Grace Murema:The special effects makeup artist

Grace Murema is a Special Effects Makeup artist. She shares her journey with Lucy Robi.

Why did you choose makeup?

From high school, I knew makeup was my calling. I didn’t even enroll in university. I went straight to beauty school. I did the whole beauty package; Massage, nails, facial, hair, everything. However, I was gravitating more towards makeup. Three years later I decided to specialise in Special Effects Makeup.

How long have you been a makeup artist? How did you get your start in the industry?

I have been a makeup artist from 2011. I started working with various cosmetic companies as a beauty consultant. This was fun. I would get to do beauty consultations with the clients who were coming to buy the products. However, after a while I decided to become a freelance makeup artist.

What do you love most about makeup?

I just love how it transforms someone so long as they stay true to themselves. I love how it makes people feel after the transformation. I love how it brings a smile to someone’s face and brightens their day, I believe makeup is here to enhance and not overwhelm.

What is your favourite signature look and how does it set you apart from other makeup artists?

I’m not really into glam makeup anymore so I guess my signature look is my Special Effects Makeup.

How did you get into Special Effects makeup?

The glam makeup look is a very crowded industry here. Everyone is doing it. I just wanted to do something different that would set me apart from other makeup artists. I did my research on special effects and prosthetics and went to school in South Africa for almost two years. Upon graduating, I came back to launch my career in Kenya.

How is the Special Effects Makeup industry in South Africa as compared to Kenya?

We are very behind. There are not many options in Kenya.

Since you have gone to school and know the dynamics of the job...do you plan to train people on Special Effects Makeup?

For the time being, I will start with a masterclass and I already had one two weeks ago. I wanted to figure out how many people would be interested in learning Special Effects Makeup. I got ten people which is a good start.

What are you working on right now?

I am actually working with a director called Tosh. He was the director for the movie, Nairobi Half-life. We are actually wrapping up a movie.

Do you have a favourite genre of film that you would like to work on?

Oh yes I do. My favourite is anything that involves blood. So basically, any movie…but it has to have a bloody scene. I really wish that the industry would come up with more creative influences like zombies, aliens so I would be able to showcase my skills in terms of special effects.

What challenges have you faced since you came back from school?

Product availability and work. I always have to import most of the products I use which is expensive. In terms of work, our country is still not yet there when it comes to special effects.

Who do you look up to in the industry?

Internationally, I would love to work with this guy called Powder. He is a judge in one of the special effects programmes, Face Off. I really love his work.

If you were not a makeup artist, what else would you do?

Funny you asked me that because I was asking myself the same question. I actually don’t have a Plan B. This is my bread, my butter and everything. There is a time I took a break for a whole year because I was really frustrated. There were no jobs and I kept wondering what else could I do with my life and this question kept popping up. I couldn’t come up with anything. So, this is my Plan A, B, C and Z.

What advice would you give people who want to specialize in Special Effects Makeup?

Don’t jump into it feeling like there is more opportunities. If you don’t have the drive, passion or the creativity, I don’t think you would make it. It’s not glamorous work. It’s very messy.

Photography: Phocus photography and Grace Murema

Grace Murema: Instagram: @grycelle_