“I was the first Omani girl who began doing photo shoots and posting my pictures online,” says Naeema Almaqbali, who began her journey into the public eye six years ago, when she started out as a TV presenter. “It was odd for the local people,” she recalls. “I started talking about sensitive subjects related to women, society and lifestyle.”

Dovetailing with her wildly popular Instagram account, the social media personality, whose combined follower count is already over half a million and counting, went on to launch her very own eyelash brand on International Women’s Day. “Each design has been named a different supporting word for women,” she reveals. Naeema, who continues to post travel tips on her Instagram and has visited over 20 counties around the world so far, says the future, for her, is simple. “I want to get my masters in social media, travel to more unknown destinations, and start my own family.”

Photography by Aasiya Jagadeesh; Follow Naeema on Instagram @Thenaeema