A chat with Hessa Alajaji, the makeup maven.
The beauty industry is among the most dynamic industries globally and is rapidly growing in the Middle East and Africa. In fact, according to Euromonitor International, the industry is now worth more than 40 billion USD and will grow by 12% by 2027.
Young Saudi entrepreneurs are seizing the opportunity, developing innovative brands that are quickly getting recognized for their quality – Hessa Alajaji is one of them.
An ambassador of Generation 2030 – an association focused on building bridges between French and Saudi youth, Hessa does not shy away from experimenting, both in makeup and in life. After building a successful makeup brand in Saudi Arabia, HAN makeup, Hessa decided to explore a new facet of her talent by enrolling in Cordon Bleu program, led by Generation 2030, in Paris to try on the chef’s hat – while remaining dedicated to her passion for makeup and entrepreneurship.
KHAMSA sat down with Hessa Alajaji and talked all things makeup.
١. Hessa Alajaji, tell us how you first discovered your love and passion for makeup?
“I have been passionate about arts ever since I was a kid; the need to be creative and to express myself has always been an important part of my personality. I discovered makeup in high school, as a teenager, and quickly became fascinated by it as I realized that it is another medium to express creativity and nurture my love for arts and beauty. This fascination is still within me, and I continue to be driven by the passion for makeup as a form of self-expression and a way to bring beauty into the world and share with others.”
٢. Makeup is truly an art form in the way that there are so many creative looks out there today. How do you decide what look fits you and what doesn’t?
“Any form of art requires applying a trial-and-error method – which is the only way to really discover what works and what does not. This has also been an important part of my journey as a makeup professional – playing with makeup, trying out new and old trends, elaborating new techniques is what ultimately helped me find my best looks and what really suits me.
“Doing makeup for others, throughout time, means you develop an eye that helps you find the glow and the inner beauty of each model – professional or not. You recognize shapes, facial features, colour undertones and personality traits that you learn to bring out through makeup.”
٣. How would you say makeup stereotypes have evolved over time? Is there a favourite change you have?
“I am happy to see that people are now staying away from using heavy foundations to get a ‘clean and perfect’ canvas. Such products were designed for specific reasons and contexts – such as television or shootings – and do not suit everyday life. I am genuinely convinced that nothing is more beautiful than letting small imperfections show – this what makes us unique. The perfection people seek with wiping all features through makeup is not only harmful to the skin, but never looks good – unless it’s under harsh and strong studio lights.“
– Hessa Alajaji
٤. Please tell us more about HAN Makeup and what it is all about.
“I launched HAN Makeup two years ago, but had been working on developing the brand for five years prior to the launch. The journey started while I was working as a makeup artist as I noticed that my clients kept asking me for a perfect brush set, always mentioning very specific features: it must be great quality, but not too expensive, suitable for all key makeup needs, but without a million and one brushes, which can get confusing.
“This is how I came up with the concept of the HAN brand. I wanted to provide a high-quality set of brushes that would suit every girl and be used every day, without unnecessary fluff. Quality, comfort in use and great result are at the heart of the HAN brand.”
٥. You have gone on record often to state that the ‘Made in’ label is secondary to quality. How do you plan on achieving your dream of high-quality makeup products manufactured in Saudi Arabia?
“Producing locally is my dream and one of my key goals for the HAN brand. I am working to find opportunities to hopefully bring it to life in the future. For now, however, I did not identify any manufactures in Saudi Arabia that could produce brushes, lashes and other makeup items I am planning to release soon, so for now I am keeping production international. I make sure to partner with the best factories and suppliers – those who can guarantee exactly the result I am aiming for – and I have been lucky enough to find such places.”
٦. If you had to give one definitive tip to someone who is new to makeup, what would it be?
“Makeup is an excellent way to express yourself and to even discover new facets of your personality by creating new looks. But don’t take it too seriously – have fun with it, learn, explore. Remember, it is just makeup – worse comes to worst, you can simply wipe it off!”
– Hessa Alajaji
To know more about HAN Makeup, visit here.
