The Borno Born beauty, Fatima Mamza, who is known for polishing Nigeria's first lady Aisha Buhari and her daughters with the barely-there, flawless make-up granted an interview to 234 star.
One would wonder why a northern female, would go into the the beauty industry, the curvy bombshell explains how her journey began.
She was studying Pharmacy, but later kicked out of the course, due to her inability to meet up with the course demand.
Fatima has always loved the sciences, despite being dropped out in 200 level, she found out she had a passion for make-up. She would advice people on what colours to try, which make-up to use, and she found out, it will come out looking good on them.
When asked, how she transited from applying Make-up on people as a hobby to being a business, she responded;
''i have always been an entrepreneur, at a young age, my brother told me about saving. Even though i had money, i always wanted to make it yield more. I was always trading something for something, transforming something into something, which turned out into cash. Either so that i could afford hotel accommodation, because i didn't like staying on campus''.
It was after that, it crossed her mind, she could actually modify it into a career, which was quiet difficult, because at that time, in the north, there was no blue print for her to follow.
Fatima further explained that she was not afraid to set the pace, because she had a vision, all she had to do was take one step at a time.
When asked, how the beauty industry has evolved over time, she made it clear that although having a few mentors, there was actually nothing happening in the North.
For Fatima, beauty is all about simplicity, it's about enhancing what you already have, not changing it completely.
How She Met The First Family
''I first met Halima years back, when i did her wedding, there was an immediate connection, although we didn't keep in touch afterwards, but a bond was formed''.
The next time they met was during the inauguration, Fatima was supposed to do the make-up of a governor;s wife, only to be called at the last minute that she had to cancel, the governor said the budget on make-up was too high.
She said although there were lots of people who tried to stand on her way, some of Halima's aide's had refused to call her, when the first daughter requested for a make-up artist, but some how, she was able to make it for the inauguration make-up. That was how the relationship was built, she also met Zahara, during that time.
Fatima had lots of good things to say about Halima, likening her to Lady Diana of Britain.
When asked if she fears that the beauty industry will become saturated, as lots of people tend to go into the make-up business.
She stated with all confidence, that it's about demand and supply, the key is about evolving with the trend and staying at the top of your game, to remain relevant in the industry.
When asked what she has in mind to improve and stay relevant, the make-up artist laughed it off, and gave no definite answer.
To Fatima, beauty is beyond the physical. Beauty is excellence, it's beyond your body, your face and how you speak. Beauty is your spirit. Beauty is about simplicity and how you can impact someone else. Beauty has so many dimensions. You have to be beautiful to see and appreciate beauty, just like art.
Although having interest in make-up since she was 9, she didn't start it as a business, until she was about 20.
She advised prospective make-up artist to stay focused, to be determined, knowing it's not easy, should be ready to make sacrifices and work hard.
She said there are three people she dreams to some day work for; Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Beyonce.
When asked about her controversial 2015 trip to New York, with first lady, Aisha Buhari.
She admitted following the first lady to New York as her make-up artist, because Aisha wanted a person of excellence, who understands her. She emphasised that the first lady was also trying to empower her, empower a girl from Borno, and also as a means to boost the Nigeria economy.
She said, she feels Nigerians were disrespectful blasting the first lady for taking a make-up artist on a New York trip.
She mentioned how kind the first lady was, how motherly, warm and sweet she is.
She mentioned turning down a few jobs from people who are unreasonable and unkind.
She said she has turned down a job of over N 2.Million because she could not compromise her integrity. Sometimes she has to work 7 days straight, waking up as early as 4 am daily. But she tries to balance her money moves with her health, family, love and other life necessities.
When asked about her family's reaction to her career choice.
Her father who is into Oil and Gas, wanted her to follow his footsteps, she was offered an Oil and Gas Job on a platter of gold, there was a few resistance from her family, but she followed her dream.
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