The world of beauty is a constantly accelerating one. And the best makeup artists in Dubai are tirelessly working on ensuring that the region’s glam standards remain seamlessly on pace with the global trend turnovers.
Sarbast Gli with Yasmine Sima. Photo: Ben Cope
You have the runway-ready names loved by Dior, Balmain and more. You have the celebrity-favorite names who know how to deliver on a showstopper winged eye. There are the wedding hair and makeup artists in Dubai who know how to make every bride feel like a queen. Together, they are all working cohesively to ensure that the world has its eyes fixed on the elevated beauty standards emerging in Dubai. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Who is the most famous makeup artist in Dubai?
When looking for the best makeup artists in Dubai, you’ll like to start your search from the names that the most-loved celebrities in the industry turn to. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for a red carpet-worthy makeup look or hoping to keep up with the latest makeup trends, here are all the celebrity makeup artists to know.
Celebrity makeup artists you should follow on Instagram
These are the names that celebrities trust with their faces for the most coveted red carpet events. And now, they are coming to your Instagram feed with endless tutorials, secret hacks and must-have products:
Mohammed Hindash with Mai Yackout. Photo: Ben Cope
What makes Mohammed Hindash one of the most famous makeup artists from UAE? Hollywood icons Naomi Campbell, Chanel Iman and Lindsay Lohan might have the answers. Closer home, regional stars such as Moni Zaki as well as royalty can attest to his prowess with impeccably blended makeup looks.
Toni Malt with Chanel Ayan. Photo: Ben Cope
If you are looking for the best makeup artist course in Dubai, you’ll want to steal more than a few pages from Toni Malt’s book. Over the course of her career, she has become an industry icon with fans in Nancy Ajram, the Real Housewives of Dubai and more. Through her professional makeup courses in Dubai, she is extending a helping hand for aspiring makeup artists take their careers to the next level in the beauty industry.
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Vimi Joshi with Karishma Kotak. Photo: Ben Cope
Call off the search for the best Indian makeup artists in Dubai: Vimi Joshi is here. A celebrity makeup artist of international repute, her brushes have worked their magic on Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities alike. From Bella and Gigi Hadid to Halima Aden and Mona Zaki, Joshi is fronting a new generation of red carpet makeup artists with her East-meets-West skills.
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Michel Kirwakis
Citing his mother as his primary beauty inspiration, Lebanon-born Kirwakis is deeply moved by the role that Arab women played in the identity of makeup artistry. “Take Cleopatra, for instance. A legendary queen who, to this day, never ceases to represent the ultimate muse of many artists around the world,” he shared in an interview with Vogue. His personal approach to makeup veers away from exaggerated maximalism to train the focus on skin-first beauty looks.
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Best makeup artists in Dubai to follow on Instagram
Wondering what’s new in the world of beauty? Or hey, maybe you need someone to nudge you out of your comfort zone a little? Or maybe you are hoping to refresh your makeup kit? Regardless of what you are looking for, the finest makeup artists in Dubai have you covered:
Sarbast Gli with Yasmine Sima. Photo: Ben Cope
If you are looking to keep an eye on the latest runway trends, Sarbast Gli’s title as regional makeup artist for Dior can afford all the answers you need. Yes, he can whip up the latest clean goth looks from the spring/summer ‘24 runways. But anybody who has ever sat in Gli’s chair can also attest to his ability to make you fall in love with the skin you’re in.
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Mariam Khairallah
Mariam Khairallah with Maya. Photo: Ben Cope
Born in Lebanon, Khairallah would eventually find her calling in Dubai. Over the course of the last decade, her name has become synonymous with festive makeup inspiration. Spotted backstage recently at Paris Fashion Week, her makeup brushes whirled from Vivienne Westwood to Balmain in a flurry of glittery, party-ready looks.
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Nina Ubhi with Natalya Kanj. Photo: Ben Cope
Did London-born Nina Ubhi find makeup or did the world of makeup find her? It’s hard to tell. After being scouted for modelling as a teenager, she spent her time on the sets learning that there was to the art of makeup. It wasn’t long before models started asking her to do their makeup—and the rest is history. Today, her expert education videos on her 500,000-strong YouTube channel are designed to disrupt the conventional beauty industry.
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Aya Abdelhamid
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This award-winning makeup artist’s Instagram bio defines her location as “Wherever the art is.” Some days, the quest for creating avant-garde makeup looks can take her backstage with Zuhair Murad at Paris Fashion Week. Other days, you might find her rubbing elbows with global makeup maestro Charlotte Tilbury from whom she received the ‘Middle East Makeup Artist of the Year’ title earlier in 2024.
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Ania Poniatowska
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When she graduated from London College of Fashion with a diploma in hair and makeup styling, Poniatowska had little idea of the illustrious career that lay ahead as one of the best makeup artists in Dubai. Today, she counts Dolce & Gabbana, Vogue, Jean Paul Gaultier and Dior as her clients.
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Fifo
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At first glance, Fifo’s makeup artistry can appear as a whirlwind of cat-eye liner and scarlet lips. But look closer at this special event makeup artist’s work and you’ll find a meticulous approach to spotlighting one specific feature as the focal point of the beauty look.
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Anna Sizova
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Much like the desert weather, this Dubai makeup artist’s work runs hot—statement eyes and vampy lips—and it runs cold—lavender eyes and muted neutrals. Over the course of the last decade, Sizova has carved her own niche with a versatile roster of desert-ready makeup looks.
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For the last two decades, Zareen Shah’s name has served as the cornerstone of editorial, bridal, red carpets and festive makeup inspiration. As a beauty educator, she lays claim to some of the finest makeup artist courses in Dubai. On season 2 of Dubai Bling, her signature move for Danya Mohammed was a power winged eye. Sometimes doused in vibrant hues like electric blue, other times encrusted in rhinestones but always bold.
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Bookmark the best makeup artists in Dubai for your wedding day
On the hunt for the best wedding makeup artist in Dubai for your special day? Here’s what you need to know before you begin the hunt.
Kasia Domanska
Kasia Domanska
Blurring the boundaries between editorial and everyday makeup, Kasia Domanska has developed a unique approach to color unlike any other. If you were to run into her backstage at the runways of Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Prada and Valentino, you’d find one of the best makeup artists in Dubai leaning into textures and retro trends.
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Shima Alqasmi
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What does soft bridal makeup look like in 2024? The quest for answers can only take you to Shima Alqasmi. Counted among the best bridal makeup artists in Dubai, her work is characterized by shimmery eyes, defined brows and a glossy pout for wedding day glam.
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Roya Ahankaranifarahan
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Known by the moniker Aida Fara, this makeup artist and educator’s Instagram page is a smorgasbord of wedding makeup inspo. Whether you are looking to keep up with the latest trends in editorial makeup or wondering how to pick a bridal makeup artist, her page has tutorials and expert advice for everyone.
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How to pick a bridal makeup artist
Looking for bridal hair and makeup in Dubai? That is the short question. The real underlying question is clear: whom should you trust with bringing your vision of bridal glam to life on the most important day in your life? Deciding to put your trust in any bridal makeup artist can seem like quite the gamble but the process gets easy when you know what to look for. Ahead, what you should keep in mind when selecting a bridal makeup artist:
- If you are looking to minimize the trial and error, the first order of business is to ring up every friend, colleague and acquaintance who has gotten married in the last two years. Which is the best makeup artist in Dubai that they would recommend? What worked out and what didn’t?
- So, now you have a shortlist in mind. But before you approach any bridal makeup artists, you will want to get clear on what you need from them. Are you looking for a softer, minimalist approach to bridal glam or do you want to go all out with the glitter? The more clear you are what you need, the more helpful it will be for them to create your dream beauty looks.
- Once you are clear on the basics, schedule an in-person meeting with your shortlisted names. Get to understand their way of working. Request photos that go beyond the heavily filtered posts on Instagram. Communicate any skincare concerns that they should know about. If you find that your vision is aligned, you have found the one!
