We recently connected with Mehwish Mahmood and have shared our conversation below.

Mehwish, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Firstly, I never knew I’d become a makeup artist or even think about going down this path. What I did know was that I always wanted to become an entrepreneur, or have something of my own that represents me. I would always strive for that idea and it sparked a sense of motivation in my heart. I always looked into options where I could start my own business, and take it to the next level. Thinking about being able to label it as my brand or run it as a CEO, was my biggest dream.
However, I always loved art, drawings, anything that carried creativity. Because of it I pursued a degree in Graphic Design, but I wasn’t able to pursue a career in it because of my young kids. Artistic expression followed me and I was always attracted to it.
The first time I was introduced to makeup was when I tried to explore ways to hide my dark circles properly without overdoing it, but of course, makeup techniques weren’t advanced in the mid-2000s. The only thing they had back then was concealer, and it hid my dark circles pretty well.
Ever since I used the small brush to fix my dark circles, it was my gateway to the art of makeup, and during Covid I learned a lot more about how to do full-face. I became very good at this talent shortly, and I only realized it when I started to get compliments at parties from friends.
Then, I got an idea to use this talent on my friends for free, which then grew into starting a business for clients, and the rest is history.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

To start off my name isn’t actually Sana, it’s just a nickname I was given since I was born. My real name is Mehwish Mahmood. I come from a Pakistani background, and I moved to this country when I was 20. I’m also married, and a mother to 3 kids, a son and two daughters.
I got involved in the makeup industry from boredom and curiosity with a love for art I always yearned to practice. During covid, social media was very active, and I came across some makeup tutorial videos. I took a leap of faith and created my own makeup looks, and after a few tries I posted my first full-face look my Instagram account.
My friends loved it, and soon awakened the thought of pursuing this profession seriously.
I help my clients with my makeup and hairstyling expertise to make their day memorable, and I love what I do. The biggest thing I strive to give my clients is confidence with their appearance, so I can make sure they leave my studio satisfied and looking forward to a memorable day.
I take a lot of pride in the growth I’ve made on this journey. It’s been 3 and a half years since I have officially become a makeup artist, and I have attended 2 NYFW events, where I’ve done a total of 33 runway models, 3 Miss Universe’s, worked with a designer for a Cosmopolitan magazine shoot, along with 4 other magazine publications.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect is the ability to have freedom of expression and the ability to follow my passion. Being an artist, the biggest reward is not when you get paid, it’s the recognition that fuels your passion and motivates you to do more. When you actually see your result and the smile on your client’s face, it just makes your day and you feel more accomplished and rewarded with every client.
Meeting new people, making new connections, learning different perspectives, and experiencing happiness and satisfaction from creating something meaningful leaves a lasting impact on someone life.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best way to support an artist is to recognize their work from a clear lens, give them chances to grow, and leaving positive reviews if you’re happy with the result. Spread the word around your community and friend circle about the artist’s work. Give constructive feedback if they are missing any important details. This can be a huge tip for their business to thrive. Support local businesses over big companies, so people can showcase their skills. Social media is currently the biggest source to market any business and attract new clients, so always tag their business and leave quality reviews.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slay_by_sana?igsh=NW5tbTZ1YnNzaHRl&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https:// https://www.facebook.com/slaybysana?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

PHOTOGRAPHER ; PORTRAITS BY PV, MAGICAL CLICKZ
MODEL ; ARPITA GEDAM, SRUSHTI WANKHEDE, MAALIN PATHAK, PAYAL FASHION, KRISTINA AYANIAN (MISS UNIVERSE ARMENIA), CAMILA SANABRIYAP (MISS UNIVERSE BOLIVIA) SOFIA DEPASSIER (MISS UNIVERSE CHILE)