Make-up and self-acceptance are not the typical mix… When a certified make-up artist calls for embracing one’s self, all eyes have to turn. The 28-year-old vitiligo patient Logina Salah changed the game when she started sharing photos of herself without hiding the difference in her skin tone, aiming to influence and inspire all women to accept their flaws. We have talked to the inspiring lady about her journey and here’s what she had to say.
When did you discover your passion about makeup? Was vitiligo a factor in that?
Vitiligo is what made me discover my passion for makeup as it was a long journey trying to understand the color theory and mix colors to conceal the white spots in my face.
I then found out that makeup is what I really want to do.
What was the most challenging aspect in starting your career as a makeup artist?
The most challenging aspect is the stereotype that a makeup artist should be flawless and all made up all the time. But that wasn’t my case.
What kind of influence do you want to leave on your followers?
I want everyone especially women to be themselves and to feel comfortable in their own skin. There is no problem with some enhancements, but we have to embrace the idea of having flaws and vulnerabilities… nobody is perfect or flawless.
On your latest magazine cover you were quoted saying, ‘accept yourself the way you are” and in a couple of posts you preached going out naturally, don’t you think this a bit contradictory to the makeup culture?
It’s not contradictory if makeup is a source of change not a source of security, there is nothing wrong with a glam as long as the naked or bare self is embraced too.
You are now teaching makeup master classes, can you tell us more about your experience with it? And how did it start?
My second master class and the 13th workshop has just been completed two weeks ago, it was an epic experience honestly teaching someone to do what they love.
It started by giving one to one courses, and then I found myself teaching 10 successful workshops to a group of people and then two huge master class sponsored by international brands.
Do you think Arab women were raised lacking self-love?
I think Arab women are being judged a lot by society which makes us insecure about staying natural and believe that we should be glammed all the time. This has a great influence on people, it definitely helps influencers not just beauty influencers share what they have openly with the world
Cyber bullying is a major issue, especially in Egypt where inclusion isn’t popular yet, was that a threat at the beginning of your career?
Cyber bullying is definitely one of the most common and impactful kind of bullying I faced and I still face a lot. Yet, I ignore all the negative comments because it reflects who they are and not me. You choose to see the beauty or the bad in everything around you.
Egyptian moms and grandmas always advice their daughters that they shouldn’t get a tan or have curly hair so they look ‘cute’ or ‘beautiful’ do you think it’s time to raise awareness to these issues?
Of-course. Many girls think they’re ugly because they don’t have straight hair or fair skin.
I think this depends on the parents and how they raise their children and increase their awareness about similar issues.
What are your future ambitions and expectations?
I want to be an international public motivational speaker, worldwide beauty educator and own a makeup line