Why Bridal Makeup is Expensive - Misykona

Hiya Beautiful People,

I am a bit upset and I will tell you why in a bit.

Ok, Ah ha! , yes I am upset, never mind I am indeed upset. Alright, here is the reason for my annoyance – I have virtually lost count when it comes to number of phone calls I get from intending brides, I humbly tell them my rates and here’s the usual responses/ questions — “Haba just for makeup ?” or ” why are you so expensive?” I bet if you are a professional in the beauty industry you can easily relate to these responses.



Why is it that the general public have no problem paying a top musician 2 million or more for a few hours of entertainment as against paying measly thousand to makeup professionals that are in no wise less important that the musician ? – Infact I am now very angry.
Even in my anger I see that the blame is not entirely on the clients, I mean how does one explain a makeup artist posting a deal for bridal makeup for N2699 on one of these popular deals sites .I was livid, that is not a deal that is selling your birthright like Esau did , like what exactly are they paying for ?? – The eyebrows alone? Does he/she live next door to all the intended clients?? Does anyone have the right answers??
As the saying goes “Good work ain’t cheap and cheap work ain’t good.” We all love deals right? so do I but then I put the fear of God when I bargain people down as well , the situation is going all the way down no thanks to the saturation of the industry. Soon and very soon I am positive that industry killers will understand that there are still some professionals in the industry that actually see it as a business and not a means to an end or is it an end to a means now ??

This is my business and it’s supposed to pay my bill therefore I treat it as such and not as a charity or hobby. I hope to do a follow up post on the business of bridal, I have also taken the liberty to compare what makeup artists charge in Europe and the rest of the world, expect that soon too.

Now the big question is why do some of us charge the rates that we do? It’s actually pretty simple as I will try outline some of the factor that determine the cost.

1. LOCATION: Before you can get a rate off me, I have to know where you intend to dress from. This is important so factor in the timing, cost of getting there etc. If it is out of state, I need to be sure you will be willing to provide accommodation and other logistics- all of these costs come from whatever I charge the client.

2. PRODUCTS: When you need a makeup artist to work on your face, of course you don’t expect he/she to come and start asking if you have foundation, matifier or powder .As a professional, we arrive at venue with a fully stocked kit to cater to all your needs .The rest of the work is to pamper and make you feel like a princess for your special day.
You also have authority to decide which choice you want – traditional makeup application or airbrush; some are even specific with the brand of makeup they want. There you have it, imagine having to buy different brands just to satisfy a client trust me when I say it costs a fortune, for instance I bought some MAC cosmetics foundation for N10000 and Kat Von D foundation for N17000 and I had to buy in different skin shades. These products don’t particularly last a lifetime before you say Jack Robinson you are ordering for another batch , so I hope you are getting a clear idea of what it takes to be a professional and I have not even included makeup tools like makeup brushes , brush cleaner, makeup wipes etc. Lately, the exchange rate has gone up and product prices have doubled , this affects my pricing as well.

3. EXPERTISE: You most definitely are paying for my expertise just like with every other skilled professional .Product knowledge, standard products, techniques & makeup that will last all day .P.S I always review my prices regularly to reflect my current level of experience and skill; I have clients calling to consult about skin issues and what they need to do and not do before the event. An unquantifiable factor that falls under expertise is my time; sometimes I have to be up 3am to arrive at client’s venue at 4am.

4. PROFESSIONALISM: I show up at the clients take off point even if it has been reported in the news that Lagos is under water .I don’t just show up, I show up on time, I am at your mercy once we have an agreement – that professionalism is also unquantifiable yet we try to have the client pay a bit for this.

I have one advise for intending brides though, when an artist charges you peanuts, be afraid, be very afraid. I can tell you for free that he/she might deliver a shoddy service or will not give you the undivided attention you need on your big day; it’s your choice really

So for all you intending brides, choose well and choose wisely and then for you makeup artists making this less of a profession – God is watching you in 3D.

BLOGGRS COMMENT

I can relate with her though, makeup game is really exorbitant.

Help! It's Four Days to my Birthday. What age should I choose?

When I saw her, I had no imagination or inkling that she could fit as my baby sis. I had admired the old sophisticated lady in her milky gold attire, walking subtly as if avoiding the stains from the escalator in the Cinema, and I have managed to produce the compliments that always slipped from my mouth, "you look great dear," I had managed to say producing a smile and she had smiled back almost as if she had forgotten something. "Thanks dear, today is my 18th birthday and am suppose to look great." So she says matter of factly.

See me see gbege, did I hear eighteen or eighty years? It's just too poor to be eighteen and old. I comot cap for naija babes, we ain't white joor, we are lucky to have an enduring gene if we live healthy. Why change your age and make the younger generation feel unaccomplished, imagine a poor lass trying to meet up in the name of balancing with her mates. All these people in the media world and so called role models be lying for Africa. As small as Lupita looks, she is thirty two, why will that old Nollywood or is there a possibility that footballers and media people should flock together.
Aunt be twenty three forever.

So it's four days to my 16th birthday, and still I can't be older than my Aunts. Please help me as am bothered already? What age should I celebrate? Imagine my Aunts are eighteen, can't I be ten or twelve at most.
Honesty, I want to tell you what our Anty dem cause when they lie about their age.



1. MATERIALISM : Okay think of it, to think that your mate or younger one own a house in a self made outcome, doesn't it make you want to hustle by fire by thunder? Dear Anty, it makes us lead to make it by hook or crook, that why University kids want cars, houses and all.

*IT MAKES US OLDER : We become older than you are because we keep thinking and aging when we see our end results are not as fast coming as yours, the stress of failing out of track gives us stress, and bad health conditions, thereby making us older than we are.

*IT CONFUSES THE WORLD : The world become confused because as you lie, so we will lie and generations to come will lie about age and upcoming ones won't have a direction because we are all tryna make it at a tender age, and we all become age mates.

NOTE
It doesn't mean people don't make it in life at an early stage, but mehn! we are talking about false age in naija. Old generations don't want to hustle and make way for thee younger generation. CEO, Msc, Phd, and mother of 3 and yet, we are eighteen.

I dedicate this post to young people like me possibly twelve or fourteen years of age, do not let our Aunties distract you, life na jeje, but above all, what age should I choose? Considering the fact that am just a University graduate; no Msc, CEO and blah! Blah! Blah!

Is Physical Curse a Sin?

Am just trying to share my thought for today. I am very religious because I was born into a religious society and family and so I inherited religiousness if there is a word like that, I therefore became a Christian at birth and presently. And the holy scripture; the Bible had thought me something : "Suffer not the witch to live," "The lord shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace." 

Then I learn different prayer points, the pastor will say, "Pray! Children of God. Any evil arrow against my blessings and progress, Thunder of the Holy Spirit! Strike them down." And we will pray and shake heavens and hope that the thunder had struck them all through faith. Many members returned with testimonies of how they had watched with both eyes to witness the Holy Spirit striking them all. But at other times, nothing happens, especially to my own enemies. 

Then my question is this, why is it that when I physically declare to someone who had hurt me, "Let thunder strike you!" In exchange for the pains, I am made to confess, to repent, to plead for forgiveness for what seem to me as a prayer too. Is it now to declare a physical battle in the physical? Is this curse only allowed in prayers and not face - face encounter. Dear readers, please share your thoughts on why it is now a curse to pray those secret prayers in the physical realm. 

Happy Sunday.

Topical issue : A Young African Thought on Cultural Change (Yoruba Angle).

The reason for this post is for young Africans to share their views on traditions but not to condemn. I really am scared to know that one is purposely created to live and die for another. Read And Share His Thoughts.

Dear cultural brethren,

I am an African, I am a Nigerian, I am from Osun state, I am an advocate of cultural propagation and re-orientation, I believe in the future of Africa. I have followed with reserved humor, the recent outburst about the ABOBAKU of ilé - ife as declared missing on the demise of Ooni of Ife. Though the council of Chiefs is yet to make an official announcement of such case, but if it is true, this is what we have to say... It is a character in traditional yoruba setting for a king to be buried alongside ABOBAKU and some other victims of the oro rite. This is to ensure the smooth transition of the King into the journey of uniting with ancestral beings. As informed by wole Soyinka in THE FOURTH STAGE, Africans celebrate death especially if it is royal. Life and existence operate on the cyclical levels of the unborn, living, the dead and the stage of transition. For the passage of the king to become easier and for the community to experience more peace after the king's demise, the ABOBAKU is traditionally obliged to lead the final transition rite. Thus, this transition is timed as most events in Africa have their respective execution times. In a case where the ABOBAKU absconds or refuses to perform this rite of strong will, there is a notion that such community will experience calamities. This issue occupies the major thematic preoccupation in Wole Soyinka's DEATH AND THE KING'S HORSEMAN. In this fantastic dramatic piece, Soyinka satirically reveals the cultural realities of being an African, particularly being a Yoruba. He gives a new dimension to the concept of tragedy in tandem with Africa's Socio-Cultural collective understanding. While Pilkins intensifies his attempt to disrupt the "due process", there still exist manifestation of communal essence as the king's Horseman's son takes up the responsibility of standing in for his father, whose captivity is as a result of his self - incurred crisis through unnecessary delay and intention to play on the gods by "traveling light". In this post - modern age, one of the major issues in cultural discourse is for us as Africans to embark on a journey of cultural propagation and promotion. In this case, the question is, should we still subscribe to the king's horseman tradition? Though culture is the people's total way of life, establishing itself across all spheres and levels of human existence, the main point is, the people make culture, culture does not make the people. Beliefs, norms and ideologies survive on the pedestal of people's ACCEPTANCE, and without that, the strength of cultural values fades. Unlike Kurunmi who died on the efforts of sustaining a tradition, it is the concern of this writer and many stakeholders that the tradition of king's Horseman's death should adapt to change. The concerned traditional heads should device human-friendly alternatives. This is particularly for us as a continent to meet up and relate with post modern realities.

Bello, I. O Social Commentator, Critic, Arts administrator

Some of the Best Pre-Wedding pictures picks for 2014.

I really wanted to do this post in January but I couldn't. Since yesterday was Val and I don't want it to end so soon, I present to you my best pre-wedding pictures for 2014. Hope you love it and get inspirations. #kisses#

I really don't know most of the couples but most of the pictures are culled from African Sweetheart website.  If you feel you have other inspiring pictures, just let us know so we can share some other time. Good Morning.

I love weddings and lovers and I know most people have hard times choosing themes for their pre-wedding shot so take this and thank me later. Ordinarily i love original shots with a never seen kind. I wish you luck for 2015, enjoy.

EVERYDAY LOVE SHOT

Our everyday normal pre-wedding pictures are still the best. It's simple and straight to point. They just show that two people are in love and that is it.

CHEMISTRY INPSIRED

There is just a natural bonding that moves the shot and I love it.

COLOUR/PAINT INSPIRED SHOT

This shot is playful and childish, but that is what we all need. It depict closeness and originality in love. I just love the colour playfulness.

TRADITIONAL SHOT

I saw many traditional inspired pictures, but. This one is epic. Looks real and maintains our culture.

ROADSIDE SHOT

There is something sweet about seeing this for the first time. This picture looks sublime and the idea for this shot is just so perfect.

Happy Sunday and see ya next week.

THE BAD THING ABOUT BEING UNDERSTANDING

Am so sorry it took me so long to write a piece or post; or whatever it is called, am so sorry, but I promise to make it up dear ones #Kisses# 

I absolutely know my post today is for the good hearted. In every sphere of our life, there is always a time for us to be understanding and this is 2015! Yeah! Can I advice you on how to say ya or nah? I have seen the both side of the coin and I believe you will love to hear me out and maybe get a little of my understanding. Maybe there are things we can't help but do, January is past; the remaining months of 2015 may be good enough if we understand this post for a change. Next week is definitely for Make over, stay tuned.

So when next you want to be understanding, kindly read this piece.

1. YOU ARE THE LAST CHOICE

Hope you know that every single stubborn and uncompromising individual will have a view before you, and their views will have to tally first before you are consulted. It may take weeks for just one person to decide, and when the important points are already handled, you will just be informed of the unfolding events. You are just the last choice no matter how worthy your advise may seem. But I choose not to be the last option though.



2. YOU CAN'T DO NOTHING

Sometimes no one will consult you, they just believe you should understand. No matter how painful it is, you just can't do nothing. You will obviously be hearing about events that have occurred or about to, since you are the only one that is believed to understand life and people even when it hurts.



3. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A SAY

You just have to agree when the going gets worse because it is in you to always understand, besides you're known for that, being consulted doesn't change anything because the world knows you should agree even if your heart says no, "come on bro," says you heart, "you know they want yes, just don't say no." And John continues to suffer in silence.


4. CHANCES ARE THAT THERE WILL BE NO NEED FOR A CHANGE IN CHARACTER

You are stock, fixed and labeled a good one for being understanding but remember, your mates will always express themselves to their satisfaction, even when it ends in crisis. Being understanding will not give you just all you need in life, life is filled with ups and downs, will you just be fine with both the good and bad? Don't call me a villain, I absolutely wish you well friends. Don't let people deceive you with the, "You have changed," phrase. After all, change is constant.



5. BEING UNDERSTANDING IS A SIN AGAINST ONESELF

Yes I said it, being understanding is a sin to humanity, we just can't be like the other ones all our life. Let them know we can change it. Our ideology was never meant to be the same. It is a sin to live with another man's idea. So am changing this year for good. Stop saying, "you know how it is for people like us na? You should understand my level." Post modernism changes a stagnant ideology. Eg. When I was younger, I use to see young fresh girls being delivered to old men, drunks, imbeciles as wife. Simply because they made some life mistake of getting unwanted babies, they were labeled inferior and made to suffer by living with people they never love, they were people like us, but without choice. Don't understand staying in a place that you know ain't worth your presence. It is only not understanding that changed this norm. Say to yourself, "myself, I refuse to understand predicament and old rules to succeed for 2015."



6. BEING UNDERSTANDING IS BEING TAKEN FOR GRANTED

I can say this over and over, that when you are understanding, it only takes a legend to understand you. The world will toil with your deformity (Understanding). Don't ask me how, just try and see. But you are the only one that will understand people, no one will understand your stance whenever.


7. IT IS YOUR COMMITMENT

After all said and done, being understanding is something we all have to do once in a while, we just don't have a choice. But no matter how understanding one can be, let's have its boundaries, if not before, then now; so we can have a better 2015.

See you next week Sunday, I missed you guys. #Kisses#

Fitness and Beauty.

Good morning lovely souls, how was your nights? Wondering where I got my germinal idea today?

Someone called last night and said, "Hey! Nenye, am wedding in two months time, what cream do you recommend for my skin and face?"

My answer definitely is Fruits and exercise, "Don't let creams burn you and ruin your BIG DAY. I can't afford to see a masquerade in place of a bride because most Spas now no dey try, even Salons nowadays naa Spa, so no risk am."

Question: Did they really. Ask her that?

Answer: Yes bad belle dem ask me #tonguesout# Am progressing.

I have found a secret to a glowing skin and beautiful face. You may do skin polishing and all, but then you are not there if it doesn't come from within.

After exercise, you feel fresh and at ease, but that is not the end. The end is on your skin. Am also not saying that every fresh skin comes with exercise, but exercise opens your pores and removes buried dirts outside your flesh, thereby making you clean and fresh.

So when next you want to think of buying creams and soap for God ever knows thousands, hit a gym and help your skin. When ever you are fit, you get less pimples, finer face and shape. I am also not saying that fitness has to do with a LEKPA shape.

Mind also that without a fit body, your fashion sense may not make sense.

So what else do you think can give her a glowing skin? Please advice by commenting here and not BBM. Thanks.

Happy tailor-made Wednesday, TARA for now. Good Morning.