FIVE MINUTES WITH BIMPE ONAKOYA
A graduate from the University of Lagos, award winning makeup artist Bimpe Onakoya was selected by Bayo Hastrup to be a part of his team of makeup artists at the first ever St Moritz Style event. Since then, her artistry has led her to work with numerous
I loved the energy of back stage, the part when the looks for each show is correctively interpreted. I love that feeling especially when a known face you seen several times on FTV comes to sit on
my chair for makeup!
What do you love most about makeup?
I love the transformation, I love the fact that I can make someone beautiful while still maintaining her individuality, I love the joy of a satisfied client, it’s priceless, that’s the food to my soul.
What do you struggle with as a makeup artist in terms of your actual craft?
I can do even the most complicated makeup with my eyes closed! I love skin so much that even if it is is full of blemishes, I still work to not only make it flawless, but perfectly natural looking. With brows, I work with what clients bring to the table. It’s very important they look good and still look like themselves but just a more beautiful version of themselves.
How would you describe your signature look that sets you apart from other makeup artists?
I genuinely understand and love faces, that’s my own special gift from God and also with years of experience , once I see a face , I already know how it should look , what’s best for the features, so therefore you could say my signature look is making people look beautiful without stereotyping them so they don’t look alike and everyone still maintains their true essence. This way, they don’t get lost in transmission .
When you decide to approach a face, what things do you take into consideration before you lift a brush?
Personalities. I listen to them and make my own discreet decisions, sometimes some people don’t know what they want while others are very particular about their looks. Some love it subtle, while others want an outright facebeat. All these are factors I put into consideration before I even touch the brush.
You are currently the Artistic Director of Maybelline New York Nigeria, how has that helped your career?
Being the Artistic Director of an international brand like Maybelline New York Nigeria is a position every creative person wants attached to their name. That’s what shows that you are an authority in your field. People from far and wide know your name and consult you. This has given my career a great boost, I have became a public spokesperson, an educator, and a consultant. It’s a beautiful journey.
How did the last New York Fashion Week go with your team?
It was a great and priceless experience, I call it the epic experience. It was a great opportunity to mingle, work side by side and to network with leaders in the field with Maybelline makeup artists from around the world. It was a perfect opportunity for us all to exchange notes and ideas. I had a first hand knowledge of how its been done over there, met with Yadim, whose work I’ve always admired. He’s the global makeup director for Maybelline New York. I met with the president of Maybelline, was so impressed when he came to greet me. I worked for shows like DKNY, Lacoste, J Mendel , Suno etc
Where there any challenges you faced especially in terms of skin tone?
Not really , though I literarily went from the plane to Lincoln Center, so when I was given a boxload of makeup products before the first show, I didnt have adequate time to really digest them. Not that it was an issue, just that instead of spending ten minutes on a face I was spending twelve, because I kept checking and cross checking foundations because of all the different shades and hues of the white skin, but by the time I studied all the foundations in the evening , I was fine. The products were so beautiful and divine
Did you meet and work on anyone famous?
Yes, it was a pleasure working on Jourdan Dunn, Maria Borges , and Grace Bol, they were just amazing .
What was the most exciting part of work backstage?
Every second of work backstage was so precious to me. I loved the energy of back stage, the part when the looks for each show is correctively interpreted. I love that feeling especially when a known face you seen several times on FTV comes to sit on my chair for makeup! Words can’t quantify that feeling, I felt I was in a dreamland.
You were the Head makeup artist at the just concluded Lagos Fashion and Design week, what knowledge from your experience in New York did you bring to the show?
I brought my A game and the spirit of NewYork to the fashion week with all the knowledge and secrets acquired in New York. I showed my team, and they all performed, and it reflected on the models. The makeup was versatile and so good, people saw trends, they saw beautiful skins on the runway. The models looked their best ever and guests were raving about the looks.
What are your plans for the future and where do you see youself in the next five years?
I have so many plans still cooking, not done, still in the early stage but my plan in the next five year is to be that person to consult on all things African .
Who are some people that have inspired you through your career thus far?
Pat McGrath, I just love that woman!
Any advice to buddying makeup artist?
Pursue excellence, ignore success, with excellence you achieve every other thing .