What it means to be A male makeup artist

When we think makeup, it is usually female faces that come up. But for 21-year-old Peter Russel Mugisha, being a makeup artist is everything he craved for and is not afraid to say he is living his dream.

One would wonder why a man would be interested in makeup; something considered a female domain. I must say makeup is something that makes someone look better and feel more confident.
My name is Peter Russel Mugisha. I am 21 years old and I am a second year student of Industrial Fine Art at Makerere University. I love makeup. I have loved it since I was young. Back then, I was doing it with family and friends.
My mum used to guide me so I kept learning. Much as I loved carpentry and painting, my dream was to become a doctor. However, as time went by, I made up my mind to focus on makeup.

Inspiration
I realised that not many people were doing it. Up to now, most salons concentrate on hair, manicure and pedicure but not makeup. I saw the gap that needed to be filled and I decided to make it a career.
Being a male makeup artist has both its benefits and challenges.
The plus is that many female clients are secure if a man is working on them. I usually get calls from clients who know female colleagues in the industry who prefer me working on them. And when they come, I offer them services to the best of their expectations.

Preparations
Before meeting them, I make sure I am looking my best. First impressions count. I always convince my clients in the first seconds of our meeting.
I make sure they are comfortable to share what kind of results they expect. By the time they leave, they have a yearning for coming back for my services.

The hiccups
On the other hand, there are clients who come expecting to replicate a particular look of a celebrity yet that will not flatter them.
As an expert, I advise accordingly. This is because different skin types go with different makeup products.
The makeup I would apply on a light skinned person is not the same I would use on a dark skinned client.
So talking to a client beforehand helps you explore different options.
Sometimes the clients agree with my opinion while others do not. If the client refuses my advice, I refer them to another person.
There are also problem skins, especially for people who do not drink enough water. Such skins are usually dry which makes it hard to blend with makeup but I always find a way of working on it.
Some clients, especially ladies, invite me to offer mobile services and usually there is an audience.
By the time I have finished, others also want a similar service. Many want to take advantage of the fact that I am a man to get free services but I tactfully explain to them that I am running a business.
There are times when clients invite me to far places without offering transport. When I tell them the amount I am charging them, they think my services are very expensive.
Sometimes when I explain the bill, the client appreciates the efforts, other times I incur losses. But that does not deter me. My passion is to see beautiful people.
I am also motivated by the love for being independent. The era of finishing studies and then looking for a job is gone. I wake up each day with the urge to make myself better at what I do. This is my career. There are also times I am torn between attending to my clients and studies.
This has taught me to plan for my time so I never work on emergencies. I advise my clients to inform me in time so I can plan.
Like any other business, the beginning was not easy. I remember how it felt when few people knew about my existence.

Capital
Starting out, I stocked makeup worth Shs300,000 but got used up before I could even reap from it. I used to give free makeovers so that I could get recommendations. It was a painful sacrifice but now I am reaping.
My client list is growing. All it took was patience and sacrifice. I have come to learn that when you do something you love, you give it your best and with that, you end up giving quality services.
I cannot say I have reached where I want to be but I am getting there. I will not give up until I realise my dream of owning a beauty parlour.