Writing with something to say.
Features and editorial
Fresh contributions for editors and publications.Content with a voice
Engaging, well-crafted copy for businesses.Proofreading documents and letters
The right words, polished and ready to send.Standout CVs
Designed and written to open doors.
Published in
- Olive
- Waitrose Food
- Q
- Mixmag
- MOJO
- Word
- Heat
- The Oldie
- The Wisden Cricketer
- Asian Woman
Whether you’re a student or graduate looking for a CV that opens doors, an individual who needs help writing or refining a letter, an editor seeking fresh editorial contributions, or a business looking for engaging, well-crafted content, I can help.
I champion original thinking, authentic writing and the human touch that makes a story worth reading.
Have a project in mind, need a helping hand with your words, or looking for a contributor? I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to discuss your requirements or request a personalised quote.
About me
A self-starter since the age of 16, I have built my career on a passion for words, an instinct for storytelling and a belief that great writing should always have something meaningful to say.
I have written articles, features and reviews, and interviewed actors and musicians, for a diverse range of print and digital publications including Olive, Waitrose Food (formerly Waitrose Food Illustrated), Q, Mixmag, MOJO, Word, Heat, The Oldie, The Wisden Cricketer, Asian Woman and Muslim Youth Helpline, among others.
I have also developed and maintained a successful beauty blog for over 15 years, beginning in the early days of blogging, long before influencer culture became part of the digital landscape.
With over 30 years of writing experience across journalism, lifestyle and beauty, plus nine years in corporate communications, proposals and bids, I bring versatility, editorial insight and a meticulous eye for detail to every project.
From creating standout CVs and polishing professional correspondence to writing lifestyle features, developing original content, editing and proofreading, I believe in getting the words right and giving every piece a clear purpose and a distinctive voice.
Generic words may fill a page, but thoughtful writing creates connection, builds credibility and leaves a lasting impression.
In an age where content can be generated in seconds, I believe the real value lies in what sets good writing apart: original thought, individual voice, meaningful insight and an understanding of the people we are trying to reach. Generic words may fill a page, but thoughtful writing creates connection, builds credibility and leaves a lasting impression.
My approach combines decades of hands-on writing experience with editorial instinct and commercial awareness. Whether working with a business, a publication or an individual, my aim is to produce content that sounds authentic, communicates with purpose and stands out for the right reasons.
Published work
Published features, reviews and projects.
FRIDAY, issue 01: Breathe
Sub-editor, Spring 2025
Pro vs Punter: Clipstone
Olive magazine, November 2016
Smoothie Makers
Halal Gems, 2 July 2015
Northern Heights
Asian Woman, Issue 38
Luscious Laila!
Asian Woman, Issue 37
Brown Bridget Jones
Asian Woman, March 2008
The Magic of Dublin
Asian Woman, January 2008
Fun Fitness
Asian Woman, January 2008
Nina Wadia: I’m so happy in my home
Asian Woman, October 2007
Sukiyaki, St Albans
Waitrose Food, January 2007
Get fit and relax?
Health Plus, March 2006
I saw it first!
Health Plus, January 2006
What is… an iPod?
The Oldie, August 2005
Al Murray the Pub Landlord
Word, January 2005
What are… Chavs?
The Oldie, December 2004
Bling, Blogs and Bluetooth
Includes my Chavs article from The Oldie
Browse my beauty blog archive
A range of features and reviews
Smoothie Makers
Sheenie Shaikh, tests some high street smoothie makers to see which ones make the mix without breaking the bank.
Halal Gems (Gem Hunter Review) · 2 July 2015 · Read the original
Russell Hobbs Mix & Go (£24.99)
- Capacity: 600ml
- 300W
- Good for smoothies, protein shakes & fruit cocktails
- Quick and easy to clean
- No mess
- Budget-friendly
- Takes up little space
- Bottle and blades are dishwasher safe
A tidy little thing that sits discreetly on your worktop, Russell Hobbs’ Mix & Go is a compact personal blender and portable bottle in one for making smoothies and protein shakes.
Time is of the essence during Suhoor, which is why the Mix & Go is wonderfully quick and convenient for blending a smoothie, packed with essential nutrients to keep you going until Iftar. It also crushes ice and frozen fruit. For a thicker consistency, a dollop of yoghurt will give the immune system an extra boost particularly as it’s a great source for keeping thirstiness at bay.
Low maintenance, quick and a pocket-friendly investment, it takes just a few seconds to whizz a delicious smoothie or fruity concoction that guarantees you get your 5-a-day.
Philips Viva Collection Juicer HR1832/01 (£70)
- Capacity: 1.5L
- 500 W
- Good for juicing
- All removable parts are dishwasher safe
Not to be categorised in the same category as blenders and food extractors, Philips’ Viva Collection Juicer is simply that: a juicer. At half the size of most juicers, it packs twice as much punch as the big boys, extracts juice from fruit and vegetables at a rapid rate and pouring out of the spout. I’ve used juicers where half the fruity fibre ended up stuck to the lid, which gave me a headache with washing but this one collects the waste in one container so it’s easy to dispose of. The juicer will pretty much handle anything including carrots and pineapples, separating pips and skins, except bananas.
The downside is the cleaning, which requires a little more effort than just a quick rinse, but parts are dish-washer safe. Larger fruit and vegetables have to be cut to fit through the feeder and citrus fruits must be peeled first. That said a freshly squeezed juice at Iftar is the ideal way to open your fast - pure, organic and healthy.
Nutribullet (£99.99)
- Capacity: tall cup 680 ml, small cup: 380ml
- 600W
- Good for extracting and blending
- Quick and easy to clean
- No mess
- Only cups are dishwasher safe, blades to be hand washed
Nutribullet is a beast of a blender but to give its correct description, it’s actually a super-food extractor. Its sharp blades pulverise fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and ice in less than ten seconds. Just add a splash of water or milk (almond, coconut or semi-skimmed if you’re healthy) to create a cocktail of goodness. The cup and blades just need to be soaped up and rinsed under the tap. With such a powerful motor, the NutriBullet sits at the high end of gadgets but it’s one you will get many uses out of even after Ramadan. It hardly takes up much space in the kitchen either.
An extract
Despite being open for such a short time, we were relieved to watch Clipstone fill up quickly on the evening we visited. There’s a neighbourhood bistro vibe to this place, and as such it’s a bit of a tight squeeze – but it’s still bright and welcoming, with retro, school-type wooden chairs.
The bottom line: Clipstone offers a casual vibe, exceptional service and a tantalising selection of vegetarian, meat and fish options. I’d return for the desserts alone!
Read the full review in the November 2016 issue of Olive.
Northern Heights
A late summer break in Scotland’s city of culture, written for the travel pages of Asian Woman.
Asian Woman · Issue 38 · Travel
An extract
There are few places in the world which come close to the unique beauty Edinburgh has to offer. A picturesque city with its rugged setting of rocky hills overlooking the sea, the Scottish capital is a walk through history into modern times fused with the thrill of it being a destination to visit all year round – and the sheer size of it means you can explore it easily by foot.
Read the full feature in Issue 38 of Asian Woman.
The Magic of Dublin
Dublin, the lively and historic Irish city, is the perfect destination for a festive weekend break. Afsheen Shaikh has a ‘craic’ in the Emerald Isle.
Asian Woman · January 2008 (Issue 34) · Words and photographs by Afsheen Shaikh
An extract
Ireland has forever been affectionately known as the Emerald Isle and unlike the lucky leprechaun with a pot of gold this is no myth, for the sight of this tiny island is like a lush green carpet of natural beauty. I catch a glimpse just before my plane swoops down onto the tarmac of Dublin International Airport, now the 17th busiest international airport in the world and with Dublin itself emerging as one of Europe’s hottest capitals I wanted to be wowed beyond my expectations.
Read the full feature in the January 2008 issue of Asian Woman.
Luscious Laila!
Asian Woman · Issue 37 · Celebrity interview with Laila Rouass
An extract
Laila Rouass is no stranger to Asian Woman Magazine. The British-Asian actress unequivocally singled out for her exotic-fused roots, has frequently graced the covers and pages for her fashion sense, looks and illustrious profession but today there is a different aura about her and the last three years may explain why.
Read the full interview in Issue 37 of Asian Woman.
An extract
For every thirty-something Bridget Jones, spare a thought for the British-Asian woman who is struggling to find Mr Right. Three Asian Woman readers reveal why their search for ‘the one’ hasn’t quite been a bed of roses.
Read the full feature in the March 2008 issue of Asian Woman.
An extract
The decadence of Christmas usually results in failed attempts at getting fit. Afsheen Shaikh tells you to dump the dumbbells and showcases five readers’ fun ways of keeping fit.
Hips don’t lie
Why not try belly dancing as a way of getting fit? It provides a great cardiovascular workout and helps increase the flexibility and strength of your muscles.
It is suitable for all ages and body types and can be as physical as you want. Belly dance classes are becoming increasingly popular. They are a fun way to spend an evening with girlfriends and a brilliant way to meet new people. Stars like Shakira swear by it as a way of maintaining a sexy belly. If your toned physique isn’t enough to please you, your newfound ability to entice the man in your life at the shake of a hip is bound to!
It is suitable for all ages and body types and can be as physical as you want. Belly dance classes are becoming increasingly popular. They are a fun way to spend an evening with girlfriends and a brilliant way to meet new people. Stars like Shakira swear by it as a way of maintaining a sexy belly. If your toned physique isn’t enough to please you, your newfound ability to entice the man in your life at the shake of a hip is bound to!
Read the full feature in the January 2008 issue of Asian Woman.
What is… an iPod?
The Oldie · August 2005 (Issue 197) · Modern life
An extract
An iPod is a small white electronic device, about the size of a cigarette packet, into which you plug a pair of headphones rather like a walkman, and listen to music, which it stores digitally inside its tiny, shiny body. The iPod is made by Apple (who made the lovely-looking iMac home computer a few years ago – hence the ‘i’ of ‘iPod’. See?) and it is currently the biggest selling and most popular ‘MP3’ player on the market.
As featured in the August 2005 issue of The Oldie
What are… Chavs?
The Oldie · December 2004 (Issue 189) · Modern life
An extract
As I wait my turn to be served in a shop, I catch sight of a girl in her late teens at the front of the queue, wearing velour tracksuit bottoms sagging below her waistline, a tight vest, chunky gold earrings and a baseball cap tipped at a jaunty angle over her ponytail. We aren’t in Brooklyn, however, but Croydon, where this form of attire is proudly flaunted by a social group mockingly labelled ‘chavs’.
As featured in the December 2004 issue of The Oldie
Reprinted in Bling, Blogs and Bluetooth: Modern Living for Oldies
Sukiyaki, St Albans
Waitrose Food (then Waitrose Food Illustrated) · January 2007 (Issue 93) · Eating out
An extract
Tucked behind St Albans town centre is Sukiyaki, a restaurant that serves as a beginner’s guide to authentic, home-cooked Japanese cuisine. With its minimalist decor, Sukiyaki prides itself on the quality of food on its straightforward menu, which includes helpful explanations of each dish.
As featured in the January 2007 issue of Waitrose Food Illustrated
An extract
Yes, you really can! Four readers prove that fun and fitness can mix on holiday…
As featured in the March 2006 issue of Health Plus
An extract
Sales – don’t you just love them? If you want to avoid rash decisions and make sure you leave the shops with the best trend pieces that really suit your shape, read on…
As featured in the January 2006 issue of Health Plus
Al Murray the Pub Landlord
Word · January 2005 (Issue 23) · DVD review
An extract
A stint on reality TV often looks like a desperate measure to kick-start a flagging career. In which case, Al Murray’s participation in the programme Hell’s Kitchen is baffling, when you consider he’s had no trouble pulling punters to his stand-up live shows as the boisterous Pub Landlord, a part he created ten years ago.
As featured in the January 2005 issue of Word
Nina Wadia: I’m so happy in my home
Asian Woman · October 2007 (Issue 32) · Celebrity at home
An extract
When BBC sketch show Goodness Gracious Me hit our screens in 1998, little did then newcomer Nina Wadia realise it would propel her as one of the country’s most diverse British Asian actresses.
As featured in the October 2007 issue of Asian Woman
Services
For businesses and publications
Editorial work
Editing, features and fresh contributions for print and digital.
Corporate writing
Engaging, well-crafted content in your brand voice.
Proofreading
A meticulous final read before you publish.
Lifestyle features
Original features with a distinctive voice.
For individuals
CVs and resumes
Standout CVs that open doors.
Coursework proofreading
Spelling, grammar and clarity, with your ideas left your own.
Articles
Help to shape and polish what you are writing.
Letters
Professional and personal letters, written or refined.
Let’s talk
Tell me what you are working on, your deadline and roughly what you need. I’ll reply personally.
Or email me directly: afsheen.shaikh@gmail.com