Today we’d like to introduce you to Samira Rafiq
Hi Samira, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all began in the summer of 2016, right after I graduated high school and was starting college. I was a part of the high school dance team, and a few friends from the team started asking me to do their make up for various events. Honestly, I was just being nice – I didn’t know how to say no! I would have them come over and I would do their makeup using whatever products I had at the time. It was aimless fun for me until I realized it was the beginning of something much bigger. I would post on my Snapchat story and without realizing, I was marketing myself as a makeup artist. It was just a way to share what I was doing at the time, but eventually it led to Instagram which is now a great platform for any business. Again, it wasn’t super intentional at first, but as I kept sharing content, people started noticing, engaging, and following me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With any job, there definitely were some struggles. First off, I started at the age of 18, which at the time was very young for the profession. A lot of people would take advantage of the fact that I was so young and got their way around me at times. Also, this was the time where people wanted to know if you were accredited in some sort of certification or school. I was a full-time undergraduate student at the time so I started makeup self-taught. About a year into me doing makeup, I took a class to get a certification which also helped in learning new, trending looks and techniques. This aided to my credibility and allowed people to take me more serious.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the moment, I am really into soft glam and creative makeup. I hope to be known for that, but I would have to ask the people! At the same time I would not say I specialize in anything specific. I don’t consider myself a makeup artist for a certain occasion, but rather any occasion. I have done make up for various occasions, you’d be surprised at some. I’m most proud of the looks I’ve done in 2024, as they were mostly for fun and creative purposes, which led to collaborations and extended my range of clientele.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The most important quality that has contributed to my success, is resilience. In the makeup industry, you will come across certain trials and tribulations that can be a test to whether or not you are built to be a service provider. It may seem all glitz & glam but like any person who provides a service you have to be willing to work with a business mindset. That means being respectful, punctual, and communicative, even if it’s not being reciprocated – which to some could be a threat if you’re not strong enough to receive it. As a business owner, you have to be able to protect yourself, your business, and your future business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/_makeupbysamira
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_makeupbysamira?igsh=MXFlMGd6OWgwemtzNw==
