Celebrating Achievement and Empowerment: L’Oréal Lebanon Graduates 123 Women from the Beauty for a Better Life Program

Beirut, 27 November 2025 – Under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Minister of Social Affairs, Ms. Haneen Al-Sayed, L’Oréal Lebanon, in collaboration with the Keyany Foundation, hosted a distinguished ceremony to celebrate the graduation of 123 women from its flagship program, Beauty for a Better Life, at the François Bassil Auditorium – Saint Joseph University, Innovation and Sports Campus, Damascus Road.

The event welcomed over 200 guests, including officials, diplomats, academics, media representatives, L’Oréal partners, friends of the Keyany Foundation, and families of the graduates. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates, a group photo, and a reception in the university courtyard.

Launched globally in 2009 by the L’Oréal Foundation, Beauty for a Better Life is a humanitarian and social initiative that empowers vulnerable individuals by providing free, high-quality vocational training in beauty professions such as hairdressing, makeup, and nail care.

Today, the program operates in over 21 countries through 46 strategic partnerships with local non-profit organizations and 329 specialized training centers, having trained and empowered over 67,000 women worldwide, equipping them with skills that open doors to professional opportunities and independent, dignified lives.

During the ceremony, H.E. Minister Haneen Al-Sayed addressed the attendees, highlighting the importance of empowerment, and stated: "Women's empowerment transcends a mere social project; it is a critical investment in the future of Lebanon. When women are granted equitable opportunities, they not only transform their own lives but also uplift their families and communities, fostering a more productive and just economy. This principle guides our work at the Ministry of Social Affairs: converting support into tangible opportunities, assistance into empowerment, and establishing clear pathways to economic independence. Today's graduates stand as living proof that skills and knowledge are the undeniable routes to dignity. I also extend my sincere appreciation to L’Oréal and the Kayany Foundation for their impactful partnership and for initiatives that translate empowerment into tangible, meaningful impact.” 

This celebration represents the culmination of L’Oréal Lebanon’s continuous efforts to provide women with professional training that equips them for the labor market and fosters self-confidence and independence. The program has become a platform for discovering talent, acquiring employable skills, and achieving economic autonomy, empowering women to overcome social and financial challenges.

Emilie Wahab Harb, Managing Director of L’Oréal Lebanon, highlighted the program’s transformative impact, saying: “The ‘Beauty for a Better Life’ program is a living testament to L’Oréal’s belief that beauty is not only external appearance but a human language full of freedom, dignity, and hope. Every initiative of this kind gives women the opportunity to discover their inner strength and build a future of independence and self-confidence. Today, we celebrate 123 courageous women who chose to change their reality with determination and willpower, becoming an inspiration for every woman who believes that real change begins within herself.”

In Lebanon, the program launched in 2014 in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages and expanded in 2018 through a strategic collaboration with the Kayany Foundation. Reflecting its ongoing commitment to women and youth, L’Oréal Lebanon opened its third academy in 2022 in Taanayel – Bekaa, creating new opportunities for women in underserved regions and providing a pathway toward stable professional careers.

Since its launch, the program has trained and graduated over 1,000 participants, demonstrating that beauty can be a path to dignity, opportunity, and empowerment.

Commenting on the collaboration, Nora Jumblatt, Founder and President of the Kayany Foundation, said: “We are proud of the long-term partnership with L’Oréal Lebanon, which has produced inspiring success stories of women who faced the most difficult circumstances and turned them into new opportunities for life and work. This initiative confirms that cooperation between the private sector and civil society is the foundation for building a more just and stable future. At Kayani, we believe that education and vocational empowerment are the true keys to safeguarding human dignity and achieving sustainable development.”

During the ceremony, graduates shared moving testimonials about the transformation the program brought to their lives — from acquiring new skills to launching their own businesses. Coming from diverse backgrounds, these women share a single aspiration: to build a better future for themselves and their families, serving as a living example that empowerment begins with a single step toward knowledge.