ME: Hello, Please tell us a little about yourself.
Gee: My name is Gbemisola Balogun alias Gee Balo, I’m married with 2 boys, I’m God fearing, lively, fun to be with, creative, a self professed fashion icon. I’m a freelance MUA (Make-up Artist) who has been in the field for 4yrs, I setup my business Amaze n Beauty to enhance and celebrate the beauty of a woman, I specialise in all types of make-up i.e. bridal, red carpet, ceremonial event, birthday fashion and also specialise in the Nigerian head wrap famously known as GELE.
ME: What is your favourite or most exciting aspect about your job?
Gee: Firstly, I love what I do; it’s the most challenging work that I have ever come across because I deal with people from different race, cultures and background. You don’t know what to expect until you actually become a MUA, it’s a broad career that has no limitation. So I would say that the best thing that I love about this career is the prospects and the future in it.
ME: Did you become an artist by chance or did you always wanted to be one?
Gee: I didn’t become a MUA by chance or opportunity, it had always being part of me from my early years, I can remember when I used to buy cheap cosmetics and experiment with them on my friends and family and also on myself, because personally I love to wear makeup but not as an everyday thing. After years of experimenting on friends and family, I thought to myself that it’s high time I took it up as a career, which I can promise you that I’m now enjoying every bit of it.
ME: Who or what inspired you to become a professional makeup artist?
Gee: I would say that I inspired myself to become a professional MUA, because it has always being something I had always loved doing without any doubt in it and also with the solid support of my family and friends, it became a natural progression and the sky was not my limit.
ME: How do you define beauty, and how has that influence your work?
Gee: To me beauty doesn’t end on the face, but it’s an inner thing, making up or using cosmetics to enhance your beauty doesn’t mean that you would be beautiful, because beauty does fade out but 1 thing that doesn’t fade is oneself!!! When I make my clients up, I usually tell them 1 thing; that is “don’t expect to be dazzling or glamorous if you don’t wear the spirit of beauty” when you makeup you must wear it with passion, there is no boundary to beauty, instead it’s an achievement.
ME: What products do you use and why?
Gee: Most of my products are MAC; however I also use Rimmel, Loreal, Sleek, Iman, Clarins, and Dior.
ME: What would be the most important skin care tips that you to give your clients?
Gee: Drink lots of water, avoid fizzy drinks, exfoliate or mask up your face at least 3 times a week, always use a toner everyday and most importantly eat lots of vegetables!
ME: What features on the face do you personally love to accentuate?
Gee: My eyes… I love my eyes and put much effort on my eyes because it carries out the beauty of the face the most.
ME: What is your favourite makeup accessory? Lipstick, Eyeliner, Eye shadow etc and why?
Gee: Wooahh!! I have lots of favourites makeup tools, but d best so far 4 me is coppering and amber light eye shadows from MAC, VINO lip liner from MAC, OYSTER GIRL and Viva la Glam from MAC and most important is the Studio Fix powder foundation from MAC and of course MAC brushes!!!..You can’t go wrong with this items if you are a beginner in makeup artistry these are the best basic tools to kick start your career.
ME: What tips do you have for aspiring makeup artist just starting out?
Gee: The best tips that I can give an upcoming MUA is that; Makeup artistry is a career that has no full stop to learning!!!.. You learn each day and also you must follow your dream with passion, ignoring all negativity and criticism that comes with the career. And 1 more thing that I can advice an upcoming MUA is that you must do what you have a passion 4 not what is in vogue!!!
You can visit Gee on her blogsite HERE . Below are samples of her current work. Enjoy!
Models:-
Tolu Iyapo, Lawrenta Dakare, Moji Ayodele
no comments