Its a new year and one of my resolutions is to blog more. :-)
Today am looking into the world of make up and I realise that in Nigeria we have indeed come along very nicely. We now have our own branded make-up products like Orekelewa, BM Pro etc. And the brings us to some of the big names behind this products and the popular names in the industry.
HOUSE OF TARA - www.houseoftara.com
Mrs. Tara Fela Durotoye is the Managing Director and Creative Director of HOUSE OF TARA International. A veteran in the beauty industry, who pioneered the bridal make up profession in Nigeria. She is a lawyer from Lagos State University who started business whilst an undergraduate. Tara is a trained and certified make up artist of Charles Fox, Convent Garden London.
In a series of first, she launched the 1st Bridal Directory in 1999, set up an international-standard make up studio, and established the country's first make up school. Whilst the nation was yet catching its breath, Tara launched the Tara Orekelewa make up, a brand that promotes ethics and ethnicity, by empowering young women for economic independence without moral compromise, just as it flies the proudly Nigerian flag. Yet again, at her tenth anniversary in Lagos, she scored another first with the launch of the fragrance, "Be Inspired", which has begun to gain ground around the country.
Inevitably, along the line of her career, the demands for this visionary to spread the wealth of her knowledge became consistent, and this has seen her as a speaker at various conferences all over the country: women business conferences, youth empowerment seminars and Christian gatherings where she is a favorite on topics that range from marriage and relationships to finding your purpose. She is also a passionate mentor for make-up artists and small business owners.
Mrs.Fela-Durotoye has developed and trained a large number of make up artist (300 via the make up school) who are now active players in Nigerian beauty industry are. She has also succeeded in empowering young ladies -over 400 of them - in the tertiary institutions with the Tara Orekelewa beauty representatives' initiative that makes them financially independent, improves their self esteem while building their marketing and entrepreneurial skills.
Her many national and international awards include:
• Entrepreneur of the Year (The Future Awards)
• Young Person of the Year 2006 (The Future Awards)
• Best Makeup Artist (Fashion and Style magazine)
• Award for Excellence in the Beauty Sector 2006(City People magazine)
• Pioneer Award for Beauty 2006. (Fashion and Style Award)
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Lagos Enterprise Award).
• Wedding Planner Honorary award for mentoring other make artists, January 2008
Under her leadership the House of Tara International won the following awards
• Right Vision Movement Award Creativity & Productivity Make over Outlet of the year 2006.
• The Africa SMME Award presented in South Africa and the Entrepreneur of the Year award.2007
Tara, who is presently working on her book on how to turn your hobby to business, is happily married to Fela Durotoye and is blessed with three children, Mobolurin, Demilade and Morolaoluwa.
BANKE MESHIDA PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP [BM PRO]
The makeup line BMPRO (BANKE MESHIDA PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP) birthed in 2006 with 14 products in the line. High pigment, staying power, hypoallergenic, fashion forward are a few words that describe these amazing products formulated for optimum performance in humid weather.
Today, BMPRO makeup has 65 products in the Nigerian market as well as distributors all over Nigeria, the UK, USA, Ghana and Canada Its success is based on the acceptance of its quality all over the world. A creative spirit, she creates looks for The runway (mbgn, miss Nigeria Tiffany Amber, house of marie, odio mimonet) Bridal (over 5000 brides and counting) Editorial cover pages and fashion magazines (this day, elan, Genevieve the sun, city people, vanguard, punch, wow magazines) and especially the regular woman who wants to look extremely beautiful. Her flawless signature style is easily recognized.
Banke has won many accolades and awards for her contribution to the growth of the makeup industry in Nigeria including
- Female achiever of the year 2002 (city people)
- Makeup artist of the year 2005 (city people)
- Entrepreneur of the year 2008(future awards)
- Makeup brand of the year 2009(eloy awards)
- Makeup artist of the year (wedding planner magazine)
- Contributor of the year (university of lagos)
- Makeup artist of the year 2010. (FAB Magazine)
Bmpro has recently relocated to its new ultra-modern flagship store in dolphin estate ikoyi, which houses a spa, nail room,hair salon, photography studio as well as the makeup studio.
She is married to Lanre Lawal, has a daughter and enjoys playing the violin.
DIVINE LOOKS MAKEOVER COMPANY - www.divinelooksmakeovers.com
Award winning CEO of Divine Looks Makeover Company has carved a notch for herself in the world of makeup artistry. Chidinma Prisca Ukonu started as a professional secretary, and left the cooperate world as a general manager, to pursue her hobby turned career- Makeover.
She has proven to be one of the very best in the industry, having moved from strength to strength in over 10 years of experience in her profession. She has graced the front cover of the likes of city people magazine, encomium, etc. Program like Oge with Iretiola has featured her times without number on Silverbird TV and African Magic.
She has also been on channel 53 and NTA Channels across the country. Her clientele cuts across all profile and had especially added colour to ceremonies of many high profile citizens.
Chidinma is very warm, friendly and down to earth. She has integrity as her watchword. Divine looks Makeovers Company has trained over a hundred makeup artists, both male and female.
UNVEIL MAKEOVERS - www.unveilafricaonline-ng.com
I graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and it is expected that being an estate surveyor would not have been a bad idea after spending 5 years in the university but it was not just for me. Hence, whilst my colleagues dreamt of becoming successful surveyors, I dreamt of shadows, mascaras and lipsticks. Thus, after graduation i acquired some knowledge from The House of Tara after which i proceeded to the London School of Beauty and Makeup where I obtained a Diploma in Makeup Artistry. I distinctly remember my first experience with make-up in 1999 (my first bride Fikemi ogunkeye now Mrs. Kukoyi), it was an exercise in self discovery. Playing with the eyes, lips and face was fascinating and fulfilling. I invite you to join me in the league of entrepreneurs that make women look beautiful.
STRATEGIC MISSION
To take fashion and beauty make-up to the next level through innovation and creativity. This we will achieve by empowering young women with our training sessions and enhancing the beauty and image of our clients in the most professional and creative way with our signature style of makeup.
STRATEGIC VISION
To be the reference and leading brand name in the beauty and fashion world of makeup.
