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>>COVER COVER<< Mezhgan: the Beauty Behind the

Between television shows, interviews, and the red carpet, Mezhgan is a woman on Makeup the go. Recalling her childhood, she can still hear those vivid words clearly, “Just By: Ameena Kazem keep running and don't stop,” Mezhgan's mother shouted. And so, Mezhgan contin- ued running with her family, not knowing what they were running from and where they were running to. This is a very familiar scene for many Afghans who were forced to leave their lives behind during the Russian invasion in 1979. Many families planned their escape out of Afghanistan by paying smugglers to help their families flee the country in privacy. Mezhgan's family of six took the same route. During their journey to Pakistan, her family ran out of food. “Fear started to set in and I was very scared and hungry,” she says. “But every time I looked into my parents' eyes, I would regain that loss of hope and be reassured that our family was going to be okay.”

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>>COVER COVER<< What do you like best about your job? All the people I meet ...and the way they feel after I do their make up. “EVER Who is your favorite client and why? SINCE I WAS A It's a toss up between my good friend John LITTLE GIRL, I USED O'Hurley and the mean Brit...Simon Cowell.

TO WATCH MY MOTH- If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five things could you not live without? ER GETTING READY FOR My man (who also brought my cell phone!) so that WORK IN THE MORN- counts as one, right? Buddy, My Yorkshire Terrier Water, and a good hydrating Moisturizer...and a INGS AND FOR PAR- cute swimming suit! Just being honest here! TIES IN THE What is your best makeup tip?

EVENINGS,” INTERVIEW Less is more, and don't forget to blend.

Who is the best looking celebrity without makeup? Angelina Jolie and Julia Roberts.

Who is your role model? Oprah, she rocks.

If you weren't a makeup artist, what would you be and why? An interior decorator, something I still do and love.

How tall are you? 5 feet 5 inches... and 9/16ths..:) but I feel much taller EXCLUSIVE Who is your favorite designer? Chanel

ven though Mezhgan was forced “Living in Hollywood, you would always enjoyed doing and took great pleasure in.” If you could live anywhere in the world, where to leave her life and belongings behind in see celebrities walking around with their As Mezhgan looks back, she realizes that AN would it be? Afghanistan, one thing she brought along funky hairstyles and eclectic makeup pat- coming from an Afghan background, it can Tuscany with her to the United States was her fasci- terns and something about that always be difficult to pursue a career in either nation with makeup. “Ever since I was a intrigued me.” As Mezhgan grew older, field. Afghan girls are forced to follow cer- If you could go back in time and change one little girl, I used to watch my mother get- she worked as a part-time makeup artist, tain norms of the society, and those who thing, what would it be? ting ready for work in the mornings and while her striking beauty led to some mod- choose to go a bit further and tip the scale, Losing my little brother. (In '84 we were crossing for parties in the evenings,” she says. “I eling and acting. She did some modeling are usually looked down upon. However, the street in Hollywood and a car hit us while we were walking home with my mom.) would always find the red lipstick, and for MAC cosmetics and played roles on the as Mezhgan states, “pursuing a career in before I knew it, there I was, standing at famous soap operas, Sunset Beach and modeling and acting is possible for any GETS my mother's vanity table, with lipstick all The Bold and the Beautiful. She recalls Afghan girl, as long as she remains true to How do your clients react when you tell them your from Afghanistan? over my face looking like a clown,” she says the skeptism she received from her family herself and her culture and does not por- With intrigue, they want to know more about it. (laughing). Once Mezhgan and her family about her pursuit in the modeling and act- tray herself in a manner that would force moved to Hollywood during the 1980's, ing world. “At first I was confused and did the community to look down upon her. that is when the fascination turned into a not understand why my parents were advis- Anything can be done right, with modera- What CD is playing in your car right now? Justin Timberlake's new one and John O'Hurley's passion. During the 1980's, hair and make- ing me to be cautious of modeling and act- tion and within limits.” Peace of our Minds; Vol 2. up were the trendsetters of the era. ing,” she says. “This was something that I Despite her love of working in ZEBA EMarch 2007 / Zeba Magazine / www.ZebaMagazine.com March 2007 / 15 Mezhganmarch 11/28/06 3:16 PM Page 5

>>COVER COVER<< front of the camera, Mezhgan realized on American Idol and is currently in making the final decisions for the launch that her true calling was behind the cam- charge of makeup for judges Simon, of her own cosmetic line, M by Mezhgan. era, doing makeup. “Doing makeup just Paula, and Randy-as well as the top 12 "I want to make sure that I pick the right came naturally to me and it was rewarding contestants on the show. Working with colors and shades and make it perfect,” for me to bring out the best in women.” the contestants is a bonus for Mezhgan, she says. “I hope to launch my cosmetic Mezhgan was happy to see her customers because she is able to establish a relation- line in 2007." walk away from her counter feeling better ship and create an image for each contest- With such a busy schedule, you about themselves. Soon after, she landed ant. “I get to help encourage their per- would expect this glamour girl to forget her first television job as the key makeup formance and make them feel and look about her homeland and be wrapped up artist for John O'Hurley (Dancing with pretty. They will always remember me in the Hollywood glitz. But this isn't the the Stars and Seinfeld). This was her and I will always be the extra help to boost case with Mezhgan. As she climbs each chance to step up to the plate and prove their ego,” she says. step of the ladder, she takes the Afghan herself as a talented makeup artist. Mezhgan is also working on women and children with her along the Apparently, she did too well, as Fox net- other television shows such as: Family way. She has set up a Non-Profit work's American Idol tried to hire Feud, America's Got Talent, Rockstar Organization called The FARAWAY Mezhgan as the show's makeup artist for With Inxs, Rockstar Supernova, and So Foundation for the women and children its first season. However, she passed the You Think You Can Dance. She has also of Afghanistan to help rebuild hospitals opportunity in favor of Family Feud. And worked on several Red Carpet Events and schools. "I watched a video taken by as you can imagine, once American Idol such as the Emmys and the Teen Choice a family friend and I remember being became the most popular show on televi- Awards, and many more. Two of her overcome with tears as I saw the poverty sion, Mezhgan recalls saying, “Oh my career highlights thus far have been work- and children on the streets." At that God, are you kidding me, I can't believe I ing for American Idol and being nominat- point, Mezhgan knew that she wanted to turned this show down!” Lucky for her, ed for an Emmy for her extraordinary give back to her country and help restore American Idol came knocking on her makeup work. With so many shows, you smiles on their faces. "My ultimate goal is door again, for Season 2. This time, would think this makeup artist puts her to build a functional children's hospital Mezhgan opened the door with open tools away once she gets home. On the that can facilitate to the needs of the chil- arms. She is now the chief makeup artist contrary, she works just as hard at home dren," she says. "I want to help them get

WHAT DO YOU

Mezhgan with Carrie Underwood Mezhgan with Simon Cowell LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB? “ALL THE PEOPLE I MEET...AND THE WAY THEY FEEL AFTER I DO THEIR “I MAKEUP .” WOULD ALWAYS FIND THE RED LIPSTICK, Mezhgan with David Hasselhoff Mezhgan with Regis Philbin AND BEFORE I KNEW IT, THERE I WAS, STANDING AT MY MOTHER'S VANITY TABLE, WITH LIPSTICK ALL OVER MY FACE LOOKING LIKE Mezhgan with Kimberly Locke A CLOWN,”

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>>COVER COVER<<

"I WANT TO HELP THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND START THEIR PATH TO A BRIGHT FUTURE."

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>>COVER COVER<<

Mezhgan with Randy Jackson Mezhgan with Regis Philbin

Mezhgan with Regis Philbin Mezhgan with Randy Jackson

Mezhgan with Fantasia Barrino

Mezhgan with Carrie Underwood

“PUT

YOUR HEART, back on their feet and start their path to a she says (laughing). Just as simple as the tional lifestyle. Mezhgan will continue to MIND, AND SOUL bright future." She wants the children of contents of her makeup bag, so are run in pursuit of her dreams and never Afghanistan to have the same opportuni- Mezhgan's words of wisdom for the stop. INTO IT AND ty in pursuing their dreams. She plans to Afghan girls out there. "Just believe in They say stars are born in WATCH YOUR donate many of her cosmetic products to yourself and pick a career you have pas- Hollywood and everyone has their fifteen the women, as well as donate proceeds sion for, rather than what your parents minutes of fame. Well, here is the excep- DREAMS TURN from her cosmetic line. choose for you. Put your heart, mind, and tion - a Hollywood star born in INTO REALITY." Before I let Mezhgan get back to soul into it and watch your dreams turn Afghanistan whose minutes have turned her world of makeup, I asked her which into reality." into hours, our very own Afghan Idol, three items are always in her purse. "My And so, we meet this talented Mezhgan. lip gloss, eyelash curler, and bronzer,” she and successful makeup artist. A woman replied. "When in doubt, I always use my of beauty, talent, and culture, who's taken For more information about Mezhgan and her eyelash curler and my bronzer helps add a her mother's terrifying words during her foundation, please visit her website, glow to my face after those long hours," childhood and turned them into a motiva- www.mezhgan.com. March 2007 / Zeba Magazine / www.ZebaMagazine.com March 2007 / 21