“Managing university and doing makeup was very difficult, almost impossible at times,” said Adilla Radwan.
By Haya Alyasin
While many tend to leave their talent behind while chasing a career, Adilla Radwan has made it her mission to not leave hers behind.
Her dream has always been to become a special effects makeup artist. With today’s demanding world, people often find themselves too tired and lazy to do any side hobbies besides their work or studies.
However, since I met and observed Radwan’s daily routine, she has been determined to make time for her life’s passion.
Radwan is a Syrian female brought up in the United Arab Emirates. She is going to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Canadian University in Dubai. She has contributed to research for the psychology department at her university.
“Makeup has been a passion of mine ever since I was twelve years of age.”
Up until recently, she has received several job offers and is finishing her internship at Inspire Therapy, a special needs therapy center, where she has taken up the position of a learning support assistant.
She helps children with speech, learning and motor skills disabilities at the center. Radwan follows up with the children and is assigned to help them deal with the hardships and obstacles that come with growing up.
Her main duty is to accompany the child in a school setting, home setting, or a clinic. She goes on weekends to balance it with her university classes.
“I love my job at the center because I help and support these children to live a normal life while overcoming their learning disabilities,” said Radwan.
Balancing her academic life with her social life, all the while maintaining the drive she has and inspiring others to do so.
She posts tutorials on SFX makeup regularly on her TikTok and Instagram accounts. The tutorials offer a step-by-step guide for anyone who wants to learn the art of SFX makeup.
Radwan was also a runner up in a competition held by Sephora for rising makeup artists called “Sephora squad.” The competition was aimed at promoting and supporting unrecognized talents.
Radwan described what a typical day in her life would look like. She finishes her university classes in the morning. Afterwards, she returns home to sleep. After finishing her university work, she starts to come up with makeup ideas for her new looks.
Typically, Radwan starts planning what look to do by drawing her inspiration from various sources. She said that her inspiration comes mainly from accessories such as rhinestones, bows, or even plastic bottles.
Sometimes she goes on Pinterest and picks out a look from there. She then starts assembling the props for the look, making sure she has all the tools needed.
Radwan said that she has done some makeup looks inspired by the paintings from the Renaissance Era, and some inspired by color schemes from famous paintings.
Friends vouch for her makeup talent and her dedication.
“I don’t think I have ever seen someone so passionate about something, she is a self-taught makeup artist that has so much potential,” said Rose Yousfi, a close friend of Radwan.
One of her main inspirations for developing a passion in makeup is her mother.
“As a kid I would sit and watch my mom put on makeup before leaving the house, and I got hooked ever since,” said Radwan.
“As much as I love my psychology major, I wish I could do SFX makeup for a living.”
Another inspiration of hers are the makeup gurus (influencers) that became famous on Facebook and YouTube. The rise of makeup gurus inspired Adilla to start experimenting with makeup.
Radwan hopes that one day she can pursue a career in SFX makeup because that was her initial dream. She also hopes that she can participate with a makeup crew working on a movie production.
