Working Lives: The Make Up Artist Who Is also a Hair-Stylist

Working Lives: The Make Up Artist Who Is also a Hair-Stylist

“For birthday look, I charge N10,000. For casual party look, I mean those going for weddings and all that, I charge N5,000, and then if I am making up for a bride and the whole bridal train, I charge N150,000”.

Mariam- Ajah, Lagos. 

Where are you from?

I am from Osun State but I was born here in Lagos.

Please, tell us about your education

I attended National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). I studied Accounting and graduated in 2018.

Tell me about your family?

My dad works with British American Tobacco, the cigarettes company. My mom was a hair stylist before she passed on. I have 4 siblings and we all grew up together in Lagos with my parents before I left to start living on my own.

Where do you live?     

I live in a room “self-contain” apartment in Ajah. I pay N300,000 for the yearly rent.

How did you start working as a make-up artist?

I started with my mom as a hair stylist at first while growing up. But even as at then I couldn’t be content with just hairstyling alone. I just wanted to combine something else with it. I went to learn makeup somewhere else and started offering the service in my mother’s shop.

Where did you learn to do make up?

I learnt under my boss in Egbeda for 3 months. I paid N70,000 to learn for 3 months. This was promo price. The full tuition was N150,000. This was in 2010.

What were you doing before you started the make-up business?

Nothing really. I was only working under my mom as a hair stylist. I was working for her as a manager. I was basically running the shop as at then.

How many hours do you work in a day?

It depends on the kind of makeup I am doing for that day. For instance, if I am making up a bride for her wedding it takes me about 90 minutes.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Market Porter Who Used to be a Corporate Shoemaker

What’s your best day like on the job?

Whenever I am working, I am always happy. Because it is what I like doing, it is my passion. Even when customers try to get on my nerve, I always try to laugh it off and take no big deal out of it.

Do you have a physical store or you run it online? 

I had a physical store but I already closed it down. I am currently looking for another location to set up. So, I basically get my customers online or through referrals and then go to their homes to make them up.

How much do you charge for a make-up session?

It depends on what kind of makeup. For birthday look, I charge N10,000. For casual party look, I mean those going for weddings and all that, I charge N5,000, and then if I am making up for a bride and the whole bridal train, I charge N150,000.

How much do you make in a week? 

It all depends on how many customers I get in a week. On a slow week, I make N15,000 from birthday makeup for 2-3 people, on good weeks, I make more- N60,000-N100,000.

How much do you spend in a day?

I spend close to N5,000 in a day. This cover feeding and transport for the day. I spend less if I don’t travel to do jobs.

What other things do you spend money on?

Getting groceries at home, buying data and many more. I also send money to my younger siblings. All this takes around N10,000-N15,000 monthly.

For how long have you been in the business?

I have been in the business for about 7 years now.

Do you have savings and how much do you save in a month? 

Yes, I have savings and I save weekly and monthly. I always try to save N5,000 weekly and then I save N20,000 monthly.

Are you married?

I am not married but I am in a relationship. I am looking forward to marrying.

Do you have plans to venture into something else?

Yes, I have actually ventured into something else. I have a skin care brand. I make different skin care products for acne, pimples, eczema and other skin related issues.

How much did you invest?

I started with N50,000. I bought the organic materials in making the products, containers, I made stickers and flyers. I also made package nylon imprinted with my brand details on it.

How much are you making from the new business?

I have made double of that, close to N70,000 I basically

How much do you think it is going to be worth in 5 years?

The business should be worth 5 million naira or double of that, by the grace of God.