Jumoke Ajayi is a skilled make-up artist from London who has worked with familiar faces such as India Amartiefio from the Netflix show Queen Charlotte, Regina Eigbe for the Brit Awards and recent cover star, Jessica Darrow who voices Luisa in the Disney animation Encanto.

We chat to Ajayi about growing up, what got her in to make, dream clients she would like to work with and we ask her the best advice for upcoming make up artists.

What was growing up like for you? 

Growing up for me was very normal. I was born in the mid-80's. Makeup artistry was not a big thing in Nigeria back then and as such there was nothing about makeup in my early days.

Do you remember the first time you picked up a makeup brush?

The first time I ever saw and used makeup brushes was in my university days. This was when my friends gave me their makeup tools to do their eyebrows and makeup. Back then, I was known for really lovely carved eyebrows. I just picked up the skill on my own, with no training. I just wanted to follow the natural shape of the eyebrow and make it neat.

How did you get into your career?

I got into the career through Folashade Akhigbe (Amisha Total Concept ) back in Nigeria in 2008. She introduced me into the world of makeup and my formal makeup training started at her studio in Lagos. I also read books from Bobbi Brown and Kevin Aucoin while at her studio. I was later a student of the London Academy of Media Film and Television.

What kind of style do you like to show in your make-up?

My style of makeup is clean and simple. My aim is to accentuate the natural features of anyone sitting on my chair.

Are there any dream celebrities you would love to work on?

To name a few; Halle Bailey, Tiwa Savage, The Kardashians, Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey!

Lastly, what would your advice be to make-up artists that want to break out into the industry?

Keep showing up, be intentional, consistent, kind, and most importantly, trust God and pray.

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