Celebrating Our Very Own - Stella Maris

Hi friends, I hope you all had a good week so far. Today we will be getting to know a bit about celebrity makeup artist and beauty consultant, Stella Maris of Stella's Addiction. Stella has worked on the likes of Chimamanda Adichie, Waje just to name a few, so I asked her a few questions and she was so sweet and immediately agreed to do the feature..

Dobzi: Please give us some basic information about yourself

Stella: I'm a professional makeup artist, beauty blogger & Vlogger based in Lekki, Lagos. I run a makeup studio & boutique in Lekki phase 1, Lagos. 

Dobzi: When did you get started as a makeup artist?

Stella: I've been a full time makeup artist in Nigeria for about 3 years, before that I did make up on the side for about 3 years. I've been writing a beauty blog for 5 years.

Dobzi: Who are your favourite beauty/makeup gurus/educators?

Stella: My all time favourite makeup educator and artist will have to be Sam Fine. I also follow and watch many other artists like Dress your face, Vanity Makeup, Theresa Francine... to name a few or we could be here all day LOL 

Dobzi: What beauty advice would you suggest all women follow?

Stella: Never sleep in makeup. Take it all off and wash your face.

Dobzi: Do you buy a lot of cosmetics online? Or do you need to touch and test before you make a purchase?

Stella: Personally I like to touch and feel makeup, that's half the fun of the experience for me, I prefer to shop online for other items.

Dobzi: What piece of advice do you wish you were given before starting out as a makeup artist?

Stella: Go for it! (about 5 years before I finally did. LOL)

Dobzi: Who was your very first celebrity client? 

Stella: Waje, for an interview in TW magazine. She was having an interview nearby and needed a makeup artist last minute, they came to me just because I was the closest one.

Dobzi: What would you say are some of the challenges/frustrations you face as a pro makeup artist?

Stella: My challenges are on the business side of things, the makeup comes easy but running a business is Nigeria is not. Capital, crazy landlords, to name a few.

Dobzi: What do you do for fun?

Stella: Apart from makeup (which is a bit weird but my job and hobby are really the same) I love movies and series. I'm the type of girl that stays home on her day off glued to the TV or my laptop as the case may be.

Dobzi: What makeup product(s)/tool(s) are you dying to get your hands on?

Stella: Makeup Forever primers, they are new and I missed out on a chance to get a few in May......will order some soon 

Dobzi: What will you say has been a reoccurring lesson being in this industry has taught you?

Stella: Keep business and personal separate (I learnt the hard way).

Dobzi: What was it like working with Chimamanda Adichie for her Vogue UK feature? We want all the juicy details...

Stella: Chimamanda is definitely one of my favorite clients ever! I was already a huge fan before we started working together and now I love her even more. She secretly intimidated me the first time we met, I was so sure I would say or do something incredibly stupid but I was fine. She is super cool and smart and put me as ease. Working with her is like working with a big sister. She is a huge inspiration to me, I leave her presence feeling like I can accomplish anything. Needless to say I'm officially her No.1 Fan!

I hope you enjoyed the interview. Is there a beauty expert you would like to hear from? Let me know.. Thank you for stopping by, enjoy your weekend, xoxo.