Elegance Magazine caught up with a young and rising make-up artist in the fashion industry who gave a snapshot of some of the challenges and satisfaction derived from the profession as well as some tips for would-be make-up artists. Elegance’s Lady Chilel draws some lessons from Ndey Ida Faye’s synopsis of experiences, in this fleeting interview.
EM: Could you please introduce yourself to readers of Elegance?
Ndey Ida Faye: My name is Ndey Ida Faye, A 20-year-old high school graduate from Marina International School in The Gambia, with a diploma in International Relations. I am also a certified Make-up artist from Sass Cosmetology Skills Academy. And I am from a religious family.
EM: You are into fashion: how is it like being in such an industry, especially for someone like you who is a make-up artist?
Ndey: Well, we make-up artists are not valued in a sense, considering how the pay sucks. This has its advantages and disadvantages. The Individual Beats that you do make up for the rest. Sometimes there is a problem of pricing, being that you buy expensive products, but individuals don’t know the value and your pricing needs to account for it.
EM: How long have you been in the profession?
Ndey: I started the course for this profession in 2014 and finished in 2015, but I started taking clients in 2016.
EM: What challenges do you face?
Ndey: As a Make-up artist, in this day and age, there’s a lot of competition. The challenges I face include: being twice as talented but I am hired half as often. Also, it takes time to develop your skills, find professional connections and find a job that actually excites you.
EM: How is the modeling industry doing in The Gambia and what can we do to make it better?
Ndey: From an outsider’s point of view, I believe the ladies are doing a GREAT job, but they deserve to be paid more.
EM: If it weren’t fashion what else would you have done?
Ndey: I would have been a psychologist.
EM: What advice do you have for younger girls that want to be make-up artists?
Ndey: My advice to young girls is: to practise a lot, be consistent and learn from others (in a word: BE INSPIRED).
EM: Do you have your own make-up brand? If not, which brand do you use?
Ndey: I don’t have my own make-up brand, but hopefully I will soon get one – insha-allah. But some of the brands I use are Black Opal, Black Radiance, Revlon, La Girl, and Anastasia.
EM: What are some of the make-up tips could you share with our readers?
Ndey: Make-up tips! Make-up has no rules; one just needs to go the extra mile. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone; go beyond borders and try new things.
EM: Any final words?
Ndey: I would say be confident, be beautiful, be independent and be You, in the make-up and fashion world.
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“My advice to young girls is: to practise a lot, be consistent and learn from others.”
“In the make-up and fashion world, one has to be confident, be beautiful, be independent and be You.”
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