THERE is a growing Asian community in Calderdale but make-up artists for this ethnic group are few and far between.

This has meant that most girls planning their dream shaadi (a Hindi word that simply means marriage) have had to travel to the big cities for advice, or call in mobile stylists from out of town.

Now two Halifax hair and beauty salon owners, Debra O'Leary and Helen Field have recognised this and brought in up-and-coming make-up artist Nazia Haq to work alongside them at their business, Robinson Field in Halifax.

They believe Nazia is one of the first qualified Asian beauty therapists who specialises in bridal make-up and mehndi to work in a town centre salon and they are keen to spread the word.

"There is a large Asian community in the area but limited Asian make-up artists. We have been asked in the past about it and now want to get the word out that Nazia is here and can do bridal make-up both in the salon and at their home, on the day if required," says hairdresser Debra who lives in Halifax and opened Robinson Field with Helen, from Barkisland, 23 years ago.

They branched out into beauty three years ago.

Nazia, who was born in Pakistan, moved to England 10 years ago and trained at Dewsbury College.

She loves make-up and decided to specialise in weddings at college. She worked at a Bradford salon for two years and still offers a mobile service.

Seven months ago she moved to Halifax with her husband and decided it made sense to work in the town.

She says she is really looking forward to her new challenge and meeting local Asian women.

"Asian wedding make-up differs hugely to English make-up because Asian brides tend to wear a lot more make-up for their big day and their skins are different too," says Nazia who has worked with more than 15 brides in the last two years from all over West Yorkshire.

She says while the more Westernised ones will come into a salon for their bridal make-up on the day of their wedding, most still prefer make-up artists to go to their home.

It can take her between two and three hours to do bridal make-up and all Asian brides have mehndi on their hands and feet.

Mehndi is a temporary form of skin decoration using henna. It is widely used by the Muslim community for special occasions like weddings and festivals. Most Asian weddings go on for several days.

Nazia, who also does threading, massage, waxing, tanning and facials, charges upwards of £100 for Asian wedding make-up which includes a consultation and trial. Mehndi starts from £50 depending on the design. Hairdresser Shelley Walton specialises in bridal hair at Robinson Field and can offer hair extensions and colour.

The two women have transformed Halifax schoolgirl Nisha Shad into a bride for the day. She is pictured in a bridal dress from Bombay Stores, Bradford.