– MUA Onica Naar is on top of her game

With the social media days we live in right now everyone is always concerned about appearance, this phenomenon has its pros and cons, but it’s been mostly pros for those in the beauty industry, and no industry has seen more boon than the makeup industry, more so those always in demand make-up artistes.

These days make-up artists come a dime a dozen, yes even in Guyana with less than a million people we have quite our fair share. Some are in their learning stages and show good potential (keep working on that crease sweetie!)
There are of course those extraordinary Guyanese MUAs like Renee Chester, who is in a league all her own, and wonderfully talented Tenisha Garnett-Billington, and then there’s Chester’s protégé Onica Naar.

Just three years in the MUA business, and petite Ms. Naar has made quite the name for herself, and it’s quite evident why – her work speaks for itself.
Onica has worked with the likes of former Ms. Earth Guyana Stacy Ramcharran, and also did the make up for all 14 of the delegates who competed in the Ms. Universe Guyana pageant last year, among other notable works.

“I decided to become a makeup artist because I’ve always had a “thing” for beauty and fashion, so after becoming a certified cosmetologist I got deeper into to the beauty industry. Every time I saw someone with a flawless beat I would stop and stare, and say to myself I wish I had the ability to master that art. So I went and I did the training, and here I am today loving every bit of it,” Onica fondly recollected.

Onica trained under Renee herself and then branched off on her own. Onica was born and bred in Linden, but now she works at her Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara make up studio Aurora Rush Professional Make-up Artistry.
Like most professional Guyanese MUAs Onica also conducts make up classes, where you can learn the trade for yourself if you’re looking to get good at it. Her go to brands MAC and Black Opal leaves her clients absolutely flawless, and customers and fans just adore her and her work.

Just check out her Aurora Rush Facebook page and see the rave reviews from her customers and fans
“Great personality, superb work… would recommend to anyone…..keep up the awesome job Aurora Rush Professional Make-Up Artistry,” said Dinessa Boss who booked Naar for her bridal make up last November.
“I just love the way she does her makeup. U should do a youtube account,” another fan thought.

At 5 feet 2 inches, Onica isn’t towering over anyone but her skills are tall, and she is more than able to hold her own in the cutthroat MUA industry.
“It’s quite a competition now with Guyana so rampant with new makeup artists, but it doesn’t really affect me because it all comes down to a good recommendation and amazing work. I’m well known in the makeup industry so having frequent clients is not so hard for me,” she confidently remarked.

Doing what she loves, Onica doesn’t have much to complain about where it concerns her job, but no job goes without its challenges and annoyances.
“My number one challenge is being at a hotel room or wedding house and having to wait for a bride for hours, this is so irritating. Sometimes I may have another wedding or job to attend and because of their latest, I also end up being late for my next appointment. Then there’s when a client says “I want something simple and neutral” and after giving them just that, and I do next person’s makeup and they see the other person sparkling, then they come back to ask to change the makeup to glitters or something,” Onica vented. So now you know ladies.

Always a creative girl, Onica is not just about that make-up life. This innovative 28 year old is also a certified cosmetologist, a beauty educator, and into cake decorating, and face painting. But despite her many talents at the end of the day being an MUA is still what she craves the most.
“I love to express my confidence through my work, the fact that I’m not just a makeup artist is what sets me apart, I can wake up tomorrow n say I will take on face painting more or cakes or hairdressing, but I choose makeup because it’s my passion,” Onica says.