RIYADH: A Saudi makeup artist with a gift for glamor hopes to use her growing social media presence to inspire men and women across 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 one of the industry's giants, his online content regularly features lesser-known brands from across the region.
Beauty influencer Ali Majid says he wants to “support other aspiring beauty enthusiasts.” (Included)
“I've always had a passion for beauty, as long as I can remember,” Majed told Arab News.
“Even when I didn't really fully realize it, being so young, I knew there was something about this world of creativity and glamor that was calling to me.”
When not promoting Sephora products, Majed spends his time working on his own line.
HIGHLIGHT
• Ali Majed has nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok and has been an ambassador for French beauty retailer Sephora since 2022.
• Majed's interest was piqued by the boom in social media that began about seven or eight years ago.
• His online content regularly features lesser-known brands from across the region.
“My brand came about as a result of my constant contemplation of how I could support other aspiring beauty enthusiasts not only in the region but globally.
“If there is anything I can do to make someone feel less alone and empower them to pursue their dreams, I will work on it immediately.”
Majed is one of a number of Saudi men making waves in the beauty industry. He said his interest was piqued by the boom in social media that began about seven or eight years ago.
“It was the time when makeup content had entered mainstream social media, planted its feet firmly in the ground and announced 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 tremendous amount about my job, whether it's behind the scenes in the beauty industry or the influencer world and how to navigate that space as well.”
To those hoping to follow in his footsteps, Majed said it's about being happy in what you do.
“Make sure this is something that you're not only passionate about, but something that brings joy to you,” 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 happiness, that's what makes you unstoppable.”
Majed said he took his inspiration from the first Saudi men who presented themselves as beauty ambassadors.
“I have observed and learned from Bassam Fattouh, Fady Khataya, Issam Majed, Mohammed Hindash and many more,” he said.
“These men were each pioneers in their own way, masters of their signature techniques and also inspirations to many more like them in the region.”
Today, Majed is a beauty leader in his own right, with many other content creators complimenting him and citing him as an inspiration. Although his newfound fame still surprises him a little.
“A fan recognized me and asked for a picture at a concert,” he said. “I was happy that someone wanted to take a selfie with me, because I didn't realize it was something that could happen.”
