The Art Of Beauty
Femina Salon and Spa|May - June 2018

Celebrity makeup artiste Swarnalekha Gupta talks about pursuing her passion and how she managed to create a niche in the beauty industry.

Sanjana Salunkhe
The Art Of Beauty

An avid reader and a mother to two adorable cats, Swarnalekha Gupta is known for her beauty expertise. Originally from Kolkata, she spent a few months in Singapore studying beauty, but loves her life in Mumbai. She has also worked on some of the best faces in the Bollywood industry, from the uber-glamourous Kapoor sisters to the eternal favourite Madhuri Dixit Nene. She has built herself a strong portfolio, but still believes in grasping every moment and doing more of what she loves. Gupta believes in letting her work talk for her. Here, we quiz her on all things beauty, and get to know about her journey and how it has changed her life for the better.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MAKEUP?

My journey started around 15 years ago. I used to work in corporate as a finance professional, after having completed my MBA. But I loved experimenting with my looks—playing up the eyes or adding a little blush. I was my own model back then. I’d get compliments from my friends and family because of the way I would do my eyes and lips. That is when I realised my inclination towards makeup. It made me rethink my career progression. In 2009, I did my first makeup course from Cory Walia in Mumbai and never looked back after that. In June 2011, I quit my well-paying corporate job and went to Singapore to pursue my passion at the Makeup Forever Academy.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY SINCE THEN.

After I came back from Singapore in November 2011, I had no work at all for the first three months. I would do bridal makeup or model photo shoots, or anything else that came my way. I soon realised that it is a competitive industry and I started doubting myself. I didn’t think it was the right place for me. I wasn’t sure about pursuing it further and often wondered if I should go back to my comfortable corporate job.

Esta historia es de la edición May - June 2018 de Femina Salon and Spa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición May - June 2018 de Femina Salon and Spa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FEMINA SALON AND SPAVer todo
Femina Salon and Spa

Secret Of Safe Shampooing

Does your client find it difficult to manage her dry and frizzy hair? Suggest she switch to a sulphate-free shampoo, says Aishwarya Acharya

time-read
3 minutos  |
March 2020
Aid For Flawless Skin
Femina Salon and Spa

Aid For Flawless Skin

If your client is looking for a natural multi-functional ingredient for skincare, the answer lies within her kitchen, says Shruti Shukla

time-read
3 minutos  |
March 2020
BOTANICAL BASICS
Femina Salon and Spa

BOTANICAL BASICS

Go green for your next manicure by adding a touch of organic glam to your look

time-read
1 min  |
March 2020
SHIELD IT BETTER!
Femina Salon and Spa

SHIELD IT BETTER!

If you deal with clients who are reluctant to include sunscreen in their skincare routine, it’s time you explain them reasons to do so

time-read
3 minutos  |
March 2020
HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
Femina Salon and Spa

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

Check out these fresh styles that will get your client summer ready, says Eden Noronha

time-read
2 minutos  |
March 2020
MUST-HAVES
Femina Salon and Spa

MUST-HAVES

Help your clients discover what a good product can do for their skin and hair. We have the crème de la crème right here

time-read
5 minutos  |
March 2020
DARE TO DAIRY
Femina Salon and Spa

DARE TO DAIRY

An all-time dairy favouirte, yoghurt is making old and easy DIY remedies popular again, making life seem beautilicious!

time-read
3 minutos  |
March 2020
FIGHT THE FRIZZ
Femina Salon and Spa

FIGHT THE FRIZZ

If your client has unmanageable, unruly hair, you can suggest a number of ways to help her tame the wild locks, says Neeta Karnik

time-read
3 minutos  |
March 2020
Femina Salon and Spa

DEWY DAZE

One of the most difficult looks to pull off is the glossy one, but it is also our favourite. Shiny eyelids or gloss-smeared lips always feel a little more luxe. Makeup artiste Cynthia Williams shows you how to make it all about the gloss—perfect spunk for spring

time-read
2 minutos  |
March 2020
BORNE LEGACY
Femina Salon and Spa

BORNE LEGACY

Celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim talks about the nature of business with Eden Noronha

time-read
6 minutos  |
March 2020