Malaysian Artist ‘Saraswati’ on Using Her Hijab to Transform into Disney Princesses

by Ishani Nath

This post was originally published on our partner website India.com. 

A Malaysian artist is using makeup, her hijab, and a touch of magic, to transform into Disney princesses, receiving praise and admiration from an entire kingdom of followers.

Saraswati, who goes by @queenofluna on Instagram, has now amassed more than 226,000 followers entranced by her Disney transformations. The professional makeup artist and self-described “Disnerd” has done a variety of looks, including numerous cosplay characters and superheroes, such as Poison Ivy, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn.

Gotham City Sirens, bitches! Special thanks to @hijabipicasso1 for the claws haha love it. You’re so talented, girl. #catwoman #poisonivy #harleyquinn #gotham #gothamcitysirens #batman #darkknight #brucewayne #dc #dccomics #selinakyle #pamelaisley #harleenquinzel #arkhamasylum #arkhamknight #batgirl #batmanfamily #riddler #thejoker #joker #batmanvillains #superheroes #supervillains #antihero #brucewayne #dickgrayson #facepaint #poisonivycosplay #catwomancosplay #harleyquinncosplay #suicidesquad

A photo posted by s ? ? ? s ? ? t ? (@queenofluna) on Sep 29, 2015 at 8:38pm PDT

What really caught the Internet’s attention was her ability to bring Disney characters to life. According to an interview with MTV, her journey to Insta-stardom started once up a time with Elsa, the snow queen from “Frozen.”

Throwback to one of those early character makeup looks I did in 2013. Oh well, looks weird. Hijab style inspired by: AllSeeBee #TBT #QueenElsa #Frozen
A photo posted by s ? ? ? s ? ? t ? (@queenofluna) on Feb 4, 2015 at 8:08pm PST

“It all started with the ‘Frozen’ hype, as my Facebook friends already know who I am,” Saraswati wrote to MTV News in an email. “They requested Elsa makeup.” From there, things took off like a flying carpet.

My entry for #MehronMakeupMonday #DisneyPrincessMakeup hosted by @mehronmakeup, @tal_peleg and @makeupbycari . P/S: Wow just realised I haven’t seen Aladdin movie yet. #Mehron #MehronMakeup #MehronGirl #MehronBoy #princessjasmine #disneyprincess #makeupinspo #cosmetics #makeupdolls #makeupmafia #disneygram #disneycosplay #disneyworld #disneyside

A photo posted by s ? ? ? s ? ? t ? (@queenofluna) on Mar 9, 2015 at 4:51pm PDT

She also went ‘under the sea’ as Ariel.

“Wouldn’t I love, love to explore the shore up above? Out of the sea, wish I could be part of your world.” Ariel the mermaid. Requested by @cmzay . #disneyprincess #princeeric #disneygram #disneyfan #disneyside #fantasymakeup #mermaid #mermaidmakeup #halloweenmakeup #hijabi #hijabiqueen #muamalaysia #malaysianmakeupartist #promisetamang #amazingmakeupart #universalhairandmakeup #universodamaquiagem_oficial #inssta_makeup #dupemag #makeupartistsworldwide #faceart #fairytale #mythicalcreature #fantasy #mermaids #hijabstyle

A photo posted by s ? ? ? s ? ? t ? (@queenofluna) on Feb 24, 2016 at 12:47am PST

She painted with all the colors of the wind as Pocahontas and showed off her beauty as Belle…

Inspired by Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Requested by Azra. #belle #beautyandthebeast #disneyprincess #disney #disneylover #disneyfan #waltdisney #makeupgeek #disneyside #hijabfashion #hijabstyle #hijab #character #disneycharacter

A photo posted by s ? ? ? s ? ? t ? (@queenofluna) on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:48am PDT

In her stunning take on Tinkerbell, Saraswati explained that she used an underscarf—a “hijab inner” that has a bun in it—to create the pixie’s signature hairstyle out of a gold satin shawl. The result was straight out of Neverland.

Tinker Bell Requested by @nyssaismadi. Just had to take this pic from a high angle so the bun can be seen. It’s actually an underscarf (hijab inner that has a bun in it) yes there’s such thing lol and worn with the gold satin shawl. I planned to do a more unique Tinker Bell look or a twisted version like @akhanartistry’s (she’s a very talented artist, you guys need to check out her amazing SFX looks) but I just didn’t have much time. #momproblems . #amazingmakeupart #muamalaysia #charactermakeup #disneyprincess #disneyvillains #makeupartistmalaysia #malaysianmakeupartist #hijabiqueen #hijabster #disneyprincesses #makeupdolls #fantasy #fairytale #faceart #hijabstyle #universalhairandmakeup #makeupgeek #maquillage #cosplayers #tinkerbelle #neverland #peterpan

A photo posted by s ? ? ? s ? ? t ? (@queenofluna) on Feb 13, 2016 at 1:58am PST

Though she typically appeared as Disney’s good girls, Saraswati wasn’t afraid to explore her bad side, portraying some of Disney’s classic villains, including the Evil Queen from Snow White, Ursula, Maleficent, and Cruella De Vil.

Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the baddest of them all? #evilqueen #ursula #maleficent #cruella #cruelladevil #seawitch #stepmother #evilstepmother #disneyvillains #villains #baddies #disneygram #sleepingbeauty #thelittlemermaid #onehundredandonedalmatians #onceuponatime #101dalmatians #supervillain #disneyvillain #badass #badgirls #facepaint #facepainting #muamalaysia

A photo posted by s ? ? ? s ? ? t ? (@queenofluna) on Apr 23, 2015 at 1:07am PDT

She even transformed into Jafar—proving that there was no limit to who she could become or what she could achieve with her creativity.

Thank you for the love on my Alice look, everyone. Anyways, this is Jafar from Aladdin. Sup ladies? Ya habibty. #muamalaysia #makeupartistmalaysia #malaysianmakeupartist #contouring #hijabimua #makeupjunkie #makeupartist #makeupaddict #makeupmafia #hijabfashion #hijabista #onceuponatime #turban #turbanista #charactermakeup #faceart #maquillage #facepaint #fantasymakeup #arabprince #arabking #aladdincosplay #badguy #disneyprince #baddie #villains #bearded #beardgang #queenofluna

A photo posted by s ? ? ? s ? ? t ? (@queenofluna) on Nov 26, 2015 at 8:26am PST

Her posts have prompted words of admiration from Disney fans, with commenters raving not only at her makeup skills but also her ability to style her hijab.

“[These photos are] proof that while showing almost no skin, you can still bring the house down,” Facebook user, Mani Morgan, wrote in response to a Buzzfeed post about Saraswati’s account. “Girl is too gorgeous omg! And full coverage! If I ever have a daughter, I’ve already found her role model.”

Though Saraswati is being hailed as makeup artist royalty and an inspiration for hijabis everywhere, the mom-of-two says that wasn’t her original intention.

“I have never claimed to represent all the hijabis. I am just staying true to myself and doing what I’m passionate about,” she wrote to MTV. “At least, it makes me happy. And I am really glad I could inspire some women, little girls, and teenage girls out there — especially those who are afraid to wear [a] hijab in public. And [I’m] glad I could change some people’s opinions about [the] hijab, who think that we are oppressed.”

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Ishani Nath is a freelance reporter living in Toronto, Canada. Her byline has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Reader’s Digest Canada, Slate, and many other publications. She considers herself a mattar paneer connoisseur, a proud brown girl and an adult in training.