Qatar's celebrity Make-up Artist Virginia shares personal make-up tips

Virginia D Jong is a sought-after name in Doha's make-up industry. She started her journey in Doha two years ago, when she moved to the country with her husband, who works with Qatar Airways.

In two years, she has established herself but it wasn’t a cakewalk. She has strived hard to achieve the fame and stature that she enjoys today.

Jong has been practising make-up techniques for 10 years. But the first hardship that she faced in Qatar was of language. She had completed her course in her native language – Portuguese. But it did not undermine her determination and she took up an online make-up course in English to work with different nationalities. 

It was her first make-up workshop with only four students that made her realise how much she loves to teach make-up techniques. “When I came to Doha, I observed that the make-up industry is so vast here, and it would be a great idea to impart knowledge to girls who love make-up but do not know the right techniques. Once, you know the techniques, it is much easier to use products in the right way. And I found my calling in teaching make-up. Though I do freelance make-up assignments, but after 3-5 hours of a workshop, when we have beautiful faces, enthusiastic girls with smiling faces, I cannot deny that it is the most satisfying part for me," Jong said.

Virginia established her Facebook page ‘BeautiLicious’ two years back and started uploading her previous work. She started slow and steady with workshops for 3-4 students once in a while. After two years, she has two Workshops- Level 1 and level 2, almost every week.

Level 1 is for beginners and Level 2 is advanced level. During the workshops, Jong provides all the make-up products, brushes and tools. There is also a goodies’ bag for the students at the end of the workshop.

The Level 1 workshop costs QR200, while Level 2 costs QR250, and those are the prices she started with two years ago. "I do not want to increase the price, because there are girls who do not earn much, but they have this great passion to learn make-up techniques. I want to keep it affordable for girls," she said. 

She recently judged the ‘Beauty Challenge’ competition organised by Holiday Villa and was excited to see the emerging talent in Qatar.

We asked her about the latest make-up trends and more, and here is what she had to say. Excerpts:

What are the latest make-up techniques?

The very latest trend is called ‘strobing’, a technique which uses highlighting together with strong contouring, to optimise the shape of the face. This is done with a good highlighter and it must be slightly lighter than your natural skin colour. The focus areas are the cheeks, the bridge of the nose and the bow of the lips.

Five beauty products, every woman should have in her hand bag?

Five make-up products are not enough but if I have to choose, these would definitely be in my hand bag:

1- lipstick / lipgloss

2- kajal

3- compact powder

4- mascara

5- bronzer

3) How do you pick the right shade of foundation? 

This is the most asked question and it’s so simple. First, they should try the foundation along the jaw line and blend it upwards. After you have blended it in, it must be the same tone as your skin. The foundation is a second skin and it’s not used to cover any blemishes or scars. We use colour correctors and concealers for that.

4) Daily beauty and skin care tip

It is very important, especially here, in Doha, to clean, moisturise and protect the skin. Clean and remove all dust, moisturise and protect the skin with a sun block or cream with SPF to keep it healthy. Also, it is very important to remove the make-up before going to bed, to avoid a non healthy skin.

5) Advice to aspiring make-up artists 

In Qatar, there are excellent professionals and the ones who want to start off in this field, feel a bit insecure. My advice is ‘Never give up on your dream’.

6) One make-up myth you would like to break 

Good make-up need not be strong and heavy. Nice make-up can be light and flawless!! I also say this in all my make-up workshops ‘Less is more’.

7) What all should one buy to have a basic make-up kit

·      Foundation- MAC face and body

·      Concealer- Maybelline Fit me 

·      Powder- Fix powder Make-up Forever 

·      Blush and bronzer-  Satin Blush by Hean, Matt Bronze by MAC cosmetics 

·      Kajal - Sephora 

·      Gel Liner- Anastacia waterproof 

·      Eyebrow set - Brow this way by Rimmel, Brow powder by Inglot 

·      Mascara- Extreme Volume Mikyajy 

·      Eyeshadow palette (nude tones)- Naked 1 urban decay 

·      Lipsticks - Matteinstense or Vitamin lipstick from Hean 

·      Basic brush set- BH cosmetics 

·      Highlighter - Soft and Gentle MaC cosmetics 

8) Your favourite make-up look 

My favourite is the day make-up look. Here are the steps

·      Cleanse the face

·      Apply moistouriser with SPF and apply primer evenly

·      Apply a liquid foundation with a flat foundation brush

·      Conceal your under eyes with the liquid concealer using triangular disposable sponges

·      Set the face with translucid powder or compact powder

·      Bronze the face under your cheekbones

·      Gently blush it on the cheek

·      Fill your eyebrows 

·      Apply a light base colour eyeshadow all over your eyelid 

·      Blend the outer corner of your eye with a darker brown colour 

·      With kajal make you eyeliner and also line your waterline and set with a black or brown eyeshadow really close to the lower lash line

·      Mascara just on the top lashes

·      Nude or light pink lipstick without liner

·      Highlighter on top of your cheeks and nose bone.