A Flick of a Brush

Posted by Hala Ajam

During an editorial fashion shoot, everyone involved has a specific job to do. The stylist will determine the theme of the shoot and overall look; the photographer is responsible for capturing what the stylist envisions; and the hair stylist and makeup artist will collaborate to create the perfect look reflective of the fashion and theme of the shoot. This process is repeated again and again to create a sequence of differently themed shoots.

70’s Look by Hala Ajam

The stylist may opt for a flowery, 70’s flare for one shoot, then go to the extreme of glitter and glamour for the next! The objective is one: to shed light on a new product or a specific trendy color in makeup, which doesn’t necessarily mean that women must wear the same makeup we express. Creating a variety of looks to compliment the array of clothes and themes can indeed be a challenge. I fond it helpful to have a certain look in mind, which I can build from.

Black and White Editorial Shoot by Hala Ajam

After working for several years with the same team at Laha magazine, I have built a relationship built on trust and understanding with the stylist, Caroline Cassia. She translates the idea she has for a photo shoot into reality through bringing together all the right elements, and she totally trust me to change the models’ look from a shoot to another. The result has always been great pictures that people see every week in the same magazine for the past five years.

Editorial Shoot by Hala Ajam

Hala Ajam‘s Book-Face To Face

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

Hala Ajam

Hala Ajam learned from the Makeup Academy in Hollywood; where she studied special effects make-up for photography, TV and movies, she worked with Glamour Shots, a top fashion photography studio in Los Angeles California, and then moved to Lebanon to work with esteemed establishments including Future Television and Laha, a weekly magazine in the Middle East.

Ajam has worked with international and local celebrities such as Queen Rania, Claudia Schiffer, Haifa Wehbe, Nawal El-Zoghbi, and Shereen Abdul Wahhab & Many more.

You can contact Hala Ajam Via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.

You can also check Hala Ajam’s Blog.

You can always visit Hala Ajam’s website: http://www.halaajam.com/ or call at 00961 3 679 636.

Best BB Creams Of 2012 By Lebanese Makeup artist Hala Ajam

Posted by Hala Ajam

The BB Creams have made quite some noise lately. Let’s go back to where it all started:

BB creams (short for “beauty balm” or “blemish balm”) have been doing pretty good in the Korean and Japanese markets since the eighties. Soon enough, Garnier,Smashbox and Maybelline formulated their own BB creams to correct uneven skin tone, minimize oiliness, reduce wrinkles and offer extra sun protection. Asian skin care has always sparked the interest of cosmetic companies worldwide.

Garnier BB Cream

Maybelline BB Cream

Smashbox BB Cream

Hala Ajam

Ajam has worked with international and local celebrities such as Queen Rania, Claudia Schiffer, Haifa Wehbe, Nawal El-Zoghbi, and Shereen Abdul Wahhab & Many more.

You can contact Hala Ajam Via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.

You can also check Hala Ajam’s Blog.

You can always visit Hala Ajam’s website: http://www.halaajam.com/ or call at 00961 3 679 636.

Inspiration Through Nature

Posted by Hala Ajam

Working on a photo shoot is the moment when art and imagination meet. All people involved are given complete freedom to openly express their creativity. It is an opportunity to break away from the confinements we are usually conscious of, and discover how far our talents can take us.

Artistic Makeup by Hala Ajam

Often, what is most fascinating to watch is the transformation of the ordinary object into extraordinary; turning a wheat blade into an eyelash, using the sequin of an old dress on the eyebrows, or a flower petal in place of eye shadow. The possibilities are endless, as is our imagination.

Artistic Makeup by Hala Ajam

The art of creating, challenging the laws of nature, and breaking down visual barriers is not just for those who use paints and brushes. A makeup artist, like a painter, uses their imagination to create unforgettable images.

Artistic Makeup by Hala Ajam

Such creativity is expressed during photo shoots, when there is no choice but to resort to all resources, both real and imaginary. Subsequently, we learn how to create in the most inventive ways.

Hala Ajam’s Book Face To Face

Important Makeup Notes Before Your Big Day!

Posted by Hala Ajam

The wedding day is usually a culmination of dreams and visions collected over the years. In some cases, these images are simple and the transformation requires nothing more than a beautiful wedding dress. In other cases, they are more elaborate, with details such as hair and makeup.

Express your wishes, and how you see yourself on your wedding day. With an experienced team, working to create your look, translating your dream into reality can be made easy and far less stressful. I believe that a woman knows herself and knows what she wants. The day of her wedding is thus the moment to tell all her dreams come true.

Bride by Hala Ajam

The makeup artist should realize your dreams. Yet, you must be willing to listen to her advice to avoid drawing attention to less attractive features of your face on your wedding day. For example, if you have close-set eyes and want a smokey look, this will in fact make your eyes appear even closer and in some cases, almost cross-eyed. The makeup artist is always able to find a solution to give you the loom you want. Your aim is to look beautiful on your very special day, and the makeup artist is there to make sure you will.

Bridal Makeup by Hala Ajam

SPECIFIC RULES IN BRIDAL MAKEUP

Age, season and wedding theme, not to mention personality, should all be factored in when creating a specific look. Be sure to accentuate and cover imperfections where appropriate and highlight the areas where light naturally will hit such as the cheekbones and brow bones. This will make you look better in photos.

3D Bridal Makeup by Hala Ajam

Hala Ajam’s Book-Face To Face

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

Candy World vs. Exotic Makeup

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 photos aim at showing it is 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

Hala Ajam’s Book-Face To Face

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

So, which side are you with?

The Do’s and Don’ts For A Wedding Day

Posted by Hala Ajam

Do not apply too much foundation on your wedding night, as it will not sit well on the skin’s surface when exposed to the heat caused by dancing and excitement.
To ensure makeup longevity, be sure to have a friend readily available to give you tissue or face paper to blot away any excess of facial oil or sweat throughout the night.
Choose the colors of your makeup that suits you and compliments your skin tone and eye color. Do not make these decisions based on the shade of your dress.

Professional Makeup by Hala Ajam

In general, the simpler and smaller the wedding, the more natural the makeup should be. The same can be said for a day wedding where the bright daylight will reveal heavy makeup.
If you and those around you are used to seeing you in the same makeup day in and day out, try something a little different. It doesn’t have to be drastic, but subtle changes can make a lot of difference.
Do not overboard or get carried away with too many changes and experiments. At the end of the day, you still want to look like you!
Stop using any medication or skin treatment before the wedding.
Make sure your skin is well moisturized before the wedding.

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

Bassam Fattouh, Hala Ajam and Fady Kataya Join Hands in Huge Awareness Campaign against the Hazards of Plastic Surgery

Posted by Hala Ajam

Together For Natural Beauty Social Awareness Campaign

Monday October 31^st, 2011

Beirut – (BoboLink) –: For the first time in the history of the Middle East, a huge awakening campaign is being organized against the spread of plastic surgery among Arab women.Plastic surgery has widely spread in the Middle East, changing the latter’s culture and creating a clash identity. Most Arab women have similar facial and physical features nowadays.

Recent studies show that Lebanon registers the highest number of plastic surgeries, which seem to be on the rise. This was the trigger point that pushed the Middle East’s top 3 celebrity makeup artists Bassam Fattouh, Hala Ajam and Fady Kataya to step in and fuel the social awareness campaign, in an attempt to save what’s left of natural beauty in a country that’s so full of it! The 3 beauty experts will be taking on this initiative to sensitize people on the hazards and the downside of plastic surgery.

The initiative aims at clarifying the difference between corrective surgeries, done to beautify the look and boost self-confidence, and obsessive surgeries, which distort and hide the facial features and expressions.

In this huge wake-up call, Bassam, Hala and Fady will promote and reflect a prettier, more natural beauty image of the Arab woman, through applying different makeup techniques individually on one model’s face in order to show that women don’t need to go under the knife to reach their real beauty.

Social awareness campaign VIDEO

One of the other objectives of this campaign is to change people’s perception of the Arab woman and to see her as a naturally beautiful person rather than a plastic surgery addict.

Moreover, the 3 famed makeup artists will also be the spokespersons of this huge campaign, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The reason why this awareness campaign will be successful is because Bassam,Hala and Fady are considered “top notch” in the Middle East, having worked with regional and international celebrities (Haifa Wehbe, Nancy Ajram, Elissa, Claudia Schiffer, Ester Canadas, and Queen Rania of Jordan to name a few).

The “Together for Natural Beauty” campaign will be backed by an intense marketing strategy, both offline and online. The beauty experts will be making TV appearances and interviews to talk about the subject. They will also prepare a shoot all together and several media will be present to shed the light on the event.

One thing’s sure: the beauty trio will be focusing on the social media awareness campaign rather than their clients or their career. They will also clarify that they are with reconstructive and corrective surgeries but are absolutely against deforming facial features.