BY AGATHA CHUMA MALE make-up artist, Takudzwa Tangadza, who has never looked back after venturing into the powder and paint industry in 2016, is thinking big.
The fact that the industry in Zimbabwe is mostly dominated by women, has not dissuaded Tangadza in any way. It has, in fact, invigorated him to keep on pursuing his goal because for him there is no gender confusion; and he is not apologetic about his career choice.
He said he is planning to set up his own studio as a way of promoting fellow artists and make their talents bloom.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style, Tangadza said: “I first got into makeup in 2019 when I came across a video on YouTube. The sculpting and concealing looked really fascinating and I thought about trying it out. I like to think of make-up as painting a human face, but the idea of working on different faces, examining the face shape, skin tone and learning is what keeps me going.”
“My goal right now is to redefine the Zimbabwe make-up scene because I feel that most people still have a very basic understanding of what make-up is and what it isn’t, so my motive is to bring to light what make-up is.”
Tangadza defines make-up as creativity which should never be informed or influenced by society or gender norms.
“My definition of make-up is complete self-expression, not determined by society or gender. If it makes your heart sing then do it! Just like Jacque Mgido, a Zimbabwean make-up artist based in the United States who has her own make-up line that’s internationally recognised, I want that for me as well. In the next five years I should be living proof that make-up artistry is a viable profession despite the stigma that surrounds the art in the Zimbabwean setting,” said Tangadza.
The make-up artist said he was, however, facing challenges such as expensive make-up kits.
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“Make-up products are quite expensive here in Zimbabwe, so building a make-up kit isn’t really a smooth ride. Also a poor make-up kit with limited foundation/concealer shades will inevitably affect the quality of your work and low quality work means fewer clients,” he said.
Another challenge he has noted is that Zimbabweans in general do not take his industry seriously.
“They still think make-up artistry is something that you do if you are stuck in life, which isn’t true because a lot goes along with learning and practising to perfect our craft,” said Tangadza who clinched the third runner-up award for Zaron Cosmetic Battle 2021.
The award signalled a turning point in his life and buttressed his resolve to make it big in the industry.
He has worked with Tristel, a hip- hop artiste on her music video for the track Umlilo.
“To aspiring make-up artists, I say start where you are with what you have, consistency will pay off eventually and practising and working on your craft is the only way you can improve, there are no two ways about it,” he added.
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