RIYADH: A Saudi make-up artist with a gift for glamor hopes to use his 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 cosmetics retailer Sephora since 2022.
Despite its ties to one of the giants of the industry, its online content regularly features lesser-known brands from around the region.
Beauty influencer Ali Majid says he wants to 'support other aspiring beauty enthusiasts'. (Supplied)
“I've always had a passion for beauty as far back as I can remember,” Majed told Arab News.
“Although 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 to me.”
When not promoting Sephora products, Majed spends his time working on a line of his own.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Ali Majed has nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok and has been an ambassador for French cosmetics retailer Sephora since 2022.
• Majed's interest was piqued by the boom in social media coverage that began about seven or eight years ago.
• Its online content regularly features lesser-known brands from across the region.
“My brand was created as a result of my constant thinking about how I could support other budding beauty enthusiasts not only in the region but globally.
“If I can do something to make someone feel less alone and give them the strength to follow their dreams, I'll 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 coverage that began about seven or eight years ago.
“That was the time when makeup content entered mainstream social media, planted itself 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's taught me a tremendous amount about my work, whether it's the backstage of the beauty industry or the world of influencers and how to navigate that space.”
To 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 sparks joy in you,” he said.
“It's one thing to have an incredible interest in a certain area, for whatever reason, but when that interest is coupled with a sense of fulfillment and happiness, that's what makes you unstoppable.”
Majed said he was inspired by the first Saudi men to establish themselves as ambassadors of beauty.
“I watched and learned from Bassam Fattouh, Fada Khatay, Issam Majed, Mohammed Hindash and many others,” he said.
“Each of these men were pioneers in their own way, masters of their signature techniques, as well as an inspiration to many others in the region.”
These days, Majed is a beauty leader in his own right, with many other content creators praising him and citing him as an inspiration. Although his newfound fame still surprises him a little.
“A fan recognized me and asked for a photo at the concert,” he said. “I was excited that someone wanted to take a selfie with me because I didn't realize that could happen.
