Egyptian Makeup Artist Nour Rizk Shares Cosmetic Kit Must-Haves

Saudi-born Egyptian makeup artist Nour Rizk began her career at just fifteen, although she feels that even then, she was starting later than her passion had demanded. “Since I was a child, I’ve never imagined myself in any other field,” Rizk recalls. “I have a video from when I was four years old—my dad asks me what I want to be when I grow up, and I said, ‘Makeup’”

By the age of seventeen, she had set up a home studio, and from there, her career only flourished. What began with applying makeup for family and friends at a modest charge of  EGP 250 has since evolved into a portfolio of work with Egyptian stars such as Anoushka, Asmaa Galal, Huda El Mufti, and Yosra El Lozy.

After earning her Visual Arts degree from the American University in Cairo, Nour traveled to Los Angeles to attend Cinema Makeup School, where she completed the nine-month ‘Complete Track’ certification program. This rigorous course covered Beauty, SFX, Bridal, and Prosthetics. “My teachers were legendary icons who worked on shows and movies I grew up dreaming about,” Rizk tells Scene Styled.

Among those mentors was American makeup artist Andy Schoenberg, known for his work on Edward Scissorhands, Jurassic Park, and The Walking Dead. “Having childhood role models teach and challenge me was incredible,” she adds. Her favorite part of the program was the prosthetics and advanced makeup classes, where she honed the skills to create a severed replica of her own head—a project that went viral on TikTok, amassing nearly 40 million views.

Nour’s makeup style is bold and vibrant, yet retains a soft touch, always aimed at enhancing and celebrating the unique features of each individual, rather than conforming to conventional beauty standards. “In SFX, I’d describe my style as a blend of fantasy and realism,” she says, ensuring that even her most fantastical creations remain grounded in human relatability. 

In this Scene Styled Selects, we invite Rizk to share the makeup kits she relies on for special effects, celebrity glam, and editorial fashion shoots.

Special Effects Makeup Kit 

Whether the job requires a historically accurate recreation or a conceptual fantasy, her SFX kit is always up to the task. ”My SFX kit heavily depends on whether the job is a factual recreation or fantasy creations,” she reveals. “When working on set, you’re regularly called upon to put together an out-of-kit effect at the last minute, but these tools and products almost always get me through any situation I'm likely to face on an SFX project.”

1- Pro Grade | Chip Brush

2- Skin Illustrator | Flesh Tone Palette

3- Amazon Basics | 99% Isopropyl Alcohol

4- Kryolan | Pros Aide Adhesive

5- RCMA | Translucent Loose Powder

6- PPI | Telesis 8 Silicone Adhesive

7- Kryolan | Bald Cap

Celebrity Makeup Kit

From glamming Egyptian celebrities like Carmen Soliman, Mariam El Khosht, Amira Adeeb, Dalia Shawky, and Mayan El Sayed, to traveling for events like the Red Sea Film Festival, E; Gouna Film Festival, and Cairo Drama Festival, Rizk’s celebrity kit has to be ready for anything.

“The flawlessness and longevity of my celebrity’s makeup is always the priority,” she unveils. “Some of these products allow the makeup to last all night, like the loose powder, primer and fixing spray, while this blush and foundation combo always provides a glowing camera ready base.”

1- Huda Beauty | Loose Powder (Cherry Blossom)

2- Embryolisse | Lait Crème Sensitive Moisturizer

3- MakeupbyMario | Surreal Skin Foundation

4- Lumify | Whitening Redness Relieving Eye Drops

5- One Size | On ’til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray

6- Milk Makeup | Hydro Grip Primer

7- Hourglass Cosmetics | Ambient Lighting Blush

Editorial Makeup Kit 

“In most of my editorial shoots, I focus on vibrancy and color, alongside an effortless and light complexion,” Rizk tells Scene Styled. 

1- Suva Beauty | UV Primaries Hydra FX Palette

2- Pat McGrath | Mothership V: Bronze Seduction Palette

3- NYX | Glitter Primer

4- Benefit Cosmetics | Badgal Bang Volumizing Mascara in Powder Blue  

5- Crystal Rhinestones | Amazon

6- Makeup Forever | 12 Flash color case Multi-Use Palette

 “I can do an entire face of editorial makeup with only this palette.”