Meet Jacqueline Nabukeera the creative force behind Shades of Beauty UG, the makeup brand that worked with Cleopatra and Rachel for our April shoot. Nabukeera has been doing makeup since 2014, starting as a hobby and getting commercial in 2018 aftet graduating. She talks to us about the challenges of being in this competitive industry.
What theme did you go for this shoot?
I gave both Rachel and Cleopatra a natural look. I worked with earthy tones to pull it off. Because the fashion looks were a bit dramatic, I didn’t want to go over board and overwhelm them. I wanted them to look beautiful.
What was your experience working with Cleopatra and Rachel?
They were so humble, friendly, and kind. It was a very good experience. They made me feel comfortable.
What’s your aesthetic?
I never want to alter the appearance of my clients. I believe makeup is about enhancing one’s beauty, not transforming them into a new person. This, however, depends on the brief I get from the client. I usually want someone to look beautiful but still recognizable.
How long have you been doing makeup?
I have been doing makeup since 2014. It started as a hobby, I would never go to class without wearing makeup. I’d always be late for classes but whenever I would get to class the lecturer or my fellow classmates would know why I am late ☺️ My face would say it all. I got to improve my craft each day with the help of Youtube, and after school I had to wait for a whole year to graduate. In the meantime I tried looking for a job but in vain. It was a challenge because everyone wants something in return however connected you may be or potential you have. (I must say they would never see beyond your beauty If you know what I mean). So I decided to start doing makeup professionally in January 2018 as I waited to graduate at the end of that year. I started off with the basic tools and a few products. I was doing it mobile, I would go to people’s homes, work places / anywhere convenient for the client for about 9 months. Truth is I never looked back even after graduation.
What’s the most challenging and also best part about being a makeup artist?
My challenge is capital. I’m capable of doing things greater than what I do at the moment but in this kind of busines one has to inject funds into pretty much everything starting from the products (which don’t come cheap), branding and marketing etc. The other thing is you can’t completely depend on doing makeup alone because some seasons are really bad. So doing one thing on the side when the bad times kick in is always helpful. The good times are really good I must say and bad times are really bad so in short one has to create a balance with another source of income.
The best part about being a makeup artist is that I love what I do. I enjoy my work, it doesn’t matter how long I have to stand be it 12 hours for instance, I love my job.
See some of her work
satisfashionug@gmail.com
