Working With Top Models!

Posted by Hala Ajam

It might be intimidating to know that the models you are working with have already worked with some of the greatest most respected names in the professional makeup industry. In fact, there are so many various images of them open for comparison. But to me, the opportunity of interpreting their beauty in a more exquisite and unique way is always a welcome challenge.

Claudia Schiffer by Hala Ajam

I have been extremely lucky in my career to have had the opportunity to work with world-renowned names such as Claudia Schiffer, Esther Canadas and Nadja Auermann. It has given me not only recognition, but also more importantly, the chance to excel in the world of makeup and further develop my talents.

Esther Cañadas by Hala Ajam

Being a naturally sociable person, I was highly pleased, when these international supermodels visited Lebanon, to answer all their questions about my country. Meeting them in Lebanon was indeed an interesting and great experience for me, not to mention that taking care of their makeup was also a big pleasure.

Nadja Auermann by Hala Ajam

Hala Ajam‘s Book-Face To Face

This text was taken from Hala Ajam‘s Book Face-to-Face

Looks Of The Decades: 1920s And 1930s

Posted by Hala Ajam

1920s

Gone are the days od a discreet natural appearance; the daring style and androgyny replaced it. Stylish women began plucking and drawing their eyebrows. Actresses drew theirs in straight lines or going slightly down to give a certain expression for the silent movies. Dark lid eyes, made up with kohl, became the rage. The ultimate fashion accessory: the new twist tube lipstick, ideally applied in public. Bright colors such as bluish red, cranberry and orange are the most favored and ideal in creating dainty ‘bow’ shaped lips.

In the following photo, I used red-colored eye shadow on the model that becomes darker in the inner corner of the eyes, hence, blending the color with the eyebrows to give her face a sad expression. I drew her eyebrows higher and slightly down at the end to enhance the sad look.

The 1920’s Look

1930s

Thanks to Coco Chanel, who inadvertently fell asleep in the sun, the gloden suntan is born and becomes that rage of the 30’s. Pan cake makeup was created. Wispy eyelashes, high thin eyebrows and sharp lips, played a part in defining the look of this glamorous era (Greta Garbo look), as well as bold and rich colored lipsticks, bright as red and orange. Sleepy eyes were drawn by bringing the eyeshadow downwards. For a glamorous look, beads could be put on the end of the lashes.

In the following photo, I used a pale foundation and drew her eyebrows thin and high. I darkened the models eyes and reshaped them to make them look sad. I even went on to draw her lips slightly downwards on the sides to help achieve the look.

The 1930’s Look

This text was from taken from Hala Ajam’s makeup book Face to face

Hala Ajam’s Book Face To Face

Hala Ajam

Artistic Makeup: Inspiration Through Candy World, Exotic, and Fairytale

Posted by Hala Ajam

Candy World

Use colors that express playfulness from childhood. The image of candy is usually a very feminine and colorful one. The following photo aims at showing it as springtime and that these are the new colors to be used. Resorting to the colors of candies help achieve the image we want, making the models look like Barbie dolls, playing like little girls or going funky with the makeup.

Candy World Makeup

Exotic

The natural world is reflected: island, water, flowers, butterflies, and tropical colors such as fuchsia come in to play. The working team creates the whole setting for such kind of photo. All can be brought to the studio: water, plants, etc. It is fun to create a unique atmosphere as it helps in producing new combinations for the same model.

Exotic Makeup

Fairytale

Fairytale-like makeup expresses enchanting beauty that is everlasting and magical. Through its shimmering effects, this style captures imagination and takes us to a world of fantasy and dreams. A fairytale-like makeup unleashes my creativity and imagination. It represents the innocence of a little girl, her happiness, pureness, love and wishes.