By Josephine Agbonkhese
Leading makeup industry experts, top beauty bloggers, and celebrity makeup artists from across the world, gathered at the EbonyLife Place in Lagos, recently, for the maiden Global MU Awards.
The annual ceremony designed to recognise the most talented and dedicated professionals in the makeup industry worldwide, held in an atmosphere reminiscent of the magical power of the art of makeup itself, with a lavishing dose of glitz.
In her welcome remark, organiser of the event, Eryca Freemantle, Global Makeup Strategist/Founder, Embracing All Tones of Women (E.A.T.O.W), said the award was inspired by her almost 40 years of work in the beauty and makeup industry.
From Left: Bukky Obey, Eryca Freemantle and Ony Danchimah
“After years of travelling around the world and working in different countries, it dawned on me that the only way I could portray the brilliance of black African makeup artists was to create a global platform for recognition with nominees from all over the world.
“It was imperative the ceremony took place in Lagos, Nigeria, so the world could see the beauty of the industry and the landscape,” Freemantle said.
Following series of selection processes by a panel of judges comprising international industry experts, with award nominees drawn from various countries including the UK, USA, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Kenya, the ceremony witnessed the conferment of various awards to individuals and brands that have distinguished themselves in the makeup industry.
Among the awardees and categories were Bebe Omagbemi of Bibyonce (Nigeria) for Best Freelance Makeup Artist; Nancy Blaq (Ghana) for Best Bridal Makeup Artist Award; Joy Adenuga (United Kingdom) for Best Celebrity Makeup Artist Award; and Stephanie Mudikongo (Ghana) of Colour Box Cosmetics for Best Makeup Products Award.
From Left: Stella Ndekile, Omolola Faleye, Jennifer Uloko with a guest
Others celebrated at the event anchored by ace model/celebrity makeup artist, Ony Danchimah, were: Valerie Lawson (Ghana) for Best Makeup Tech Business Award; Olugbemisola Olufunke Adebayo (Nigeria) for Best Outstanding Makeup Business Award; and Vanessa Gyimah (Ghana) for Best Makeup Influencer/Blogger Award.
Special recognition awards were also conferred on Banke Meshida Lawal (Nigeria), Tara Fela-Durotoye (Nigeria), Kelechi Amadi-Obi (Nigeria), Omolola Faleye (Nigeria) and Mary Jane Ohobu (Nigeria).
Renowned makeup artist, Bimpe Onakoya (Nigeria), was honoured with the Global Makeup Citizen Award; Deola Adeyemi of Beauty by AD (Nigeria) was named Global Best State-of-the-Art while Sam Fine (USA) was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
From Left: Jimmy Campbell, Eryca Freemantle, Ony Danchimah and Bukky Obey