We recently had the chance to connect with Nael and have shared our conversation below.
Nael, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
My customers and followers love the coexistence. I am talking about a specific community in my country (Saudi Arabia). I see coexistence while working as a makeup artist in festivals, films, and events. I am glad that I met a community similar to me. It involves boys, men, and seniors, all ages. Thus, when I meet them, we go artistic with regard to the face art.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Nael, a male makeup artist from Saudi Arabia specialized in face art only.
I make money from makeup industry but it’s not a wealth. Sometimes clients come to my home and sometimes I go to them especially if they are VIPs. This kind of avant-garde makeup costs them alot, again, it’s not a wealth. I don’t think it’s called a business because I am looking for a white job.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The simplicity part of me must change. I believe I must go to the next level and do more edgy looks for me and clients. As you know, the more inventive the more viral, Thats how social media works. There’s always a part of you and you need to change it in order to evolve people’s taste or “people’s fashion”.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Vividly, my instagram posts are few as I can’t afford tools for makeup but I don’t give up. I confess I might be a middle-income person but it’s normal. If there’s no brushes, I use fingers. If there’s no shadows, I use facepaint. If there’s no camera lights, I use the sun. Eventually the final look is magical as if I was professional.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I appreciate the theatrical works and perfoming arts in here. Some are done in Souk Okaz, some are in Riyadh Season wether ancient folklores or modern activities, I am open to all. Nearly I am a contributing part in this, not always.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Actually, I myself will miss them. I got nice people out of social media, from the gulf countries. Previously, I met a gentle film director in Dubai. He wanted me to be the MUA of his next movie. It will be a victorian mythical makeup, lots of grungy loose clothes. This is more like “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad 1985”.
For those who doesn’t know me yet, please check my first interview in Bold Journey Magazine. Love you all.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/naelsquad
Image Credits
By @naelsquad
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