Shillong, Oct 30: Whether improving the confidence of a teenager or creating a zombie for a TV show, the importance of a makeup artist is severely understated. This week we have a professional from Meghalaya, Badap Hynniewta from Shillong, who is currently working as a Senior Lecturer of Fashion & Celebrity Makeup in Pearl Academy, Delhi.

Well, ever wondered what it would be like working as a makeup artist? Wonder no more. We spoke to the artist itself to get into his perspective and a little inside scoop.

Career & Success

Today, with more than 12 years of experience with some of the leading brands such as Javed Habib and MAC, Badap is successfully running a makeup academy that is enlightening the career tread of youngsters. His artistic skills and eye for detail has helped him to collaborate and work with the best in the industry, be it leading a team of makeup artist during prestigious, Lakme India Fashion Week, Lotus India Fashion Week, or working with the participants of charity fashion week organized by the United Nation Women’s Association. Make-up Academy

As a freelance make-up expert, he has worked with online portals such Myntra and fashion glossies Vogue and Style Cruze (a U.S.-based print fashion magazine). He was also invited to conduct a master class in the beauty booth, an event organized by the luxurious DLF Emporio, Delhi where he was one of the six leading make-up artists in the city to interact with Cream de la Creme.Recently Badap collaborated on a music video project with T- Series.

Journey & Major Breakthroughs

Usually, we hear about journeys of bigwigs that take a number of years to achieve such influential positions in their respective fields. But in Badap’s case, to his surprise, it has been quite different.

His journey began long back in his teens because of his interests in fashion particularly makeup and hair. He used to spend hours styling his friends, cousins, and family, and of course himself. Well, this interest and passion translated into his career.

Badap’s major breakthrough was working with Mac Cosmetics, Pearl Academy. He has always believed that for success, you need, persistence, passion, and of course, perfection!

Further, when asked about the common beauty mistakes that people make, he had something interesting to say, ”The common mistake people here make are too much makeup or wrong makeup. It usually takes anyone a whole lot of experimentation and most of his or her twenties to get the makeup right. All those hours of struggling in front of the mirror, and you are still not satisfied. The internet is bustling with inspiration, whether it is JLo’s bronzed cheeks or Rihanna’s mulberry obsession. But, not everything is meant for you. There are many common beauty mistakes that people make some of them are over-washing your face, applying makeup on dry skin, makeup application in the wrong lighting, wrong blending and many more.”

Major challenges of working in the industry

”Perhaps with the ever-growing market in the beauty industry, I would say that the biggest challenge is to constantly be updated with new trends globally not just locally,” says Badap.

Badap’s biggest inspiration

”My mother always smiles, no matter what the circumstances are, and that gives me the strength and inspiration to face all problems.”

Sneak Peek into Badap’s alternate interests

”I am a free spirit. Luckily, my work is my passion as well as interest because I love what I do, other than that I am a nature lover, also I Love cooking. I wouldn’t call myself a chef but I do try and learn and cook old traditional recipes of the Khasi and Northeast.”

Fighting Social Stigma

When asked about the profession that he has chosen is still highly stigmatized, he says, ”Luckily for me, my family and friends were very supportive and encouraging when I decided to the transition from ITES Industry to Fashion Industry. In fact, my state government too supported and sponsored my first course way back in 2010.”

Recalling the initial days, he said, ”But I have faced few issues being a guy in this industry, however, some social media influencers in the country are advocating for erasing rigid gender norms so that people can embrace their inner creativity regardless of restrictive societal stereotypes.”