We were lucky to catch up with Blessing Alifa recently and have shared our conversation below.
Blessing, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever had any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
As a makeup artist, I’ve had moments where my creativity hit a wall. One particular experience that stands out was when I got an SFX job on a short film. I was asked to create the look of a battered rape victim, and honestly, my mind went blank. I didn’t know how to begin, and that creative block almost made me panic.
Instead of giving up, I turned to YouTube, watched tutorials and even practiced on my own face. That process gave me the insight I needed and by the time we finished shooting, I felt so proud of how the look turned out. That experience taught me that creative blocks aren’t the end, they’re an invitation to learn, explore, and stretch myself. Now, whenever I feel stuck, I remind myself to seek inspiration, practice and trust the process until the ideas flow again.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a professional makeup artist and the Creative Director at LIFAB MAKEOVERS. Over the years, I’ve worked in both beauty and special effects makeup for film (Nollywood). My passion for makeup began during my undergraduate days as a Theatre Arts student, where I first saw how makeup could completely transform a story and a character.
I’m also grateful to my mentor, an inspiration in the field, [FEYZO!], who has given me opportunities to assist her on remarkable projects and I must say that her trust in me to support her on certain makeup jobs has pushed me to grow, refine my skills, and gain valuable experiences I truly cherish.
What excites me most about my work is the power of transformation, not just physically, but emotionally. Makeup has a way of boosting confidence, telling stories, and shaping how a character is received on screen or on stage. It’s always a surreal feeling to watch people transformed by my hands and to know I played a part in that journey.
Beyond artistry, I’ve been working on something very close to my heart: building my own lip care line called LIFAB GLOSS. The vision is to create glosses that do more than just shine; they nourish and protect the lips. What makes this even more special to me is inclusivity. I want both men and women to feel comfortable caring for their lips, so we’re creating products specifically designed for each. For men, that means non-shiny, hydrating gloss in sleek, masculine designs because we believe that lip care is for everyone.
Alongside this, I am currently writing a book titled “Struggles of a 9ja Makeup Artist” which will be launched soon. It’s a heartfelt project that shares the behind-the-scenes realities, challenges, and little victories of building a career as a makeup artist in the Nigerian beauty industry. My hope is that it inspires and guides upcoming artists, showing them that their struggles are valid and that growth is possible.
Right now, I’m focused on launching both my lip care line and my book, growing the brand, and using my platform to change narratives in the beauty space. I want to show that African creativity, innovation, and authenticity can stand tall also globally.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I can say that the three things that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, continuous learning, and networking.
The beauty industry is not an easy industry. There are long hours of standing to get the job done, sometimes rejection of your work and even moments of self-doubt. Resilience was what kept me moving forward when things got tough, and I believe it’s a quality every creative must build.
Another quality is continuous learning. As a makeup artist, I realized early on that trends evolve and techniques change. What helped me grow and still helping me grow, is staying curious, watching tutorials, taking classes, practicing new skills, and teaching myself even when resources were limited.
Lastly, networking and relationships. Many of my best opportunities came through people who believed in me. On set jobs, collaborations, and even clients often came from recommendations. My advice: be resilient, stay a student, and value people. Those three things will shape your journey as much as your actual skills.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
As someone working in both the film industry as a makeup artist and doing the business of beauty makeup, I definitely face moments where things feel overwhelming. When that happens, my first step is to pause and breathe instead of pushing through blindly. I’ve learned that slowing down for even a few minutes helps me clear my mind. I also write things down, breaking big tasks into smaller, manageable steps so I don’t feel like I’m carrying everything at once and sometimes, I step away completely like take a walk, pray to God about it and ask him for peace.
My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed is give yourself permission to pause, prioritize what’s truly urgent and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to do everything at once. Taking care of yourself in the middle of pressure is what allows you to actually show up and perform better.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
@Fantasy
@iamphotobyeazy
@JI visuals
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
