Make-up Artistry is a Progressive Skill - Feyisayo Ogundipe

Step into the world of Feyisayo Ogundipe popular known as Feyzomua, the incredible make-up and special effects expert who revolutionizing make-up artisery in Nollywood. She has captured the hearts of millions with her remarkable make-up and special effects in films, TV productions and more.

She is definitely a wonder woman" behind the scenes" and Party Jollof Africa is here to give her,her flowers because she has come a long way and deserves all the accolades. She shares her journey, insight and many more recently  in an exclusive interview with Party Jollof Africa. Grab your popcorn let's explore the world of" Feyisayo Ogundipe"a.k.a Feyzomua a woman making Stars behind the scenes..

Shall we?

PartyJollof Africa: What inspired you to pursue a career in makeup, and how did you get started?

Feyzomua: I was born into a family of creatives and art has always been a part of my life. As a young girl, I used to sketch and draw characters from comics and I aspired to be a painter, kind of like a Picasso. It was in my final year in secondary school that I decided that human beings would be my canvases.

PartyJollof Africa: How would you describe your personal makeup style, and what sets you apart from other makeup artists?

Feyzomua: I’d say my style is timeless, wearable and age-appropriate.

PartyJollof Africa: What are some of your favorite makeup trends, and how do you like to incorporate them into your work?

Feyzomua: I'm not so big on trends because they create lazy and half-baked MUAs. I have however found a number of them amusing and entertaining. I quite like the ‘sunset blush application’ trend, the ‘feathery brows’ trend, I love underpainting, though I believe it is much more than a trend. It is a smart application hack that Scott Barnes introduced years ago (I discovered it in 2020, during the lockdown). These “trends” have come in handy for me while working both beauty looks and makeup for film and tv.

PartyJollof Africa: Can you share some tips for aspiring makeup artists who want to build a successful career in the industry?

Feyzomua: You must have a plan and a vision. How far are you willing to go with this career? Are you hoping to build a career or it is a mere past time that makes you money? Do you want to be a working MUA or a makeup influencer? Answer these questions and others similar to it before you proceed, and be honest with yourself.

Know your onions, makeup artistry is a progressive skill and you should never ‘arrive’. You may plateau in your journey, expect this actually. It is the time to sit back, re-strategize and re-brand. Be ambitious but also gracious with yourself.

Take your work very seriously and create a structure. Even if you’re the only one, that is, you have no employees. 

Don’t squander your income and do not play around with your products. Remember they are your assets for your career. 

Never stop learning! And on the flipside, don’t be so quick to incorporate every trend into your artistry, otherwise, you will have no style and no niche.

PartyJollof Africa: How do you stay up-to-date with the latest makeup trends and products, and what are some of your favorite brands to work with?

Feyzomua: I do a lot of research and watch a fair amount of videos on IG and youtube. I’m constantly looking out for products that can serve my team while on a movie set and also while doing beauty makeup. My favorite Nigerian makeup brand is Hegai & Esther, they can never do wrong in my eyes! I love everything they have put out.

For other Nigerian brands, I have found one or two products in their collection that I’ve fallen in love with. These brands include Vee Beauty(their powder palettes and their eyeshadow palettes), Yanga beauty(concealers, gel liner, setting powder), Nuban Beauty(their mineralized powders and their concealers).

For foreign brands, I love Maybelline, Makeup For Ever, Huda beauty, l’oreal, Morphe and the great MAC products. I have quite the collection of different makeup products, local and foreign and I bought them because they have a reputation that I have proven to be true.

PartyJollof Africa: What's the most challenging part of being a makeup artist, and how do you overcome those challenges?

Feyzomua: I had to answer this question in another interview and my response surprised my interviewer. I’d say, ‘being taken seriously’, is one of the most challenging things about this career. Communicating without words to people, that I didn’t settle for this job because I was desperate, I chose this path and I intend to be insanely wealthy and successfully doing it. Communicating that this not a hobby, but an actual career!

PartyJollof Africa: How do you balance your creative work with the business side of being a makeup artist and influencer?

Feyzomua: Structure! I have a structure that has helped to sync the artistry and the business. Without structure, there would be no business and I would eventually run out of avenues for creative expression.

PartyJollof Africa: What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to explore the world of makeup, and what are some essential products or techniques they should know about?

Feyzomua: Learn the basic fundamentals of makeup. These will guide your artistry, irrespective of the trends you choose to jump on. Learn face shapes, skin types and also, learn about makeup products and how to get the most of them. 

PartyJollof Africa: Can you walk us through your process for creating a makeup look, from conceptualization to completion?

Feyzomua: When working a Film or TV set, a makeup moodboard would have been created prior to shoot day. That guides the looks being created. I consider what the situation, occasion and purpose is for the looks being created. I also put into consideration the actor who will be wearing the makeup.

For beauty looks, at times, it’s not that deep. The overall style determines the looks to be created. The talent, model or client too may determine what direction the application goes.

PartyJollof Africa: What's next for you and your brand, and are there any exciting projects or collaborations on the horizon?

Feyzomua: Trainings, products (makeup and learning products) etc. Just pay attention. 

PartyJollof Africa: What's the craziest or most memorable makeup look you've ever created?

Feyzomua: The creature in the movie ‘Ile-owo’. I intend to recreate same just for the fun of it.

PartyJollof Africa: If you could only use one makeup product for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Feyzomua: That would be a powder palette. It has multiple shades and I can use it to achieve a fairly decent makeup look.

PartyJollof Africa: How do you like to unwind and relax after a long day of working with makeup?

Feyzomua: I sit and put my feet up first, and just contemplate my life’s choices. Lol. I have found cleaning makeup brushes quite therapeutic, and when I get the chance, I use this to unwind as well.

What a moment? Isn't she incredible? What a woman of wisdom, elegance and poise.! A super hero behind Nollywood lense she is. Don't miss our next guest on Party Jollof Africa "Behind the scenes" Where we celebrate Nollywood gems, we mean Nollywood crews!