The wait is over. Charlotte Tilbury has officially announced her Middle East makeup artist of the year, and it’s none other than Egyptian beauty Aya Abdelhamid. One of three makeup artists battling it out with their brushes and blushes in Tilbury’s four-part Ramadan YouTube series Finding Charlotte’s Middle East Makeup Artist of the Year, Abdelhamid was declared the winner thanks to her “incredible artistry and creativity”, which Tilbury said “shone throughout the whole series” and “mesmerised and inspired” her. Not forgetting her “unforgettable” winning Supermodel look, which had us stocking up on the Glow Glide Highlighter faster than you can say “Marhaba darlings”.
Securing herself a full kit stocked to the brim with Charlotte Tilbury products, Abdelhamid also bagged a year-long contract with the brand, giving her unlimited access to red carpets and runways around the world.
But who is Aya Abdelhamid? Here’s what you need to know.
Born and raised in Egypt, 26-year-old Abdelhamid studied at London and Hollywood’s top makeup academies before gaining her certification. Known for her gorgeous glam makeup and bridal beauty looks, she’s also worked on film and TV sets around the world. Her #TuesdayTip Instagram tutorials have taught us everything from how to make lip gloss last longer to achieving a false lash effect using just mascara, and she’s worked her makeup magic on some of the region’s biggest names. Karen Wazen, Razane Jammal and Mona Zaki included.
“I’ve been so passionate about the makeup industry ever since I was eight years old. I learned from my father Mohamed Abdelhamid, who’s been working in the beauty and SFX field for over 35 years”, Abdelhamid tells GRAZIA Middle East. “I started working at the age of 14, alongside my school studies, and I led the very first makeup club at school. The first in Egypt! From there I took it to a professional level and went to Los Angeles to gain my degree in makeup. This gave me access to work as a pro makeup artist anywhere in the world”.
Of course, being a young woman trying to break it in the beauty industry in the Middle East came with its challenges, but that only made Abdelhamid more determined to break the glass ceiling. “I was the first makeup artist in Cairo working professionally at such a young age, so it was challenging to make everyone take me seriously. This made me work two times harder. It’s always been a dream of mine to be on the international map as a makeup artist. I’m the first to represent Egypt internationally in this industry and I want to make my hometown and young girls around the region hopeful and proud”.
I want to make my hometown and young girls around the region hopeful and proud.
So, what’s next for the Middle East’s next big makeup artist? “I’m so excited for the upcoming year working alongside Charlotte. I’m sure we’ll create amazing looks and, most importantly, great memories!”. Watch this space…
