Today we’d like to introduce you to Fatima Khan.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ten years ago, while planning my own traditional Indian Muslim wedding, I ran into an unexpected challenge. Our wedding events were split between Chicago, where I grew up, and Ohio, where my husband’s family lives. We struggled to find a makeup artist with true experience in South Asian weddings in Ohio. I eventually booked an artist whose website featured an Indian bride—only to learn on my wedding day that the photo wasn’t actually their work.
Once the initial shock passed, that moment became a turning point. I realized there was a genuine need for an artist who truly understands the South Asian culture, skin tones, and bridal styles. What started as a passion quickly became a purpose.
Since then, I’ve been grateful for the opportunities that helped shape my career. While I took meaningful breaks to raise my children, I’m now fully ready to dedicate myself to refining my craft, learning new techniques, and creating exceptional experiences for my brides—whether they want a timeless traditional look or something modern.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, marketing was my biggest challenge—I had no formal background in it and wasn’t sure where to start. While I had a strong network in Chicago, I was new to Ohio and knew very few people outside of my husband’s immediate family. I began wherever I could, practicing on neighbors, printing flyers for Asian grocery stores and our local mosque, and slowly building awareness.
Once word spread that there was a makeup artist who truly understood South Asian bridal beauty—including styling traditional jewelry and heavy veils—things took off quickly. At the time, word of mouth was everything. I handed out business cards to brides’ families, and referrals snowballed from there.
To this day, it’s incredibly heartwarming when clients tell me they found me because I did their cousin’s bridal makeup years ago—or when someone says, “Who doesn’t know Fatima Khan, the makeup artist, in Columbus?” What once felt like my biggest struggle became my greatest strength.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a self-taught makeup artist and hairstylist, and what sets me apart in my specialized field is that I am a one-stop shop for my brides. I’m known for catering specifically to South Asian brides in Ohio. One of the biggest differences between South Asian and Western bridal makeup is the style of the makeup and how intentionally it must coordinate with our ethnic bridal outfits.
My brides often tell me how happy they are to have found an artist who understands our culture, as they feel artists without experience working with ethnic brides may not fully understand our undertones or how to correctly match foundation shades. In all honesty, makeup artistry has advanced tremendously over the past ten years, and artists now create beautiful looks on deeper skin tones. However, I believe my brides trust me because my experience and knowledge of South Asian bridal traditions allow me to guide them toward looks that are flattering, cohesive with their outfits, and aligned with their vision—often suggesting options they hadn’t considered. They feel at ease knowing they don’t need to explain cultural details, and can relax while I take care of styling them head to toe, sharing tips and tricks I’ve honed over the past ten years to enhance their bridal look. One of the achievements I’m most proud of is transitioning to bridal-only bookings starting in 2026. The demand has been exceptional, and to fully serve my brides, I no longer take non-bridal appointments and book only one bride per day so I can give her my full attention. Another achievement I’m particularly proud of is creating multiple pieces of content that have gone viral on social media, including one Instagram reel with 8 million views. This was a big step for me, to put myself in front of the camera as a form of marketing. It’s made a huge difference for my business, allowing potential clients to build trust in me and my work even before our first conversation.
What were you like growing up?
This may surprise people, but growing up I was a bit of a tomboy. I wasn’t into anything girly—I avoided the color pink, makeup, and nail polish—and I even had a love for cars; my first car was a 2003 Toyota Celica, my first baby. I also enjoyed being outdoors and reading, and had an early interest in dentistry before discovering my passion for makeup. I’m grateful I found this path because I always knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, like my own mother, and I find motherhood incredibly fulfilling. At the same time, leaving home to care for my brides gives me a sense of purpose outside of parenting—it’s a creative and energizing break that I cherish. This job also allows me to create my own schedule and take on as much or as little work as I need, giving me the flexibility to balance both my family and my passion for bridal artistry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fatimakhanmuah.wixsite.com/makeup-and-hair-by-f
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupandhairbyfatimakhan/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/makeupandhairbyfatimakhan/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fatimakhanmua
