How to Increase Your Clients as a Makeup Artist (part 2)

On this second segment, I will address the various methods of how a makeup artist can use easy ways to expand his/her portfolio.

Generate a collection that exhibits your talent

To acquire a clientele, it is extremely crucial to possess a portfolio of 10-12 different looks that displays your true talent. To build your collection, you can simply ask family or friends to pose as a model if you’re on a tight budget to get a professional one. When you’re creating a portfolio, it’s equally important to have coherence in terms of accessories and costumes.

Furthermore, since it’s your chance to demonstrate your ability as a makeup artist, get a little creative— within limits, of course— and generate a soft copy so that you can share your collection on different social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, Google plus, etc.

Create a website or modify it if you have one

As I have mentioned on my earlier post, the best way to advertise your business as a makeup artist is to create a website or to refine an existing one to make it look more professional and engaging. This will keep your potential clients updated with your work and the services you provide. It is also essential to replace recent pictures with the old ones from time to time.

Get additional training

To make your makeup artistry business more sought-after, advance your training and licensing. If you consider taking complementary classes on skin care, hair styling, and special effects, it will bring about more yields for you.

Utilize Good Products

The cosmetic you use must be of a professional grade makeup; for if they are easy to access, the chances of your business growing is narrow.

Additional tips

•  Expand your networking with other people in the makeup industry.

•  Remember to always demonstrate your gratitude towards your clients so that you could gain their loyalty. Also, request a feedback on your work.
•  Maintain a good relationship with other makeup artist; you never know when you would need help from them professionally.

How to Increase Your Clients as a Makeup Artist(part 1)

I love my makeup artist; she is someone I rest every speck of my trust on. Fortunately for me, she’s a veteran in the industry—has been working for over a decade now. She always does an impeccable job glitzing me up for special events. How she has been able to amass such a huge clientele has always piqued my curiosity. So I probed into the matter and gleaned some very important pointers. So, whether you’re a Studio owner or a freelance makeup artist, you could make use of them.

Marketing Strategy

Your business plan doesn’t have to be a complicated one— just keep it simple.

Set aside a weekly or a monthly blueprint for your marketing pursuits. The following should be keystones to your planning:  a strategy to get new clients, to keep the existing ones, and to establish your brand.

A sales pitch

You need to have a portfolio that stands out. Branding starts from you, so have a personal pitch: keep it crisp, about a hundred words or less. Talk about yourself, your past experiences in the industry. And give a little information about your business and your working principles.

Logo

A logo is a must, and I’m not talking about those macabre kinds. You need to get a professional one done. It is one of the first impressions clients get from you; don’t let it disappoint.

A website

Just like the logo, a website needs to project a professional feel. With graphic designers everywhere, this should be an easy job.

Be sure to add your contact details and to link the site to your social media accounts. Have a detailed description of your skills and your price rate.

Other thing you need to consider

A contract form is very essential. I have touched upon this topic— clickhere.

You’ll also need a booking form. When booking clients, however, don’t take on more than what you can handle.

I’m just getting started; there are more pointers coming your way. Keep an eye out for part 2; in the mean time, please do share pointers you have.

Contract Forms: Why they are Important to a Makeup Artist

At the absence of a signed contract, makeup artists are exposed to many unfavorable conditions. Being vulnerable to last minute cancellations is one of the many irksome incidents.

There are various reasons to why some clients cancel; for instance, a bride might be on a tight budget, so she might have a family member do her makeup for free. But on the makeup artist’s end, they have to lose a good night sleep to wake up early to reach the brides house, wait until the bride is awake, get paid late and much besides.

If you are a makeup artist, I advise you not to rely on verbal agreements with your clients because if there are any complications, you will be the one dealing with the unjust outcomes. So, remember to initially adhere to your Makeup Service Agreement/Contract to mainly protect yourself of any last minute cancellation, rescheduling, delay, disagreements, etc.

Please don’t hesitate to share your experiences with us.

 

The Ugly Reality of Taking Loans from Loved Ones

It’s quite common for entrepreneurs to find capital for their businesses from family and friends. In fact, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2012 Unites States Report, most startups are funded by those close to the entrepreneurs.  

But, embarking on such financial arrangements could lead to the erosion of good relationships here are some of the challenges you need to contemplate before borrowing money from loved ones.

1.       Money Might change both of you.

Money will inevitably cause strain in the relationship. No matter how reasonable you or your lender is, financial issues like deficits or even profit will change both of you and cause disagreement at various intervals.

2.       You’ll be enslaved by the lender.

Until you’re able to pay off your loan, you’ll have this shadow of insecurity cast over you.

At the beginning, most lenders will be cool about it, but when you start spending, say on a new car or a fancy wardrobe, and he/she notices, things start to get ugly. Instantly the lender/your friend or family will start thinking, “How is she squandering the money on expensive stuff, when she still owes me money?”

3.       It’s possible your business go bust.

What if your entire plan turns out to be one big failure? How will you be able to pay that person back? That’s sure to cause a huge gap in your relationship.

So here are ways to avoid loans from destroying your relationship with loved ones.

·         Keep the arrangement strictly formal; let it resemble that of a bank loan. There should be obligations of repayment – by the way, failing to pay back what is borrowed is never okay, under any circumstance. You should have terms of payment- perhaps a little flexible than that of a bank though.

·         Create a schedule for payment. Your business might not generate enough revenue. In that case, make monthly payments to the lender and add penalties to late payments.

·         Add interest payments. Normally loans come with interests, so why should your arrangement be any different? 

7 things that are holding you back from Success

The thirst for success is in the very fiber of humanity. Every one basks in the reverie of a prosperous and flamboyant life- but only some of us actually turn that imagination to reality. So if you really have this unflinching desire for success, here are 7 obstacles you need to get rid of.

1.       Obsessing over past mistakes

We’re all humans thereby prone to make blunders. The sooner you learn that, the faster you get over past mistakes, learn valuable lessons from them and simply move on.

Don’t look back; just feast your eyes on the treasury that awaits ahead.

2.       Allowing envy to get out of control

It’s always healthy to adapt lessons from successful people. It could be the smart choices they’ve made or their diligence. Learn from them, but do not let envy play into the factor, for that would breed negativity, creating an unhealthy environment for work.

3.       Surrounding yourself with a mob of negative moochers

You know those people who are always negative, and needy? You don’t want them around. They will suck the energy out of you and fill you with negativity. So find a positive and prosperous crowd to be around.

4.       Lacking assertiveness

As discussed above, people do make mistakes, but they learn from them. And it is those lessons that make you wiser and confident.

While it’s smart to make cautions decisions, it’s also detrimental to second-guess your every move to the point where you are paralyzed to make necessary decisions essential to success. Be assertive.  

5.       Stagnancy

Feeling content with the success you have achieved so far is a good thing, but you must always have that avid lust for change and further growth. There’s always something new to learn out there; keep an eye out for that.

6.       Failing to act on your plans.

Anyone with a drive for success is equipped with a well-defined plan. But many are hesitant to take steps towards those goals. Don’t be one of them. Turn your plans to reality and keep a record of the progress you make.

7.       Allowing money to define success.

Yes, money is a bewitching entity that could have you lose focus. Increasing your revenue as a business woman/man or an employee is a must. But money is not the keystone you should build your success on. Things like bettering your product or services, motivating your crew, diligence, play into the factor.

8 Ways to Finance Your Startup Business

It is our innate desire to startup a business one day. And when that day to act on our plan arrives, we ruminate various ways to fund our startup.

There are multiple options that are available for establishing a business, even though all the alternatives might not suit you. Below, I have listed 8 most reliable ways to fund your startup business.

1. Seek a bank loan

If you have a robust business plan and have a good credit history or existing assets, then you might get loans from Small Business Administration (SBA).

2. Join a startup incubator or accelerator

Business incubators such as YouWin Nigeria are getting very popular these days. They tend to have a more positive response to promising ideas and smart entrepreneurs. This sort of funding is sometimes called “seed financing.”

3. Solicit angel investor groups or Venture-Capital

Most angel-investor groups are interested in subsidizing qualified startups. They give smaller loans than VCs (Venture Capitalists).

Venture Capital contains professional investors who usually invest a substantial amount of money in qualified business startups.

4. Ask for micro-business grant

Government funds are there to financially support various causes.  Thus search for good places to get subsidized for your business.

5. Initiate a crowdfunding campaign online

This is the latest mechanism for funding, where people make online promises to pre-purchase your product for later delivery.

6. Partner Savings

Partnership is very crucial in terms of sharing the financial burden, as well as developing the business management.

7. Tell family and friends your needs

Get your family and friends to believe in your startup. Broadly explain to them that it will be a promising business.

8. Sponsor your startup yourself

If none of the options mentioned above are not available or do not conform to you, bootstrapping might suit you.

Many startup businesses have been self-funded. Even though saving money might take time, it would be a gratifying experience.  

Marital Rape; Yes, it does Exist

We all are aware of the fact that this world of ours is riddled with horrid occurrences, or, in simple terms, crime. And rape happens to be one of those crimes that have devastated the lives of many from around the world.

Under the rubric of the law rape is defined as the crime of sexual intercourse without the consent of the woman, and when it’s accomplished through force, threat of violence or intimidation. Lack of consent consists of saying “no” or being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol, that tampers with the woman’s ability to resist or consent.

Rape is characterized as a crime committed on a woman by some stranger. But can her husband, the very man with whom she uttered the sacred vows of marriage, be charged of raping her? Yes.

Marital rape, which is also known as Spousal rape, or rape in marriage, is stated by the law in many counties such as the U.S., Europe, and some developing countries, as a form of domestic violence or sexual abuse.    

Nowadays, so many women are coming out and sharing their stories about how their husbands use to rape them. And one of the many things you learn from their share of horrible experiences is that rape in marriage isn’t only in the form of physically forced sex. It can also be accomplished through manipulation and threats.

If, for instance a woman is asleep, intoxicated, drugged, unconscious, or in any other condition that can’t enable her to make mindful decisions, and her husband has sex with her, then that would be rape.

And if a man uses verbal threats of harm to have sex and the wife complies with his need for fear of getting injured, it’s rape.

      

 Sometimes men also manipulate their wives in to having sex with them. He would either threaten to leave the house with the kids, or go to other women to fulfill his needs.  In such circumstances a woman’s compliance isn’t valid, as she wouldn’t be having sex with him for love but for fear of losing her marriage.

One of the many women who have brought light to Spousal rape is the 26 year old Sarah Tetley. On an interview with ITV’s This Morning, she told the world of how her husband has been raping her while she was in a profound state of sleep.  She also reviled that the police found over 300 pornographic videos of her in Charlie Tetley’s, her husband, computer. Certain scenes of the video have also led the officials and Sarah herself to the assumption that she might have been drugged.

Charlie has pleaded guilty to 26 counts of rape and assault and now faces to up to 12 years in prison.

6 Characteristics that Make a Woman Complete

There are many traits that make a woman complete. Of course, there are several characters in a woman that make her beautiful, attractive, intelligent, etc. But, there are 5 top-qualities that make a woman fulfilled, and they are:

Confidence

Confidence is indeed a very challenging quality to possess; however, most women have self-assurance that is hard to overlook. This top quality in a woman demonstrates that she is independent and does not need any approval before reaching a certain decision. All in all, this trait in a woman is one of the biggest pieces that complete a woman.

Self-Respect

A woman with a real self respect reveres others around her. She does not appreciate anyone who crosses the line with her. Self-respect is trait that attracts people in general.

Friendly

A woman who is confident and respectful is always amicable towards, not only the people she is familiarized with, but also those who she just meets. She is friendly simply because she is complete inside. There is no reason for her to hate, envy, or frown upon on others. Possessing this quality increases the love and respect she obtains from people.

Caring

The love and care a woman bestows to others makes her a beautiful soul to be around; this makes her an ideal mother, wife, girlfriend, friend, co-worker, neighbor— It's endless.

This Magnificent trait always manages to make a woman glow like a diamond!

Composure

All the top traits mentioned above culminates to another character: moral serenity. She knows herself, knows her surroundings, and thus embraces life as a whole. She is able to approach matters in a divine way, and deal with difficult situations in a composed manner.

She portrays her true self

Last but not least, the most defining factor that makes a woman complete: the quality of projecting her true colors. This is when she acts like herself-- devoid of any pretention.

Africa’s Top Ten Fashion Designers

Look out for 10 of Arica’s talented designers rising quickly to the international fashion arena:

Duro Olowu: This Nigerian born Fashion designer was primarily set for a life of a lawyer in London. But then passion nagged, and he answered. Duro is now one of Africa’s most accomplished fashion designers, celebrated for his bright colors, highly finished cuts, and vintage prints. He won the Designer of the Year award from Britain Fashion Awards. And his clients go as far in prominence as that of Michelle Obama— Yes, the U.S. First Lady!

Tiffany Amber: This Nigerian designer was the first to have ever been invited to participate in the New York Fashion Week twice in a row. She started her brand in 1998 and has since won multiple awards for her designs.

Korto Momolu: In 1990, Korto and her family had to move from Liberia to Canada as a result of the civil war. Almost instantly she discovered her passion for fashion design and joined a fashion design institute. Korto then moved to the U.S. and signed up for what would be her career’s turning point – the Project Runway Show 5^th Season.  She became the 1^st runner up and had since become an icon for many upcoming African Designers.

David Tale: This South African designer is crawling up the ladder in the fashion world for easily wearable designs.  Not only is David praised for his creativity but also for how unpredictable he always is with his designs.

Deola Sagoe: Having several awards to her name and sharing the runway with fashion legend such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, this Nigerian designer has become a force to be reckoned with.  

Kofi Ansah: Born in Ghana and bred in London, this designer became the founder and president of The Federation of African Designers. He then designed the costumes for Ghana@50 celebrations – a design used again in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi: This Nigerian designer is telling the world incredible stories about the beauties of Africa through her designs. She uses traditional fabrics and patterns that resonate with the continents culture. She showcases her work both in Africa and abroad.

Idyl and Ayaan: The Somalia twins are dominating the fashion world. These twins have once been featured on the Oprah show through Skype for their unique, creative and multicultural designs.  They go by the name Mataano which in Somalia means twins.

Aisha Obuobi:  Aisha, a Ghanaian designer, has won many awards for her luxury designs. She is celebrated for her unique style of blending Ankara prints, Kente, and bright fashion pieces.

Jewel-Lisa: Celebrated for her unique taste of style, this designer has won the hearts of many celebrities and global icons. Her rare and incredibly creative combination of Ankara skirts with jewels, which she also produces, has put her up on the platform. This girl is going nowhere but UP!

The Guide you need to get the Best in Life

There are some people in this world that go about by great principles in life and end up being successful in both their personal and business lives. When they are kind and generous, they share it with the world like Zig Ziglar did in his book ‘Born to Win’ before his passing two years ago.

Below are some great principles of life Zig Ziglar highlighted on his book ‘Born to Win’.

1.       You’ll get what you expect in life:  If failure is what you expect in life, you will get it. If at the end of the day you expect yourself to feel sad or bad, you will. And if success and happiness is what you expect to find, then it’s highly probable that you will get it.

Like Gandhi said “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

2.       Never make empty promises. Making empty promises happens to be one of the most common mistakes we humans make. In our personal life it devastates our loved ones; it might even eventuate in some of our cherished relationships coming to an end.  And in the business world, a boss making empty promises to its employees will result in the loss of respect for not just that individual but also for the entire establishment.

3.       Be grateful and Help others to help yourself:  “The moment you begin to worry about the things you want and the things you don’t have in life is the moment you will lose your gratitude for what you actually have,” Zig Ziglar said. Being grateful brings the uttermost joy in life and helping others find their way in life will help you get everything you want.

4.       Never underestimate the value of training: An establishment with incompetent employees has a disastrous ending. What company that hasn’t invested in the training of its employees has ever succeeded? It’s worse to lead a company with unproductive employees than to lose one that’s well trained.  

Orange: The Trending Color

There are certain kinds of fads that persist in the fashion realm and bright colors, like orange, are becoming more and more dominant.  

Implementing orange was always considered a tough color to combine in our daily outfits. With balance, nevertheless, orange is a beautiful hue that will create a sparkling appearance.

So the question is: How do you manage to combine it with other sparkling colors?

Blue and orange is trending, so, try incorporating these two glaring colors together in different styles:

·         Wear a blue skirt with a dark-orange top, and to make it flare, add white accessories. This will give you a sexy and chic look.

·         You could also change the style a bit, by wearing a high-waist orange skirt and a well-defined blue blouse.

·         Now, for a more classic look, put on a white blazer with an orange top and a blue colored trouser. With a clutch bag (which is also a trending style) similar to the color of your top, this style will give you a balanced appearance which is sophisticated and bright.

·         Okay, let’s focus on the power of accessories. Sometimes, colors are not only powerful on dresses, but also on necklace, earrings, shoes, bags, rings, and bracelets. You could put on full black, white, orange colored outfit and apply accessories that are create a well balanced look.

For instance, wearing blue from top to bottom will look sexy with orange heels and jewelries. The same with black and white; orange will give it a nice glow.

              Or simply wear an orange bag and a blue shoe on your casual outfit.

Kinabuti’s Lookbook Photos of Vlisco Khan Collection are dominating the Fashion Arena

Hold your breath for this one, because the Kinabuti’s brand lookphotos are here to dazzle!

Adding these masterpieces to its Vlisco Khan Collection, the Fashion brand is catapulting to fame. Already becoming a favorite of celebrities, some of the designers have been spotted on Yvonne Vixen Ekwere, Helen of The Venus Bushfires, Toke Makinwa and others.

The photo shoot was set in the Onte, Makoo and Apapa area of Lagos- the same venue were the Kinabuti fashion initiative runs some of its projects of empowerment. The models in the shoot were contestants of the recently concluded Kinabuti Dare2Dream project— the competition in which models nationwide were allowed a chance at fame.

In this collection the designer Caterina Bortolussi was inspired by Genghis Khan’ biography and his rise to power. Helping us envisage the 11^th century Mongolia,  Bortolussi evokes visual thoughts of the nation’s valleys, the values of statecraft, clan belongings, humanity and faith.

The collection incorporates assorted pieces of Vlisco high quality African Prints, cashmere fabric, intricate lace, crochet and leather fabrics. Comprehensive layering, Cut outs, Patchwork, and asymmetrical details were elements of the designs.

YES! Africa Fashion DayBerlin is here

In cooperation with AFRO-POLIS and Rag &Bone Man, Africa Fashion DayBerlin is set to open on January 2015. Designers of the International Fashion Trade Show, from Berlin, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and South Africa will be participating. It is also announced that Africa Fashion DayBerlin will be hosting its first Fashion panel and Vernissage.   

No doubt it’ll be HOT, HOT!

Marvel Africa is scavenging for the continents talented designers in the 2015 Marvel-Fashion Hero search

Africa’s talented designers are invited to strut their skills at SA Fashion week. 2015 Marvel Fashion-Hero is open for submission.

Marvel Africa is partnering up with SA fashion week to hold a first of its kind event where five emerging African artist will be endowed a chance to establish their own fashion lines, inspired by Marvels iconic Avenger characters.

Portfolio submission must include 18 ready to wear look (for men or women) using Marvel’s featured characters Hulk, Captain America, Black widow and Thor.

Upon completion, the designers will showcase their pieces at two different venues: SA Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 from 18 March 2015 in Johannesburg and the SA Fashion Week Buyers Lounge from 21 March 2015.

We are thrilled to be working with SA Fashion Week for a second time, following 2013’s very successful Inspired By Minnie initiative with Suzaan Heyns’, says Deirdre King, Head of Marketing for The Walt Disney Company Africa. ‘We cannot wait to see the vibrant and trend-setting Avengers-inspired creations that the five fashion designers present.’

 ‘Inspiration plays a hugely important role in the fashion design process, it defines the context for new and individual designs. It will be interesting for me to see how the South African as well as the African designers translate the Marvel inspiration into desirable Collections. It is a first for the African Continent – Marvel is bringing designers together that would under any other circumstances not have connected. It is the ripple effect and the potential that a project like this has, that excites me.’ – Lucilla Booyzen, CEO of SA Fashion Week.

If you are one of those talented designers waiting for your limelight then I strongly advise you to grab this opportunity and sign up for it at www.safashionweek.co.za before January 5^th 2015.

How to Get Everything you Ask For

Rejection has never been an easy thing to swallow. The very echo of the big ‘NO!’ can be quite upsetting, infuriating even. No one wants to have their request rejected. But whether we like it or not, it does happen. So the burning question is: How do you NOT get rejected and get everything you ask for?

Well, my fellow readers, below are 5 ways that could help you beat the NO.

1.       Fear, GET RID OF IT. In fear of rejection a lot of people usually hesitate to ask for what they want. So before you voice your request think long and hard about its importance. Then focus only on delivering your question with profound fluency. Never concentrate on the rejection that might follow.

2.       Be confident but not too cocky. Ask for what you want with self-confidence and determination. Don’t forget that it’s only when you believe in yourself that people believe in you.  But then again, being too cocky might actually bring your doom. Because at the first sign of resistance, you are bound to react in some way that is not at all gracious. So prepare yourself for both the yes and the no.

3.       No GIBBERISH. You can’t afford to be ambiguous with your request. So write your thoughts down on a piece of paper or practice in front of a mirror or friends. Simply organize your thoughts.

4.       Ask with passion. Don’t forget that you’re the one asking for something to be done or given to you, so be polite and friendly. Speak with a passionate tone of voice; maintain a steady eye contact, show respect and admiration.

5.       Gratitude. Whether your request was hit with a no or a yes, say thank you. People genuinely respect and admire gratitude. And it will keep you positive.  

Tips for Pulling off the ‘Adored’ White Blazer

White Blazer is the current craze and it has stretched itself into the fashion world.  There is no surprise to that! They are chic, seasonless, dazzling, and I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said white blazers go with almost ANYTHING.

The dominating white color is beautiful, bright, positive, and flattering to all skin tones. If you want to pull of the white blazer, below are some tips to get you started.

·         White Blazer screams ELEGANCE at all times. So, even with a boyfriend jeans, a simple tank top (that is colored white, pink, black or any of your desire) and comfortable heels, you will still be looking chic. That’s what I personally like about this blazer. If you want to look casual, you could look it but with a little more sophistication.

·         A dress with the white blazer will look marvelous, as it is neat and gorgeous for a night out, dinner party, work, etc. Wearing a black dress will definitely have you glow.  Pink will create a subtle and a more graceful appearance. Put on heels that match the color of your dress for coherency, and a necklace similar to your blazer.

·         Shorts with the loved white blazer is sure to make you look sexy and, at the same time, classy. The shorts could be the colors of your desire, however, try not going too bright. But, the color black never fails to flawlessly blend with the color white, thus, you could put on a black short, with a white or black top to FLAUNT your stylish look!

  Last but not least, a high-waisted trouser (which is already elegant) will perfectly blend with the white blazer as it will create this stylish air that is applicable either for work, lunch, dinner, or any other occasion.