She is a role model. She does it all and she does it well. The fact that she is young but a teacher with the knowledge of a lifetime amazes her students. People around her describe her as hard-working, always striving to be better, creative, humble, and very agreeable to work with. She has ambitions to change Eritrea’s makeup art. Here is her journey.
- Well, let’s get to it and dive into your background?
My name is Roda Ghirmay. I am 21 years old, born and raised in Asmara. I studied at Awet Elementary and Junior School and then Semaetat Secondary School. I went to Sawa in the 31st round and got marks to go to college. I joined SMAP and studied business management. I am also attending Cambridge online classes. Besides taking business management classes I have taken several courses focusing on skincare and makeup to be a makeup artist.
- Why makeup artist?
I think it developed as a passion when I was a kid. As a child, I was very much influenced by my mother, Almaz. She had a beauty salon and I spent most of my time there watching the brides and other customers being beautified. So, when I was thirteen I decided to learn at Ayni Fashion School and took classes on makeup. Moreover, I have a cousin who is a professional makeup artist living in London. When she came to visit here she gave me a couple of classes and tips that led me to the makeup industry. After finishing the courses, I went straight to working at my mother’s beauty salon. Then right after I got back from Sawa, I was hired at Solomie Beauty Training Center as a teacher of hairstyling and makeup.
- What are your experiences as a teacher?
So far I have taught some two hundred girls how to apply makeup, skincare, and hairstyling. The experience I have gained from teaching those classes is very valuable. It allowed me to know firsthand the attitudes of women towards makeup. Many women think of makeup as the only essential factor in enhancing our beauty. I don’t completely disagree with them but believe it’s the only means is unrealistic and not good for the skin. I decided to write a book on skincare to challenge the attitude.
- Tell us more about your book?
My book is called Mestir Xbake and will be published soon. It’s a book that describes our skin and how to take care of it in a natural way. I don’t claim to know all there is to know in that area but I did research on the topic and wanted to share what I know. As I said earlier I just want to challenge the belief in cosmetics. I hate seeing many generations of women bleaching their skin and dealing with its horrible consequences. I want them to be comfortable in their own skin and know how to glow in a natural way.
- Aside from being a makeup artist, you are a photoshoot model. When did you start doing that?
I started right before Covid 19 hit the world. I have worked with several designers, especially with Ras collection. I also worked with different photographers as a street model wearing casual outfits. Of all the people I worked with the one who understands me and portrays my emotions in terms of photography is Meron. I actually consider that photoshoot modeling has not developed as much as runway modeling in Eritrea and I want to work hard to develop it.
- We heard you are into yoga. What do you get from that kind of sport?
As we all know yoga is very important in our daily life. It’s a technique of controlling the body and mind. It enables you to meditate and be stress-free. I love yoga and I intend to practice it every day. I think that my love of yoga led me to my success in the 2021 yoga competition organized by the Indian embassy in commemoration of international Yoga Day.
- Future plans?
I want to upgrade myself as a makeup artist. I want to learn more as the makeup industry grows every second. I just want to know more and let other people know what I know.
Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea