Szabó Doris: „I meet not female faces, but stories."

In the next episode of our series, we invite you into the world of beauty mentor Doris Szabó, who shares with us what supporting women means to her and how makeup became her passion.
During our conversation, we touch on her book Lélekkontúr (Soul Contour), its message, and how she blends classic beauty foundations with the perspective of the modern woman.
We'll learn why she chose the home-studio concept for her work and how she builds it around a sense of coziness and intimacy. Doris speaks openly about the soul-centered process of makeup therapy, the small details that inspire her studio, and how she strives to create beauty and harmony in everyday life.

What do you consider your most important mission as a beauty mentor?
Doris Szabó: My most important mission is to support women, even if that may sound like a cliché nowadays. I believe that if we help one another—especially in areas where someone might be further along or has had more opportunities to practice—then we can all grow richer from the experience.
I always say there's nothing particularly special or talented about me—I've simply had more time to dedicate to makeup and the world of beauty, because it's my job. That’s why I believe that offering support and sharing experiences is the most valuable thing I can give.

Where did the idea for Lélekkontúr come from, what is its message, and how does it relate to the modern beauty industry? Is a second book already in the works?
D. Sz.: The idea for Lélekkontúr came from the realization that anyone working in the arts longs to create something lasting. But makeup isn’t like that—by the end of the day, the paint disappears down the drain. That insight really motivated me. I was also driven by the fact that in our profession—as in many others—it’s becoming increasingly difficult to create something truly outstanding. I was searching for something I could approach in a unique way, something that might set me apart from others.

The book is special because it goes back to the basics of classic beauty care, while presenting them through the lens of the modern woman. It doesn’t just reflect my own perspective; it serves more as a kind of handbook—a "beauty bible"—that can be read for enjoyment or consulted for practical, thematic tips. My goal was to offer tricks that are simple yet effective, and accessible to all women.
The book includes the stories and thoughts of 21 well-known women, which I think gives it a contemporary and authentic feel.
The title of the second book has been in my mind for a long time: Mirror Diary. It would explore the topic of beauty from a slightly different angle, but for now it’s been put on the back burner. Life took an unexpected turn, leading me back to a childhood dream of mine: music and singing. Right now, I’m working on a song with a friend and his team, which was born from the first lines I wrote for the new book. Its title is Mirror Diary—so, in a way, the book is now first taking shape as a song.
This new challenge reminds me what it feels like to be a beginner again, which is also deeply inspiring for my work.

Why did you choose to create a home studio instead of a street-facing one for your work?
D. Sz.: In my work, the most important thing is that I don’t just encounter women’s faces—I encounter their stories. That’s why I wanted to create an environment where my clients could arrive into a warm, welcoming atmosphere, as if they were visiting a friend. A street-facing studio would feel cold; even if it were professional and modern, it wouldn’t suit the nature of what I do.

My home studio is a bold and unconventional choice, but it has worked out very well. I’ve built a community on Instagram, and many of my clients arrive already feeling open and at ease—often they start sharing the moment they walk through the door—because they know that everything here revolves around them. They come in without makeup, and I welcome them the same way. This creates an intimate connection that makes my work much easier.

What do your clients expect from makeup therapy?
D. Sz.: Makeup therapy is a special form of makeup education where we first focus on the soul. I believe that the foundation of any kind of beautification is authenticity and inner harmony. That’s why every session begins with a deeper conversation.
Then we move into a step-by-step process: we start on the couch, then move to the makeup chair, where I apply makeup to one side of the client’s face. At the end, we sit together in front of the mirror, and I demonstrate the techniques, which the client can then try herself.
This personal, collaborative experience is incredibly liberating for many women.

What are the three things you love most about your home studio? Could you tell us a bit about your personal items too—like the tulle or the vase?
D. Sz.: The way I found this place was quite special. Initially, I was only looking for a marble table, because I had to move out of my previous space suddenly. As I started looking for a new location, I realized that most of the options were either unrealistically expensive or simply not suitable. I was close to giving up on the idea of having a studio altogether, thinking, “Well, at least let me find a good table,” because a table has always played a central role in my life.
While searching for a table, I randomly came across the ad for this apartment on Marketplace. This studio is actually a fully furnished apartment that I rent from an interior designer—I'm very lucky, because it's exactly what I had dreamed of at the time. It feels like coming home: I take off my shoes, slip into my little slippers, and feel completely at ease. From the very first moment, I felt connected to every detail.
For example, there’s a painting here that isn’t mine, but it somehow reminds me of my daughter. Several people have even said it looks like me, which gives it an even more special meaning.
The atmosphere of the space is also enchanting. I'm in the heart of the city, with a beautiful view—surrounded by churches, and I can even see the Parliament building from the window. Even though I usually sit with my back to the window while working, my clients always comment on how inspiring the surroundings are.
My personal objects all tell their own stories. For instance, there's a piece of tulle I originally borrowed for a perfume campaign. I loved it so much that I kept it and now use it as home decor. One of the shelves is lined with cosmetics that I also use as design elements—each one has something special about it.
The way I found this place was quite special. Initially, I was only looking for a marble table, because I had to move out of my previous space suddenly. As I started looking for a new location, I realized that most of the options were either unrealistically expensive or simply not suitable. I was close to giving up on the idea of having a studio altogether, thinking, “Well, at least let me find a good table,” because a table has always played a central role in my life.
While searching for a table, I randomly came across the ad for this apartment on Marketplace. This studio is actually a fully furnished apartment that I rent from an interior designer—I'm very lucky, because it's exactly what I had dreamed of at the time. It feels like coming home: I take off my shoes, slip into my little slippers, and feel completely at ease. From the very first moment, I felt connected to every detail.
For example, there’s a painting here that isn’t mine, but it somehow reminds me of my daughter. Several people have even said it looks like me, which gives it an even more special meaning.
The atmosphere of the space is also enchanting. I'm in the heart of the city, with a beautiful view—surrounded by churches, and I can even see the Parliament building from the window. Even though I usually sit with my back to the window while working, my clients always comment on how inspiring the surroundings are.
My personal objects all tell their own stories. For instance, there's a piece of tulle I originally borrowed for a perfume campaign. I loved it so much that I kept it and now use it as home decor. One of the shelves is lined with cosmetics that I also use as design elements—each one has something special about it.

Your mission is to help women discover their own beauty, and you believe that beauty is created through the harmony of details. How did you design your studio to inspire both yourself and your clients?
D. Sz.: It's very important to me that things are multifunctional—not only in beauty care but in everyday life as well. I love it when an object serves more than its usual purpose. For example, I use a vase as a brush holder, a vintage seashell to store cotton swabs, or an elegant champagne glass as a dessert stand. These small, creative ideas not only encourage sustainability but also inspire me.
My style is eclectic: I love contrasts, unusual solutions, and things that are a bit surprising. The small details mean a lot to me, because they give a space its true character.

What would you most like to take home from Home of Solinfo?
D. Sz.: If I could choose just one item, it would be the &Tradition Palette JH9 table. As I mentioned before, a table holds symbolic meaning for me. Most people may not have this kind of attachment to it, but for me, it’s a central element of both my work and my life.
Besides that, there’s the Roche Bobois Bubble armchair, which is so comfortable that I just realized how much better it would be to sometimes work sitting in an armchair. Throughout the day, I received a lot of inspiration from you, especially regarding the small details. For example, you introduced the burgundy color, which at first seemed too feminine to me. But once it was placed in the space, it took on a completely new meaning: it gave a masculine contrast instead, which brought a fresh and exciting feel.
Overall, this has been a really exciting experience—a sort of “reverse therapy.” This time, I—or rather my studio—received the kind of beauty therapy from you that I usually offer my clients: highlighting the natural features and beauty that are already there.