Introduce yourself – Who is Fara Homidi? 

I am a lover of life and strive to see the beauty in everyday moments. I wake up with excitement for what each new day will bring and try to weave music and good vibes throughout my every experience. Now more than ever, in my forties, I hug more and tell the people who I am close with that I love them every chance I get. I am also an editorial and runway makeup artist as well as brand founder of my eponymous makeup line, which launched in March 2023. I’ve been working in the beauty industry for 25 years-makeup, design and fashion have been passions of mine since I can remember.

What was the concept behind your makeup brand? 

I wanted to create something that spoke to people who appreciate quality and expertise. It was about filling a gap where I felt the luxury beauty space had one- a makeup line that delivered clean formulations and conscious packaging, without compromising on quality and design- that is also complexion considerate. The collection is an amalgamation of my experience, what I believe in, and what I have always looked for in the space and haven’t been able to find.

What was your favorite part of creating the product? What was the most challenging part?

My favorite part of creating this collection was customizing the formulas and shades and really perfecting them. This is something I have always loved doing. The challenge was almost one in the same- which was making a product with a professional standard of application, in beautiful packaging, while still feeling accessible. I needed it to check all these boxes and that took a lot of time, back and forth with the labs and manufacturers, until I felt I had something that was exactly what I had dreamt up.

What do you think sets you apart from other makeup brands / artists out there?

There is an authenticity to this brand, and to my artistry, that sets it apart. My work encompasses a vulnerability and rawness as well as a certain strength and sophistication, that has taken years to balance. I have put in so much time to make sure this collection does the same, while also prioritizing a complexion considerate shade range, which is a defining aspect of the brand in the luxury space.A content creator also partners with brands for paid content which is very fun because I can be creative and style the pieces my way. I love creating content – it is something I have always loved doing even when I was younger and how my social media organically grew! I love connecting with people across my platform, traveling and curating interesting and organic content. 

What exactly is clean beauty?

I see clean beauty as °360 to cover everything from formula to packaging- meaning thoughtful creation resulting in tightly edited lines, intelligently sourced materials, and skin centric ingredients that are vegan and cruelty free. Furthermore, I’ve committed to giving back through Fara Homidi beauty by partnering with 1% for the Planet to donate 1% of revenue to the Central Asia Institute (CAI), to fund and develop education in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan, with a particular focus on girls and young women in Afghanistan. This is a very personal mission to me as I was born in Afghanistan. We have also partnered with Pact Collective to provide end-of-life solutions for empties. 

What is the worst advice you have ever received regarding your career?

I had an ex tell me I wouldn’t make it in New York, and that everyone that goes there gets caught up in the wrong things and ends up moving back home. That actually drove me harder to make it in NYC!!

What do you hope FH Beauty turns into 5 years from now?

In 5 years, I see Fara Homidi beauty as a legacy brand and an industry leader. I am so excited about this current moment and what we’ve already achieved in the short time since launch. Of course, I want to see Fara Homidi beauty grow, and the dream is to see these products in every makeup bag. I have some exciting things planned and I can’t wait to keep sharing this vision with the world. 

What skills have you developed that have been pivotal during your career?

I have always paid great attention to detail, and I believe this has been a pivotal part of my personal success as a makeup artist and the success of my brand so far. However, I think the skill that has taken me the farthest is learning to collaborate with teams- creating an environment where they feel safe to put themselves out there and be creative, while at the same time getting my creative point of view across without compromise.

Aside from FH, what other brands do you love to use for a face?

Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream is my holy grail eye cream, I couldn’t live without it, even for a day! I also love the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. And Weleda Rose Cream for daily wear, it just makes my skin feel so clean and plump and is great under makeup.

When is the next product coming out and what is it?! 

My next launch is coming up this March and it’s a revolutionary complexion product and I think it will be a game changer in the industry. I cannot wait to share it with you all so soon!

What is the biggest lesson life has taught you so far?

The biggest lesson that life has taught me so far is that usually what feels like a setback, pushes you to find a new solution, which in the end is better than you could have ever imagined.