Page 36 - The Indian EYE 032621

Art & culture MARCH 26, 2021 | The Indian Eye 36

Q&a wIth nIghat afshan

“I formed makeup artists association of america

to create a master platform for all artists”

from less fortunate places, I What were your early challeng- and barely speaking any English
thought it could be a good way es? How did you overcome them? to having my own magazine and
to make a mark on the world Honestly, the feedback I re- beauty business empire gives
while also pursuing something I ceive from my clients and the joy me immense satisfaction.
love to do. Now I get the best of I get from making someone’s What made you form
both worlds, both the glamour day better make up for all of the MUAAA? What is its mission?
and the good. challenges I had to go through. I I would hope so, I believe
Where did you get your formal started with nothing but a dream we as a society are evolving to
training? initially, I went from working accept people of different races
I am a licensed esthetician retail at Macy’s and speaking and backgrounds in positions
and I studied at the Innovate barely any English to having my of power. It’s very fortunate
Salon academy to attain my li- magazine and beauty empire. how we are progressing into a
cense. I also received a certifica- Is mainstream ready to accept more inclusive future, however,
tion from the Makeup Forever a South Asian makeup artist? there is still much more work
Academy in New York City, Honestly, the feedback I re- to do. Thankfully the majority
along with completing a micro- ceive from my clients and the of prominent makeup artists in
blading course from Eye Design joy I get from making some- the industry are people of color

NIGHAT AFSHAN which was also in New York. I one’s day better makes up for which set precedents for us art-
also have taken technical make- all of the challenges I had to ists and good examples for so-
She is the founder and president of up classes in Dubai specifically go through. I started with noth- ciety. I believe that your talent
Makeup Artists association of Amer- from the Michelly Palma master ing but a dream initially, I went should always speak for itself.
ica (MUAAA). Founder and President class. from working in retail at Macy’s How have you adapted to chal-
of the Magazine Makeup America, lenges during Covid19?
she is one of the magnetic and ver- I formed the Makeup Artists
satile personalities of this new dy- Association of America because
namic fashion and beauty industry I wanted to create a master plat-
who exploded the makeup world form that would house all artists
across continents. Licensed estheti- and give them the platform they
cian from New Jersey, she has done deserve. I believe that there is
various certifications from different so much raw talent in this world
other makeup-associated institutions. and finding exposure and a
Having the experience of almost 7 strong platform that gives the
years working with many celebrity world a chance to see that tal-
figures, she is one of the most re- ent is very hard to find. With this
nowned makeup artists. association, I want to promote
unity, art, and inspiration.
Taking her talent to the next Spending time with family
level, Nighat has successfully has helped me cope with all of
launched the Talent management the changes, however, I would
portal, named modelling city. say that time and getting used
to Quarantine life helped me
In an interview with the Indian adjust to the process.
What are your goals in profes-
eye, nighat spoke about hav- sional life?
ing a positive vision, an opinion A professional career goal I

and a great story blended to have for myself would be to have
many successful master makeup
achieve the desired success. classes to share my knowledge

excerpts: with the world. However, I pri-
oritize being a good human with
What made you choose a career strong developed values over any
in fashion and beauty industry? career goal. I have much more to
I initially became a makeup do on my list and cannot wait to
artist to be able to doll up brides share them with the world soon.

www.TheIndianEYE .com