Born to beautify

What you need to know:

Beauty is a must. Nahya Shero, 22, started her professional make-up career early last year and has already made up some of the prominent people in Uganda. She shared her journey into the industry with Lydia Ainomugisha.

She dazzled in a tone of powder, fake lashes, red lipstick and her hair flew backwards. In grey jeggings, a cream waterfall dress top and red stilettos, Nahya Shero, 22, was a perfect description of glamour when she appeared for the interview.

Her powder complemented her brown smooth skin colour. Asking her how long she took to wear makeup, she gracefully responded; “only 30 minutes”.

Though only one year in the field, Nahya is already gaining ground in the make-up circles. It’s no wonder that she was among the seven nominees for the best makeup artist of the year in the Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards 2014.

A go-getter, talkative and playful child is how her older sister Mariam Shero described her. A perfect description of an apple not falling far from its tree, Nahya copied this attribute from her mother. “Growing up, I always saw my mother wearing make-up and she looked good.”

Composed and speaking in a low but confident tone, Nahya narrates her journey. She developed the love for makeup right from childhood and used to wear makeup at school. Back then, even wearing ear pins on uniform was taboo.

So, adding a tonne of powder and lipstick didn’t resonate well with her teachers. This made her a regular visitor in the disciplinary committee. “They would beat me for wearing make-up today and I still come back the following day with it.” But she says, this is not because she is less confident without makeup, she just loves herself made up.

Professional journey
While managing a friend’s salon in 2013, Nahya says people often came to the salon and she made them up as a bonus. Soon, some people started going there for make-up, but she still never thought of doing this a profession. Her eye-opener was when she made-up models at Club Lounge worth quite an amount but she was paid Shs25,000. “It was then that I realised that I can earn from this and that sitting in my friend’s salon was lagging me behind.”

She then quit and started her professional career in May last year as a freelance make-up artist and make-up tutor. At the moment, she has no office as her job requires her to move to where clients are. She says, “My phone is my office. I however dream of having my own one stop beauty parlour.”

To enhance her skills, she gets her tutorials on You Tube and following her role models such as Dress Your Face’s, Zipper Meddie, The Island boy and Alfo on instagram. With make up in all shades, Nahya says whenever called upon she moves with her entire kit so that she can pick the right shade for everyone.

Challenges
Juggling education and her career hasn’t been a bed of roses for her as sometimes she is needed in both places at ago. Her most memorable was when a client endlessly called her phone in the middle of a test. The client wanted his make-up done for a video shoot at the time she had the test. From then, she says she resolved that clients book at least a day or two to the occasion so that she can plan better.

While on duty, Nahya says she is always open minded because not everyone must like what you do and sometimes learns from certain clients. “The challenging ones are those who keep quiet throughout the process and as soon as you are done. They dash to the bathroom and wash it off,” she says.

Acquiring deals
Through numerous connections, Nahya has already made up some prominent people such asSheila Gashumba, Angella Katatumba, Victoria Kimani, Fille, Jose Chameleon, Joanita Kawalya and Eddy Kenzo. She says she gets these deals through friends, instagram and Facebook. Her price ranges from Shs50,000 and above depending on the location, occasion and type of makeup one wants.

“I treat every customer with utmost care and whenever making them up, I continuously communicate with them to know what they like”, she says adding, “My aim is to make people lovelier and not unrecognisable beings.”

FACT FILE

Nahya Shero: She is the fourth born in a family of seven
Parents: Mohammed and Hamida Shero.
Education: Aga khan Nursery School and later joined Buganda Road Primary School. Old Kampala Secondary School for O-Level and then Kyadondo S.S for A-Level.
Currently, she is pursuing Bachelor of Tourism, in third year at Makerere University

Her clientele: Official makeup artist at Fenon records, Hasz media films, Eric’s Game on NTV that airs every Tuesday at 11pm. Also, makeup artist for Big Talent Family; Eddy Kenzo.
Twaweza TVC with Adam Gashe and Canary Mugume
Nominee for best makeup artist of 2014 in the Abryanz Style and Fashion awards.
Other gigs: Nahya is a model and face of Monic Unique Styles by Ann chichi and Beat by Brigette
Also, face of prism financial services by Barbra Kyagulanyi.