I’d like to share my story about becoming a Professional Makeup Artist and Nail Technician with you. The ups and downs, the challenges, and what I have learned along the way to be where I am today.
I’m Sunita Subba, a 32-year-old who loves all things beauty. I’m currently based in Tokyo, Japan but originally from Nepal. I completed my diploma in Professional Makeup Artistry and Nail Technology here in Tokyo and have been working in the industry for over two decades now.
My Journey
As a child, I always loved playing with makeup and trying out different looks on myself and my friends. It came naturally to me, but I never thought of pursuing it as a career.
After completing higher secondary studies, I enrolled in a makeup training institute in Kathmandu to make use of my spare time. It was just a hobby at first. I never thought I would be working in this industry for more than 2 decades back then.
First, I completed my basic level beautician course, intermediate, and advanced course. That’s where my passion for makeup started. It was a natural progression for me as I’ve always been interested in both areas of beauty. I love being able to make people feel good about themselves and help them to look their best.
Even before completing my courses, I was offered work by the same beauty institute. That’s how my journey into the professional beauty industry started. I first assisted my seniors during classes, makeup sessions, and photo shoots. I did that for a year before taking classes and makeup sessions full-time on my own. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and brands and travel worldwide.
I worked there for 10 years and then moved to Japan, where I currently reside. I’ve been working here as a freelance makeup artist and have also been teaching in various beauty institutes.
Over the last two decades, I’ve studied under various renowned makeup artists and instructed hundreds of rising stars on their path. I have worked with some of the most amazing companies for photoshoots, commercials, and TV shows over the years.
I love my job and enjoy every minute of it. It’s so rewarding to be able to make people feel good about themselves. I’m grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way and hope to continue doing what I love for many years to come.
Challenges of being a Makeup Artist in Nepal
When I started my journey as a makeup artist, there were many challenges that I had to face. In addition, working as a woman in the beauty industry in Nepal brings with it its own set of unique challenges.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was the lack of available online resources and platforms. When I started out, there were very few online resources or platforms that offered information on makeup techniques or products. As a result, I had to rely heavily on trial and error to learn about new techniques and products. This was often frustrating, as it would take me a significant amount of time to learn how to properly use a new product or technique. In addition, there were often no local experts I could consult for help or advice.
In addition, finding a good quality makeup kit that would suit my needs was itself a challenge. I ended up buying many different makeup products from different brands, which were either expensive or subpar standard. Even though it was difficult at times, I gained valuable experiences through trial and error.
The second challenge was finding the right mentors and training programs that could show me the right path to makeup artistry. There were very few options available, and most of them were either too expensive or not up to the standard that I was looking for. I eventually found a few good mentors who helped me improve my skills and taught me new techniques.
The third challenge was building a strong portfolio. As a makeup artist, your portfolio is everything. It is the first thing that clients will see, and it needs to be impressive in order to land gigs. I spent a lot of time and effort building up my portfolio, and it was only through hard work and dedication that I was able to achieve the level of success that I have today.
Finally, the salary of makeup artists in Nepal was also not as high as compared to other countries. This was due to the lack of opportunities and the low demand for makeup artists in Nepal back then.
Despite all the challenges, I am grateful for the experiences that I have gained along the way. These challenges have made me a stronger and more resilient person, and I am better equipped to deal with whatever comes my way in the future. My advice to aspiring makeup artists is to never give up on your dreams, no matter how hard they might seem at times. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
My Evolution from Beautician to Makeup Artist to Professional Nail Technician
Throughout the last 2 decades, I have taken different roles and responsibilities in the beauty industry. I started with being a beautician, moved on to becoming a makeup artist, and then took up professional nail technician courses to offer my clients a complete beauty experience.
I have always been passionate about making people look and feel good about themselves, and this has been my driving force behind exploring different aspects of the beauty industry.
My journey began 20 years ago when I completed my beautician course at ITC Beauty School. After working as a beautician for a few years, I decided to explore the world of makeup artistry.
I took a trip to Delhi, India, to learn about Mehendi. I applied myself to learning the techniques for a couple of months. After returning, I taught my students what I had learned and also added it to my own portfolio of services.
After that, I started perfecting my craft as a professional makeup artist. Though, in the context of Nepal, many assume a beautician and a makeup artist are the same. But it’s more complicated than that.
During the same time, nail art was becoming increasingly popular. So, I decided to take up professional nail art courses.
One of the main reasons I decided to move to Japan was to enrol in the Nail Technician School and to learn to perfect the craft. I was not disappointed. The level of precision and detail that goes into a Japanese manicure is incredible.
My roles and responsibilities have changed and evolved over the years. But no matter what role I take up, my goal remains the same – to make my clients look and feel beautiful.
As you know, the makeup industry is always changing and evolving, and so should you.
If you’re considering exploring the beauty world, I encourage you to do it. It’s a rewarding industry that will allow you to express your creativity and make people feel good about themselves. If you’re passionate about making people look and feel good, then there’s no limit to what you can achieve in this industry.
Who is the best makeup artist in Nepal?
There are many makeup artists that I admire for their skill and artistry. I follow their work and am always amazed by what they can do.
Do I consider myself one of the best makeup artists in Nepal?
Yes, I do. I have been in the business for over 20 years and have worked with some of the best in the industry. I can proudly say that I know what I am doing. Not only that, but I love making people look and feel their best.
I specialize in all things makeup, from natural looks to full glam. I also do hair and styling, as well as special event makeup. Whether you need a new headshot or are getting ready for your wedding day, I will ensure you look and feel your absolute best.
Makeup is my passion, and I take great pride in my work. I am always updating my skills and keeping up with the latest trends to give my clients the best possible service.
Do I provide makeup artist course in Nepal?
Currently, I don’t provide makeup artist course in Nepal. It is hard to juggle and manage both business and teaching at the same time. However, I am planning to do so in future. If you want to be updated when the course is available, please subscribe to my mailing list, and I will let you know as soon as it is ready.
My Advice to Aspiring Makeup Artists
My advice to aspiring makeup artists and anyone interested in making a career in makeup artistry is to always keep learning and never give up.
You need not worry about the challenges that I had to face. There are loads of online resources and platforms you can utilize. Whether you need information on any new products, techniques, or just what’s trending in the beauty industry, it’s available at your fingertip. So, utilize these resources to their fullest capacity.
Plus, there is a significant increase in the demand for makeup artists all around the globe. So, if you’re passionate about makeup and have the skills to create magic with makeup brushes, then there are ample opportunities available for you.
Apart from that, practice makes perfect! The more you practice, the better you’ll become at it.
Keep practicing and learning new techniques, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from more experienced artists. Most importantly, always stay true to yourself and your own style.
I firmly believe knowledge increases through sharing. I want to share everything that I know with you because people need to learn from those who have already gone down this path before them!
At first, I was hesitant to create a blog because of the many factors that could go wrong, but later on, I realized it was the most effective means of sharing my thoughts and techniques with others.
My blogs are all about different makeup tutorials and tips for everyone out there who wants to take care of themselves or doesn’t know where to start.
If you’re ever looking for advice with anything related to makeup, feel free to message me – I’ll try my best to help out as much as possible!