She is very good at what she does. Seyi Alewi is head makeup artist of Glammebyshay. She is a Make Up Vendor who enjoys making her clients look fabulous for all occasions. She makes up for brides, bridal train, wedding guests, celebrants. She also specialises in training aspiring makeup artist as well as private home tutors.
She recently met with City People to discuss her experience as a makeup artist.
Why did you choose to go into Make Up business despite the stiff competition?
Art has always been a passion of mine. I love drawing and painting and we all know makeup is art. As a child I loved fiddling with my sisters and cousins make up purse.
Sometimes I paint my sis and youngest brothers face. I guess its something I have always had a flare for no matter how high the competition, there is never enough make up artist.
For how long have you been a make up artiste?
10 months.
What inspired you to become a makeup artist?
It has always been a passion of mine. I learnt make up about 2 years back, I had just finished my NYSC even though I was job hunting I decided to take up make up artistry.
Not long into it I got a job at some start up firm. After my first month, working there and noticed the delay in my pay check, he then called me to his office saying he can’t afford to pay me and what he offered me wasn’t worth while so I just left I decided to go back and finish up my training. Half way into it I got another job at a travel agency. I really loved working there because of the experience but my boss was a nightmare… She made working with her really difficult and challenging.
Despite the issues I encountered I just kept feeling empty. I wasn’t just happy. I wanted more. I wanted to do what I love so much, which was Make Up. I decided to keep trying hopefully I could gather the confidence to take the leap of faith to venture into Make Up.
So, this very day it seemed she was in a foul mood and decided to lash out. The demeaning nature in which she spoke to me made me rethink my decision not to follow my passion. I felt a rage in me not towards her in particular but rather everything. I decided to walk out because I wasn’t brought up top be rude to anyone.
Moreover something in me clicked and I had never been more sure of anything in my life like I was that day about taking up Make Up as a career. There is a famous saying by Mae West. You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough…I used my salary for that month to get my first make up box and kits. I was so excited when I got my first bride sometime in February and thats how I continued and Glammebyshay was born.
What have been your challenges?
Making sure my clients are satisfied even in difficult circumstances.
Do you intend having your makeup brand in future?
Yes.
Tell us your most challenging moment with your clients.
I hardly have challenging experiences with clients but since I started I have had only 2 challenging moments with 2 different clients and I will share both experiences.
My first experience was with a referral I got from one of my client. A very sophisticated lady but didn’t know she was going to be difficult to work with. I started with the make up, she didn’t even let me finisb with the make up, she asked me to clean it twice. The 3rd time she dictated every step of the way and she complained about everything, totally bringing down my morale and no matter how difficult a client can be its my job as a make up artist to be patient and to please my client.
When I finally got into my car I just said a little prayer. (Please don’t let dis business and morale destroyer call my phone again.
My second experience was with a client turned friend turned student. As I mentioned, I specialise in private home training. The first time I saw her I could not stop starring at how beautiful she is and how flawless her skin is. We had an instant connection because making your client so comfy is key. It felt like we have been friends for a while but I got to learn to always maintain boundaries between your client because they could take it for granted I wasn’t mobile for about a week and as a make up artist, being mobile is important.
I went to her house, she stays in one of those estates where the resident must inform the security before letting you in. She kept me waiting for almost 2 hours in a Taxi. I wasn’t even charging her for that and I was still travelling outside Lagos to see my folks that evening. I wasn’t so pissed about that because it’s not her place to know.
She paid for the service and I tried my best to deliver. After several missed calls I just told my cab guy to proceed. When she finally got my message, she couldn’t even apologise or be considerate knowing I wasn’t mobile but I wasn’t upset about that. What got me upset was that she did the same thing the next day. I was coming all the way from Ogun State.
I had to pick up my student from the studio so she could have a model to work on and then getting to her estate gate wainting for another hour and 30, leaving me stranded at her gate. I got so upset and left. After I had gotten to my studio, she did the same thing. No empathy. So, I sent her a text informing her I wasn’t going to come to her house if the security isn’t informed she was expecting a guest. Later that evening her friend callled me telling me she saw the message I sent and it was rude of me and how she’s not my mate. Then she said in Yoruba she could have slapped me if she was at the house when she got the message. She spoke to me like she was doing me a favour because I was an upcoming make up artist.
I felt so disrespected. But then because of the client relationship and also to maintain the friendship I apologised to her. But I learnt to avoid conflict, always maintain a degree of professionalism in the way you work.
Talking professionally, how often will you advise people to wash their makeup brush?
At least every two weeks. Our faces are very sensitive and if we can take out time to cleanse our face, why not our brushes.
Tell us 7 tips that will make our makeup look classy?
(1) always define your brows well. (2) always use your shade of concealer especially for those who can’t blend your concealer well. (3) Good eyeshadow blend, no harsh lnes. (4) Use a good primer. (5) Always know your brushes. (6) Always take good care of your off brushes. (7) keep it simple and natural.
What should we be expecting from Glammebyshay in 5 years time?
Having my own make up brand with a lot of lovely clientele.
Words of inspiration to upcoming make up artist?
Try to be principled and also be friendly. Be organised and always take note of details. Come out plain. If you won’t be available, let them know. Be patient. Workhard. Thats all.
