Make-up artist Ntsako Mokombo has a dream of showcasing her work in the film production industry.
Mokombo, 22, who is also a certified prosthetic artist and stylist, says her interest in make-up began in 2016 when she was 18.
“I used to play with my sister’s make-up. I would use it on my face. It was just for fun. I never thought it would one day turn into a career,” says Mokombo from Stinkwater, north of Pretoria.
She says in 2017, she decided to buy her own make-up products.
“I realised that I can’t keep using my sister’s stuff. I bought two foundations, a set of brushes, products for eyeshadows and lipstick. I used money I got from promotion work I did for an agency that marketed lotions,” says Mokombo.
She started doing house-calls in 2018. “In August 2018 I got my first client. The client wanted me to do their make-up for their 21st birthday party. At the time I was not perfect. I tried. I did my best.
"I have come a long way. My make-up skills have improved. Now I am able to mix someone’s foundation and make it a perfect match without making their skin tone darker or lighter,” she says.
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Mokombo graduated from the Face to Face Beauty & Make-up Design School in Centurion in January where she studied styling, make-up design and special effects.
The services she offers include bridal, photographic, prosthetic and ramp make-up, and special effects.
She has had up to 50 clients so far. The young entrepreneur says she appreciates the support she has received from her customers, but believes there is still room for improvement.
“My clients love my work and most of them say it's impressive. I believe I still have a lot to learn. I am humbled and I haven’t reached my full potential yet,” says Mokombo.
She says there are two designs in particular that she uses to test her artistic capabilities. "I used the bruises make-up and Africa map make-up to challenge myself. Africa is a beautiful continent and the map of Africa is easy to draw, unlike other continents.
"I use the bruises design to raise awareness about the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV). I know people who hide their bruises using normal make-up. I want to use my make-up design to explicitly show the harm GBV causes," says Mokombo.
She says her long-term goal is to run her own beauty school.
“I want to be the best make-up artist in the country and do my prosthetic make-up and special effects in the film production industry,” says Mokombo.
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