Changing the beauty industry one make up stroke at a time

Tunohole Mungoba
Octavia Tsibes
A self-taught make-up artist and hair dresser sat down with The Zone to share her story and how she raised to one of Namibia’s most booked makeover artist.

Born and raised in a small in Kamanjab, Chantelien Ti-a Gawases also known as Tia Chancy is currently building and working towards her brand in the beauty industry. “I moved to Ojiwarongo when I was 10 years old and I was in boarding school. During my stay there, I always used to experiment on my roommates’ hair and after I perfected my braiding, I would also braid my hostel mother’s hair. This where I learned how to style and dress hair,” says Gawases.

“Growing up, my mother always loved make up and doing her nails. At that time, I was not interested in beauty-related things. I was more reserved and I only took an interest to that when I moved to Windhoek in 2014,” she says.

The 22 year old started watching different makeup YouTube tutorials and she realised it was easy and she decided to look more into it. “At that time, I did not practise make makeup on anyone except myself. So whenever I would be seen in public, people would always ask who did my makeup and they never believed me when I would reply and say it was myself,” says the pint size artist.

Gawases also says it took her a while to realise her talent and other people took notice of it before her. “My first big break was when I did Robyn Nakambo’s makeup for her birthday. I was very excited that someone of her calibre would hire me to do her makeup.” Gawases listed upcoming makeup and hairdressers as her challenges. “Although the competition is tough, it also encourages me to step up my game each time so I could what I can work and improve on,” she says.

She enjoys what she does and she is very passionate about advising her clients about the how they can improve or work on their looks. “I did not receive any formal education or education so I am very proud of how far I have come. In five years’ time, I would to open my own beauty studio. Not just an ordinary salon that we see in our country. I want it to be different and have that international taste to it,” she says.

Kimberly Kimble, a hairdresser from the States as her inspiration when it comes to hair and Namibia’s very own makeup artist, Macky Melvy. “I like to learn from different people in this industry. It is very important to make sure you know are well aware of the latest trends,” Gawases said to The Zone.

She has done hair and makeup for different kind of events like matric farewells, birthday parties, weddings and baby showers as well. “Our beauty industry is growing, but at a very slow pace. There are a lot of opportunities to secure clients, but we in the industry can still improve our craft.”

She advised all aspiring makeup artists and hairdressers to start somewhere. She believes that a formal training is not enough if you are not passionate about your job. “I like a happy client. That is why I keep going. I want young Namibian girls to grow to be independent and to not depend on anyone. Keep on striving to do a good job and the right people will take notice of you.”

You can find Tia on Instagram by following her page @slay_by_tia

10 mind blowing facts about cosmetics:

· The Aztecs used beetles to make red lipstick· Cleopatra, the queen of ancient Egypt was said to have soaked her ship sails in perfume so everyone could smell her arrival.· MAC was founded by two men named Frank in 1985· The beauty industry generates around $170 billion worldwide· The most common injury caused by makeup is scratching the eye with a mascara wand· The first nail polish was invented in China in 3000 B.C. by mixing egg whites, beeswax, gum and coloured powder.· In the Victorian era, upper-class women did not wear any makeup, since it was only used by stage actresses, working class women, and prostitutes· Women used to pinch their cheeks to give themselves rosy cheeks before blush was invented· Ground fish scales are often added to lipstick and eye shadow to add shimmer.· Coco Chanel started the trend to be tan after she tanned herself on a cruise