8 hours ago
Inside Lebanese Makeup Artist Sharbel Hasbany's Beauty Playbook
Makeup, at its best, is storytelling - told through colour, texture, and emotion. Few grasp this better than Sharbel Hasbany, the Lebanese makeup artist and beauty director based between Berlin and Paris, whose work has defined some of the Arab world's most recognisable faces. His roster reads like a regional who's who - Majida El Roumi, Julia Boutros, Karen Wazen, Hiba Tawaji, Huda El Mufti, Carmen Bsaibes, Hadia Ghaleb, Salma Abudeif, Wael Kfoury - yet his approach remains instinctively personal: always tailored to the face, the moment, the mood. Before the covers and campaigns, there was just a young artist with a vision - and a one-way ticket to Paris.
'Going to Atelier Maquillage Paris Modèles changed everything for me,' Hasbany tells SceneStyled . Being in Paris, surrounded by high standards and constant creativity, pushed him to refine his artistry. 'It helped me understand the balance between technique and expression, and gave me exposure to top-tier professionals and avant-garde trends.'
Formal education, he says, isn't the only way in - but it gave him the confidence to take bold steps and partner with brands like Dior, Chopard, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Carolina Herrera. In 2018, he served as Marc Jacobs Beauty's ambassador, and later collaborated with German DJ Bonnie Strange and singer MIA. 'If I hadn't gone to school, I'd still be doing makeup, but perhaps without the same level of technical precision or industry connections.'
For Hasbany, great makeup begins long before a brush is lifted. 'Makeup starts way before you pick up a brush,' he says. 'If the skin isn't prepped properly, nothing sits right - no matter how high-end the products are.'
His process is extensive. Oily skin calls for lightweight, oil-free hydration; dry skin demands richer moisture. Sensitive or acne-prone skin gets treated with clinical precision. 'My trick is applying thin layers of makeup,' he reveals. 'I then set each with translucent powder and lock everything in place with a setting spray. Throughout the day, quick touch-ups using blotting papers or pressed powder keep the look fresh and intact.'
He draws a clear line between real-world and editorial makeup. The latter is conceptual, built to land on camera. 'Editorial makeup isn't about looking pretty - it's about making an impact,' he explains. 'You have to think about lighting, angles, and how the makeup translates in a photograph.'
When it comes to everyday beauty, he dials things back. His focus: balanced colour, enhanced features. A sculpted cheek, a bold lip, still wearable, a smoky eye that is soft rather than heavy. 'Staying ahead of trends involves a mix of constant research and immersion in the beauty world,' he says. 'I keep up with industry news through fashion shows, beauty magazines, and social media.'
This fluency - moving seamlessly between the avant-garde and the wearable - is why brands like H&M, Harithand, L'Atelier Nawbar, Beesline, and Max Factor trust him. He's worked on major campaigns, from Ahmed Elfaizary's Parallel Universe to Sara Mrad's Botanical Alchemy FW24, Saiid Kobeisy's FW24 ready-to-wear, and Andrea Wazen's Laminato.
Globally, his work has graced Tony Ward's SS25 couture in Paris, COLR's FW25 at Berlin Fashion Week, RVDK's Spring Couture 2025, and Kamad Paris' SS25. Still, when asked about a dream client, he doesn't hesitate. 'Bella Hadid. Zendaya. And if I could collaborate with Pat McGrath? That would be incredible.'
Despite the fashion weeks and celebrity shoots, what excites him most is movement - both cultural and creative. Middle Eastern beauty, he says, is shifting. Once synonymous with full-glam and heavy contours, it's moving toward something more sculptural. 'I think we're moving toward elegance without excess. Less about layers, more about precision,' he says. 'The new luxury is about looking polished but effortless.'
Still, his work always returns to its roots. Hasbany's idea of Lebanese beauty is neither pastiche nor nostalgia. Bold brows. 'Right now, I'm really inspired by clean beauty and innovative skincare ingredients,' he shares. 'The shift towards sustainability and hybrid products that blur the line between skincare and makeup is something I'm eager to explore further.'
Having worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Hasbany has learned to calibrate for every culture. 'In Berlin, it's all about fresh, minimal skin,' he says. In India, intricate detail and vivid colour take the lead, while South Korea prefers soft luminosity, gradient lips, and weightless brows. Thailand and Indonesia blend both - glowing skin, amped up or stripped back.
The one product he won't go without? Dior's Backstage Face & Body Foundation. 'It works under any lighting, any condition - it's a staple in my kit,' he says. 'It's the kind of foundation that moves with the skin, not against it.' Lately, he's been reaching for Haus Labs - especially their Le Riot Lip Glosses and High Drama Matte Lip Crayons. 'The pigmentation is insane,' he says. The glosses deliver bold colour without compromising comfort, while the crayons glide on with velvety payoff. 'Haus Labs is really pushing performance-driven formulas with a strong aesthetic,' he adds.
Shiseido's Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation is another mainstay. 'It stays fresh all day, even in heat, humidity, or under harsh lighting,' he says. Rabane Beauty, too, is on his radar for its inventive finishes and textures.
But behind the glamour, Hasbany insists, lies something more disciplined. 'There's a lot of pressure,' he admits. 'You need to master technique, stay ahead of trends, and build real relationships with clients. It's not always as glamorous as it looks - there are long hours, back-to-back shoots, and constant reinvention.'
One of the biggest myths? That talent is enough. 'Anyone can learn how to do a perfect eyeliner,' he says. 'What makes someone successful is their ability to bring out the best in a face - to understand not just what's trendy, but what actually works.'
