RIYADH: A Saudi makeup artist with a gift for glamor hopes to use her growing social media presence to inspire men and women in the region.
Ali Majed has nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok and has been an ambassador for French beauty retailer Sephora since 2022.
Despite his links to industry giants, his online content regularly features lesser-known brands in the sector.
Beauty influencer Ali Majid says he wants to 'support other aspiring beauty enthusiasts.' (supplied)
“I've always had a passion for beauty, as long as I can remember,” Majed told Arab News.
“While I didn't fully realize it, because I was young, I knew it was calling me to the world of creativity and glamour.”
When he's not promoting Sephora products, Majed spends his time working on his own range.
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• Ali Majed has nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok and has been an ambassador for French beauty products retailer Sephora since 2022.
• Majed's interest was fueled by social media coverage that began about seven or eight years ago.
• His online content regularly features lesser-known brands in the sector.
“My brand came about as a result of my constant thinking about how I can support other aspiring beauty enthusiasts not only in the region, but globally.
“If I can do something to make someone feel less alone and empower them to follow their dreams, I will act on it immediately.”
Majed is one of many Saudi men making waves in the beauty industry. He said that the social media coverage that started about seven to eight years ago increased his interest.
“That was the time where makeup stuff made its way into mainstream social media, planting its feet firmly on the ground, declaring that it was here to stay. And I enjoyed every second of it,” he said.
In 2022, Majed joined Sephora Squad, a program for beauty content creators in the Middle East.
“It's safe to say that (it) has taught me a lot about my work, whether it's behind the scenes of the beauty industry or the world of influencers and how to navigate that space.”
For those hoping to follow in his footsteps, Majed said it's all about being happy in what you do.
“Make sure it's something you're not only passionate about, but something that brings you joy,” he said.
“It's one thing to be incredibly interested in a certain area for whatever reason, but when that interest is complemented by a sense of fulfillment and joy, it makes you unstoppable.”
Majed said he was inspired by the first Saudi man to promote himself as a beauty ambassador.
“I have observed and learned from Bassam Fattouh, Fadi Khataya, Issam Majed, Mohammad Hindus and many others,” he said.
“These men were each pioneers in their own way, masters of their signature techniques and inspirations to many like them within the field.”
These days, Majed is an aesthetic leader in his own right, with many other content creators praising him and citing him as an inspiration. However her new found fame still leaves her in awe.
“A fan recognized me and asked for a picture at the concert,” he said. “I was thrilled that someone wanted to take a selfie with me, because I had no idea what it could be.”
