I’D like to think of make-up artists as our beauty heroes. With their magic touch, they transform us into the princess we should be on our wedding day. Most importantly, they give us that boost we need to look our best for the camera.
I wish my hands could master the various make-up techniques so that I don’t have to rely on another person to doll me up for major events. But that’s what make-up artists are for — they’re here to save the day!
The number of make-up artists is fast growing in Malaysia. Some, who are celebrity make-up artists, have even gone into business ventures by releasing their own make-up lines.
It’s a smart move, since many would naturally trust a make-up artist for good quality products.
There are many make-up artists on the rise, and I was curious to get to know one whom I came across on social media.
Taking a break from talking about the latest beauty trend, this week, I’m getting up close and personal with a rising young make-up artist. She’s Raja Azureen Eleena, or more fondly known as Wiwin.
She’s young, beautiful and passionate about what she does and her Instagram page has a cool 14,000 followers (and counting!).
Read on to find out what spurred her on to pursue a career as a make-up artist.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MAKE-UP ARTIST?
I don't remember when I started. I just knew that right after completing my degree (in Psychology, haha!), I started doing people's make-up whenever I could.
But it’s usually on weekends though because I had to do what every other fresh graduate was doing — work!
WHAT DREW YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MAKE-UP?
I find great pleasure in seeing the confidence that make-up gives an individual.
I figured that if I could do that everyday, just changing how women feel about themselves through minor tweaks in their make-up routine, I would be happy. And so I did just that!
DID YOU TAKE A PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP COURSE OR WAS IT SOMETHING YOU LEARNT ON YOUR OWN?
My first make-up guru was Kandee Johnson through YouTube.
I think I went through ALL of her videos back then! Not long after that, I enrolled myself in a beauty school, Kai Image Academy, and spent a couple months there.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY?
It would begin with a nice hot cup of coffee. I spend most of my time in front of my laptop, answering e-mails, as well as replying phone text messages and DMs on Instagram. They are mostly enquiries on my make-up and lash lifting services.
Then I'll move on to scheduling appointments, making sure that the jobs I take on don't overlap.
WALK US THROUGH YOUR GO-TO MAKE-UP ROUTINE.
Skincare is everything to me. The basics would be to cleanse, tone, treat, moisturise and protect with SPF.
Once I've got all those layers on, I lightly mist my face with a hydrating primer and layer on a thin layer of foundation.
Then I'll go in with a concealer to minimise the appearance of my dark circles, the redness around my nose and the corner of my lips. I then set my undereyes and nose with a powder.
As for the rest of my face, I depend on the contour, blush and highlight powder to set everything in place.
I fill in the sparse areas of my eyebrows and apply mascara onto my already curled and lifted lashes. And then I am out the door!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I love the immediate reaction I see on people's faces when I give them a mirror to look at the end result. Just for your information, they're usually positive!
I won't disregard the negative ones that I've gotten too, because that brings me to my next reason for loving my job — that I'm constantly learning.
I learn from making mistakes and finding solutions, whether it's overdrawn eyebrows or a cakey foundation.
All of that contributes to my knowledge in make-up. On top of that, there are always new technology and trends to keep up with. All these make my job exciting!
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT YOU OFFER BESIDES MAKE-UP?
The latest service that I've ventured into is lash lifting. It's the latest lash enhancement treatment in the market.
It leaves your eyelashes looking perky and lifted for two to three months, perfect for my low-maintenance girls and boys out there!
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF YOUR JOB?
Timeliness and being organised. Working for yourself can get overwhelming, so being able to manage that gracefully is key to a sane mind.
THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS A MAKE-UP ARTIST?
I think catering to all skin types and colours is challenging especially in such a diverse country like Malaysia. It's so easy to get labelled as a “Malay make-up artist” or an “Indian make-up artist” or a “Chinese make-up artist” just based on the way you choose to apply their foundation.
So I guess breaking those stereotypes can be challenging.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH COMPETITION?
Staying true to your style and techniques. Every make-up artist has a different approach and style, so it's best not to compare.
WAS THERE A MAKE-UP TECHNIQUE YOU FOUND CHALLENGING TO MASTER?
Until today, eyeliner is my biggest challenge. I can do it but it's not my favourite technique.
ANY FAVOURITE BEAUTY BLOGGERS/VLOGGERS?
I love Kandee Johnson's positive energy and Jeffree Star's realness!
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF MAKE-UP?
When I was 3 or 4 years old, my mum would dress me up in full make-up and wig. She will then make me perform in the living room.
I was and still am a big fan of Ziana Zain, so I would sing her songs to entertain my family, even toddlers included.
WHAT IS YOUR BEAUTY PET PEEVE?
When the make-up on my nose rubs off....
WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM CLIENT?
This is tough. I enjoy putting make-up on people up in general.
But I think my favourite people to work on are mums. Working mums and stay-at-home mums — which is a full-time job, I may add — who don't have the time to doll themselves up.
They are my favourite people to work on. I think we don't give them enough credit for all their hard work.
To have them relax in my chair while I work on their make-up is so satisfying!
ANY BEAUTY ADVICE FOR OUR READERS?
The eyes are the windows to the soul. So keep the focus on your eyes by having your lashes curled with a few coats of mascara. Groom those eyebrows and always put on a beautiful smile!
WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE MAKE-UP PRODUCTS THAT YOU SWEAR BY?
Nars Sheer Glow foundation, Nars Multiple in Copacabana and Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze & Glow for the perfect everyday base!