‘Seven years ago, Afeena Aliyah Mootoo professionally entered the makeup industry after she was recommended by a friend to her first client. Having realised that being makeup is her passion, her goal now is to become a household name in the industry throughout Guyana.
The young woman quickly built her profile in the region and was work-ing on expanding her portfolio when COVID-19 put a halt on that dream. She was forced to close business although her sight remains set on her goal.
Speaking about her experience with her first client, Afeena, 25, of Lot 74 Section ‘A’, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, said, “Of course I was a little nervous, but this was just to be expected. When I was first approached and asked if this was something I was interested in doing, I honestly had a slight internal freak out because I didn’t think I was ready.”
However, she said, on reflection she was more than ready. “I just needed a little push, and in my case, I was recommended by a friend which made everything seem a little less daunting,” she said.
Boosting her confidence even more is the fact that her first client has booked her for every other event since then. “I knew my first client was not lying when she said she absolutely loved how her look came out. She has booked with me for every other occasion after that,” she added.
According to Afeena, her long-term goal is to become a household name that other makeup artists in the industry can look up too, as well as to “travel the world for my work”.
From a young age, Afeena was always fasci-nated about fashion and makeup. “As the years went by, I continued on with my love of makeup and kept on experimenting daily and gradually getting to know products and what worked better on the skin,” she noted.
But her fascination with makeup also brough its fair share of backlash. She endured slurs from girls who labelled her ‘plastic’. “Not everyone understood how much I really loved it. I couldn’t win either way but with better self-esteem I laughed in the bullies’ faces and didn’t show any sign of being affected,” she added.
The proof of her success so far is the fact that she is now known as one of the most talented makeup artists in the Ancient County.
“I do eventually want to invest in other businesses,” she added, “but I know makeup is the one I’ll enjoy doing the most.”
She said that while being a makeup artist is one of the “best paying jobs” it does come with its hardships, as such it is important to always work hard and remain focused. “If you want it as bad as I do, you will achieve your goals.”
Afeena stressed that makeup has played a major role in boosting her confidence. She said, “Makeup has the power to change a life, to evoke a smile or even a tear. It empowers women to be confident and stand up and be counted. Makeup taught me many things as a person but most of all it taught me how to accept myself for who I am once again and to appreciate the face that makes me unique.”
According to her, if she can evoke the same confidence in just one other person through makeup then it tells her that she is on the right path.
Meanwhile, touching on Covid-19 virus, she said her career has been turned “upside down”, since she has closed her business. “Work is different and any social life has ground to a halt. Social distancing is suddenly a word that we know and hear daily, and fear and uncertainty are rampant. It’s important to acknowledge the difficulty of the times and to allow ourselves to feel the actual feelings that we’re having. At the same time, it’s also helpful to not allow ourselves to be swallowed up by despair.”
She stressed that it is important for people to continue to strive for their personal and career goals which can help them maintain some hope during this time.
“While the pandemic may have put some things on hold, you should continue to take reasonable steps toward becoming your ideal self, at least we are in control of that,” she stated.
While noting that everyone is hoping for a good outcome after the pandemic, Afeena said she is also eager to get back to work.
She said, “We have a chance to start over as we head out of this pandemic and to create a world of love, a world where we are kinder to each other, a world where we are kind no matter what class, race, sexual orientation, what religion or what jobs we have. A world where we don’t judge those with mental illnesses because that might have been us if things were just slightly different. Let love and kindness be our road map.”
