Beauty programme empowers women to upskill themselves and impact their community

BFBL graduates showcasing their talents in beauty and makeup.

For eight years, the Beauty for a Better Life (BFBL) programme has equipped women from disadvantaged communities with professional skills in hairdressing, makeup and beauty. Its impact goes beyond skill-building; it also fosters a sense of purpose and community among its participants.

After graduation, these women have improved their lives and empower others, proving that beauty is not skin deep: it’s a tool to build self-confidence, resilience and change. A partnership between the L’Oreal Foundation and WOMEN:girls, BFBL combines L’Oréal’s expertise with WOMEN:girls’ dedication towards fostering self-development.

The programme helps women facing economic or social challenges with practical skills and interpersonal growth to pursue careers as beauty and hair professionals. It boasts an impressive 90% employment rate within three months of graduation.

BFBL 2022 graduate and salon owner Nursyasya Afina returns as an educator.Nursyasya Afina Suhaimi, a 2022 graduate, exemplifies this success. Now the proud owner of two salons and a training academy in Melaka, she returned as an educator for BFBL’s 2024 cohort.

In fact, the 30-year-old mother-of-two was so determined to learn that she drove from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur just to attend classes and practical training in 2022.

"My child was only four months old at that time so I couldn't be away from home, but I knew this was a chance I couldn't miss. The programme not only gave me technical skills but also expanded my network and gave me many industry mentors.

"It was very exhausting because I had to juggle motherhood and looking after my baby with family responsibilities, work, business and studies," she reveals.

But even though it required a lot of sacrifice in terms of time and rest, she persevered.

Nursyasya Afina's advice for the students is to never be halfhearted in what they do.

"Always do your best and make sure you pass the course with flying colours. Put aside who you are or where you came from, and have a posture of learning when you come for class – even if you've been a hairdresser or makeup artist for years."

Conquer your fears

Hair educator Konstantinos emphasises the importance of facing one's fears.Hair educator Konstantinos Moustakas says it's important for participants to conquer their fears.

"Mastering new techniques like hair colouring can be intimidating, but you have to learn to face your fears. It's such an encouragement to see the students gain confidence in using certain colours for hair – which they've never tried before – and achieving great results," he says.

He encourages students to learn from the live examples of their trainers.

"Some of them are former students and have now progressed to become trainers, which is amazing and inspirational."

Similarly, beauty educator Safira Khasaruddin encourages participants to stay focused.

"While juggling time is a great challenge for many, we're all here for a purpose and a reason. My advice is, don't stop. Once you press the brakes, it's hard to accelerate again. Earning your certification is just the first step. Dream big and work hard to achieve more. This platform is the starting point to kickstart your dreams."

L’Oréal Malaysia managing director Tomas Hruska says upskilling and empowering women has always been at the core of L’Oreal Foundation.

"Since establishing BFBL in 2016, we’ve graduated 249 women, including 53 this year and our partnership with WOMEN:girls is pivotal to this success. These graduates inspire us with their passion and resilience, demonstrating the power of self-transformation," he says.

WOMEN:girls executive director Izza Izelan adds: "Beyond technical skills, we’ve seen participants grow in confidence and capabilities. This year, one of our past graduates returned as an educator, embodying the programme’s spirit of excellence."

Voices of change

This year's graduate Umalkhayr Ali Hassan, 20, BFBL’s first deaf student from Somalia, learned professional makeup techniques through the programme.

"It wasn’t easy as a deaf person, but this experience boosted my confidence and gave me the hands-on skills to begin my career as a makeup artist," she says through a sign language interpreter.

Umalkhayr Ali Hassan, who is deaf, recently graduated from BFBL's programme in beauty and makeup.

Another graduate Cheong Yi Wen, 31, rediscovered her passion after struggling with burnout in her previous career with a social media company.

"BFBL helped me explore creative makeup techniques and regain confidence. I plan to expand my skills into special effects makeup while helping others look beautiful and feel confident."

BFBL graduate Cheong Yi Wen plans to expand her skills into special effects makeup while helping others look beautiful and feel confident.

Shasha Humaira Hairudin, 22, a computer science graduate, gained self-confidence through makeup artistry.

"The programme taught me to improve my makeup skills and embrace my sensitive skin. I used to feel insecure about my complexion because my skin is inflamed and constantly breaks out. But now that I've learnt to do makeup well, it has empowered me and I feel more confident. And, my skin looks good, which shows the power of makeup."

'BFBL taught me about the transformative power of makeup and to embrace my sensitive skin,' says graduate Shasha Humaira.Nea Sophea Mohd Shahira, 22, a game design graduate, likens makeup artistry to traditional art. "Doing makeup is an art form and a person's face is the canvas for your masterpiece. You can apply concepts like colour theory and blending techniques in traditional art as well as in makeup artistry."

"While I don't wear much makeup daily, I love to make people look pretty. And, makeup is the easiest way to feel confident because it enhances your natural beauty," she says.

"The programme has impacted my life positively. I'm usually a reserved person and the programme has helped me to come out of my shell and talk to other people. There's that community spirit with other women through the friendship and bond formed, and it's all about women empowering other women," she concludes.