Make-up artist Janica Sandy’s work has been viral on Facebook and Instagram for quite some time. She has produced some jaw-dropping looks, which have people commenting and reposting to friends locally and abroad.
Janica, a Berbician who moved to Georgetown two years ago, is a professional who has been enthusiastic about this skill some six years now.
Her work varies from subtle to strange – when she’s dealing with Halloween and onstage actors.
“I was like 12 or 13 when I started applying makeup on myself whenever there were events. Friends who saw encouraged me to venture into the art,” Janica said in a conversation with The Scene.
“Makeup enhances the way people look and boosts their self-confidence. I love dealing with colours, especially bright colours like the carnival and Mash colours,” she added.
The best part about being a makeup artist Janica shared, is being able to travel to different places, meet new people and get the opportunity to make people feel good about themselves.
“The only challenge I face from time to time is time; punctuality. For example if I have two weddings to do in a day and the first bride is late; that now makes me late for the second bride and it makes me look bad. I find the same with other customers as well,” she said.
According to the makeup artist and Chief Executive Officer of Ultimate Image Beauty Studio (the name of her business) she came up with that name because as a woman she understands that appearance is important and therefore likes to create the ultimate look a woman would want for herself. “I always try to do my best; my work speaks for itself.”
Janica, who became a certified makeup artist through ‘Makeup by Pinky’ in Trinidad said her teacher Amelia Fazzaq is her inspiration. It was because of Fazzaq’s outstanding work that Janica boarded a plane to the twin island to learn all the makeup skills she could possibly learn firsthand.
The once student is now also an educator and travels to Bartica, Linden and other parts of Guyana teaching aspiring young women the tricks of the trade. Five out of the six years that she’s been a makeup artist, Janica has been teaching and in the last two years she’s done 60-plus workshops with more than 300 students. This weekend Janica is expected to be on the Essequibo Coast teaching another batch of students.
Janica, who hails from Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, said moving to Georgetown was probably one of the best things she’s done business-wise though before the move she was worried as it seemed a big risk to take; among her worries were finding customers and a place to rent.
However, that worked out just fine as Janica mentioned earlier, she lets her work speak for itself. Since her arrival in Georgetown she’s done a number of models and is currently the official makeup artist for Image Model Management and Homestretch Magazine.
The Aquarius-born make-up artist, who turned 30 a little over a week ago, hopes that before she’s 40 she will have made her name as a celebrity makeup artist. She is also well-established entrepreneur and has her own line of cosmetics – Image Cosmetics.
“In a few months I’ll be launching my eyelash extensions and my makeup-brush line,” she added.
Janica said that there are two things she would never leave the house without – foundation and powder. And having sampled a number of the top makeup brands, she has now settled for Black Opal because according her it’s most suitable for women of colour.
Janica’s makeup artistry is full time, because her work is demanded by so many. Persons cannot just turn up at Ultimate Image Beauty Studio and expect a make-over but are expected to make appointments. Although Janica specializes in makeup artistry, she sometimes does hair styling and painting of nails if requested beforehand.
She caters for all events such as birthday parties, Halloween, stage/drama and has packages for weddings.
As Mashramani approaches she looks forward to dabbling with bright colours as persons set out to take part in float parades.
In her limited free time she enjoys travelling, sight-seeing, shopping, picnicking, going to the movies and loves her ‘me-time’ that she uses to reflect, plan and browse the net.
Ultimate Image Beauty Studio is located at 27 Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown and opens from Sunday to Sunday. Persons can schedule appointments through Facebook: Ultimate Image or Instagram: ultimate_image592
