RIYADH: A Saudi makeup artist with a knack for glamor hopes to use her growing social media presence to inspire men and women across the region.
Ali Majed has almost 600,000 followers on TikTok and has been an ambassador for French beauty retailer Sephora since 2022.
Despite his ties to one of the industry giants, his online content regularly features lesser-known brands from around the region.
Beauty influencer Ali Majid says he wants to support other beauty enthusiasts. (supplied)
“For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in beauty,” Majid told Arab News.
“Even when I didn't fully realize it, because I was so young, I knew there was something in this world of creativity and glamor that called me.”
When she's not promoting Sephora products, Majid spends her time working on her own range.
Topthe lights
• Ali Majed has almost 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 coverage that began about seven or eight years ago.
• His online content regularly features lesser-known brands from around the region.
“My brand was created as a result of my constant thinking about how I can support other beauty enthusiasts, not only in the region, but globally.
“If there's anything I can do to make someone feel less alone and empower them to follow their dreams, I'll do it right away.”
Majid 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 coverage that began about seven or eight years ago.
“That's when makeup content made its way into mainstream social media and firmly planted its feet on the ground and announced that it was here to stay. And I enjoyed every second of it.”
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 career, whether it's behind the scenes of the beauty industry or the world of influencers, and how to navigate that space.”
Addressing those who hope to follow in his footsteps, Majid said: It's all about being happy with what you do.
“Make sure it's something you're not only passionate about, but something that brings you joy,” she said.
“It's one thing to be incredibly passionate about a particular field for whatever reason, but when that passion is complemented by a sense of fulfillment and joy, that's what makes you unstoppable.”
Majed said he was inspired by the first Saudi men who presented themselves as ambassadors of beauty.
He said: “I have observed and learned from Bassam Fatuh, Fadi Khataya, Essam Majid, Mohammad Handash and many others.
Each of these men were pioneers in their own way, masters of their own techniques and also inspired many others in the region.
These days, Majed is a beauty leader in his own right, with many content creators praising him and citing him as an inspiration. Although his newfound fame still surprises him a bit.
“One of my fans recognized me and asked for a photo at a concert,” he said. “I was excited that someone wanted to take a selfie with me because I didn't realize that could happen.”
