Hair and makeup artist Nilam Kenia feels that make-up artists are looked down upon in the industry!

Hair and makeup artist Nilam Kenia, who has worked with Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan feels dismayed at the way they are belittled in the entertainment industry.  Since her adolescent years Nilam had a penchant for beauty and while she was in 7th grade she chose to enroll herself in a beauty course from a local tonsorial artist.  She says noted French hair and makeup artist Florian Hurel has always been her inspiration.  “Being a celebrity hair and make-up artist has its perks. When you work with best celebrities like Sara Ali Khan, others, you get recognition and respect only then. Also, at the same time you have to be able to deliver your best every single time,” she says.

Nilam feels disheartened about the treatment meted out to hair and makeup artists. “I would say the biggest challenge a makeup artist has to still face is gaining recognition on sets. At a lot of places makeup artists are still looked down upon and it’s really sad,” she says.   In this glamorous industry, Nilam too has her own favourites. “My favorite actress when it comes to beauty would be Deepika Padukone in today’s times and Sharmila Tagore from yesteryear,” Nilam says.   According to Nilam, the three makeup items a woman should always carry include lip balm, sunscreen lotion and mascara. Talking about the most common beauty mistakes women make is to generalize products. She says not every woman’s face cut and skin tone is similar hence different products look good on different people.  Looking back, Nilam feels blessed to have received support from her family, who didn’t prevent her from pursuing her career in the beauty industry.