Aneela Zaman, Founder and CEO of Zaman Skincare, began her career as a makeup artist in 1997 working in film, television and print across North America. Her celebrity clientele consisted of TV personalities, models, and large brands in the fashion industry.
Here, she reveals how her father and Pakistani heritage led her to the creation of the first skincare line inspired by the magic of the black cumin seed.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Describe how your father’s influence inspired you to create a line rooted in the benefits of black cumin seed.
Aneela Zaman: The inspiration behind Zaman Skincare is my father, Sultan Khattak, who worked for Abbott’s, a leading laboratory in Pakistan, where he discovered the multitude of internal and external benefits of Black Cumin Seed, our “secret” ingredient. It is my sincere passion to share my father’s discovery with men and women across the globe, helping them to embrace age with confidence in their skin care regimen.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How exactly can black cumin seed transform your skin?
Aneela Zaman: Black Cumin Seed Oil is one of the richest oils on earth comprised of over 100 valuable chemicals elements, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. When applied topically as part of a daily beauty skincare routine, Black Cumin Seed Oil delivers more visibly youthful, luminous, even-toned skin, visibly improving the signs of premature aging (including fine lines, uneven texture, age spots, dryness, and dullness). Black Cumin Seed Oil is also rich in its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What is the history of black cumin seed?
Aneela Zaman: According to archaeologists, a bottle of Black Cumin Seed Oil was found inside King Tut’s tomb. Black Cumin Seed Oil was an essential ingredient in Cleopatra’s daily beauty treatment and Queen Nefertiti applied Black Cumin Seed Oil to her hair and nails.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What other Pakistani beauty secrets can you share?
Aneela Zaman: I learned from my heritage natural products were the best things, not only to ingest but to use topically. Growing up, my mom would do all sort of funny things like coat our hair with virgin coconut oil. It was our Friday night thing to do and I’m talking 45 years ago before coconut oil became a thing in the western society. Sometimes my mom would use fresh lemon on her face; she’d cut it in half and grub it on her face, saying it was natural exfoliation for the skin removing dead skin cells that can clog pores. Sometimes she would make a paste of turmeric and milk and put it on our faces. All these remedies have made me pay attention to the spices and herbs my parents used like Turmeric, Black Cardamom, Fennel, and Ginger. I am very excited to create innovative products with these natural elements.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What changes have you seen in the beauty industry throughout your career?
Aneela Zaman: Women today are not hiding their age – they are embracing it in new ways. We’ve become savvier and aware of the harmful effects synthetic elements have on our overall well-being. I love the fact we are using less and leaning towards natural. My mom knew what she was talking about. Thanks mom!
Beverly Hills Magazine: Why do you feel it is important to simplify your skincare routine for optimal results?
Aneela Zaman: The modern woman is too busy for a five-step skincare routine. Most women will follow this for a week, then start cutting corners and get upset when they don’t see the results they want. Rise and Shine from my line was inspired one morning when I was rushing and multi-tasking like so many women do. I quickly applied my serum, fanned my face so it could dry before I applied my moisturizer. I already was late for a meeting. That’s when the lightbulb went off. I made my way to the lab and began the process of creating an all in one product for the fast-moving woman on the go. It goes back to less is more. If one or two products are doing it for you why would adding five make it any better?
Beverly Hills Magazine: Who have been some of the biggest influences in your life in terms of beauty innovation?
Aneela Zaman: When I first started as a makeup artist in 1997 my biggest influencer was Kevin Aucion. I owned all three of his books he was absolutely brilliant in his art. I learned so much from his teaching and techniques. One of the things Kevin would do is he’d shave women’s faces before applying makeup. He did this to create a flawless and smooth canvas. I quickly learned the bases to having beautiful makeup application starts from having radiant skin.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Where do you see the skincare industry in 10 years?
Aneela Zaman: I believe we will continue to move towards clean green beauty. I also think ingestible will continue to become a big part of skincare. It has to do with wellness, a big movement towards “you are what you eat” and “beauty comes from within.”
Beverly Hills Magazine: Besides skincare, what lifestyle choices do you think help contribute to your youthful glow?
Aneela Zaman: Laughter, plenty of sleep and drinking lots of water! Honestly, beauty is so subjective but one thing for sure is radiant skin is the key. It goes back to wellness, taking care of yourself with self-love, feeding your body with healthy food choices does help to having a youthful glow.
