited from eating are also not permitted for use, especially if it is not for the purpose of treating diseases). Additionally, halal beauty products must not involve any cruelty in production, ensuring ethical standards that align with Islamic principles. At Mraya, we prioritize transparency and high-quality ingredients. Our products are carefully formulated to be free from animal by-products, making them suitable for those seeking halal-compliant beauty solutions, while ensuring effectiveness and respect for diverse needs.
2. There’s no official designation for wellness or clean beauty – how do you define them personally and as an entrepreneur?
For me, wellness is about nurturing the body and mind holistically, while clean beauty means creating products that are safe, non-toxic, and beneficial to the skin. At Mraya, this philosophy translates to a blend of makeup and skincare, where our products not only enhance beauty and nourish the skin, but also boost confidence. We strive to connect these elements, ensuring that our products support overall well-being and help our customers feel their best inside and out. skin.
3. What was your eureka moment, when you knew deep-down that it was the time in your life, and in the market, to start your own brand and make your own products?
My eureka moment came when I was mixing three different makeup products with my own moisturizer (a personal recipe, I don’t use anymore ). When people started asking what blush I was wearing, I knew it was time to create my own brand and address a gap in the market for makeup that also benefits the skin.
4. Describe the moment when you first opened and tried your first, officially launched, product.
When I first opened and tried our officially launched product, it was a mix of excitement and nerves. The moment was surreal and filled with pride, knowing that we had created something unique and beneficial.
5. What product in your line are you most proud of? Describe the genesis of the product.
I’m most proud of our Velvet Tint. It strikes the perfect balance—matte yet hydrating, delivering a glowing effect. The idea originated from the desire to offer clients a matte texture that also provides deep hydration. Hearing clients say they feel radiant and full of glow when they wear it fills me with immense pride.
6. Where do you see or hope to see the beauty and wellness industry in a few years?
I see the industry moving toward greater transparency, where consumers are fully aware of the ingredients and benefits of the products they use. I hope that wellness and beauty will increasingly be recognized as parallel paths, each enhancing the other. The industry must understand the importance of integrating both, ensuring that beauty products also contribute to overall well-being. This approach will foster a more holistic, sustainable, and truly beneficial future for consumers.
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Previous Q&As in the Female Entrepreneur in Clean Beauty Series:
Read Part 1 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Glow Bar CEO HERE.
Read Part 2 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Uzima CEO HERE.
Read Part 3 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Kinship CEO HERE.
Read Part 4 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Raw Sugar Living CEO HERE.
Read Part 5 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Alchimie Forever CEO HERE.
Read Part 6 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Kindness Powered Skincaee CEO HERE.
Read Part 7 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Iles Formula CEO HERE.
Read Part 8 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Blessed Bananas CEO HERE.
Read Part 9 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Exoceuticals CEO HERE.
Read Part 10 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Nekko CEOs HERE.
Read Part 11 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Made By Dentists CEO HERE.
