Since childhood, Aya Abdelhamid has understood the power of the face. Coming from a generation of celebrity makeup artists who have been painting the Egyptian film scene since its golden age, it’s safe to say that Aya’s love, passion, and talent all come inherited. Trained in makeup academies across London and Hollywood, Aya has followed in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, appearing on the vanities of TV and film productions, fashion weeks, film festivals, beauty campaigns, and more.
But unlike her previous generations, she isn’t simply behind the scenes but is spotlighting what’s behind the scenes. Armed with her camera alongside her powder puff, Aya has built a following with a platform that blends her family’s craft with her personality. In a candid conversation with Soigné, the makeup artist and influencer delves into the two worlds even deeper, explaining her life, her plans, and the beauty behind the world of beauty.
You come from a family of makeup artists. How has that influence shaped your own outlook on beauty?
Growing up around an artistic family meant I saw beauty as a craft from a very young age. It was about character, expression, and how the smallest detail could change what you see on screen. That shaped the way I work today. I love glamour, but I always want the person wearing it to feel like themselves. My family gave me a foundation that I’m very proud of, and I want to keep building on it in my own way.
What does a typical day at work look like?
No two days are really the same! I could be on an early call for a shoot, getting someone ready for a red carpet, or filming content for my own platforms. There’s also so much that happens around the actual makeup: preparing my kit, discussing looks, coordinating with my team, and planning upcoming projects. My work moves between film, fashion, beauty, and content, which keeps me creatively excited.
In your opinion, what’s one thing that the beauty industry needs more of right now?
More individuality. Social media makes inspiration so accessible, but it can also make everyone feel they need the same face, the same features, or the same routine. I’d love to see more space for different kinds of beauty and more education about adapting makeup to yourself. A trend should be something you enjoy, without feeling pressured to change everything about how you look.
You’re also a social media creator. How do you juggle the two creative roles?
They feed into each other. Working as a makeup artist gives me so much to share, because I’m constantly seeing how products and techniques perform on different faces, in different lighting and over long days. Creating content lets me bring those lessons to my community in a more approachable way. My Tuesday Tips are a lovely example of that. Balancing both takes planning and support from my team, but I enjoy having that direct connection with people.
If we took a peek at your beauty bag, what would we find?
Cream blush, a lip tint, a brown lip liner, lip balm, and my samples. I love products that are easy to blend and that I can use in more than one way, like a cream colour for both lips and cheeks. My professional kit is a whole other story, but my personal beauty bag is much more edited!
What’s an underrated makeup hack that more people should know?
Only overline the centre of your lips, then follow your natural lip line towards the corners. It gives you that fuller, softly lifted effect while keeping the shape believable. Blend the liner slightly inward so there isn’t a harsh outline. It’s such a small adjustment, but it makes a beautiful difference.
You recently collaborated with Eight Ounce and did a masterclass at Beautyworld Dubai. What’s next for Aya Abdelhamid?
Both experiences made me excited to connect with my community in more ways. With Eight Ounce, I got to share something fun and personal outside of makeup, while Beautyworld let me share my techniques in person. I’d love to do more masterclasses, explore more international opportunities and keep creating things that feel true to me. I’m also developing something very close to my heart that brings together my approach to beauty and my family’s legacy. I’m looking forward to sharing it when the time is right.
