Hernam Najran

With over a decade of experience in the hair and make-up industry, my journey began in beauty therapy, which led me to pursue hair and make-up full-time. In 2006, I relocated from Ireland to the UK and continued my training in fashion, hair, and make-up in London, where I gained valuable experience working with agencies.

I expanded my expertise by working as a make-up artist in photographic studios, which allowed me to build a strong network of industry professionals and establish a clientele through word-of-mouth and recommendations. I specialised in bridal hair and make-up, offering bespoke looks and private make-up lessons.

My portfolio includes designing looks for catwalks, fashion shows, music videos, and editorial shoots, as well as working on high-fashion promotional campaigns for magazines, film, and TV productions, including Bollywood, Christian Dior, Harvey Nicholls and the BBC. Alongside my career in make-up, I completed my qualification in teaching and went on to develop and lead make-up departments in various institutions, mentoring students and coaching them for national competitions.

Currently, I am a full-time lecturer at University College Birmingham, teaching across multiple modules. While I continue to take on occasional freelance projects to stay updated with industry trends, my passion lies in education. I am committed to equipping future professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this dynamic and fast-paced industry.

Within my current role, I continue to engage in teaching responsibilities, which consist of teaching on a variety of theory and practical modules at Levels 4, 5, and 6. I am the module leader for Creative Fashion, Professional Identity and Employability, Professional Image Construction, The Ideation of Beauty, and Professional Practice within Hair and Makeup.

I actively work within the fashion, editorial, and bridal sectors as a professional hair and makeup artist, ensuring my skills and industry knowledge remain up to date and aligned with current trends. This industry involvement enables me to make valuable contributions to curriculum development while strengthening the connection between higher education and professional practice.