After an unlikely start and only a year in the makeup artistry business, designer Chontelle Sewett has already begun to make her mark.
Last month, Lash’d by Chontelle Sewett (CS), a collection of lashes described as incredibly lightweight, luxurious and multidimensional, was launched and based on the positive feedback she has received Sewett is already at work on more.
It all began when Sewett decided she wanted to know how to better apply her own makeup and took a course at Makeup Academy NYC by Nina Mua. Following her course, she was invited to do makeup for the models of a fashion show in New York while she was there.
Excited to put her newfound skills to use, she began sharing with friends online and soon started receiving requests to do theirs as well. The makeup artist started her business in November 2019.
She was only able to return to Guyana in August on a repatriated flight and has started doing makeup for local clients.
“The pandemic actually helped me,” she said. “I was stuck in New York and every day I ended up doing just a makeup look and because of that, I got better. I learnt more. I was studying more tutorials online and I think my makeup game has progressed during COVID. So, when, I got back to Guyana, I was ready; I was ready for everybody.”
According to Sewett, despite the pandemic, she managed to get quite a number of clients. Halloween provided a lot of clients as many were looking for fantasy makeup, which she specialises in. However, she has also done regular makeup and for persons attending weddings, birthdays, gender reveals and other events.
Since she does not yet have a physical location, Sewett provides her makeup services at the homes of her clients.
With regard to her lash line, most of her sales have come from people who admire her work and follow her on social media. The Lash’d by CS collection consists of three different pairs of lashes – Ash, Belle and Keke – each with its own signature look. For a natural look, Ash is the most suitable, while Belle is for those daring to try a more extravagant look. Keke, meanwhile, offers the best of both worlds, fitting right in the middle. What the three versions of lashes have in common is that they look similar to a cat’s eyes – they start really short and end in a flare.
Sewett has found that many people favour Ash as it is a more for every-day wear. Owing to growing followers on Instagram, Sewett is hoping to launch her line in Trinidad soon as persons are already insisting that Lash’d by CS be available to them also. Sewett said friends in the US are also asking the same. She hopes to set up a website where persons can purchase her lashes.
Despite the short time since the launch as well as it being in the middle of a pandemic, the lash line is going better than she expected, Sewett said.
With her background in graphic design, Sewett was able to create down to a ‘tee’ lashes that would make her feel good. Following the creation of her designs, Sewett sent them to a production team in China where they were made and shipped back to Guyana. Sewett is currently trying to launch her own eyelash glue by next month.
The best thing about Lash’d by CS is that each version was designed especially for Sewett, where the wearer can look as natural as possible. This is what she wants for her clients.
At present, the graphics designer is back to the drawing board working on two new lashes: one that will be simpler than Ash and another that will be more extravagant than Belle. So far clients for her lash collection are between the ages of 17 to mid-30s.
“These eyelashes you can use for up to 30 times once you take care of and clean them. Once you wear them, when you take them off, you soak them in warm soapy water, then clean them by getting off the glue and mascara. Once they are cleaned, you put them back into the case which helps to keep the original shape of the lashes,” she explained.
The entrepreneur has also taken courses in design at Parsons School of Design – the New School in New York. The woman explained that while this began as a hobby, she wanted to perfect it which led to her taking a fashion course.
Sewett shared that she designed many of the stylish pieces she wears. However, since she lacks sewing skills, they are sewn by a tailor. She is now looking to begin designing for others but because her tailor is on demand, she cannot hire him. At present she is on a quest to find a seamstress who can sew her designs. Until then, a business in designing is stalled.
“When I go to Carnival or I go away and I wear my designs, everybody is like ‘Hey, can you make that for me?’ Earlier this year, Sewett got together with local designer Keisha Edwards and created her own costume for Carnival in Trinidad. However, realizing the intricacy of doing a costume, Sewett doubts she will take up costume designing. Her designs are for resort/swimsuit pieces and fete wear.
A former student of the Bishops’ High School, Sewett participated in various art logo competitions including one for the Child Care and Protection Agency some years ago which she won. She also designed the logo for the Ministry of Health Mental Care Facility. Recently, she placed third at an online face mask challenge hosted by P Louise Makeup Academy. The challenge was taken up by more than 100 participants.
Sewett works as a graphic design consultant and has done work with national and international companies such as GTT, UNICEF, ExxonMobil Guyana, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bar Association of Guyana, and the Guyana Football Federation.
A pair of lashes from Lash’d by CS costs $4,000. Sewett can be reached at MUA Chontelle Sewett on Facebook or Instagram, or chontellesewett@gmail.com, or at 676-2962.
