By Shauna Jemmott

RENEE Chester has become one of the most sought after make-up artists in Guyana. Her work is celebrated by those who recognise great art work; and she has miraculously managed to become the distributor of a major universal brand, a lecturer in the application of cosmetics, and one who is on an upward move which seems eternal.

President David Granger, on a countrywide campaign to stir up his approval of youth entrepreneurship, is encouraging Guyanese to own their own; and Renee Chester, founder of Bromeliad.rnc.,

stopped to talk with this publication about her miraculous breakthrough and a career which has synchronised her fashion lifestyle, effecting passion and success.

Renee said it was just one walk looking for one shade of make-up that opened doors she never imagined she would have been able to walk through so easily.
“This career literally bumped into me while (I was) strolling around in Bridgetown, Barbados,” she said in an interview with this publication. “I walked into the office of the product manager of Black Opal Barbados, hoping she could match my shade and sell me the right foundation. She did (match the shade), we chatted (and) exchanged numbers, (and) she told me that I should think about taking some products back to Guyana and sell. I said okay.

“I did do that, (and) sold out in the first week just by using my BBM (Blackberry Messenger) contacts. And that was it!”

It could be Renee’s model look, charming personality and communication skills which propelled her into the prosperous industry as a Black Opal Guyana resident representative, being trained by the company for which USA First Lady Michelle Obama and the world’s named number-one black supermodel, Alek Wek, have been faces in marketing.

Chester has developed talents of a master in the sector, and is now a recognized trainer with the rights to certify new professional make-up artists here.

Before that, she had been a poet, writer, professional dancer, model, and designer, and the woman known to carry strong resemblance to Guyana’s first Miss Universe representative, Miss Guyana 1999 Morvenia Sobers.

Her public life was always known to be positive, but with a profession in dance, poetry or fashion, progress could be a turtle’s approach. That is why she loved the idea of being her own entrepreneur, but never thought it would come so easily.

“I’ve always known that I’d be better off as an entrepreneur; but, before 2010, I honestly didn’t know it would have been in the beauty industry, especially as a make-up artist. “I am internationally trained and certified as a Professional Makeup Artist (MUA). Under the Bromeliad.rnc umbrella, my services cater makeup application for any occasion. I’m mainly sought after for bridal makeup and pageant makeup application. I’m constantly booked for photoshoots, TV/film and many random events.

“I also teach and certify persons as makeup artists. My programme is actually called “Become a Makeup Artist”.”

Black Opal is known as a popular “beauty destination for women of color”, and Renee was made authorized distributor here. She is founder of “Bromeliad.rnc”, the makeup studio located at 28 Queen Street, Kitty, Georgetown, and she explained that it represents her target group, women.

“The Bromeliad is a tropical plant comprising of over 3100 species. Part of the description of a Bromeliad is (that they) feature exotic looking foliage that can come in a variety of colours. This foliage differs widely from species to species. Leaves can be broad and fleshy or needle thin, proportionally displayed or asymmetrical, sharp and spiky or smooth and soft.”

She added: “We (women) too come in a variety of colours, tones, shades. It is no secret the Bromeliad is defined as ‘a beautiful flower’, and I’ve used this comparison to structure my skill in helping women realize this through makeup.”

Renee says she loves everything about her career, and is filled with joy when customers are comfortable.

“Focusing on Bromeliad.rnc fills me right up. (At) nearly every fashion show, I’m working backstage preparing the models’ faces for the ‘lights, camera, action, strut!’” she said.

Makeup, she explained, is “just an accessory on top of the beauty you were born with; like a ‘blinged’ out broach on a plain black jacket! I know there’s a huge difference in the perspective of makeup, hair styles and nail styles. Wearing makeup does not make you vain. If you can’t feel comfortable in your natural skin, then you may have self-esteem issues that may need to be addressed by a professional. I can go to the shop down the street quite comfortably without an ounce of makeup on and still feel and know that I am beautiful. If you can’t accomplish this, then you don’t understand how beauty works.”

In applying make-up, she advised women to “keep it minimal and as flawless as possible”, (and) remember “time and place”.

Renee is also a beauty columnist for GEM Magazine, Assistant Creative Director & Project Coordinator for House of Pearson by Fashion Designer Quinton Pearson, and Assistant Creative Director of fashion photographer for Infinity Photography by Photographer and Editor Azikiwe Denheart.