Mastering makeup as a professional demands a lot of time and effort but there is good news for those who desire a career in fashion and beauty: Mohamed al-Sagheer's makeup course for professionals at Mohamed al-Sagheer (M.S.) Academy in Mohandesseen. “The academy launched six years ago to train the big body of staff all around the M.S. branches,” says the academy manager, Rasha Mostafa. But due to the success of the course, it has expanded to include newcomers as well. The make-up course takes a month and a half and students attend classes twice a week from 11 AM to 1 PM, according to Shady Zeidan, the head make-up artist of the academy. “A bigger, more comprehensive program will launch in a few years at a bigger al-Sagheer Academy in Abu Rawash,” states Mostafa. Zeidan is a certified make-up artist who has attended courses in Lebanon, Paris and Holland. His has worked his talented fingers on Lucy Lou, Salma Hayek, Demi Moore and many other celebrities all over the world, as well as participating in fashion shows for Chanel and Dior. “The course covers all basic information about day and night make-up, make-up for brides and photo shoots,” says Zeidan. Students are also taught to conceal facial flaws and eyebrow shaping. “Talent is important but it has to be paired with practice. That's why, at Mohamed al-Sagheer Academy, we encourage our students to practice on real models from the second session during the course,” adds the make-up guru. The class includes a maximum of seven students and the academy provide all the necessary materials, unlike other make-up schools abroad. “Eighty percent of the academy graduates take the professional path after graduating from the academy,” says Zeidan. “We have students coming from all over the world to study here--Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Romania, India and the US." He adds that the M.S. Academy does not fear competition and that graduates who launch their own businesses stay loyal to the Academy and its name. “Two months of intense practice are good enough to put a good talent on the right track,” says Zeidan. As for this season's colors, Zeidan says emerald green, deep blue and Fouccia are in this winter, next to the typical earthy colors of winter. And on wedding preparation, Zeidan advises that all brides should have a facial done a month before the wedding; a scrub ten days before and a moisturizing mask three days before the wedding.
