I dropped architecture for make-up artistry –Bayo Haastrup

Make-up artiste, Bayo Haastrup, talks about his love for colognes and good style in this interview with ’Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

You came into the industry when make-up artistes were relatively unknown. What made you go into such a profession?

I am a very daring person. When I decide to do something, I go all out to do it. I had so much interest in it and that was why I went into it.

Did you encounter any challenge when you set out to become a make-up artiste?

Of course, I encountered a lot of challenges. People were asking me what kind of job this is. Friends kept asking me why I had to venture into this since I was meant to be an architect. They didn’t understand me at all and I kept telling them it was what I wanted to do and I knew I would enjoy it.

Why did you drop your dream of becoming an architect?

I can’t say something in particular made me change my mind. I could draw very well. I had a very good result in Fine Arts in my school certificate exams. So, I planned to become an architect than any other thing. After my secondary school, I wrote the UME exams and I didn’t make it; so I forgot about becoming an architect. I decided to do some other things and that was how I became a make-up artiste.

Are you saying you became a make-up artiste because you didn’t pass the UME exams?

It wasn’t really the reason. When I didn’t make UME, I wanted to go into the business of buying and selling, which was basically what my mother was into back then. Along the line, I became a make-up artiste.

But who initiated you into this profession?

I can’t say anybody got me into it. I was on a sojourn; I went to Ivory Coast on holiday. While I was there, I saw a group of people being trained by somebody. I enquired about what they were doing and they told me it was make-up artistes training. Then, I met a French man there and somehow that was how I started.

Your clients are basically women. How easy has it been working with them?

Working with women has been difficult and easy as well. It depends on the individual you meet. In life, you meet different people. Some are cranky while some are nasty and some others are rude, friendly and soft. But over time, I developed a way to work around the women. I have developed a thick skin where the difficult ones are concerned and I only face my business while working with such people.

Are men supposed to make-up?

For television, yes, a man should make-up. They need the make-up because of the lighting system in production. They tend to wear make-up because of the effect of light on them. But for a man to walk on the street with make-up, that is not ideal; he doesn’t need it at all. He only needs to wear make-up for the TV, theatre or if he is into acting to portray a character. That is just the essence for a man to wear make-up.

What is the cheapest amount you have charged for making up a face?

There are different types of make-up. There is theatrics make-up, there is studio make-up, there is make-up for a photo shoot and there is make-up for TV. It depends on what the clients want and such determines the charge.

But does one really need a make-up artiste?

For a bride, you don’t always get married twice. You don’t go out of your way to invite a make-up artiste to do your face. It is because you want to look special, that is why you involve a professional.

Now, so many people are in this business. Are you still as comfortable as you were in it when you somehow had the monopoly of the industry?

I love competition. I have trained a lot of people. If you look at their work, they are still different from what the normal make-up artiste would do. In Nigeria, people train for just a month or two and they carry their bags and become make-up artistes. Most make-up artistes will do the faces of 10 people and those people would look the same. That is not proper. It is very wrong to create just one look. Make-up is an individual thing. You need to create the image of that individual you are trying to portray. You don’t have to replicate looks.

Is make-up a part of fashion and style?

I believe so. Everybody has his or her trademark. Everybody has a look. Most people would want to portray that look. Some people look nice today and look shabby the next day. It is either they changed their make-up artiste or their style. If you are changing your style, you are changing your looks as well. As a style person, you don’t have a permanent look. If you make-up in one particular way, it will limit your look and style.

Must make-up be subtle?

It depends on who you are. You can never see a Lady Gaga-Gaga looking subtle. That is her style. It is her personality and it must reflect in her look. But you will always see Halle Berry looking sweet and charming. Her style is subtle. Angelina Jolie is in between. She is not wild and she is not subtle either. That is her style. Every individual has a style she wants to portray in the public eye.

Your clientele is mostly the rich and famous. Are they the ones who can afford your services?

Arts cannot be quantified. I feel fulfilled when I am paid well for what I do. I also make up those who are not so rich. I only do make-up for people who know what they want. I don’t have a particular range of clients. I like challenges. I have done make-up for those who are used to a particular style but when they see the final work, they appreciate it. I know some people who like to wear red pencil on their brows. I ask them if they have seen a human being with red brows.

How would you rate fashion in Nigeria?

We are one of the fashionable races in the world. But at times, we do not appreciate ourselves. That is the problem we have. It is only when we have excelled outside Nigeria that we will be appreciated.

Most people still think make-up is vain…

It is not vain. It depends on how you use. It only makes you look better. There is a difference between make-up and make-over. Make-up is just to create a better you. It improves and enhances your normal look. A make-over is a total change from who you are. Every woman needs to look nice.

Do you make up your wife?

My wife is a very conservative person. She doesn’t like much make-up. But her eyebrows are properly shaped and she wears a lip gloss and mascara. That is all. She doesn’t always wear powder because her skin is flawless. But when she wants to go for a function, I make her up. However, overtime, I have been able to train her and she can do her make-up herself.

What is your own style?

I am different from every other person. I don’t wear make-up. I have never done that. Even on TV, I wear white powder in order to remove the shine from my face. I am a very rugged guy. I am not cut out for designer clothes and labels. I wear more of Ankara. I prefer jeans and tee shirts. I am a casual dresser, but I love good wristwatches and shoes.

Do you invest in perfumes?

I use very good cologne. You cannot be working close to people, especially women, and smell bad. I use very good cologne.

Are you just based in Nigeria?

No way. I have worked at the New York Fashion Week. I have worked at Paris Fashion Week and I have done Milan and South Africa. I was on the set of Sex and the City in New York.

So is this your profession for life?

I have a flair for fashion. This is what I love to do and this is what I am doing for now. I groom models too and I also shop for models.