HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Looking good costs money, and changing the shape of one’s face is part of the deal, according to Ugandan socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan, who has finally broken her silence over the cosmetic procedure behind her much-talked-about new appearance.
After days of relentless social media criticism and speculation, the reality television star admitted that she underwent a cosmetic temporal brow lift, while insisting that the dramatic “fox eye” appearance which triggered online debate was largely exaggerated by experimental makeup.
Zari had become the centre of online conversations after appearing in a video with noticeably lifted outer eye corners, giving her the now-popular “fox eye” look—a beauty trend designed to create a sharper, more almond-shaped facial appearance.
Her transformation quickly divided opinion across social media platforms.
Cosmetic enhancement
While some fans applauded her willingness to embrace cosmetic enhancements and praised her youthful appearance, others were far less impressed, with critics comparing her altered look to that of an alien and various animals. The criticism soon snowballed into one of the week’s biggest entertainment discussions.
Responding to the backlash in a video shared on Tuesday night, Zari appeared amused by the level of attention her face had attracted.
“For some reason my face is a whole national discussion. My face is tight now, the talk of the town of all the things we have going on,” she said.
She explained that the appearance which generated widespread criticism did not accurately represent the final results of the cosmetic procedure.
According to Zari, her makeup artist, Sammy, experimented with an unusually dramatic makeup technique that significantly amplified the effects of the procedure.
“But now I am looking okay. It was the make-up that was a bit extra. Sammy is good. I am not going to trash him. He has done most of my face make-up and he is good. But he wanted to try something new, which was the fox eye and it obviously ended up taking my face all the way,” she explained.
For the first time, the mother of five openly acknowledged undergoing cosmetic work, clarifying that she had not received a full facelift as many social media users had claimed.
Minor temporal lift permissible
Instead, she said she underwent a relatively minor temporal lift, a cosmetic procedure that subtly elevates the outer corners of the eyes to create a refreshed appearance.
“I am not gonna lie. I did have a face lift. It was not a full face lift. It was a temporal lift, which is just around the eyes. A full facelift involves you getting cut and all that,” she explained.
The procedure, commonly referred to as a temporal brow lift, is less invasive than a traditional facelift and focuses primarily on lifting the outer brow and eye area to produce a more youthful facial contour.
Zari maintained that the decision was entirely personal and motivated by a desire to slow the visible effects of aging rather than dramatically change her appearance.
She argued that cosmetic enhancements should not be viewed negatively, especially when they help individuals feel more confident.
“God already made me beautiful. Even before this, you know I have been very gorgeous; I have been a very beautiful woman; I am just enhancing… because as we get older, things change… so I am just enhancing my looks but I have always been beautiful and I have never touched my face,” she said.
The businesswoman also dismissed rumours suggesting she had undergone multiple facial surgeries over the years.
“I know some people were like, ‘Oh she did surgery again.’ No. I have never touched my face,” she said, insisting this was her first cosmetic facial procedure.
Freedom to make personal choices
Beyond addressing the speculation, Zari also defended the growing acceptance of cosmetic procedures, saying everyone has the freedom to make personal choices about their appearance.
“If you have to do something that is for you that is going to make you feel better about yourself, then why not?” she asked.
For Zari, maintaining her appearance goes beyond personal satisfaction. As one of East Africa’s most recognisable celebrities, she has built a brand around beauty, fashion and luxury lifestyle, making her image an important part of her business and endorsement portfolio.
Her admission also reflects a growing trend among African celebrities becoming increasingly open about cosmetic enhancements, breaking away from the long-standing culture of secrecy surrounding aesthetic procedures.
Although the online reactions remain mixed, Zari appears unfazed by the criticism. Instead, she insists that investing in her appearance is simply part of maintaining the public image that has made her one of the region’s most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs.
Whether admired or criticised, her new look has once again demonstrated her ability to dominate conversations across social media, proving that every change she makes—however subtle—quickly becomes headline news.
