It was not her calling and while Niketa Hussain has not admitted this fact, nursing was the safest bet and jelled with her desire to help people. But after some years in that profession a tragic incident led to her finally stepping out of her comfort zone and today the 29-year-old does what she likes best, makeup.
Now pursuing her lifelong passion for makeup artistry, Niketa was recently one of the few makeup artists responsible for the flawless faces of models and designers at Guyana Fashion Week (GFW)
For five years, Niketa worked at an ophthalmology centre and then spent another two years as a phlebotomist before leaving to study in Jamaica. In 2013 after spending four years there she was flown home for an emergency surgery that left her battling depression.
She realized that the only way to deal with it was, according to her, to take it “one day at a time”. Applying makeup to her face helped her to feel better during that dark period and after many trials on herself and sister she made the bold decision and ventured into Le’ Cosme’tiques By Niketa, which she operated from online.
When asked her reason for choosing makeup artistry over nursing she simply replied, “I did nursing because I wanted to help people whereas makeup was my passion.”
Niketa made her debut at the Beauty and Fashion Expo held in May during the Jubilee celebrations. After persons requested a location to access her service she began her search for a suitable place. She also decided to take makeup more seriously and pursue courses.
She then participated in Style Mission (a prelude to GFW) in aid of renowned local actor Henry Rodney. In October Le’ Cosme’tiques By Niketa partnered with Java Café Bar and Bistro and pulled off the Makeup and Margarita event, which preceded the GFW. This past weekend Niketa also took part in the Women’s Christmas week held at Giftland.
As of two weeks ago Niketa finally found herself the ideal location at the Kalyan Mall on Lamaha Street, where she not only does makeup but sells only renowned and authentic makeup brands ranging from MAC, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Milani, Morphe, Kylie, Elf, Gerad, Stila, Estee Lauder and a few others.
She also makes her own jewellery pieces: necklaces and bracelets from Swarovski crystals and beads.
“My love for this industry goes way back to my childhood, always in my aunt’s room trying out her mascara. Mascara and lipstick are my two favourites; I won’t ever leave the house without lipstick. [Sadly] I lost my aunt a few months ago to cancer and I know she would have been happy to see how far I’ve come,” Niketa said.
According to her, she is inspired by women who struggle with the same acne problem she has. “I’m also inspired by persons just coming to me feeling insecure just by having a scar or even acne scars. I was able to sit them down, apply some concealer and watch them go from insecure and shy to saying, ‘Wow, I love this on me!’ The confidence they leave with motivates me. Self confidence in a woman is everything and it shows all over you when you’re confident and your self-esteem is high. I love it when women feel like I didn’t just cover up a scar but instead enhanced their beauty. That’s the best feeling,” she told The Scene recently.
“Makeup makes you feel better [but] it still makes you feel like you,” she added.
To date Niketa has done the makeup of renowned Guyanese like fashion icon and international designer Sonia Noel, broadcasters Mondale Smith and Feliz Robertson, and model Ambika Ramraj.
Though her makeup artistry career has just begun she has done much already and she has confidence that it can only grow and get bigger. And even though she is still traumatized after she and family members were robbed at gunpoint two Sundays ago, she remains optimistic.
Looking ahead, the budding makeup artist said that five to ten years down the road she hopes to have established three other branches of her business. “I hope to better serve my customers. In that same time period also I’d like to launch my business in Jamaica,” Niketa added.
Currently when she’s not at work Niketa is doing ActionCoach, where small entrepreneurs like her are coached and trained to facilitate professional and personal developments. ActionCoach is spearheaded by Management Expert and Lecturer Vishnu Doerga.
Niketa is also a part of a non-governmental organisation called Association for Women Entrepreneurs.
The Aquarius-born has a knack for learning new languages; knows a bit of French and is already at level five of the six levels in Portuguese.
She has fallen in love with the colour yellow as she deems it a bright and happy colour and even a part of her makeup studio is painted in that colour and blends right in with the color black that is also utilised.
Her hobbies entail cooking, dancing and singing Indian music and travelling.
Le’ Cosme’tiques can be found on the middle floor of the Kalyan Mall.
