Hernam Najran

I have worked in the hair and make-up industry for over ten years. I began my career by pursuing beauty therapy, which provided me with the foundation to follow hair and make-up full-time. When I moved to the UK from Ireland in 2006, I continued training in fashion, hair and make-up in London, where I started doing agency work.

Additionally, I worked as a make-up artist in photographic studios, gaining vital experience that allowed me to network with other creatives in the field and develop a clientele through word-of-mouth and recommendations. I started freelancing, focusing on bridal hair and make-up, giving my clients unique, custom looks and providing private make-up lessons. I designed looks for catwalks and fashion shows, various artists' music videos, and editorial and high fashion looks for promotional work for magazines, film and TV productions such as Bollywood and the BBC.  

I also finished my Level 5 in Teacher Training alongside my make-up career. I then worked at other intuitions developing and leading the make-up departments and coaching and mentoring students for national competition work. 

I now teach full-time at University College Birmingham, teaching across various modules. I occasionally carry out freelance work, as I feel it is essential to stay up to date with the latest trends in this ever-changing and expanding industry. Teaching and coaching students has inspired me to ensure that future students enter the workforce with the skills required by employers, which will help them meet the fast-paced industry requirements in their chosen careers. 

Range of modules over the programme. Module leader in Commercial Hair and Make-up.

Outside of working at UCB, I provide hair and make-up services exclusively, specialising in Asian Bridal. I feel this is key to stay current and up-to-date, thus enabling me to give my students the best learning experience and industry exposure. Working at the university allows me to further develop by learning new skills and techniques from other members of the department. In the future, I hope to explore new areas of interest and further my educational training at UCB.

In my spare time, I am a specialist consultant to awarding bodies such as City and Guilds in developing and assessing their new qualifications in Specialist Hair and Make-up.