Q. How did you choose to go for a makeup artist as a profession? Did you choose this profession in your school time? How did this idea of choosing this profession come to your mind? My decision of choosing a makeup artist as a profession was quite random and was on the advice of my astrologer. After completing my schooling, I was very confused about choosing a profession. Though my initial plan was BBA+MBA and just like any other student, I took coaching for entrance and applied at several universities. I even cracked BBA Symbiosis Pune Entrance, GD, and Interview. What made me give a second thought about attending, was its fee structure. Coming from a middle-class background my conscience didn’t allow me to spend such a big amount for BBA only. My mother then came to my rescue. My family has strongly believed in astrology. I genuinely think my astrologer gave me a direction and changed my perspective. She asked me what would I do after my MBA and the answer was a blank look from my side. Because I was never a job-oriented person, I always was wanted to do something of my own. She then suggested that I should go for some professional course. I only had two options in my mind makeup artist or export-import. I took classes for export-import but I didn’t develop much interest in it. The only option left with me was a makeup artist. I wasn’t sure even after depositing the fees but I thought slowly I can learn this and develop a skill. So, I finalized to go with a makeup artist and choose to attend Orane International because of its Masters in cosmetology course (MIC) which included everything hair, skincare, and makeup. Q. There are various fields you would have gone for, so why did you only choose makeup artist and how did you improve and practice your skill? I only had two options in my mind either export-import or makeup artist. After attending export-import classes, I didn’t find much interest in that. Not only that but after a certified course, I would eventually have to work somewhere. I also had joined a french course at Alliance francais where I completed my B2 level in french in my schooling. I started giving french coaching from my 12th standard. But I was never interested in giving coaching as my permanent profession. In makeup, you can practice through freelancing like I have done a lot of collaboration shoots with T-series, various celebrities, and MX Takatak. For donation and practice purposes, I also did the makeup of 11 brides in a group marriage for a charity event. To learn makeup, you have to do free makeup and do collaboration shoots to get well versed with the working of the makeup industry, to improve your skills and to get well versed with the working of makeup products and instruments. While learning makeup I also did network marketing with Forever Living Products for a year. But it never interested me. So, finally, after a lot of exploration, I was sure I wanted to pursue a career in the make-up industry. Q. You could have opened your salon. Why did you choose to be a freelancer? I can multi-task and am a travel freak. Freelancing has the advantage of travelling. Also, while travelling there are various tasks I am doing at the same time. It wouldn't have been possible to start a business. Q. How did you plan to start your own business on Instagram? After the first lockdown things worsened up as everything was close and my mother was diagnosed with CSF Rhinorrhea, a rare condition. In CSF Rhinorrhea brain fluids of a person leaks through the nose. I wanted to stay with my family during these difficult times and seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally start my own business. My cousin and I started an Instagram page selling International Makeup products as we knew that availing them is difficult in India. We researched everything learned about the import and delivery process of the products, shipping of products from the warehouse and made contacts with dealers in Delhi, and started it within one month. It was a partnership before but now I am handling it alone. I must say that in just one month we saw a good response which motivated us to work harder. Q.You are a founder of the Akshata foundation, what was your motivation to start it, and how did you start executing your idea?
During the second wave this year, my friends and I helped a lot of people with medicines, oxygen cylinders, and plasma therapy. After things got better one of my friends suggested taking this further so that we can help more people. Initially, our motive was to help children who lost both their parents due to the pandemic and create a home shelter for them where they’ll be provided with all amenities. After registering the organization, we need a lot of funds for our aim and donations will not come until we have shown society that we are dedicated and determined. Our motto is to Feed Rescue Educate Empower (FREE). We have started with doing small tasks such as cloth donation drive, stationery drive, animal feeding, food drive, visiting old age homes, etc. Also, we are in partnership with one of the Rotaract Clubs now to expand our team and to connect with more people. We started with 5 people and now we are a team of 15.
Q. Starting up something comes with a lot of challenges, what were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome those challenges while registering for an organization? Registration was quite a difficult task. First, we researched the category in which we wanted to register our company. I contacted several companies and selected corp biz to go ahead with. Next, we had to choose the name of our organization. The first name that came into our mind was Ek Pahel. Unfortunately, the name wasn’t approved by the authority because it was already in use. We searched about 150+ names. Our CS suggested taking the first alphabet of the names of the founders and makes something out of that. I came up with ASTAA and while I was searching its meaning, I found Akshata highlighted somewhere on google. I thought why not Akshata, it means immortal and we got the name approved. Q. There might be mistakes that you might have made while starting an organization. What are those mistakes and what did you learn from those mistakes? It took us 20 days to register our NGO. Most of this time was taken just to decide the name. It's good if you decide the name before because it takes a lot of time. I think coming up with the name is the biggest task. Q. As you are freelancing, taking care of your own business, and handling an NGO, how do manage your time and prioritize things? It's hectic to manage everything. When sometimes I do not get time to be active on social media, I ask the hired marketers to handle all the business accounts. There is an equal contribution from my family also. My mother sometimes handles all the packaging and delivery of the products and my sister answers all the enquiries on the page. I think you can’t do anything alone. Also, you shouldn’t hesitate in asking for help. The social media of the foundation is handled by the volunteers. Q. When you wanted to pursue a makeup artist as a profession, you must have faced a lot of hurdles, how did you overcome all of that?
My mother was always supportive. But for about 6 months my father didn’t accept this profession. A lot of people around me said different things. But, when your father does not accept it, it hits a lot harder. Then, again my mother came to my rescue, handled and settled my father’s mind and explained to him that it is a good field. She explained whether she chooses to work or not in the future at least she’ll be skilled enough to do something. Eventually, when I had to go for shoots, it was really scary asking him for permission as I would be home well after 10 pm. When I started travelling outside Delhi for shoots, my father used to ask me everything like where will you stay, how you will go and everything else that a parent is concerned off. But now if I say I want to go for 4-5 days, they don’t even ask me the place. This is a kind of trust and faith I have built. And this is my biggest achievement.
Q. If someone wants to go in this field, any advice you would like to give to the budding makeup artists or someone who wants to choose something that is not mainstream?
I think as you grow you get to learn more. Your perspective on things changes from time to time. First of all, for someone who wants to go for makeup, that person has to be clear in choosing between Hair, Skin, or Makeup. You can choose all three but you must be clear. I won't say academies are bad, but one should learn makeup from a professional makeup artist who is working daily on-field and has more practical experience. Academies focus more on theoretical aspects.
Great 💯👍🏻