In recent times, we’ve seen an increase in the popularity of Makeup Artists as well as the influx of even more people into the field. It started way before the country hit recession two years ago so we can’t attribute the boom to people just looking for a way to put food on their tables. All of sudden, every little space in front of a store has a make-up studio claiming to accept walk-ins and to get you looking flawless for your social events.
What informed this boom? Do we really need that many make-up artists? Can we even trust all of them? What sort of training do they have? What effect will this have on our economy?
Before we even delve into these questions, there’s an aspect of this art form that has been quite shocking of late as well. We’ve all seen the before and after pictures of people being transformed to an awesome levels. With this boom, every new studio strives to ‘transform’ the client so much so that it pulls new clients for them. Make-up is meant to enhance a woman’s beauty and even when we know there will be a difference at the end, I believe it shouldn’t be so much that it becomes too glaring!
Should the fact that one make-up artist’s ‘transformation’ changes one’s complexion from dark to white, should that be the reason why we flock to get their services? While we ponder on that, let’s go back to the business side a bit.
The gurus who have been in the business for quite some time and have left their mark actually deserve kudos. With the influx of the new people now I believe they should go under their tutelage and learn the trade and master it well before they branch off to do their own thing. This way they are sure that the prospective clients are going to get the best from them with regards to services and professionalism.
Here’s what a couple of make-up artists had to say about the profession and what they think of the current influx.
“I started out as a self-taught make-up artist because I had developed a passion for it while working as a beauty editor for our University magazine in my 200 level.. Once the money started coming in years after I started I went for training at MUD in Lagos. I try to go for trainings at least once a year to upgrade myself and learn new things. For those getting into the industry now my advice would be this: Don’t do it just for the sake of it being a trend. If money wasn’t coming in, would you still do it? Approach it from that angle.” said Oto-obong Smart who is a make-up artist in Lagos and has been one since 2012.
Esther, a makeup artist in Uyo says she got into makeup in 2014 after her training with the reputable House of Tara in Lagos and she says it has paid off. She said she went into it because of passion for enhancing beauty and the fact that she had a flair for it. She says she goes for training every year and whenever there’s a new trend in vogue. Her advice to young ones wanting to go into it is to be sure they are passionate about it as it’s the passion that keeps the zeal going.
So to those looking to go into the business, it’s best to take the advice to heart. Unless you just want to do it for the sake of earning a living, but note: To do something without passion eventually has its own disadvantages. Clients can always tell, if not at the start, in the long run you may find yourself out of business soon. Go through the proper channels, get trained and re-trained at intervals to be sure you are giving your clients the best. And please don’t be one of those makeup artists that change people’s entire face with your craft, the key here is to enhance what’s already there.
The boom however is good for the economy. It means more self-employed young women and men, providing a service that is obviously in high demand and that’s a good thing.
