Njanja Kimani

Njanja, founder and co-creator of N&K lashes, has proved to be more than a just pretty face in the ever growing beauty industry. She and her husband are the first in Kenya to produce mink lashes. She took time out of managing and delivering her merchandise to sit down with us for a beauty chat.

- Muthoni Ngei

Who is Njanja? 

I am a lady who believes you can do anything if you believe in yourself, work hard for it and also a wife, mother, make-up artist and businesswoman. When did your make-up artistry begin? I just did not know but it was until I was professionally dancing and wanted to look good on stage and I felt that was missing. In 2009 I went to Vera Beauty College and resumed dancing. Friends would ask me to do their makeup. My turning point was when we were doing an advert and the company had brought a make-up artist on set! I was shocked very inquisitive. I eventually stopped dancing in 2012 and joined my passion in the beauty world.

When was your first encounter with makeup? 

My mum does not wear make-up but my aunt had lots of make-up so I would play with her kit and innocently deny when it was all over my face. Although my very first time was with bougainvilleas. As kids we would pound to remove its juice and apply as a purple lip stain.

What is your take on our beauty industry in the six years you have been in it?