“Makeup is never about changing who someone is. It’s about helping them feel like the best version of themselves.”
From a university student discovering her creative talent to an award-winning makeup artist in the UK, Nawar shares a journey shaped by passion, confidence, and purpose.
Can you tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to enter the world of beauty and makeup?
I’ve always had a passion for art and creativity, but I never knew it would eventually lead me into makeup artistry.
It all started unexpectedly while I was at university studying for my Bachelor’s degree in Computing. I did my own eyebrows one day, and my friends asked me where I had them done. When I told them I did them myself, they all wanted me to do theirs too! From there, it slowly
grew into a passion and then into a career.
I realised that I loved the creativity of makeup, but most importantly, I loved how it made women feel confident, beautiful and empowered. What started as a small moment at university has now grown into over 15 years in the beauty industry.
What was the moment when you realised makeup was not just a passion, but a career path you wanted to build?
I think the real turning point was when I took a professional makeup course and had my first real client outside of my friends and family, a bride who trusted me with such an important day in her life.
That experience made me realise how much I
loved doing makeup and, more importantly, the responsibility and trust that came with it. I knew then that this wasn’t just a passion or a hobby; it was something I genuinely wanted to build a career around.
From that moment, I became determined to keep educating myself, developing my skills and turning my passion into a successful career in the beauty industry.
Your work covers bridal, editorial, TV, fashion, and commercial beauty. How has working across different areas shaped you as an artist?
Working across bridal, editorial, TV, fashion and commercial beauty has really shaped me into a more versatile and adaptable artist. Each area has taught me something different from understanding how makeup needs to look and
last in real life for a bride, to creating more creative, fashion-forward looks for editorial and knowing how makeup translates under different lighting and cameras for TV and commercial work.
It has also taught me that makeup isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every face, personality, brief and environment is different, and I’ve learned to adapt while still maintaining my own signature style. Most importantly, working across such diverse areas has pushed me to keep learning, experimenting and evolving as an artist.
Every client has their own personality and story. How do you approach creating a look that makes someone feel confident and truly themselves?
For me, makeup is never about changing who someone is; it’s about enhancing what is already there and making them feel like the best version of themselves. I always take the time to understand my client’s personality, style, what they feel comfortable with and how they want to feel when they look in the mirror.
I listen first, then create a look that feels personal to them rather than simply following a trend. Whether it’s a bride on her wedding day or a celebrity getting ready for the red carpet, my goal is always the same: for them to look in the mirror and still see themselves, just elevated, confident, beautiful and empowered.
You have received recognition as Makeup Artist of the Year in the UK. What do these achievements mean to you personally?
Winning Makeup Artist of the Year in the UK twice, has been incredibly meaningful to me. It’s not just the recognition itself, but what it represents after years of hard work, learning, taking risks and believing in myself.
It was incredibly rewarding to see years of hard work, dedication and passion come together and be recognised in such a meaningful way.
I’m especially proud because it has given me confidence to keep pushing myself, evolving as an artist and opening doors to new opportunities. But more than anything, I see the awards as a reflection of the journey and I’m grateful for every client, opportunity and person who has been part of it.
You have also used your platform to support conversations around confidence and wellbeing. Why is empowering women such an important part of your work?
Empowering women has always been very close to my heart because I believe beauty is about so much more than makeup. It’s about how you feel about yourself, the confidence you carry and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Through my work, I’ve met so many incredible women with different stories, backgrounds and challenges, and I’ve seen first-hand how something as simple as taking time for yourself and feeling good can have such a positive impact.
That’s why I want my platform to be a space where women feel supported, celebrated and
empowered. Whether I’m doing someone’s makeup, teaching a masterclass or having a conversation about confidence and wellbeing, I want women to walk away feeling more confident, inspired and comfortable being themselves.
The beauty industry is constantly changing with new trends, products, and techniques. How do you continue learning and staying creative?
I think one of the most important things as an artist is to never stop learning. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, so I’m always keeping up with new products, techniques and trends, but I also make sure I don’t lose my own creative identity in the process.
I love experimenting with new products and
techniques, attending events, learning from other artists and seeing what’s happening within the industry globally. Social media has also opened up so many opportunities to discover new ideas and talent from around the world.
At the same time, I believe creativity comes from experience. Working with different clients, faces and briefs constantly challenges me to think differently. For me, staying creative is about remaining curious, being open to change and continuing to find new ways to make my work feel fresh while staying true to my signature style.
Through your masterclasses and teaching sessions, you help aspiring artists and women develop their skills. What inspires you most about sharing your knowledge?
What inspires me most is seeing the confidence that comes from learning something new. I remember starting my own journey and how much I valued having people share their knowledge and experience with me, so being able to do that for others is incredibly rewarding.
Whether I’m teaching aspiring makeup artists or women who simply want to feel more confident doing their own makeup, I love seeing that moment when something clicks and they realise, “I can actually do this.”
For me, teaching isn’t just about sharing techniques or product knowledge. It’s about giving people the skills, confidence and encouragement to believe in themselves and take that next step, whether that’s pursuing makeup as a career or simply investing in themselves.
You have worked with leading publications, brands, and media platforms. What has been one experience in your career that you will always remember?
One experience I will always remember is seeing my face on the Piccadilly Circus billboard in London on one of the most iconic places in London was incredibly emotional. It made me reflect on how far I had come, from starting out with a passion for makeup to building a career that has allowed me to work with incredible people, brands and global publications like Vogue Arabia and Cosmopolitan Middle East. It was a very proud moment and a reminder that with passion, persistence and belief in yourself, you really can turn your dreams into reality.
Social media has become a powerful space for beauty creators. How do you use your platforms to connect with your audience and share meaningful content?
For me, social media is about creating a genuine connection rather than simply showcasing makeup. I use my platform to share beauty tips, tutorials, behind-the-scenes moments and my own experiences, while also encouraging women to feel confident in themselves. I want my content to be useful, inspiring and relatable, whether someone is learning a new technique or simply needs a reminder to embrace who they are. Most importantly, I value the conversations I have with my audience and love creating a community where women feel safe, supported and empowered.
Behind the artist and entrepreneur, who is Nawar outside of work? What keeps you inspired and grounded?
Outside of work, I’m simply Nawar, a wife, a mum, and someone who really values family and the people closest to me. My family keeps me grounded and reminds me that there is so much more to life than work and achievements.
I love travelling, going on adventures and experiencing new places and cultures. I’m also a big foodie, I love shopping, listening to music and dancing the simple things that make me happy and allow me to switch off from work. I’m naturally very curious and always looking for ways to learn, grow and experience something new.
What keeps me inspired is the people around me, especially my family, the women I meet through my work and their stories and journeys.
Staying connected to the people I love, enjoying life and remembering why I started are what keep me grounded and inspired.
Looking ahead, what new goals or dreams would you like to explore in your career and the beauty industry?
Looking ahead, one of my biggest dreams is to create my own makeup and beauty brand, something that reflects my experience, values and passion for helping women feel confident in their own skin.
I also want to use my platform and experience to give back and help people as much as I can, particularly those going through difficult health journeys, such as cancer. Makeup can be so much more than beauty; it can help someone
reconnect with themselves, feel empowered and bring a little happiness during a challenging time.
Ultimately, I want to build something that is not only successful within the beauty industry, but also creates a positive impact and makes people feel seen, confident and beautiful.
