Entertainment blogger Sandy Nene chats to celebrity make-up artist Nomsa Madida about her journey as a make-up artist.
When did your make-up career kick off?
Professionally I started in 2006. I volunteered and worked for free for a while before I started getting paid.
Do you remember the first celebrity you did make-up for?
Yes, it was Dr Rebecca Malope. I did her make-up for Its Gospel Time – a show she presents on SABC2.
Were they impressed with the results? Tell me more about your reaction afterwards.
She was very impressed. In fact, when I did her make-up I was only assisting the main make-up artist. She wasn’t available on that day so I had to fill her shoes. And ever since that day, Dr Rebecca preferred me.
What do you enjoy most about working with celebrities?
I just enjoy making people look pretty, not just celebrities. I love how people trust me with their faces.
Is there anything you don’t enjoy about your job?
I enjoy everything about my profession! I guess that’s what happens when you find your passion, what I was born to do from an early age. I love it!
Do you have main celebrity clients?
Yes, I do. Lerato Kganyago is one of them – she’s always been very supportive of me and I vise versa. We go back since 2001. Masechaba Lekalake is also another regular client; we’ve also grown to be great friends. I work with a lot of celebrities so it’s a question of who have I not worked with?!
Are there perks of being a celebrity make-up artist?
I guess it’s seeing your name getting credit on TV and magazines. Your work gets exposed faster, and if you are good, your job speaks for itself. I believe I’m good at what I do.
Are there any disadvantages?
I’d say when you are not good at what you do, people know about it quicker, as your job is easily exposed.
What does a typical day look like to you?
A typical day for me usually starts at 5am, because of different shoot locations. Sometimes I’m at the SABC doing work for a studio TV show, or else I’m doing make-up for a magazine cover.
What do you do to relax?
I like spa treatments, staying at home to catch up on my shows. I hardly have time to relax though because I work a lot during the week. And sometimes on weekends I get booked for weekends. I’m not complaining though.
What’s your favourite social media platform?
Definitely Twitter and Instagram. I use them as a marketing and advertising platform.
What are your favourite make-up brands?
I love Kryolan and Black UP for coverage for TV and magazine shoots. Sometimes I MAC. About the author: Sandy Nene is a Durban-based entertainment blogger. Follow him on Twitter @SandyNeneSA and check out his blog on www.sandynene.com
