Anaa Saber is a New York City based freelance creative, model, stylist and consultant whose style has many of us in a perpetual grip currently. Beyond the perfect Jorts and the expertly styled Martine Rose X Nike Shox, Saber has a simple beauty routine that keeps her mind balanced and her skin on track. Below, she shares her non-negotiables, what her body needs to keep up with all of her creative endeavours, and her Bollywood beauty icons.

What is your morning beauty routine?

Believe it or not my morning routine is actually really simple. I splash my face with ice cold water, half because it’s great for de-puffing and the other half is just to wake myself up! I skip cleansers in the morning, because I usually do this step at night and I try not to strip my skin if it’s natural oils.

I always use Dieux Instant Angel Cream to start my day it’s lightweight and when I say this product has single handedly changed my skin. I am forever grateful to my friends for literally making the best skincare products.

I layer on sunblock after, usually Elta MD or La Roche-Posay, the best in my opinion.

My everyday makeup routine is simple, dewy skin, natural complexion and just enhancing my own features. Skin tint always, brows, curling lashes, and a little bit of Laneige Lip Sleep Mask on the lips and I’m ready to go.

 

What is your night beauty routine?

I wouldn’t say my nighttime routine is complex either. The less I do to my face the better my skin tends to stay. I start with cleansing and removing any makeup. I use different cleaners sometimes with oils or without depending on what my skin needs and what season it is. I always like to layer moisturisers at night, *insert Dieux cream again*. I try and rotate retinol, serums and hyaluronic acid every few days since using these every night is not great for the skin. There’s really no method to the madness here lol.

 

Describe what you do for a living? What does a typical day look like for you?

I’m a full-time freelance creative in New York. I say I wear the hats of many because my job is ever-evolving and transcending. I model, write, style, consult and produce content. I’m also working on some new business ventures at the moment which I’m excited to add entrepreneur to the list! I started freelancing a year after I graduated college in 2017 and loved the life of carving my own unconventional path. Something my ancestors never had the freedom to do, everything I do is to set a precedent and break a boundary.

 

What is the supermarket/drug store/chemist beauty product(s) that you use and love?

Okay so forget American supermarket/drugstore products. I’m all in on products from pharmacy’s in Europe. Literally everything they have is amazing, all the brands are simple yet so great for your skin. Also, not to lie the prices are way better than in the states. My two favourite brands to look out for next time you’re at the pharmacy La Roche Posay and Nuxe, try it all!

What is your main form of beauty body maintenance? What products do you use on your body?

I love getting massages, that’s one of my body addictions. Aside from that I love using luxurious soaps and body wash - my current go-to's are all Byredo. There’s something sexy about coming out of the shower smelling like a million bucks. I am obsessed with moisturising my whole body, I live for Augustinus Bader's The Body Cream. It is like lathering literal clouds on your skin.

 

How do you keep fit/ healthy? Does exercise form a large part of your routine?

I am a Pilates addict and stand by it. SLT and Bodyrok are my drug of choice. I try and go 5/6 times a week with a day for recover or one day to swap out with some cardio. I love to start my day at Pilates it feels my very own personal form of therapy.

 

What cosmetic procedures/professional treatments do you have as part of your beauty routine?

I love getting facials. Shout out to my favourite spa ever GLO spa in Financial District. My girls there always keep me looking right. I love dermal infusion facials, I also have been getting LaseMD from them I’m on my second treatment right now. It’s great for all my girlies dealing with hyper pigmentation or sun damage.

 

What do you do when your body needs to recover?

I lay in bed, burn some candles and usually do something mindless like reading a book or watch tv.

 

You’re tired/hungover/rundown: what is your beauty hack?

Bone broth in the am, obsessed with this. Also beet juice for energy it’s amazing and addicting. Ice for puffiness in the face. You know all the tried and trues.

 

What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?

Honestly despite having access to all these beauty and skincare products I’m a simple girl at the end of the day (simple or lazy) less is more for me. But if I had to pick one I can’t give up my moisturiser and lip balm.

 

Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?

All of my favourite beauty icons are Bollywood actresses. I find beauty in everything, but I’m especially fascinated with old Bollywood film the glitz and the glamour. Some of my favourites are Aishwarya Rai, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit and Kareena Kapoor.

Brown women and brown beauty is so important to me, especially as a South Asian woman. I always hated how insecure western standards of beauty made me feel as a child. These women inspired me and made me feel like I can relate to them.

 

What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?

Less is more.

 

What is the best advice on health you’ve received?

Vitamins, greens, water. Your diet reflects in your skin, your bones and your hair!

 

What is the one product you can’t live without?

I can’t pick one. But if I couldn’t live without it Dieux Instant Angel Cream and Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask.