What I've Experienced Doing Makeup for First Ladies - Banke Meshida Lawal

Nigerian make-up artist and founder of BMPro Makeup Group, a make-up and cosmetology firm in Nigeria, Banke Meshida Lawal is opening up about her experience doing make-up for first ladies such as Patience Jonathan; as well as giving advice to others like her who want to go into the path of make-up as a profession. Here's what Banke had to say.

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Speaking about her experience doing make-up for first ladies, Banke said:

BANKE MESHIDA: It was tasking. Even observing all those protocols is a whole different experience. But I thrived despite everything that one had to face in those circles. Of course, I was there to do a job and I did it and it was well appreciated and that was that.

We just want to deliver excellent service and, thankfully, we’ve had people who have recognised this and who have stuck with the brand.

I pay a lot of attention to quality and excellent service. Our make-up has a signature in that it gives a polished, clean, beautiful look. Beauty, that’s an underlying factor. Well, there is make-up that will give you a garish or an overtly done look. BMPro make-up is subtle, clean and beautiful. We’re not caught up with trends, we’re not caught up with wanting to change the way the person looks. So, it’s always going to be the person’s face, but even more beautiful and polished and clean. That’s a strong signature and it shows in every client’s face that we touch, irrespective of what their status is in the society.

Advicing others who want to go into make-up as a profession and rise to heights like she has, Banke said:

BANKE MESHIDA: Everything that one decides to do, you must put in the work. The make-up, people may tend to think it’s all glamorous and it’s all fun, It’s not. I mean, it does have its good sides, but you have to put a lot of effort into it. Patience and hard work are virtues that one must possess to succeed in anything that one decides to do. And make-up artistry is no different. And then also continually improving on your skill-set and being mindful of the relationship one has with clients. You know, a good relationship must be nurtured, it must be well protected, I would say. And my advice for upcoming people is to stay consistent in whatever one decides to lay their hands on. Don’t jump from one thing to another. Pick your hustle and be consistent with it.

Life can be what you make it to be. Your life is what you make it. You can either thrive in a situation or you can stay crying and moping around about it. And life is not always going to be crucial. It takes having the ability to accept things that you can’t change. And the wisdom to know the difference; I don’t know if you know that saying. But life will not always be rosy. Things will not always go your way. What matters is you being able to adapt to every situation and make the most and the best out of it. Life also has phases. You need to be able to evolve and still stand strong and firm.

What do you think about what Banke Meshida Lawal had to say? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

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