Independent Makeup Artist, Kelenuo Tepa, creating magic strokes on her clients through makeup.
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | August 24
Like every typical Naga family, Kelenuo Tepa was also expected to appear for competitive examinations and secure a white-collar job. But even as a child, she was always fascinated by creative things like makeovers. Given her interest, she vividly remembers how people would often approach her for a glam up and also appreciate her works.
Having nurtured such a dream from a young age, she indulged herself in a lot of self-practice by watching videos and updating herself with the latest trends in the makeup industry. Although interestingly, she is a Commerce Graduate, her love for makeup never wavered. “During those days, I didn’t know that I could pursue a professional course in Makeup”, she related to The Morung Express.
Throughout her high school, she excelled in Mathematics, and pursuing Commerce seemed like the best choice. But as an independent makeup artist today, she said, “studying commerce has not gone to waste. It is helping me in the venture I have chosen.” In between her years of education, she would have brides and others approaching her to do their makeup, and when it became quite frequent, that was when she also started rediscovering her career path again.
“I felt that this could be God’s plan for my life. I would pray earnestly, asking God to show me a sign in my dream, and when He finally did, coupled with the motivation I received from various clients, I underwent a professional makeup artist class”, she recalled her journey into becoming a professional independent makeup artist.
Kelenuo Tepa is especially driven by the profound impact that makeup has on people, even as she expressed that, “it’s the thrill I feel when I use my talent to enhance a person’s natural beauty.” “I believe doing makeup is not just a job, but it is a powerful form of transforming people to feel beautiful and confident”, she underlined.
Observing that with the change of time, there are many people looking for makeup services for every occasion, she also highlighted that, “it’s not only the bride but also the wedding guests, families, and even those who are attending a birthday party, etc.”
Most of her clients are looking for makeup that emphasises their natural look. This, she explained, is done with the help of “products and techniques that create a flawless and healthy looking base while still allowing their individual features to shine through rather than drastically altering one’s natural appearance.”
Glamming up Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman
Even as she ventured into pursuing makeup professionally, Kelenuo Tepa also got the opportunity to glam up Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, who was the guest of honour at the 25th Edition of Hornbill Festival last year.
“Although I had been doing makeup all my life, I was very nervous to work with a celebrity like him. But I took it as an opportunity”, she recalled. Stating that he was friendly and made the process very comfortable, she also elatedly added, “he said he was very happy with the service and also took a photograph with me in memory of it.”
Glamming up the celebrity artist involved close to one hour prior to the event and touch-ups on the makeup throughout the day during breaks. The difference between men’s and women’s makeup is that men require a shorter duration while women’s makeup takes more time as it requires more detailing involving the hair, eye, etc., which is a long procedure, she further highlighted.
However, for both genders, she emphasised on achieving a natural finish and making it appear most natural. “Through my makeup, I want to bring out the best version of my clients, since makeup can be a powerful way for individuals to feel good about themselves and build their confidence”, she reiterated while also adding that, “my signature style would be the dewy makeup, which my clients mostly prefer.”
Her clients mostly include bridal makeovers, but it also extends to the fashion industry, where she works with models, pageants, and song artists for music videos, etc. Further highlighting that occasion makeup is cheaper as compared to bridal makeup, she expressed that, “the prices also change with the distance of location since I work as a freelancer. And my makeup services are open for bridal, groom, beauty pageants, parties, fashion industries, and to anyone who loves makeup.”
Kelenuo Tepa also gives classes on professional and self-makeup, enabling those who enrol to get more knowledge about different types of makeup, such as Thai, Douyin, Korean, Indian, etc. While there are always clients looking for makeup every season, the maximum demand, she revealed, is from October through January, with lots of weddings, shows, and events taking place during that time.
To those aspiring to become a makeup artist, she enunciated that, “If your passion lies in this field, embrace your creativity and bring out the best artistry in you because nowadays, this profession offers a lot of positive, high-paying opportunities.”
