An Interview with Joy Adenuga, an Award Winning Makeup Artist
I’m literally pinching myself as I introduce to you all Joy Adenuga, an award winning London based makeup artist, whose name alone conjures gasps of awe! When I fell in love with makeup a few years ago I discovered Joy’s impressive body of work on Instagram and quickly became a huge fan. She’s a person that I often turn to for makeup inspiration and I’m always excited when she shares new pictures of her work. Her makeup application is flawless! Joy also has an amazing understanding of colour and she combines them in a way that brings out the best in every skin tone.
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe: insert your name & email below, then click the ‘subscribe’ button.
[email-subscribers namefield=”YES” desc=”” group=”Public”]
Picture shared with permission from Joy Adenuga
JOY: I was born and raised in Nigeria. My parents and siblings relocated to the UK and I joined many years later.
MSA: Where did your interest in makeup begin and did you always know that you wanted to do makeup full time?
MSA: How and when did you get into the makeup industry? Did you do any formal training?
JOY: I am blessed to be married to someone that noticed my passion and gave me the push after our wedding to go after my dreams. I attended a Makeup school in Central London to get certified. This was about 6 years ago.
Picture shared with permission from Joy Adenuga
MSA: What was your first ‘big break’ as a makeup artist?
JOY: When I first got my work published in one of UK’s foremost Black Magazine.
MSA: What magazine was that?
JOY: Tropics Magazine.
MSA: I love that makeup allows me to create something new every time I apply it, and I’m interested to know what you love the most about makeup?
JOY: The transformation! I never get tired of seeing this.
MSA: Tell me what keeps you motivated to continue working to a high standard, because sometimes when people achieve a measure of success they can get sloppy?
JOY: God and my family motivates me. There are days I feel so tired/stressed and just want to take a break but they have always been pushing me to strive for more.
MSA: Tell me what if feels like knowing that your work has been on the cover of or has been featured in Vogue, Elle, The Guardian, Black Hair Magazine, and OK Magazine (to name a few)?
JOY: It feels amazing!
MSA: I read on your website that you are a Freelance Beauty Contributor with Black Hair Magazine, and a Freelance Columnist with Black Beauty and Hair Magazine. How did you start working with these magazines and how often do you contribute to them?
JOY: There was gap in the magazine for those pages; I got into talks with the editors and was commissioned to fill them every issue.
Picture shared with permission from Joy Adenuga
MSA: The photographs of the brides on your blog always look so amazing! Do you do your own photography?
Picture shared with permission from Joy Adenuga
JOY: I love holidays with my husband and kids. I also enjoy reading fictional novels.
MSA: I have to ask you this question: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only choose 5 beauty/makeup products to keep with you, what would they be?
JOY: Water ( I consider it a beauty item as it’s great for the skin :-), sunblock, creme cleanser, Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream and Simple wipes.
Picture shared with permission from Joy Adenuga
MSA: Hmm, I wouldn’t have guessed that you would say water, but it makes sense because great skin starts from within. Joy, you are a great success as a makeup artist, looking back over your career what would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?
JOY: I don’t think I want to change anything, without mistakes I wouldn’t learn. Its the learning process that has brought me to where I am today.
MSA: You are absolutely right! Failure is on the path to success and I’m trying to embrace this. I’m interested to know from your perspective if there are any downsides or negative aspects of being a makeup artist?
JOY: The standing can cause leg and back pain (only downside). I do try to sit while working on some jobs, but it slows me down as I am faster on my feet.
Picture shared with permission from Joy Adenuga
MSA: That’s really good advice! You’re at the top of your game as a makeup artist, so I’m interested to know what your future goals are?
JOY: To keep developing the Joy Adenuga brand.
MSA: Well, I very much look forward to seeing that!
● ● ● ●
Thanks so much Joy, I appreciate you! xxx
From this interview I learnt a number of things. Firstly, the importance of having someone (or a group of people) in your life that recognise your passions and encourage, or even push you, to pursue your dreams. Joy was blessed to have a husband that brought out the best in her, and I hope that this teaches you to look for people who will do the same for you and let go of the people who don’t. Secondly, I’ve learnt the need to develop your skills by practicing consistently, because although you may have a passion for something it’s your skills that will make you a success. Lastly, I’ve learnt not to agonise over past mistakes. Joy stunned me by her statement of not wanting to change anything about her career; she embraced her past mistakes and that’s why she is a success. So take a page out of Joy’s life’s story and run after your dreams because success is waiting for you.
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe: insert your name & email below, then click the ‘subscribe’ button.
[email-subscribers namefield=”YES” desc=”” group=”Public”]
Picture shared with permission from Joy Adenuga
