Author - Jammy

Your Name and what do you do?

My name is Ahmed Makbul Khan also known as Ahmed Dawizard and am a comedian. My YouTube channel is called Ahmed Dawizard

What made you decide to do the funny YouTube videos?

As a youth from Mombasa we are considered as lazy and Thugs. They show the negative side of Mombasa. I have always loved comedy, being funny. So I wanted to show everyone that it is not like how they see us. We are talented and we can do more. I decided to use my talent to showcase the positive side of Mombasa that is how I started creating funny videos on YouTube.

What are your challenge in making the videos?

My biggest challenge is Lack of equipment, as they are too expensive to buy. The more the audience grow the more they demand quality content. Second finding a location to shoot videos is also a challenge, because most of the location I shoot videos are public organizing and seeking permission takes a lot of time. If I could partner with other locations such as hotels or venues with no restrictions will boost my video production.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration when I read comments and messages from my subscribers and followers telling me how bad their day was but due to my videos I make their day better.

That’s why I make more interesting videos because I don’t want to discourage these people. Enabling someone a smiley face is my goal.

Some of the script is traditions people in Mombasa only know, do you feel some of them will be wiped out due to the life advancement?

I try to keep my video contents cultural based so as to maintain the culture of Mombasa. I want people to look back at my videos and feel that part of Mombasa is still with them even to the people outside Mombasa or Kenya at large.

What’s your most embarrassing moment?

Once I was shooting one of my videos in a crowded place, I slipped and fell in the middle of the shot. It was so embarrassing that I had to pretend it was a planned scene.

Has social media play a crucial role in your achievements?

Yes, social media has played a crucial part in my achievements. My goal was to spread the positive side of Mombasa and its reached to many. Also when some young kids and my fellow youth see me as their role model as they say because they see me working hard they also work hard to showcase their talents rather than sitting idle and engaging themselves in unnecessary thing

In Mombasa, we still have a problem with drug abuse. What one advice would you give to the youth to create a better life from themselves?

Advice to the youth. Avoid bad companies. Find friends that will lift you up. Not friends that will bring you down. Find Your talent. Set up a goal for it and work hard to achieve it. Nothing is impossible.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I see myself owning a production company that will bring together different talents in Mombasa so as to build and promote unity among the Mombasa locals.

Parting shot

it’s been a wonderful journey right from the beginning and I appreciate every person that’s been supporting me on creating the contents for the audience.   And I also thank my audience who have been very supportive on every video that I made. Seeing people smile and laugh brings me joy as well.

Your name and what do you do?

My name is Ikhlas Arif. I am a makeup artist.

What is your specialty?

My specialty is beauty makeup. My instagram page is @iku_mua, you can view my work.

Why did you become a make-up artist?

It started out when I got married in late 2012. I began attending many weddings and did not like what the makeup artists had to offer at the time…very light coloured foundation very heavy eyes. I preferred my makeup to be more toned down more natural looking. I began doing my own makeup, family around me kept telling me how good my makeup looked. Eventually they would ask me to do their makeup and then urged me to do it professionally. Two years later I took the plunge bought makeup and began my makeup artistry career

What are the challenges you went through to become a MUA?

When I first started out I faced quite a lot of challenges. My pricing was my first big hurdle. My prices had to be much higher that what was being charged locally because I used very pricey and genuine products. I remember the average artist charging around ksh.500 I charged ksh.1000. Trying to explain why I charged double to my client was hard especially at a time when there was no sensitisation about the dangers of counterfeit makeup and people didn’t really know how much makeup actually cost. I even remember having to refund some clients.

1. Another challenge I faced Was breaking into an industry with a new approach and style. Being “simple” Embracing different skin tones and enhancing them instead of masking and making everyone look light skinned. Toning down the overall heaviness and making the makeup softer. Many people did not get the appeal. Things are changing now and nothing makes me happier.
2. Another challenge I faced personally that affected my work greatly was pregnancy! I was unable to keep up my work and social media while being pregnant and having an infant. It was too overwhelming for me I had to take a very long break. This set me back greatly I feel. On my social media especially, as I was one of very few doing it in the coast at the time.

Were there resources for you that made your learning easy?

One of my biggest resources would definitely be YouTube. I learnt basic skills from there it helped me greatly. I remember hiding under my blankets watching tutorials back in high school until 5am, pretending to be asleep when my mum came to wake me for prayers

Has social media helped you in your career growth? And how?

I began at a time when my work was somewhat niche. Social media helped me reach out to people that were interested in my type of makeup. Which would have been incredibly difficult otherwise. To this day my Instagram is my biggest marketing tool. I reach a huge audience very quickly. My work is on display and anyone that is interested, can reach me with a click of a button

How do you find out about world trends in the Make-up industry?

I follow a lot of trend setting artist and celebrities on social media.

How can one find their shade for foundation, because a lot of people use a shade that is not similar to their skin tone?

Foundation matching is a little bit tricky but not difficult at all. First you have to identify the undertones in your skin. Are they yellow, olive, neutral or red? There are many ways to figure this out like looking at veins (which is not completely accurate) my favourite and easiest would be to swatch the different undertone foundations on your skin whatever doesn’t look sallow or grey will be your undertone. Majority, I would say 99% of coastal people Swahilis, Arabs, Indians, have yellow olive skin tones. Next would be to pick out the shade. Shade means lightness or darkness of the foundation within your undertone. I like to match my foundation to the centre of my chest. So you do not have the floating head syndrome where you face and chest do not match.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to choose this career path?

To any one that wants to be a makeup artist. I would definitely say go for it. Invest in quality makeup that is within the budget of your target clients. Sharpen your skills, invest in them, do a hands on or online course from someone who’s work appeals to you. Most of all be aware you are in the service industry you will need lots of social skills and patience. It can be tough but you will love it.

Parting Shot

Be passionate, give it your all and never forget to enjoy what you do because it shows, art is a form of expression.