Makeup is an art on its own; it’s doesn’t change you as a person, but it boosts your confidence at that moment, says Sandra Okundia, an emerging makeup artist based in Leverkusen, Germany.
“I love working on people’s faces, I love the look on their faces when they stare in the mirror and snap every minute,” she reveals.
Sandy, as she is affectionately known by clients, was born and raised in Benin City, Nigeria. She came to Germany six years ago to join her family.
This young makeup artist has a natural ability to make her client’s look and feel beautiful.
After studying at a vocational school for makeup artists in Germany, Sandy created her company called Sandysfaces.
She has worked on several photo and video shootings in Germany and several other European countries.
Sandy loves working with colours. “I can’t draw but I can easily make something beautiful with colours. I love the fact that makeup enhances your beauty and gives you a fresh look,” she says.
What sets Sandy apart from other makeup artists is the fact that she doesn’t work based on the amount she’s paid. “I always try to give my best on any given job. I put all my effort and resources into it,” she says.
Sandy’s greatest satisfaction comes from seeing her clients happy. “I love working on people’s faces, I love the look on their faces when they stare in the mirror and snap every minute,” she says.
Asked why she thinks people need makeup, Sandy says: “I think it’s nice to look different sometimes. A little bit of colours on your face wouldn’t be a bad idea. Sometimes we want a slim nose, cat eyes, flawless face and plastic surgery isn’t always the best option. With different makeup skills, you can achieve these looks.”
She holds that “a perfect makeup is when the right colours are mixed and used on the client, to fit his/her face shape, eye shapes, skin colour, eye colour and age. The difference is seen clearly when the makeup is perfect. That’s why most often we make pictures of before and after the makeup to compare.”
Sandy loves doing phantasy makeup without plans. She reveals that she always has in mind what she would like to do, but never sticks to it.
“Phantasy makeup is always a challenge for me. This is the part where I have to think about my own makeup,” Sandy says. “Usually the photographers or clients tell me what they want. Once they’ve told me that, I go round the shops to see what I can get together. The fun starts when I get back and start doing whatever comes along while I’m looking at the model, the outfit and the materials I have.”
She has done makeup on a lot of African celebrities especially those shooting music videos including Keys – an Afro RnB singer based in Germany, Mr Chichi Okpo, Omini Kwate and Rachel Sowou – Miss Togo Germany 2016. She has also done makeup on actors and actresses on various sets for I&F Films.
If you are aspiring to become a makeup artist, here’s Sandy’s advice for you: “Every mistake is chance to get better, be free to go wild with makeup and always improve on your skills.”
HERE ARE SOME OF SANDY’S CLIENTS 
