Today we’d like to introduce you to Ambreen Khwaja.
Hi Ambreen, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My makeup journey took flight in Houston, where I began making up friends and family for special events while curating my Instagram with my own makeup looks. Up until then, I was studying biology at UH. Academics were never my strong suit, and I felt uncertain about the direction I wanted to go in. But when I started practicing makeup, I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It just came naturally to me, like the artistry I loved as a kid, painting, and drawing.
I decided to make a move and enrolled at the Makeup for Ever Academy in New York City. That decision marked the beginning of my professional journey. After 6 months of schooling, I made a permanent move to the city to expand my career. I had the privilege of working alongside seasoned mentors and working on a wide range of projects to see where I fit in. I experimented with my art as much as possible, refining my skills and gaining invaluable experience
I learned that I loved working on commercials more than anything, and clean and creative beauty were my strengths. I worked to refine my portfolio to reflect that, as well as partner with agents who could help me achieve my goals.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes and no. I think my love for what I do makes the struggle easier. But there have been lots of roadblocks along the way. Breaking into an industry I knew nothing about wasn’t easy. School only teaches you some of the technical aspects of the artistry. Every day on set was a learning experience. There were days I doubted myself and my ability. There still are. I think that’s just a part of being an artist though. But the art and breakthroughs make it so worthwhile.
A constant struggle for me has been navigating an industry and world made for extroverts as an introvert. My teachers in school, including at the Makeup For Ever Academy, always told me I was too quiet. But I love makeup artistry because it allows me to be behind the scenes. However, with the development of social media requiring more artists to come out from behind the camera to in front of it, the transition has been a challenging and confusing one to say the least. My peers, agencies, and clients all say how important is it to be creating “content” and putting yourself out there. But when I started doing makeup, I wasn’t doing it to fill the digital void with content; I was doing it to create art that brought me joy, challenged me, and inspired me. Now, there’s a pressure to be constantly creating and being visible, and although that’s great for many reasons, it also burdens creatives with watering down their art in order to meet the constant demands of the algorithm. And when we’re unable to keep up with it for whatever reason, the tendency to compare ourselves to the next person and feel like a failure kicks in. I tried it for a while, and it just didn’t bring me any joy or inspire me in any way. My introverted nature simply made it a daunting task rather than a joyful one. And while I’m always willing to learn and develop that skill, I’m finally learning and accepting who I am as a person and an artist, and am comfortable taking my own path to success. The journey looks a little different for every type of artist, but there is still room for all of us.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a makeup artist specializing in production work- commercials, music videos, editorials, and backstage. I feel like I’m known for my clean and creative beauty work, which for me is usually beautiful natural skin, sometimes with a pop of color or a creative element like spidery lashes or a watercolor blush. I’m most proud of this type of work, as it speaks to who I am as an artist.
What do you think about happiness?
Family. Being able to freely create my art. Traveling.
Contact Info:
- Website: ambreenkhwajamakeup.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ambreenkhwaja_makeup
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ambreenmakeup?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Anisha Spice
Miguel Herrera
Miguel Herrera
Jacky Nayak
Kennedy Carter
McKenzie Thompson
Cyle Suez
Tatiana Katkova
