An Exclusive Interview with Makeup Artist Pumza Mgwetyana.
It’s a pleasure to have you here today to discuss the world of makeup and beauty. To start, could you tell us when you started working as a makeup artist?
I began my journey as a makeup artist in 2015. At the time, I was freelancing and had limited knowledge of the industry. I did only a few jobs and primarily assisted well-known makeup artists. Towards the end of 2015, I landed my first significant project as a makeup assistant on a feature film. That experience opened doors to more opportunities and allowed me to build lasting relationships within the industry.
You studied at AFDA, a prestigious film school. What led you to choose this career path, and how has your education influenced your work as a makeup artist?
I’ve always been intrigued by how people appear on television and in films. I had a family friend who was in his first year at AFDA, and he introduced me to the school and helped me with the application process. During my first term, I realized that film and TV involve much more than being in front of the camera. There’s an entire team working behind the scenes to create the final picture that viewers see on screen. This perspective provided me with a whole new lens through which to appreciate films, making my career choice exciting and fulfilling.
You come from a creative family. How have your siblings influenced your career choice in makeup artistry?
Pumza: My brother was always seen with a canvas and paints, and I remember when I had a landscape project in grade 5, he taught me how to draw. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a challenging task for me, and I received excellent marks for that project as a result. My big sister, on the other hand, was always in front of the mirror doing her makeup before working on her sewing machine to create stunning dance and wedding dresses. Watching them significantly influenced my career path, as I grew up wanting to be just like them.
Can you share some of the makeup trends for this season, and are there any styles that we should avoid?
This season is all about achieving flawless, glowing skin. Skincare is taking centre stage, and we’re aiming for a luxurious, radiant complexion. In terms of makeup trends, it’s all about textures. We’re going for super luminous and angelic looks, with multiple layers of texture to create varying levels of euphoria within the skin. Shine, glow, gloss, and glisten are the key elements to focus on.
What’s one makeup product or technique that you believe is underrated in the beauty industry?
A product that I find incredibly underrated is cream or liquid blush. It provides a flawless satin finish and adds a soft, dewy glow to your complexion. It’s a versatile product that can work wonders for achieving that radiant look.
If you weren’t in the beauty industry, what other career path do you think you might have pursued?
If I weren’t in the beauty industry, I’d likely be involved in marketing, specifically marketing for film. I’ve always had a passion for storytelling, and I believe marketing would allow me to channel that interest into promoting the captivating world of cinema.
Lastly, could you share some of your favourite makeup artists in the industry right now?
Absolutely, I have many favourite makeup artists, but for this season, these are some of the artists who have been inspiring me:
These artists are pushing boundaries and creating incredible beauty trends that are captivating the industry right now.
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