Mehnaz Khan is a professional makeup artist and hair stylist. She has administered the techniques of elegant and effective makeup for Fashion, Bridal, Film/ TV, Theatre, Prosthetics and Special Effects. Mehnaz Khan has shared her love for the makeup arts with celebrities, actors, models, musicians and beauty pageant contestants. Her work has appeared in the Movie Entertainment Magazine doing makeup for celebrity interviewer Judith Klassen and her guests, actress Anita Majumdar and TV reality host of Survivor man, Les Stroud. Mehnaz’s work was also seen on catwalks for the Heart & Stroke Charity Fashion Show and Mass Exodus Fashion Show.
A graduate of the prestigious Complections International Academy of Makeup Artistry of Toronto, today she is honored to work with her new clients, from the elite of the entertainment industry to joyous brides-to-be. Her skills include: Photographic and Studio Hairstyling, 
Fashion Photographic Makeup, Theatrical Makeup, Facial Hair Knotting for Film and Theatre, Film and Television Makeup, and Prosethic Makeup. Mehnaz also does Airbrush Spray Tanning and Foundation.
If we took a peek inside her makeup kit we would see a variety of skincare, foundations, and primers, palettes of eye shadows, lipsticks, blush, and glosses. She primarily works with brands such as Dermalogica, Face Atelier, Yaby, Urban Decay, Make-up Forever Professional, Eve Pearl, Cinema Secrets, MAC, Dior, Givenchy, Nars, OCC, and Chantecaille.
Mehnaz Khan has also done work for modeling agencies including Elite, Gemini, ICE, and Fulcher. Mehnaz Khan believes in accentuating the beauty already present in each individual to create a look that will leave her clients feeling confident and unforgettable. “I had the opportunity growing up to live in many countries around the world; this was due to my father’s career in aviation. Countries included: Saudi Arabia, Kenya, England and El Salvador. Experiencing many different cultures enlightened me to the diverse beauty we have around us and to appreciate the individuality that makes us all so beautiful. Little did I know that one day how much appreciation I would have for this experience and the role it would play in my life today.”
Mehnaz grew up with a very artistic background. “Like many other make-up artists from a young age I would sneak into my mom’s make-up vanity and apply her bright red lipstick, use her powder puff and splash white powder all over my face and spritz on her favourite perfume Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium. Of course every time I would get in trouble and told little girls don’t wear make-up.”
Mehnaz serves clients on both the east and west coast of Canada. In Ontario cities including: Toronto/GTA, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Stoney Creek & Niagara region. In Alberta, cities include Calgary, Banff and other nearby areas. She is also available for destination locations.
Mehnaz did not know she wanted to be a makeup artist initially. “As a child and while growing up I 
thought I’d be a cardiologist; more specifically a heart surgeon, helping people everywhere with major health issues. That idea changed when I was almost done high school. In high school I used to give beauty makeovers to my friends in the bathroom or school cafeteria. I even received a certificate from my class ‘most likely to become a tattoo artist’ because I used to doodle flowers all over my arm and friend’s arms.”
Not sure what I wanted to after high school I decided to travel home to Kenya and live there for almost 2 years. Upon returning I thought I would train professionally in my hobby ‘hairstyling’ so I joined Marvel College in Calgary, Alberta. After successful completion of my diploma hair design course I started working at various salons around Calgary, cultivating my experience.
After a few years indulging my hobby, I thought it was time to get into a more serious career. While flipping through the Calgary Herald newspaper one day I saw an ad for a brand new program being offered at SAIT Polytechnic: Public Safety Communications. I would receive training for Police, Fire, EMS communications and much more. I decided to embark upon this new career. After successfully completing this program I began an amazing career with the Calgary Police Service as a Police Communications Officer. I had the opportunity to work with amazing people and deal with many life and death situations I never dreamt of dealing with.”
After moving from Alberta to the east coast of Ontario, I decided to hang up the polyester uniform associated with high stress – life & death situations and re-engage my creative side. I knew that the competition starting out as an artist would be stiff and the market tough but I accepted the challenge & submitted my application to the prestigious Complections College of Makeup Art & Design. After graduating I began accepting job postings from many different sources trying hard to network and build a clientele. Most of these were either TFP jobs (to help build my portfolio) or for small kit fees. I’ll admit it was hard and one isn’t always working in the most favorable of conditions. “
Mehnaz has made a very big name for herself by utilizing not only makeup skills she got from formal schooling but also people skills she picked up from travels as a child. “People underestimate the power of communication skills. I’ve had countless clients and brides tell me they had horrible experiences because the artist just didn’t listen to what they wanted. Thanks to my previous career I’ve really honed in on this skill. The guest sitting in my chair wants to make sure that they have been heard and understood. They trust me with their image and expect me to translate the look they desire onto their face. That trust is something I take seriously. Once I begin their service, I ensure that throughout their experience despite talking about the weather, kids, pets, trends, movies, etc I keep them in the loop about what I am putting on their face each step of the way. This not only educates them but also reassures that they will look fabulous at the end of my service.”
Mehnaz says her advice to up and coming makeup artists is: “Countless people have probably told you this over the years ranging from your mother, your teachers, and instructors… ‘BE 
NICE!’ Be nice to everyone, no matter where you are in your career. Everyone is trying to get ahead, that doesn’t mean you have to step on people on the way up. When you finally do get to the proverbial ‘top’, remember to help those who are still in the struggle. You want to be remembered in a good way. Practice your art, network and be reliable! No one likes a ‘flake’ and you will not be offered many opportunities.”
When she is not doing makeup, Mehnaz loves to travel! “I love spa treatments! I love to travel back home to Calgary and visit my family and friends. I love cooking, all types of cuisine… and I love to eat… Thai food has to be my favourite!”
LINKS
Portfolio: http://mehnazkhanmakeup.carbonmade.com/
Website: www.mehnazkhan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MehnazKhanMakeup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MehnazKhanMakeup
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MehnazMakeupMUA
Beauty Blog: http://mehnazkhanbeautysuite.wordpress.com
Contact Mehnaz: info@mehnazkhan.com
Filed under: Artists, Beauty Review, Interviews, Makeup Artists, Makeup Artists, T&M Magazine Blog Tagged: Airbrush, Anita Majumdar, art, artistry, beauty, blog, blogging, body painting, Bridal, creative, Education, Experience, fashion, fashion trends, Film, freelance, freelance makeup artist, hair, health and wellness, independent artists, journalist, magazine, makeup, Mehnaz Khan, Photography, Publish, special fx, Style, T and M Magazine, T&M Magazine, Television, Write-and-ramble
