Blush Makeup Artistry has been creating flawless faces and the artist behind the statement looks is Filisha Singh, who, as it turns out, was once a total tomboy.
Filisha is the older of two children, who grew up in Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara; she has a younger brother. Her mother did not care for makeup, so she was not exposed to it. Most of her free time was spent with her brother and his friends riding bicycles and climbing trees. Many years later her fascination with makeup was inspired by Bollywood stars but while she was a girl, she did not realize they wore makeup.
“I liked how they looked onscreen and thought that was how they looked all the time. I didn’t know that there were so many steps in makeup for them to look a certain way on television. I’m 35 now and I only realized that they used makeup like five years ago,” Filisha laughed as she shared this.
The mother of two added that where she comes from, a little powder on the face was makeup. That was until she began taking more interest in the internet. It was when she came across some makeup videos that it struck her that makeup plays a huge role in the film industry. Her fascination grew as she became more exposed to it and before long, she found herself being so intrigued that she was trying newly learnt tricks on herself. Her mother, she noted, is open-minded and happily let her do makeup on her as well.
Filisha subsequently signed up with Flawless by Tenisha to learn the basics. The course, she said, was mainly for people wanting to learn to do their own makeup. At the time she was following the work of owner of Flawless by Tenisha, Tenisha Garnett-Billington. “They were doing a Christmas special on Channel 11 and they had this programme where they promoted persons’ talent and Tenisha was the one being promoted at the time… My daughter who know that I had interest in makeup… called me to come see because I was cooking in the kitchen at the time. I saw her doing makeup on one of the hosts of the show. They were asking her questions and she said she was giving classes… I entered the workshop and from there I started. Though it was only the basics, I learn a lot in that course,” she said.
She later followed up with an advanced makeup artistry course with Glam Squad 868 from Trinidad.
Following the Flawless makeup artistry course, Filisha was hired to work along with Tenisha, who was rather impressed with her skills and saw that she had potential. She became Tenisha’s assistant then sometime later when Tenisha went away, Filisha took over the studio and renamed it Blush Makeup Artistry. The new name of the studio did not come by chance, it was decided upon owing to a blush experience Filisha had.
“I would never forget the experience with my first client,” she related. “Tenisha taught us to do makeup on ourselves so I was accustomed doing makeup on myself. Doing it on someone else is a whole different story. I’m a person who gets nervous easily.
“She said ‘Filisha this is where I’ll know how far you’re willing to go and how good you’re going to work on this person’. She wanted to be sure that when she wasn’t around, she had someone capable enough to take care of the customers.
“I was so nervous working on my first client that I forgot to add blush and line her lips. Everything else turned out well. I knew that I didn’t do all that I should have but my client didn’t realize this. But when I was finished the client was happy and really liked how it looked.
“When she left, I started freaking out and started telling Tenisha, I forgot to put blush and the lip liner. She had to calm me down and told me that the client didn’t even realize that and [commended me] on keeping my composure and complimenting the client on her look. That was a lesson for me, and things got better from there on.
“So, when it was time to find a name for my business, I decided on Blush Makeup Artistry to remind me of that experience and how far I’ve come.”
Unlike when she did the face of her first client, Filisha realises that while the makeup artistry industry has evolved, so has the knowledge of people who wear makeup. She explained that should she forget the blush today she doubted her client would miss it as many people are applying their own makeup and learning the various makeup techniques.
Asked whether she believes makeup artists will become outmoded because of this, she said she did not as with every new fashion season, comes new makeup techniques. As such, she is working towards getting her own salon as well as taking up new courses in nail art and becoming a hairstylist.
Makeup artistry, Filisha said, has brought many positive experiences to her life and she mentioned meeting amazing clients as one and the opportunity to see Guyana as another. She has visited Berbice, Essequibo and other areas. “Guyana is really nice. Who knew? My favourite place that I have visited so far is Essequibo [Coast]. It’s quiet, family oriented and the people are friendly. When you go to some of these people’s homes, it’s like you automatically become a part of them,” she said.
A favourite part of doing what she does is being a confidant. Filisha explained none of us know exactly what the other person’s situation is, adding that she is happy that her clients feel comfortable sharing their stories with her. Better yet, by the time she’s done putting their makeup on, their spirits are lifted, and their self-confidence boosted.
“It makes me so happy to know that I can do that for someone, bring a smile to their face, make them more confident. You don’t have to wear makeup but sometimes you need a little pick-me-up and makeup helps to do that.”
Filisha has been booked for countless occasions since taking up the art including a number of weddings. Though she most often goes for a subtle look, she can go vibrant and bold too. She also specializes in special effects and body painting which is most times done during Mashramani. Her biggest workday of the year is Old Year’s Day; last year she spent the day prepping the faces of 18 of her clients. Meanwhile, she once did makeup on 15 faces in a bridal party.
Her biggest breakthrough to date was when Flawless by Tenisha was contracted to do the faces of the Miss World Guyana 2016 contestants. Recently, she was hired to make up the face of Miss Model of Tourism World Raveena Mangal as well as a Miss India Guyana contestant.
The makeup industry, she said, has been tremendously hit by the pandemic since most people are more focused on spending their money on necessities and makeup does not fall into that category. However, clients are returning.
Prior to COVID, Filisha worked from her Duncan Street location but now she works from home on the West Coast Demerara and when booked for an occasion, she goes to wherever her client is. Due to the pandemic, she only works by appointment. Clients are required to book at least a day in advance but makeup for a bridal party should be booked at least a month before.
Filisha can be followed or reached at Blush Makeup Artistry on Facebook, Instagram and Instagram or via WhatsApp at 670-8804.
