We were lucky to catch up with Azeeza Adam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Azeeza, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

In the midst of multiple COVID-19 lockdowns, I decided to start my own makeup business. It sounded so stupid to me at the time because why would I want to provide a service if no one can go to events?

I was 13 years old when I found my love for makeup. I always did it for fun. I would sometimes stay up till 3am because it was that therapeutic for me and it was sort of an escape. I was 14 when I decided that I wanted to manage my own business but I didn’t exactly know what in. I wanted to do either henna or fashion design (at that time). My first year of university was also the first year of lockdown (here in Australia). I hated the degree I was doing. Every time that I would finish an assignment, I would buy makeup to reward myself. I planned and did a makeup look once a week just to keep me sane from the uncertainties of COVID.

My dad, during the time of COVID, asked me what motivated me career-wise. And I had no answer because I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that I wanted to drop out of university. Then, he gave me the suggestion to start my own makeup business since I was always wearing makeup around the house. To be honest, I didn’t think I was allowed.
It’s coming towards the end of 2020 where restrictions ease up. I kept thinking about how much joy it give me if I got the opportunity to create beautiful relationships with clients from something as “simple” as makeup. If it was meant for me, then it’ll happen.

I sold my phone! Shortly, after I saw an ad offering two more spots for a 3 week makeup course. You best believe, I ran to my mum and begged her to let me go and what’s even better? It was about a 20 minute bus drive from my old house. However, money was the problem for me. The money I got from selling my phone, I used to pay the deposit. I was excited but the question posed. How was I going to pay the rest? I was working one shift a week at McDonald’s and just started at KFC at the time, which was also one shift a week. I had to save up which meant I didn’t allow myself to use public transport to get there. This course was also during the summer. So walking during 30-40 degree heat and being a fully scarved unfit Muslim girl WITH my makeup luggage, was just a little irritating. But, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Its been almost 2 years since starting my business and it’s definitely drove my passion for makeup even further than I can imagine. I’m not exactly where I want to be just yet but I hope for, God willing, more opportunities and being able to tick off some goals of mine. There’s so much that I’d love to be involved in but experience-wise, I don’t think I’m there yet.

The biggest risk I feel is that I didn’t realize how much investing it actually takes to run a business. It’s the little things that add up and it’s quite difficult when you don’t know much, you know? No one is going to say to you, you need this much to start your business. I guess it also sucks because I’m the type of person that hates asking for help and I just assumed that it will be so easy. And not even that, its investing in my character as well, you know things like being patient and persevering and being able to deal with whatever situation comes your way. Something that I will constantly need to improve on as I progress.

Azeeza, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a makeup artist based in Sydney, Australia. I am 21 years of age and currently studying full-time at university. I’ve been playing around with makeup for almost 8 years now (from 13 to 21!).

A lot of my clients have struggled with finding makeup artists that cater to more darker skin tones. Being a person of colour myself (African descent), I know how it feels standing in the makeup store watching workers swatch the wrong colours or even sitting in an MUA’s chair and having a completely different skin tone when you’re finished the session. With that being said, it’s not an attack. I believe there is just a lack of knowledge, understanding and practice!
However, I don’t ONLY want to cater to just people of colour and be an option to solve that kind of issue. I want to be able to be knowledgeable and experienced on all types of skin colours, textures, conditions, shapes as well as eye shapes, size etc.

I don’t entirely know what sets me apart from other artists just yet which annoys me because as a business the last thing you want is to not stand out, but hopefully in the future. I would love for my business to grow some sort of social value. To be able to continuously network, support and hype up other girls is something I feel that I constantly want to improve upon. I don’t want my clients to think of me as just a makeup artist but as someone that can be a little part of their support system. Or big, I don’t really mind. I’ve met so many women/girls from different walks of life and it makes me so happy that I get to be in a little part of that.

If there’s anything I’m the most proud of, it’s me not giving up my business. I find myself always comparing my work to people who have been in this industry for almost 10 years. It keeps me up at night sometimes.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My first degree was medical science. Absolutely hated it. My parents always wanted me to get into the medical field but I knew it wasn’t for me. I gave it shot. After a year and a half, I decided to drop university until I was sure I can get a degree in something I was interested. It was quite difficult to change because I’ve lived in fear of telling my parents that I don’t want to do anything medical related. Now, I am doing human resources management. It’s challenging but I’m learning something new everyday.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I feel like, at the moment, is continuously posting. It’s hard to say what works with social media, especially Instagram, because the algorithm is always changing. And especially when I haven’t been running my business for that long. But you never know who will see your work. I just post and hope for the best. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t!    

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cakedupbyz
• Facebook: cakedupbyz