At the Vanity Table With… is a series that dives into a personality’s beauty tips, tricks, non-negotiables, and more. In this edition, Sofea Shra talks about why she’s missing out on skin treatments, trending beauty products that made it to her wish list, and more.
Anyone with a smartphone can create content, but not many can reach the highs as Sofea Shra has. While one-hit-wonder creators can say that it’s down to luck, but a look through Sofea’s pages says it all. That it really is tenacity, agility, and a genuine passion for the niche that can put you on the path to success.
Trends aren’t the only thing that this queen of transitions can strike. Her content also, and more prominently, revolves around tutorials, a segment that, these days, may not have brought as many views as hers does. In fact, she seems to have the proclivity to blend the two—trendy tutorials, if you will—together, resulting in a truly riveting watch. From trying out Thai and Roblox makeup looks to creating a filter to help other users find their footing in their own routine, the Laurier ambassador takes the intimidation factor out of getting ready.
Her activity on TikTok has also earned her a Creator of the Year nomination at the 2024 TikTok Awards Malaysia, where she joined the likes of Ms Qiwiie and special effects expert Mohamad Sofian in the category. While she did not walk away with the gong, she sure does have the heart of her viewers. After almost five years in the game, the beauty influencer looks back fondly at where the journey has taken her, coming to terms with growing pains.
Ahead, she shares her beauty opinions, must-haves, and little fun facts that make her Sofea Shra.
Confess a beauty crime that you have committed before
Well, I still do this and I’m not proud of it but I’m pretty sure that most of my makeup has expired. Now that I’ve typed it out, it seems a little disgusting but makeup generally lasts longer than skincare products because you don’t really use it that much at once and a single foundation can last you up to one year right? So what happens when you have more than one bottle of foundation? Obviously, you’re not going to use the same one and you’d try to switch it up every now and then. That is what’s happening right now.
Look me in the eye and tell me that your eyeshadow makeup palette has hit the pan and hasn’t been in your drawer for more than two years… Yup, exactly. I wouldn’t advise anyone to keep anything that has expired but if you do, girl, I understand.
A beauty item you would immediately replace if it’s lost
My eyebrow pencil. I rarely go out without drawing in my brows. I just feel naked without it.
Three items that are on your beauty wish list right now
Most probably Painted by James Charles, One Size’s latest foundation, Turn Up the Base Foundation, and Dermalogica’s Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream—the last one costs RM600 and I don’t know whether I’m ready to spend that much on a 15ml eye cream yet.
A person you have the biggest beauty crush on, and why?
Probably isabellrrose on Tiktok. She’s so talented at doing her makeup and it’s also a little unfair that she happens to be so gorgeous naturally. I love her take on any makeup trends; they are always so on point, I could never. I wish I were that good.
Something you’re gatekeeping right now. Spill.
My whole skincare routine. I don’t think I’ve ever done a full video on my skincare… Not because I’m gatekeeping it for weird reasons but I personally don’t feel like it’s a perfect routine just yet and I wouldn’t want to give recommendations if my skin itself isn’t perfect. However, 90% of my products are from Dermalogica and I only started using the brand a few months ago but it has completely changed my skin in the best way. I usually break out in tiny bumps every now and then but ever since I switched to Dermalogica, my skin has been nothing but amazing. I don’t have the most flawless and perfect skin but knowing how fussy my skin can be, I’m surprised I haven’t broken out as much as I used to.
A trend that needs to die
Clean makeup look. I don’t hate it. I understand the hype. But I just wish people were more into doing fun makeup again. Like I want to see green-eyeshadows-on-your-eyes type of fun you know? I miss it when makeup used to be that fun and experimental.
A viral product that does nothing for you
I can’t think of any… maybe there’s none? I hardly ever buy viral products, especially if it’s skincare. Makeup, however, usually does live up to the hype. So, unfortunately, I have nothing for you guys.
A makeup step you will never skip before you head out the door
If I’m doing a full face, it’s powder. You don’t, do not, never, must not skip powder. But if I’m doing a natural look, it’s lipstick, of course.
The skincare item that completely transformed your skin for the better
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. It’s an exfoliating toner that has active ingredients to unclog your pores. This product has been viral for many years but I’ve never felt the need to buy it until it was recommended to me by my dermatologist. It’s been a game-changer for real. I don’t think I really used toners before because I didn’t think it would make that much of a difference but now, I don’t go a day without slathering this all over my face before bed. I always wake up to smooth, exfoliated skin in the morning.
Your trick to achieve the best hair day
I wear the hijab so I don’t really have to show anyone if my hair is not on its best behaviour. But I love testing out new hair products. Recently, I discovered the brand Fino and apparently their hair mask went viral so I decided to give it a try when I was on a trip to Japan and let me tell you, it’s amazing. The way my hair just immediately became soft after wearing it… I’m obsessed.
An unexpected beauty hack you always incorporate into your routine
Well… this is not unexpected but it does transform your whole makeup look. Coloured contact lens. You can go from 0 to 100. It’s literally the best cosmetic product. Wanna elevate your everyday makeup? Coloured contact lens. Lazy to do your eyeshadows? Coloured contact lens. No makeup? No problem. Just wear coloured contact lenses.
An underrated perfume you think everyone should give a chance to
I don’t know if this is underrated or not but the first time I actually really liked a perfume was when I started using Narciso Rodriguez Ambrée Eau De Parfum. It has a nice balanced combination of both woody and floral scents. I never understood the hype around wearing perfumes until I started using this.
The last beauty indulgence you had done
I got myself a chemical peel last month and it was amazing. It gives you this instant glow result and honestly, I’ve never really been a fan of facials. The first time I did it, I regretted it immediately, because I had no idea that it would be so painful because the extraction part was absolutely brutal. I still remember laying there on the bed as the beautician was popping my pimples and thought to myself ‘I can’t believe people can just casually walk into this place and be okay with getting tortured for beauty,’ and then I realised that I just have really low pain tolerance compared to other people which sucks because I know I’m missing out on a lot of good facials out there.
A song that will always get you in the mood to get ready
BTS’s Love Yourself album. Do I understand the lyrics? No. But there’s just something about the album that makes me feel good when I listen to it… I don’t know how to explain it exactly. I also enjoy listening to any 2000s R&B playlist whenever I’m in the mood to feel nostalgic.
Brands that check all the boxes for you
Huda Beauty. She has the best of everything, really. Ask any other brand whether they could give you a wide range of options for good quality eyeshadow palettes and they wouldn’t be able to suggest any. But Huda Beauty is that girl. You can rely on her for any type of product. She has always been and will always be the it brand for makeup.
Malaysians you look up to
I genuinely don’t think that I have anyone that I look up to. There’s something about putting someone on a pedestal that I believe would lead you to disappointment.
A mantra that you live by
“Progress, not perfection.” When I first started creating content, half of the time I didn’t know what I was doing. If I look back at my content during the early days of becoming a creator, I would cringe so hard at it. I would think, ‘Why did I post that?’, ‘Where did I get the confidence?’, ‘What was I doing?’, and ‘Why does my makeup look like that?’ And then I would remember that I used to believe in that mantra a lot. I probably need to be reminded of that every now and then because I tend to forget about how important it is to let go of perfection. But I’m not gonna lie, sometimes it’s a little pressuring to continuously challenge yourself to become better every day.
But I guess small improvements are still better than no improvements and if you try to do something many times, you will eventually become good at it. The things that hold you back from making the most out of your potential are perfection and the fear of rejection. When you’re able to let go of those two, nothing can stop you. So I would like to thank 2020 Sofea, for not being afraid to get out of her comfort zone and for putting herself out there despite whatever insecurities she had because 2024 Sofea would not be where she is now if it wasn’t for her.
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