By Yemisi Suleiman

As a highly talented and innovative makeup artist, Godspower Chidubem has left an indelible mark on the makeup industry. With a degree in Business Administration from Lagos State University, he discovered his true passion for makeup artistry over a decade ago.

Today, he is the mastermind behind some of Nigeria’s most breathtaking fashion looks, working with top brands, celebrities, and designers. As the National Artist for M.A.C Cosmetics in Nigeria, Godspower oversees makeup looks for the brand’s events and collaborations, showcasing his creative prowess.

In this exclusive interview, Godspower takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, sharing insights, and the latest beauty trends that are redefining high-fashion makeup artistry.

Can you take us through your journey of becoming a professional makeup artist?

The story behind my becoming a make up artiste is a funny one. One of my friends called me to come and assist him at a movie set. In my mind, I thought they wanted us to come and act. When I got there, I was busy asking for my script, so that I could start rehearsing my lines. He said, No, this is not for acting, it’s for make up. Sincerely, back then, I didn’t even know what make up was.

How old were you at this time?

I was 16 or 17 years old. My friend that I came to set to help would do make up, my job was to fan them, to make sure they do not sweat. After the whole job, he gave me two thousand naira. I was very excited because two thousand Naira was big money back in 2006. I went again and they gave me N5,000 and I was like, wow, just for fanning people? So, I picked interest from there and went on to learn how to do proper professional make-up from him. Some of his friends started calling me for jobs; because I was really young, they knew they would not pay me as must as they pay other established professionals.
After I had learned the necessary skills in make-up, I joined a cosmetic company called Sleek. I worked with them for a while and I left there to join BlackUp Cosmetics company. At Sleek and BlackUp was where I learned how to do retail sales.

How did you get the job at M.A.C?

When M.A.C cosmetics came to Nigeria, a female friend called me that I should go for the interview. I knew how to do make-up very well, but because I was experienced in retail sales as well, they employed me. I was the first man that was employed in the whole of Nigeria and that store was their first store in the whole of sub Sahara Africa at that time. I love working in M.A.C because there is career growth. Its either you choose to be a trainer, a manager or you choose to be an artistry person. I chose artistry because I was already a make-up artist. After my retail sales, I chose to be an Event Team artist.

What does an Event Team artist do?
Event Team artists are people who handle make-up for shows. I joined the team and became a senior Event Team Artist. I did that for a while and became the National Artist for M.A.C cosmetics.

Have you experienced gender bias from clients or colleagues?

May be I am lucky because I have never had issues with ladies saying they need a female make-up artist. In fact, Most ladies prefer male make-up artists. I have never faced that challenge before.

Can you share some memorable career-defining shows you have worked on?

We did so many events this year. We did the GTCO Fashion Weekend. We did many private shows for fashion designers, like Lanre DaSilva , Tiffany Amber’s 25 years in the industry. We did Emmykasbi’s 10th year anniversary fashion show in Nigeria. We did Ejiro Amos Tafiri. Banke Kuku, Feature Face and many fashion shows that happened recently.

What determines the kind of look you do for runway models?
What we do as a team is to have a meeting with the clients or fashion designers on the kind of looks they want to portray on the runway. Like the GTCO Fashion Weekend, I met with all the designers. It took us about one week to meet with all of them. Meeting them, I got to understand what the collection for that season is, . why they chose the colours and and even what inspired the collection. This will help me determine the kind of make up to replicate for that show.
In M.A.C, we have what we call trends. We call ourselves trendsetters in the make-up industry. We tell our clients what trends that are in vogue for the next seven months. I have trend guide that I infuse into the make-up that would blend with the designers after the consultation.

What determines makeup looks for your clients?

Make-up is really broad. But, different events determines the make-up look. I try to first of all understand what she likes and her skin concerns.
The makeup I will do for you when you are going out with friends will be totally different from the makeup I will do for you when you are going for a wedding or a Halloween party.

What are the most significant trends in the beauty industry now?

Flushed blush is one of them. Blush used to be a thing in the 80’s but now it’s back in trends. Many wedding brides want flushed blush. Before now, our make-up used to be very heavy but now everyone wants subtle skin make-up that is radiant. It used to be all matte make-up for lips but now, people are doing more of dew or satin skin. There are cream blushes unlike powder blushes that people used to do in the past. The trend for this season is more fresh, pearl skin and flushed blush.

What’s your take on make-up related breakouts and how do you advise clients to prevent them?

That is why I said it is always good to understand your clients skin type and what works with their skin before applying make-up. This is one of the challenges make-up artists face. I have all skin types in my makeup kit but not all make-up artistes can afford to have make-up for all skin types in their kit. When you see a person that has dry skin and you put a matte make-up on that person, it will cause reactions. I won’t blame the make-up artist as much, because I was in that situation at some point too. You have to have the right product for all skin types.

How do you refresh your skills and knowledge to stay ahead in the makeup industry?

Working for M.A.C cosmetics exposed me to many trainings. Taking trainings is a vital part of working with M.A.C. I just got back from United Kingdom where I went for training. Next year, we will go for training to upgrade our skill and to know the trends in vogue. With M.A.C, I don’t need to go to any other make-up school because M.A.C is really big in education and that makes me very grounded in make-up artistry.

What sets you apart from others?

I believe I am a very versatile make-up artist. Some artists are very stereotyped with their make-up style. Some can do bridal make-up but can’t do fashion make-up. Some can do movie make-up but they cannot do editorial make-up. I do all types. I do editorial, bridal makeup, fashion make-up. I understand the dynamics and the depth of every make-up artistry skill that cuts across all makeup types.

From your global perspective, how does Nigeria’s make-up industry compare in terms of skill and demand?

I will say we love make-up in Nigeria. Nigeria is really playing in the global space. The international space are looking up to us now for make-up style.
When I went to the UK, my bosses wanted to know what style Nigerians are doing in our make-up.

What drives your passion for make-up and how do you stay in style?

The brand I work for are foresighted in trends and this drives my creativity. Also, the fact that I have not left the scene in a long time. Meeting people everyday, facing the challenge of creating new looks are also part of what drives me.
For example, at GTCO Fashion Weekend, a designer wanted me to do make-up on a hair-net; the net you wear o before wearing your wig. She wanted us to do make-up on the hair net and all the models will wear it on their faces. She had about 40 models! So, it was a challenging one. That is the kind of job that pushes you to the limit and that is the kind of challenge I like.

What’s your take on the perception that male makeup artists are often assumed to be part of the LGBTQ community?

I can speak for myself that I am not Gay. I am straight. I have a wife and a child. It’s not about your gender or race at the end of the day, it’s about what you can deliver in terms of work. Not all male make-up artists are gay.

When you were growing up, was there a career you wanted so much?

I wanted to be an accountant. I was in commercial class in secondary school but when I started working with my friend on movie set, I picked up interest in make up.

For someone that read Business Administration, how did your parents take the news of you switching to make-up artistry?

My parents didn’t know I was a make-up artist until late in my career. I left my parents house when I was very young. They know that I was working in a cosmetics company but, they didn’t know I was a make-up artist until I was in the university. They didn’t have a choice but to like and accept my career.

Which celebrity do you aspire to make up?
That would be Naomi Campbell. I was supposed to do her make-up the last time for Arise, but it didn’t work out at the end. I hope to do her make-up someday soon.

How do you take care of your physical and mental health?

I go to the gym, I spend quality time with my wife and kids, and I make sure to eat healthy.

How do you see the growth of makeup artistry in Nigeria?

Make-up artistry in Nigeria has evolved. Make-up is a career now in Nigeria like being a lawyer, doctor or engineer. It’s a career path that people pursue now unlike when I started, people could not take their children to learn make-up artistry. I have a family that is well taken care of because I am a make-up artist.

Any advice for other makeup artists out there?

Never stop learning. Even as I believe I have come very far in this career, I am still going for training and learning even from up coming artists. The key is to keep improving your skill to always be on top of your game and keep up with changes and trends.