Beauty lovers gathered at Glow Hire in Rosebank for an immersive NYX Professional Makeup Masterclass hosted by internationally acclaimed makeup artist Ngozi Edeme, affectionately known as Painted by Esther.
Bringing together beauty enthusiasts from across the globe, the event offered a dynamic celebration of creativity, self-expression and artistry. Guests enjoyed a curated shopping experience, courtesy of NYX Cosmetics, a fashion show featuring hero products from the makeup range, an insightful panel discussion exploring the latest beauty trends, and an engaging masterclass led by Ngozi herself.
The event MC, Anele Zondo, set the tone for an unforgettable day from the moment she stepped onto the stage. Her charisma, humour, and engaging presence immediately energized the room, creating an atmosphere that was both welcoming and exciting. Adding to the electric energy was the vice president of brand marketing and community at NYX Professional Makeup, who brought infectious enthusiasm and passion to the event. Her vibrant personality had the audience fully engaged as she highlighted some of the leading beauty brands in attendance and shared insights into the industry's evolving landscape.
The excitement continued with a spectacular fashion show that transformed the venue into a celebration of beauty, creativity, and self-expression. Models confidently showcased bold looks and trend-setting styles, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd. Guests were on their feet, capturing every moment and fully immersed in the experience. From the inspiring conversations to the dazzling runway moments, the event was filled with energy, connection, and nonstop good vibes, leaving attendees inspired long after the day came to an end. Erika then seamlessly introduced the panelists, setting the stage for a thought-provoking and inspiring discussion.
One of the highlights of the day was an intimate Q&A session with Ngozi, where selected members of the media had the opportunity to gain deeper insight into her career journey, professional experiences, and unique perspective on beauty.
Sharing lessons from her path to success, industry knowledge, and the philosophy behind her signature approach, she offered an engaging and candid conversation that resonated with both aspiring makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts. The session provided an inspiring look into the expertise, passion, and creativity that have established her as one of the industry's most respected voices.
From expert tips and trend forecasting to meaningful conversations and hands-on learning, the NYX Masterclass delivered a memorable experience that celebrated the transformative power of beauty.
Exclusive Q&A with Ngozi Edeme
GLAMOUR: Your background is in art and portrait painting before makeup. How has your training as an artist shaped the way you approach a face, and what do you see that others might miss?
Ngozi Edeme: I think have a serious eye for detail, so unless I feel that something's perfect, I just won't finish a face. And that's the same with the thing with drawing or when you create from scratch on paper. You have to know when to stop but as artists, we don't always know when to stop because there's always something that needs to be perfected. I've definitely carried that into makeup, and I like to analyse a face, and know how to balance everything, and how to find symmetry. Everything has to be even, it has to be the same way on a face as it is on paper. If one eye liner is skewed but the other one isn't, people notice that.
GLAMOUR: You've said that "the focus is always the muse." In an era driven by trends and social media, how do you balance creating signature looks while still honouring the individuality of each person you work with?
Ngozi: I like to listen to my my girls, and I like to get to know my faces. I'm also very specific with who I work with because I get really obsessed with them which helps me know their character. This helps to elevate their looks, for example with Chloe Bailey, I've worked with her for 3 years, and we have a really good relationship, actually we talk about everything and pray together sometimes. We have a really good understanding of each other, and I know how hard she works, and where she wants to take her career. We had a recent like play date, and she fully trusted me to style her head to toe, so I curated the whole look. It was one of her best looks ever and everyone was like, "this is where you need to live." Even Timberland called her to say she found her look. I fee like that comes from being obsessed in a good way.
GLAMOUR: Your blush-focused aesthetic has become instantly recognisable around the world. What inspired your love for blush, and why do you think it has resonated so strongly with beauty lovers globally?
Ngozi: I think it's resonated really well because it's been done on black women. They've not seen it before, they've not seen it being this bold, in your face, unapologetic, and we don't care what you say, I'm gonna do it. So I think that's what it's really attracted eyes. It's like wow! They've said, we can't do this, you can't wear pink, you can't wear the red lipstick, and I'm saying, yeah you can! And we're going to do it in your face. It's just the boldness and fearlessness of it.
GLAMOUR: That said, celebrating dark skin has been a defining element of your work. What has it meant to you personally to create looks that highlight and elevate deeper skin tones on a global stage?
Ngozi: If I'm teaching a class, I'm requesting a dark skinned model, that's just where I'm more comfortable, and everything looks good on them anyway.
GLAMOUR: You've worked with incredible talents such as Naomi Campbell, Tyla, SZA, and Kelly Rowland. What are some of the key lessons you've learned from working with such diverse faces, personalities, and creative teams?
Ngozi: I've learnt to not be egotistical. They come first, and so do their needs. It's their faces that are being presented at the end of the day. If you do something and it doesn't quite work or you didn't want to do it, you have to allow them to lead and trust their eye. They know what works for their faces so you have to be willing to listen. I've definitely learnt to take a back seat when needed, and to be assertive when necessary. I do know better so sometimes you have to trust me, and know that I have your best interests at heart. Those are my 2 favourite lessons for sure!
GLAMOUR: So how do you collaborate with a client to create a beauty identity that feels authentic while still pushing creative boundaries?
Ngozi: Communication is key. I'l usually listen to you to get your vibe and how you're feeling and if I think we should take it somewhere, I'll ask for your input. The onus is on you to let me know what you think, and we just go from there. It's like a ping pong match that we engage in until we meet in the middle.
GLAMOUR: Your message to the GLAMOUR girl who wants to be bold and daring with her makeup choices but doesn't necessarily have the confidence to pull it off?
Ngozi: Don't be scared, it's just makeup, you can remove it. Go crazy, try it! Before you take a shower in the evenings, revamp your makeup and see where you can stretch it. It's fun. it's makeup, it's art!
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