A bold step from full-time employment to the pursuit of passion

By Tracey Khan

TAMARA Johnson left her job in the public sector to become her own boss and decided to turn her passion into a profession.

She is now a well-known makeup artist in Berbice who boosts the confidence and enhances the beauty of the women whose faces she touches.

“I went into this career with low confidence but high hopes. Much to my surprise, I progressed through the different levels successfully. Starting with makeup artistry as your career is not an easy task,” Tamara said.

This 21-year-old has encountered many setbacks and struggles as she works hard to become a successful entrepreneur who can eventually create jobs for others in the ancient county since this is a huge problem.

She believes, “It’s my duty to outline your beauty.”

In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, she was all smiles as she spoke about the validation she is afforded when her clients’ faces light up with satisfaction from her work.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be a thousand different things before I settled to be a makeup artist. It is a creative career and something I love doing. I loved makeup artistry and had always been experimental with makeup but didn’t know any proper techniques. I started to research online.”

Tamara continues to enhance her skills and is working to elevate herself as a businesswoman and build her brand by taking professional courses.

“[I want ] to make it big in the industry. It’s one of the most common goals, but I keep practising. This way I will improve my skills and my attitude towards my career because let me tell you, frankly it’s not easy building your own brand, your career life will mainly depend on you mastering techniques and what’s one way for you to do this? Practice, practice and more practice,” she said. “So, I believe that it is only through experience that you’ll learn truly by heart. Some days I feel like am a winner but on other days I feel like I have nothing at all. But it’s perfectly fine. It just goes to show that I genuinely care about where I’m going in life as a makeup artist. But I remember to keep going and always keep pushing.”

Talking about the market in Berbice, she noted that it can be slow at times but the love and appreciation for this form of art are growing.

“Berbice can be very slow at times and being here as a young entrepreneur it’s hard. The big challenge is gaining publicity, especially as a new makeup artist, to attract attention from potential collectors. Yes, they are getting more into makeup artistry,” she said.
Tamara was also one of the official MUAs for Guyana Carnival and brought the heat with some of her spicy designs.

When asked what advice she would give to young girls, she said, “Being successful often means learning from those who have already achieved their goals. We all weren’t born to be doctors and lawyers. If there is something you’re actually good at, you have to keep challenging yourself. You never know the outcome of your efforts unless you actually do it,” she said. “Whether you think you can or think you can’t you’re right. Believe that you can succeed and you’ll find ways through different obstacles. If you don’t, you’ll just find excuses. No one succeeds immediately and everyone was once a beginner. Always pray, prayers do wonder.”

Tamara can be contacted on her Facebook page @ChikMakeupbeat and Instagram @chikmakeup_beat.