Renowned Make-Up Artist Matin Maulawizada Shares Experiences in Phamexpo Forum

Renowned fashion and make-up artist Matin Maulawizada shared his secrets in a forum during the PHAMExpo at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, June 29.

Matin, one of the most sought after celebrity make-up artists today and who has worked with famous clients including Jennifer Garner, Alicia Keys, Dido, Mandy Moore, Mariah Carey, Alanis Morissette, Amanda Bynes, Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker among others,  joined the forum to share his experiences as a professional make-up and fashion artist to those that are only new to the industry.

“I wanted to come in and help share my experience with a very open type of forum. I’d really like to help by sharing what I have learned in my life to aspiring new make-up artists or to people who are going through some difficulties,” Matin said.

In addition to working with celebrity clients, Matin is also the Director of Laura Mercier Cosmetics Global Artistry and dreams of creating a serious skincare line for cosmocuetical use in the future. He has been featured in the beauty pages of leading fashion magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Allure, and his work has graced the covers of Elle, Marie Claire and Nylon and has been published on the international and domestic covers and pages of Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Vanity Fair.

Matin has also worked in the advertisements of known companies such as Adrienne Vittadini, Cache, Candie’s, Clinique, Dana Buchman, Garnier Nutrisse, Laura Mercier, Latisse, Lux, Magnum Ice-Cream, Material Girl, Olay, Rampage, RoC, and ThermaSilk.

As a make-up artist, Matin gets inspiration from his mother and sisters through applying make-up in such a way that the natural look of the celebrities still surface.

“I believe that my clients, whether movie stars or celebrities, can appreciate that because they still keep their own beauty. They can keep that same touch of who they are. I think that gave me a little edge at the beginning,” Matin said. “I always keep it as natural as possible, anything to enhance, but never directly re-create.”

Aside from doing artistic work, Matin is also the founder of Afghan Hands Inc., a non-profit educational organization dedicated to helping Afghan widows. Matin, as a native of Kabul, Afghanistan, started this project as a model for change in other countries where women are in desperate need of education and empowerment. Through the hand-embroidered works of Afghan women, the customers do not only get the chance to buy a high-quality product, but also help the beneficiaries in the process.

“I wanted go back to Afghanistan at one point when the Taliban were  in Afghanistan, and I really [hate] not being there. So the only way I could go is to offer at least, something back,” Matin said.

Matin said he started the charity work after encouragement from his cousin to help those who are in need, and through the years of working in Afghan Hands, it made him more excited with his artistic works because he was able to help the people that he loves.

Afghan Hands now has at least 60 master embroiderers, and is proudly sustaining 100 women in Kabul. This has allowed Afghan Hands to dramatically reduce the prices of these breathtaking one-of-a-kind pieces so that many more of their loyal supporter and friends can enjoy owning these amazing artisan pieces. The project was featured in CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, Elle, Life and Style, Vogue Nippon, Lucky and People. Artists, photographers, and designers are working with Matin and Afghan Hands to bring about social change in Afghanistan.

In the future, Matin plans to do bigger projects in fashion advertisement.

PHAMExpo is the ultimate event for savvy beauty professionals, students, and anyone interested in the latest trends for hair and makeup. With leading brands, the latest products, and the hottest new treatments under one roof, PHAMExpo is the best place to brush up on all things beauty.

For more information, visit http://www.phamexpo.com.