Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Helping to add a bit of blush
FOR many, looking and feeling good is the key to confidence.
But with the exorbitant costs of matric balls, some parents can’t afford to send their children to the traditional school farewell event.
To help with expenses, Pumza Monakali, 35, from Gugulethu assists Grade 12 pupils with free nail and make-up services as well as trying to source dresses for those who cannot afford them.
Based in Gugulethu, Blaque Beautique also offers massages, beauty treatments and face and body painting services.
Monakali charges R550 for a full face beat that includes make-up and false lashes.
The cost of nails is R300 and sessions can take up to an hour and 30 minutes.
“I love helping people; in fact my brand is all about people. Whenever I’m given an opportunity to assist, I grab it with both hands,” Monakali said.
“We come from different backgrounds and not every parent is able to meet their children’s needs. Being able to assist means a lot to those children. They are very fragile and sensitive.
“Many of them do not understand the circumstances they’re faced with and result to taking their own lives because they feel left out by their peers,” she added.
Monakali, who completed a oneyear diploma in make-up and hair at Smudge Hair & Make-up Academy in Diep River, said she was passionate about beauty.
“Today, I am living a life-long dream. YouTube has always been my go-to place for following new techniques and what’s new in the game. I got into the industry when I started assisting these matric girls... I then really discovered my passion. I saved up and took the big step of taking this more seriously and decided to go study for it. Soon after that I resigned from work and then made this my day job,” she said.
Earlier this year, Monakali tried to open her own beauty spa in Parklands but it was vandalised.
“It took me 10 steps back financially. However, I am not giving up. Owning a beauty parlour is one of my biggest dreams,” she added.
Her friend Tania Dikweni said Monakali was good at what she did.
“She does the perfect job and makes you feel at home. She is a perfectionist and driven and who never gets defeated by the odds,” Dikweni said.
“Being able to assist means a lot to those children Pumza Monakali MAKE-UP ARTIST