More than 100,000 hopefuls applied, but this UAE style star stood out among the crowd…
When Rhea Jacobs sent off her application to become the new face of Marc Jacobs Beauty, she knew she was up against some big names.
“There were 104,000 applicants and all were well-known social media bloggers, and yet me, with just 1,000 followers, decided to take part,” she tells emirateswoman.com.
However, not only did the Dubai-based fashion and beauty blogger make it down to the final 10, she won one of five places to represent the luxury beauty brand on a global scale.
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The #CastMeMarc mission, which first launched in 2014, invites hopefuls from around the world to model in the beauty brand’s latest campaigns.
This year, beauty vloggers in particular were asked to put themselves forward, and Rhea submitted a photograph and video “talking about myself and the importance of individuality in fashion and beauty”.
Then, weeks later, the 23-year-old discovered she’d made it down to the last 10 in the competition, and was the only finalist from the GCC.
The finalists were all flown to New York, where they got to meet Marc Jacobs himself and fight it out for the last five places.
“We met Marc Jacobs at his headquarters and were all in utter awe of being in the presence of such a great visionary and fashion mogul,” says Rhea.
“It was uplifting to see the kindness and humility he showed each and every one of us. It’s no surprise that he’s a very busy man… but despite all the work and meetings, he made time to meet us and thank us for coming and being a part of the campaign.
“He spoke about his love for makeup and some exciting plans on the way.”
And when Rhea was announced as one of the campaign’s winners during her meeting with Marc, tears of happiness swiftly followed.
“It was such a surreal moment,” she says. “My mother’s words kept ringing in my mind.
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“She always says ‘chase your dreams no matter how impossible it may seem, and it will be yours’. At that moment I realised the truth in those words.”
Despite the impressive new addition to her CV, Rhea only started her blogging journey five months ago.
“I loved to share my creative approach in the area of beauty, art and fashion,” says the writer, who graduated with a BA Honours in Fashion in November 2016.
Rhea will now act as a Marc Jacobs beauty ambassador, which means she’ll represent the brand through tutorials, interviews and photo shoots.
“Blending in tips from professionals and us influencers, we give you an all-access pass to all things beauty,” says Rhea.
Indeed, the blogger picked up some tricks while shooting with Marc Jacobs’ global makeup artists – Gilbert Soliz and Yvonne Maclnnis – while in New York.
“Mix your favourite Le Marc lip crème with a pump of [Marc Jacobs] coconut primer and you have a luminous dewy cream blush at hand,” Rhea advises, naming the brand’s primer and Remarcable foundation as her must-use products.
“Use the same on the top of your eyelids for a fresh, supple look.”
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The blogger, who was raised in Dubai, cites the city and its leaders as one of her greatest motivations for applying to #CastMeMarc.
“I took part in it with the zest that my leaders in Dubai have taught the world… to believe in the extraordinary,” she says.
“I just want every young girl and woman to know that no matter where you’re from or who you are, just believe in your dreams and chase it.”
Images: Supplied, Marc Jacobs/Instagram
