GIFT OKPA-FRANCIS: A RISING STAR IN NIGERIA'S MAKE-UP INDUSTRY By Chinedu Victor
‘’Determination is key. I’m of the opinion that if you are
determined with whatever you do, you will definitely succeed.’’ The words of
the talented Gift Okpa-Francis, a rising star in the world of the make-up
industry.
A native of Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River
State in Southern Nigeria, the 24 year old was driven to take up the beauty
brush thanks to her mentor, Mr Kingsley Ofoha. This happened after leaving
secondary school at the age of 17 and could not get an admission into a higher
institution; sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations three
good times.
Filled with depression and frustration, Gift opened up to Mr
Ofoha who told her education is 25% of your whole as a human being, experience
carries another 25%, skills acquired another 25% and character making up the
remaining 25% which builds one up as a human being.
He advised she focus on another part of the 25% which was
acquiring a skill and the first option that hit her head delving into fashion.
He told her to think wisely about her choice of skill, and it hit her. She said
that she liked make up. He then told her to go down that line and keep working
at it; going on the internet to search for make-up schools and videos.
Unknown to her she had actually had the liking for combination
of colours for a very long time, dating back as far as Junior Secondary School as
would purchase cheap roadside make-up items and one time while preparing for
church applied it on her face; which turned out horrible to the surprise of her
mother who had never applied make-up on her own face.
She sourced for schools that she could learn the craft but
most schools were too expensive concerning the fees but later located someone
staying on her street that she could learn from and right now the rest is
history.
To Gift, make-up has been ‘’a calling’’ and she herself is
amazed of how she has grown in the craft, knowing fully well she has to learn
and learn more every single day about the profession.
Stating a variety of make-up artists she follows and
appreciates like Jide Oscentola, Florence Faces and Claudia Michael, Gift sees
herself as her role model in the make-up industry as she wants to carve a name
for herself and not walk in the shadow of others.
Speaking about her make-up brand Proteus Vanity, she
disclosed the company does not focus on the parties’ and birthday make-up but
will also cut across rendering services for models, music videos and movies
which she has already started.
Already acquiring a name for herself as the lead make-up
artist for the reality TV show MTN Project Fame, she feels this is just the
beginning of something extraordinary; with a promise that greater things lie
ahead and the world has not even seen the tip of the iceberg of what is to come
from her and from Proteus Vanity which she revealed that the brand will be the
best make-up brand in the nation with the likes of House of Tara and so on.
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