‘Beauty products can be source of investments for Nigeria’

Beauty is more than skin deep. In fact, it could be the key that opens up pockets of national development, says the group Xchange Faces.

Last week, it staged “Beautified”, its makeup art workshop for women and youth empowerment that’s drawn hundreds of candidates in the last couple of years.

“It is about relevance and significance to contribute to national development,” said Xchange Faces founded Oghome Emenbo.

“This industry has a whole lot to contribute. That’s why we showcase skill and arts in professional makeup.”

“Beyond physical appearance, beauty is the ability to get your hands, mind and intellect to work,” Emenbo explained.

“Why have that sense of inferiority complex and not do anything to add value to yourself, to society and to people around you? What’s beautiful is that you are giving back to Nigeria.”

Xchange Faces is hoping to encourage more budding professional artists to be the advertisement for their own skills, considering the burgeoning market of professional makeup artists and headgear makers across urban populations in Nigeria.

“The earlier you realise you passion, you can thrive,” Emenbo said, citing the huge numbers of graduates entering the labour market every year to chase after few existent formal-sector jobs.

The group also targets investment partners and foreign donors looking to sponsor skills acquisition to key into the growing makeup industry in their development plans.