Des'Ree - Prepping Your Skin Can Do Wonders for Your Makeup Routine (Make-up Artist From Tanzania)

I chose to make a career out of this, because looking at all the other hobbies I used to have before I came across this; it didn’t feel authentic. For example, when I used to sing, I was very good at it, but I would sing other people’s songs or make covers for them, more than actually writing my own songs. And I said to myself, if I want to have a music career, I should at least be able to write my own songs. 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I’ve always loved trying new things ever since I was little. I would do different things like sing, dance, design, draw, etc; up until I finished high school. Out of boredom, I would watch a lot of makeup videos, seeing all these beauty gurus made me want to learn how to do my own makeup. 

After I started to learn how to do my own, I eventually moved on to doing makeup on friends and family, and they started to suggest that I become a freelance makeup artist. 

I thought it was a great idea, and I got on with it for a while until I came across being a ‘makeup content creator’ and fell in love with it, I immediately knew that was what I wanted to do and I’ve been doing it ever since.

2. Why did you chose this career?

I chose to make a career out of this, because looking at all the other hobbies I used to have before I came across this; it didn’t feel authentic. For example, when I used to sing, I was very good at it, but I would sing other people’s songs or make covers for them, more than actually writing my own songs. And I said to myself, if I want to have a music career, I should at least be able to write my own songs. 

Comparing that to what I do now, I’m more creative and confident in what I do, and I believe doing something that you love as a full-time job can be the most accomplishing feeling; especially when you get to see a lot of people stay in jobs that make them extremely miserable.

3. How can one build a clientele as a makeup artist?

Social media is a very powerful tool. You can use it to advertise yourself as well as, even paying creators or promo pages related to your niche to promote you. 

In addition to that, when starting out, doing makeup on friends & family and they recommend you to their friends as well, and you slowly start to get more clients.

4. What are some of your top makeup tips?

I have a few tips, such as; less is more when it comes to makeup. It will still look like makeup on your skin, but also natural instead of putting on too much. But I also believe that everyone has a preference, some prefer more and some less.

Another one, Prepping your skin can do wonders for your makeup routine. Don’t just slap on a makeup product on your face without cleansing and at least moisturizing if you don’t want to put on a lot of products before your makeup. However, everyone has different skin needs, so you do what you feel is best for you, but Prep Your Skin First.

The last one is to powder your skin a little before makeup for people with oily skin, it will minimize the appearance of smile lines and oiliness that you’ll experience throughout the day. I actually learned this trick a while ago from a beauty influencer known as Jackie Aina.

5. What kind of job opportunities one can get after becoming a makeup artist?

I’m a makeup content creator more than I am a freelance makeup artist. Whilst being a makeup artist you can work in different fields in the beauty industry such as theatrical, film&television, red carpet/celebrities, runway and so many more. 

But, as a makeup content creator, apart from creating content for brands, you can host different shows, start a business, work as a digital marketer if you have the knowledge, you just have to learn to branch out and not focus on one specific thing

6. Which professional courses would you suggest for aspiring artists?

I’m a self-taught makeup artist, but I would recommend aspiring artists to take online makeup classes when you can especially with covid, online is a much better option. Also, there are so many makeup artists that hold master classes for specific types of makeup, one can also look into that, and I promise you’d learn quite a lot.

7. What is your mantra of success? 

I actually have different mantras, but there are two specific mantras that I always stick to which are “I can do it” & “if it’s meant for me it will never get past me”. I believe in manifestation, that you can speak things into existence, all you have to do is work towards your goals and the universe will do the rest. 

I’ve manifested a lot of things such as getting to work with multiple brands was always just a dream years ago and I would forever be grateful for every opportunity that comes my way.

Des'ree - Make-Up Artist 

Interviewed By: Vanshikha Bagga