When Paris Fashion Week rolls around, the clothes may get most of the attention, but the beauty looks are doing just as much talking.
And for some of the region’s biggest names, Egyptian makeup artist Reham Khalifa is the one behind the glam. With almost 14 years of experience as a celebrity makeup artist, Khalifa has built a reputation for creating looks that feel polished without looking like they’re trying too hard — and PFW has become another playground for that signature.
From soft, understated glam with Mayan El Sayed to a more sculpted, fashion-forward look on Karen Wazen, she knows how to switch things up while still letting each celebrity look like themselves.
Here are some of the PFW beauty moments she’s created so far.
Mayan El Sayed Goes Soft and Dreamy for Georges Hobeika
For Mayan El Sayed’s Georges Hobeika SS27 appearance, Reham kept the makeup beautifully understated — letting the actress’ features and that dreamy all-white look do most of the talking.
The skin looks fresh and luminous, while a soft wash of definition around the eyes adds just enough drama. A neutral, slightly rosy lip keeps everything delicate, and the sleek, side-parted hair ties the whole beauty look together.
And then there’s that little pop of yellow from the bag. Against all the white, the makeup staying soft was definitely the right call.
Karen Wazen Brings the Definition for Dior
For Karen Wazen’s Dior appearance, Reham went in a completely different direction.
Karen’s makeup is more sculpted and defined here, with a perfected complexion, noticeably contoured cheeks, dramatic eye definition, and a muted nude lip. Her slicked-back hair only makes the makeup stand out more, giving the whole look a sharper, more editorial feel.
It’s also a great example of Reham’s range. Where Mayan’s beauty look feels soft and ethereal, Karen’s is sleek, structured, and made for a fashion-house moment.
Salma Abu Deif’s Graphic Olive Eyes for Loewe
For Salma Abu Deif’s Loewe appearance, Khalifa took the idea of an “olive statement” quite literally — and we are very much here for it. The focus is all on the eyes, with an olive-toned graphic shadow adding a slightly unexpected edge to an otherwise understated beauty look. The skin stays luminous and fresh, while the rest of the makeup is kept relatively quiet, allowing the eye makeup to do the heavy lifting.
The result feels very Loewe: polished, modern and a little offbeat without becoming overly complicated. Paired with Salma’s slicked-back braided bun and structured olive-toned outerwear, the makeup feels like part of the styling rather than an afterthought.
Balqees’ High-Glam Moment for Messika
For Balqees at Messika, Khalifa switched gears completely. The beauty look leans into classic red-carpet glamour, with defined lashes, softly sculpted skin and a glossy deep-red lip that immediately draws attention. The sleek center-parted hair keeps everything feeling sharp, while the black outfit and layers of gold jewelry give the makeup plenty of room to shine. The red lip adds just enough drama to balance all that jewelry without competing with it.
There is something particularly good about the restraint here: the eyes are defined, the skin is perfected, and then that rich lip comes in as the final punctuation mark. Glamorous, yes, but still incredibly clean.
Amina Khalil for Messika — Bright Eyes, Icy Sparkle
For Amina Khalil’s Messika appearance, Reham Khalifa keeps the glamour luminous rather than heavy. The eye is the real focus: cool grey and silver-toned shadow creates a bright, almost metallic haze across the lids, intensified with a precise black liner and softly defined lashes. That cooler eye colour is especially striking against Amina’s warm, bronzed complexion—it creates a beautiful contrast rather than blending everything into one tonal wash. The cheeks stay softly bronzed and flushed, while a muted nude lip keeps the palette refined. And with the white diamonds catching the light around her neck and ears, the whole face almost seems to pick up the jewellery: cool sparkle on the eyes, warm glow on the skin, nude at the lips. It’s polished, but there’s something surprisingly fresh about it.
Karen Wazen for Balenciaga — Warm, Sultry and Smoked Out
Karen Wazen’s Balenciaga beauty, meanwhile, is definitely the sultrier sister. Here, the colour story moves into warmer territory: rich brown and softly smoked tones surround the eyes, with deeper definition along the lash line creating that elongated, almost feline gaze. The cheeks have a stronger rosy-bronze flush, and the lips sit in a warm, caramel-nude family, giving the whole face a seductive warmth against the stark black dress. Even the contrast is different: where Amina’s makeup catches the light, Karen’s seems to absorb it. The slicked-back hair and plunging black neckline only push that mood further—the effect is less “sparkling Parisian beauty” and more late-night, old-Hollywood-meets-Balenciaga femme fatale. And that distinction is what makes the two looks so interesting next to each other: Amina goes lighter and brighter; Karen goes deeper, warmer and smokier.
From soft and dreamy to smoky, graphic, and full-on glam, Reham Khalifa is proving that there’s no single formula for PFW beauty. Each look feels tailored to the celebrity, the fashion house, and the moment — while still keeping the makeup polished, modern, and distinctly her own.
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