Name: Akansha Singh
Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
QC Makeup Courses taken:
Website: www.akankshakriplani.com/
Instagram: Instagram.com/akankshakriplani.hmua
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a 26-years-young hair and makeup artist. I love makeup and the feeling of satisfaction when the client feels good about themselves after the appointment. It’s almost like making them fall in love with themselves. I am a freelance makeup artist, and I am working with shelter homes to teach makeup to the ladies there so they can feel good about themselves. I love how makeup gives me so much freedom and inspires me to be more creative with my day-to-day life. I’m all about making people love themselves and empowering themselves.
Why did you decide to become a makeup artist?
I’ve always loved makeup as a child, playing around with my mom’s makeup. When I grew up, I thought I needed to keep my passion and my work separate. I never really thought that my passion for makeup could become my full-time job. So I went on to study hospitality and tourism. But whenever a friend would ask me to do their makeup, my eyes would glow and I would be happy.
Then one day, my dad sat me down, and he asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I told him that I didn’t think I was great at makeup or that it could be my full-time job. But if anything went wrong, I can still go work at the hotels as my plan B. My dad then told me something that stuck with me.
“If we have plans B, C and D for our lives, we will never be happy. You should pursue makeup full-time and put all your effort and energy into it. And one day, success will be yours.”
Since that day, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in makeup artistry. I left my studies in my last semester because I didn’t want to waste even one more day doing that, and I started looking for the best makeup school.
You’re a graduate of QC’s Fashion Styling course, too. Are your styling services popular with your makeup clients?
My fashion services are slowly getting popular. It has definitely given me an edge in the industry because I can style my makeup clients’ clothes and jewelry, which a lot of other makeup artists in the area can’t do. I like to call myself one-stop shop where I do makeup, hair, and fashion. A lot of people are liking these services so far.
How has growing up in India influenced your makeup style and the way you run your makeup business?
Growing up in India, there are so many festivals that we celebrate. With so many colors involved, it has opened my mind to being more creative. Indian and South Asian makeup, especially, is very different—it’s heavier, focused on smoky eyes, and is also accompanied by heavy special occasion clothes. So when I offer styling services, many clients are thrilled because they don’t know how to drape the scarf correctly and pair their outfits with the right jewelry. In Hinduism, my religion, we always say that our house guests are like gods. So I have that mentality with my clients, too. Respecting them, offering them snacks, giving my advice, and so much more.
What’s your favorite service you offer as part of your makeup business?
My favorite service has to be offering makeup application for photoshoots. I love doing edgy, creative makeup but I also like soft looks, too. I love participating in photoshoots so much because all the professionals at the shoot are like-minded people. I love the creative atmosphere. People are so understanding and encouraging. We all cherish each other’s crazy side and love being crazy and weird together.
What made you choose QC over other makeup schools?
Once I decided I wanted to learn how to do makeup professionally, I started researching and visiting makeup schools every other day to find the one for me. However, most of them were really expensive—almost $30,000 for 9 months that too full-time 9-6 which meant I wouldn’t be able to work and how would I pay my bills was the thought that I started having.
So I went on YouTube and heard about QC Makeup Academy on Stephanie Wyatt’s channel and she talked about her makeup journey and the school. I looked into it, and there were so many testimonials on their Facebook page. Plus, they offered tuition payment plans, so it was more affordable than the other schools I saw. And their makeup courses were online so I could work while I studied, which sounded like an amazing idea. After a few weeks, I registered in their Master Makeup Artistry course, and here I am today.
I can’t stop talking about how good the school is. The tutors are amazing, and I truly believe that Nathan curated the best makeup course for a student like me. It taught me about safety and sanitation and how to start my own makeup business. It gave me so much confidence and prepared me for the makeup industry. I knew that if I had a question, I could ask my tutor and she would be happy to help me.
What do you have in store for 2019?
I am opening my own makeup studio in July, and I am doing a lot of fashion shoots this year. I am very excited about it—I am almost booked for the year already. I hope to launch a small makeup training class teach to people how to find their perfect day-to-day makeup look and how to sanitize makeup. I am also launching my YouTube channel at the end of this year, which I am really excited about.
Finally, if you were trapped on a desert island, what makeup product would you have?
I would probably take lots of sunscreens, face moisturizer, and lip balm. Now if I somehow had my purse, I would find a black pencil eyeliner and a red lipstick in there, too.
