#TheYNaijaInterview: Bayo Haastrup, Funmi Olurinola, Bolanle Feyita & Bunmi Oyeniyi speak on why makeup industry in Nigeria is here to stay

by Wilfred Okiche

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The just concluded Makeup In Nigeria Conference (MINC) was an epoch making event that gathered the biggest names in the Nigerian makeup and beauty sector as well as some international players for an eventful day of lectures, trainings, workshops and networking.

We spoke with 4 of the brightest talents in makeup; Bayo Haastrup, Funmi Olurinola of Abeke makeovers, Bolanle Okusanya Feyita, founder of Makeuppro and Bunmi Oyeniyi ofUnveil studios and got them to reflect on the state of their industry, the impact of MINC and what to expect in the nearest future.

Enjoy excerpts:

How long have you been practising?

Funmi Irantiola Olurinola: I have been a makeup artist for the past 8 years.

Bayo Haastrup: I have been working for over 25 years in various fields of makeup.

Bolanle Okusanya Feyita: I started out make up in 1996, about 17 years.

Bunmi Oyeniyi: I am the creative director of Unveil Studios and I have been a makeup artist unofficially for 11 years and officially for 10 years.

What do you think that MINC has done/will do for the industry?

Funmi Olurinola: MINC to me will give makeup artists a face in Nigeria, as most people tend to think it is a job for people who don’t have jobs. It is also an avenue for makeup artists to come together under one roof, upgrade their skills, network and get to familiarise themselves  with new inventions and products in the industry.

Bayo Haastrup: It is a great opportunity for the veterans in the business to share their vast knowledge in the various fields of specialization with the upcoming and aspiring professional makeup artists, helping them build their individual brands.

Bolanle Feyita: MINC is going to bring the business and profession of makeup to the forefront. It is going to remind people that it is a serious career path that you can follow. That make up is something you can and should do professionally and can get a lot of personal fulfilment doing it. It is also going to remind people that there is a lot of indigenous Nigerian brands that are coming up, as well as foreign brands that are coming into Nigeria as well.  So hopefully it will help us standardise.

Bunmi Oyeniyi: I believe that it’ll bring people great opportunities to be their own boss. It will act as an empowerment platform for aspiring individuals who have wanted to be part of the makeup industry but have not been able to due to lack of resources.

How lucrative is it and can one survive only from doing make up in Nigeria?

Funmi Olurinola: It is a lucrative business for those who are determined to succeed at it. You have to always improve upon what you know, offer a range of professional services so that people can patronise you in one form or the other and as such you can always have cash flow.
And if cash is flowing, the business will be able to continue and eventually grow to be what you will call lucrative.

Bayo Haastrup: The makeup industry is very lucrative. From my earnings as a makeup artist, I am  able to cater for my family, raise my kids and contribute positively to the society. I am comfortable and very satisfied. More so there is a heightened level of exposure that has come my way during the course of my career. I have been privileged to meet the best there is in the world of fashion, beauty and entertainment so I can tell you it is a lucrative business.

Bolanle Feyita: But that is what I have done. Then when I first started out, I used to beg people to do their make up because I wanted to practice. I used to ask people getting married to do their bridesmaids for free. Now I have found my own path. I know how I like to do it. I have grown, I found my own style, my own voices and the values that I bring as a person.

Bunmi Oyeniyi: I have always been a preacher of numerous string of businesses that have to do with the makeup industry, especially in our western society in order to survive. First you need to have a passion for what you do, and be the best at it. Secondly, you need to keep reinventing; (like you know, change is the only constant thing) so improvement is a necessity. Thirdly, you need to sow into your brand equity and then the result will keep coming until you get to the top. And to the business being lucrative, oh yes! it is lucrative.

What is the most important thing the industry needs in other to move to the next step?

Funmi Olurinola: Unity and organisation. I mean in terms of a recognised professional body that offers regulation, certification etc.

Bayo Haastrup: The industry needs to develop the upcoming artist to face the vast business
opportunities of makeup and redirect the artist from the stereotype view of one look serves all. People are interested in Nigeria but the challenge is that we do not have any information to assess the industry.

Bolanle Feyita: We are looking for people to support us because we want MINC to be of excellent quality. This one could have been done in any country and that is what we want. We want the same standard. Support our vision and invest in our future.

Bunmi Oyeniyi: For the industry to move forward, we need to get the mediocre out of the street. It is a hard task but it is achievable because most of us have put in a lot of years, effort, time, money to build our brands. We also need to come together in unity and keep rebranding the industry through innovative ideas to avoid rigidity so people do not get tired of seeing and hearing the same thing all the time.

What are your genuine thoughts on the state of the industry today?

Funmi Olurinola: It is unregulated and too porous.

Bayo Haastrup: We still have a lot to pass on to the upcoming and some acclaimed makeup
artists as there is more to the art of makeup than hype.

Bunmi Oyeniyi: Make up in Nigeria is a big deal and with the pace at which we are going, it’s becoming a necessity. I am amazed at the high level of acceptance of the industry in Nigeria.

Bolanle Feyita: It is going to be a billion Naira industry sooner than you think.

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