Cork teen hopes makeup classes will help Kolkata

Alex Looney came up with a novel way to raise funds to go to Kolkata. He’s getting 200 girls together to talk about makeup, writes Ciara McDonnell

It’s the day after the Justin Bieber concert in Dublin’s 3Arena, and after a hectic trip to Dublin, and a spot right at the front of the stage where he saw lots of girls fainting from a bout of Bieber Fever, 16-year-old Alex Looney is tired but full of energy. This is good news, because he is busy planning logistics for his Teenage Beauty Masterclass in aid of Hope Foundation, taking place this Sunday in Rochestown Park Hotel.

Assisted by his mother Sonia Harvey, Alex was determined to make his transition year count, and spent much of his summer break applying to the Hope Foundation to secure a spot on one of their trips to Kolkata in India. Next March, Alex and almost 50 others will travel to the region where they will learn firsthand about the poverty and lack of amenities affecting the people there.

“Lots of my friends have already been to Kolkata, and it was an amazing and life-changing opportunity for them. I knew that this was something I had to do,” he tells me from his home in Blackrock.

“I know that the people in the area are extremely poor and I am really looking forward to seeing the Hope Foundation’s projects over there and seeing how they help people.”

When I was 16, I spent my days worrying whether the boy I liked would kiss me, and how to lighten my mother’s wallet enough to buy myself a pair of XWorks jeans.

Not so for Alex. Already a veteran charity worker, he was brought up with the idea that charity is an essential component of making life better for others. His brother Eoin is 19 and is autistic, and growing up with him has given Alex great insight and empathy into the needs and struggles of others.

He has worked with Penny Dinners and helped his mother Sonia on her many fundraising efforts for Scoil Aisling and An Tuath Nua Cope. “I have watched my mother do charity work for my whole life, so I guess my drive comes from her,” he says.

In order to fund his trip to India, Alex must raise €2,000 through public fundraising, so he is throwing a teenage beauty masterclass starring Hazel1, one of Cork’s most prolific beauty YouTubers.

Hazel, 15, is from Crosshaven, and has almost 1,000 subscribers to her weekly vlog, edited and produced by Alex. From tips on how to deal with dreaded teenage spots to finding the perfect shade of lipstick, Hazel has a warm manner that draws her audience in. In a social media world filled with hate, Hazel is showing that being nice and kind works; something she practises on a daily basis with her legions of fans in school.

Life as a teenager in today’s world is extremely difficult, with social media tracking their every move and adolescent mistake. Hazel says while there are people who use social media in order to bully, it’s also a breeding ground for kind people.

“Even though I might receive some mean messages, more often than not they are quickly followed up by the same person apologising, and saying that the (mean) message was meant for someone else. There are more nice people out there than you think.”

Alex is ambivalent about the impact social media has on his life. “I don’t post every moment of my life, so it doesn’t affect me too much,” he says. “A huge amount of the hate that we see on social media stops behind the screen. It’s not often that I see people continuing the bullying into real life.”

Alex and Hazel are cousins, and both have interests in the performing arts. Alex starred in a Lotto ad and Hazel is a singer with Monfort College, although she decided this year that she would give up on singing in favour of a career in makeup artistry. Their training has given both of them a determination and confidence that belies their years. Alex knew that by choosing Hazel to front his masterclass, he would guarantee the event would sell out, and Hazel is fizzing with excitement at the thought of her first live event. “This has been one of Hazel’s dreams and she is bringing so much to the event that I am thrilled to have her on board,” he says.

Alex and Hazel expect 200 teenagers to attend the event, which will include a hair masterclass, a skincare demonstration from No7, as well as a goodie bag filled with all kinds of high-end products, and while Alex will be the only boy in attendance, he sees his role as ensuring its success. He is already training the next generation of local fundraisers by roping in 13-year-old neighbour Alannah Murphy to help with organisation. Alannah hopes to follow in Alex’s footsteps and make the trip to Kolkata when she is in transition year. And what fantastic footsteps they are too, says proud mother Sonia. “Alex’s determination and hard work throughout this whole experience has blown me away. He is a fantastic person and I am so proud of him.”

The teenage beauty masterclass, with makeup by Hazel1, takes place November 13, 3pm-6pm, at Rochestown Park Hotel. Tickets cost €10 and can be purchased by calling 087 9352122