Remmy Bahati like you have not seen her before

Remmy Bahati is the lucky winner of Full Woman’s first edition of the complete makeover. Photos by Abubaker Lubowa.

What you need to know:

The makeover. Remmy Bahati, a broadcast journalist, is the lucky winner of Full Woman’s first edition of the complete makeover. You might remember her as the reporter who was violently arrested outside Dr Kizza Besigye’s home in Kasangati in March. But let us not discuss work or politics; instead, let us give this hardworking young woman a professional makeover and send her off with some expert tips on what style works for her TV job.

1. THE EXPERIENCE
Remmy Bahati shares her experience:
“I was nervous and shy at first but once I relaxed, the process got extremely exciting and interesting.
In the field, I only carry foundation, lipstick and lip-gloss. The station provides a makeup artiste to do the makeup when we have to be on air, so, I sometimes do not apply any makeup; I just do not have the time.

As far as wardrobe is concerned, journalists follow the same rule of newspaper design - function over form. As a television news reporter covering mostly politics, my wardrobe has gone from “dress to impress” to “dress for the function and comfort”.

It is not that we do not want to dress well; our work takes you to places where your nice outfit would only be ruined. The way I dress is at times determined by what I have to cover on the day. For instance, if I am going to cover a business event, I will go for a serious look, perhaps a blue dress and a pair of heels so that guests and sources in the corporate world take me more seriously. To a refugee camp, riot or Kasangati where I anticipate some chaos, I would wear a pair of jeans and a top.

The same goes for makeup; I wear what is appropriate for particular events. In terms of fabric, if I was to consider wearing anything of African material such as dress, I would wear one while covering dinner functions.
This being the first time I’m being treated to a professional makeover, I am very happy and excited. I will consider giving the same treat to someone at a certain point in time.
Thank you for the opportunity.”

The stand outs
My favourite look: The African dress stood out for me. The minimal makeup blended well with the dress, making me look like an African woman.
Best part of the experience: Having my makeup done by a professional for the first time.
Biggest surprise: The extreme look. It was completely different , I looked like someone else!

The lesssons
• Smile when applying blush for better results.
• Making up requires time. You cannot rush through it.
• Since foundation always comes in a number of varieties, one must apply the finishing foundation as well.
• Moisturise five to 10 minutes ahead of applying foundation. This makes it easier to apply.

2. THE PROCESS
Sylvia Kawalya, a makeup artiste at Paramour Cosmetics Limited takes us through Bahati’s makeup transformation process;
Creating the perfect day look
Once I cleansed her face with a wet wipe, I realised that Bahati’s skin is the dry type. Dry skin does not take a lot of makeup at the same time, so, I only applied a thin layer of Paramour foundation primer.

I used the paramour deluxe eyebrow pencil in a dark brown shade, which is a natural eyebrow shade for African complexion. Browns and gold shades of eye shadow also naturally blend in with our skin tone. So, I mixed these shades to tone and define her eyes.

For some glamour and drama– which suits her television business - Bahati got artificial eye lashes.
For a flawless look for the camera, I finished off by filling in any blemishes with another layer of foundation and dark Paramour HD powder. For the photoshoot, I mixed Paramour bronzer and blush in light shades in browns and dark pinks. The natural look is best if she is covering a story during the day.

The dramatic evening look
To change her look for a more glamorous look, I completely changed her eye makeup to a smoky, sexy look. The more natural and well-blended blush is, the subtler and beautiful it will make the face. I chose hues of dark burgundy and fuchsia from the Paramour blush pallet. Bronzer is great to capture light on camera and it gives a rich, glowy finish. The extreme look would be appropriate for a high-end night time assignment with mix of personalities, for instance, musicians.

For that fresh look all day long
“It can be done by blotting (drying) with a tissue to keep off excess oil. It is important to blot and not rub as this will distort how the makeup sat on the skin. A powder touch up can also be done once during the day.” Sylvia Kawalya, a makeup artiste.

TIPS FOR JOURNALISTS
Tazibone’s style tips for journalists:
• For your work wardrobe, invest in more pieces in muted and neutral colours. They can actually be worn several times if one is creative with accessories.
• Comfort is everything since a field journalist’s job requires them to spend more time outdoors. Buy clothes that suite the weather by opting for lightweight and breathable fabrics for hot weather and layering pieces like shawls, blazers and knitwear for cold or rainy weather.
• Infuse some colour and prints into your wardrobe in a way that allows you to be fashionable without violating the dress code.
• Try out from “work to play” pieces for instance structured jumpsuits; A line dresses, among others.
Kawalya’s general makeup tips for journalists
• Always carry your own powder or touch-up products into the field because you can never tell when you need to use them.
• Learn to apply your own makeup. At the end of the day, once the audience loves you, your job will make you happier.
• Makeup enhances your natural beauty but it takes effort to be appreciated and used the right way. In case you can, hire a personal stylist or makeup artist to spice up your look.

3. THE WARDROBE
Solomon Tazibone, fashion editor and stylist for African Woman Magazine online and panellist at the NTV Style Project, gave Bahati the following looks;

1• The high waist jeans and chiffon blouse are appropriate for the field because they allow for comfort and ease while working. The blouse is in a lightweight fabric (chiffon) which is suitable for the hot weather. It was possible to infuse some colour into the whole ensemble with the blouse because a field journalist’s dress code is fortunately not as uptight as mainstream corporate dress code.

2• The African print dress is a little dressier in comparison to the outfits owing to the print and the choice of accessory (large belt). I see the wearer opting for this outfit for functions such as an office party. Otherwise, all the three outfits are appropriate for field work.

3• The navy dress allows for both reporting during the day and night time. The fact that it is a wrap dress allows for the wearer to be in touch with her femininity while staying appropriate. The muted colour choice makes the outfit versatile as it can take the reporter from day to night while staying elegant and comfortable.