Greetings I do hope you are well, last week I went to a women’s meet up hosted at Curves Gym Manda Hill.
I listened a young makeup artiste give tips and of course, I could not resist but sit down for a makeup session with her.
So I sat face to face with (see what I did here) and asked her a couple of questions.
25-year-old Tionenji Banda is the quintessential makeup artiste, the type who you sit in their chair and you are already chatting away like old friends.
She took one look at me and told me what shade of concealer I ought to wear and she was right, now ladies you know as well as I do that concealer is a tricky issue and that many are the times you end up with a shade lighter or darker than your skin tone.
I have a complex skin tone and even I myself can never quite guess what shade I use unless I test it first but alas, I digress.
Tionenji’s journey as a beautician started in 2012 when she says she started out of her own makeup kit offering beauty services to women door to door.
“It started out of an opportunity in the market. Everyone had salons, but no one was really offering full on beauty/grooming services in the comfort of people’s homes. And for me, it was not just women but men too.
The metro sexual man that is too shy to go to a spa or salon to be pampered. So you visit them privately at home. “
She adds that she has never studied anything to do with makeup and beauty but that she is self taught.
When I ask her what motivates her she humorously replies;
“Money motivates me. Lol no, just joking. The look and reaction on a client’s face after we reveal their enhancement motivates me. Also the people who thought I would never make it, motivate me! “
It goes without saying that been a beautician in Zambia is not the conventional career  but Tio (as shes popularly known as) says that she just loves  the way a human can totally be enhanced without cosmetic surgery and the human face as a whole fascinates her.
“Also thinking about doing anything else would just be miserable for me. I love what I do. And I’m very passionate about it. “
Tio cites prejudice as been one of the main challenges that she has faced;
“People think if you’re in this type of industry you’re not independent, smart or well put together unless you work for some institution. Few Zambians believe in creativity. Then they see your hard work and they are suddenly interested. “
Her portfolio includes doing makeup for prominent clients such as TV personalities , local celebrities and artists including Lulu Hangaala, Mampi, Roberto’s wife (on their big day) and news anchor Mary Magambo.
According to Tio though there is no difference between any  of her clients they are all equally important.
She cites British born Nigerian-makeup artist Jennie Jenkins as her favourite makeup artiste saying that Jennie has taken over and  totally changed the makeup game!
Tio’s label Diamentes is a unique name, one inspired by diamonds;
“Diamantes, to begin with are little diamonds added on to a beautiful garment or fabric to make it look more beautiful. I like to think that I add sparkle to a client to make them look even better than they do, (Enhancing what already exists. My motto) .
The name however, came from my cousin, the way he pronounced it was so fancy and thereafter the name just stuck. I think I owe him some shares! “
The Zambia beauty industry is still budding and Tio says that one of the main things missing is knowledge of the industry, it’s swot analysis and its products.
“I think if we could fully understand where or how to use certain things it will be far much better. Just as everything else in life, beauty is growing so you have to be well read and keep up with the industry. “
She says that she aims to fill that gap by ;” educating people on the importance of beauty and branding yourself BEAUTIFULLY in everything you do. Whether you’re a stay at home, corporate or business person. It is important to groom yourself. Find out what works for you and use it! Be it cologne, makeup or deodorant they matter! “
So where does the bubbly Beautician envision herself in five time:
“I will be CEO of The Diamantes group of companies, own  a beauty training school and run a cosmetics line for women of color. “
Here are some makeup tips from from the expert; Always wash off makeup before you sleep, always use a moisturizer with SPF15 and up.
She also advises against using too much blush and says that you must always use a dark brown eyebrow pencil as black ages you.
To get in touch with Tio email her at tiob.tb@gmail.com or like her facebook page Diamantes Mobile Makeup.
That’s it for any questions email me divadiarys@gmail.com and don’t forget to visit my blog divadiarys.blogspot.com.
If you are on Twitter or Instagram follow me @Arushapot and like my Facebook page Nancy Handabile
Stay beautifully healthy this week.