A makeup artist is a professional who uses their skill and creativity to enhance a person’s natural beauty. With the rise of social media, this career has gained immense popularity, and many are now stepping into the field, inspired by the recognition and success it offers.
For Fida, a native of Kozhikode, the journey into the world of makeup was purely accidental. While pursuing her education in Saudi Arabia, an experience during her college days changed the course of her life. Many of her classmates used to come to school wearing makeup — a sight that sparked curiosity in her. Initially, Fida experimented with it casually, but soon, makeup became a deep-rooted passion. Back then, there were very few makeup artists back home. After doing makeup for her sisters’ and friends’ weddings, Fida realized that her passion could turn into a career. This love for the art eventually led her to complete a professional course in Chennai.
Fida officially began her makeup journey in 2015 by launching an Instagram page. She started taking online bookings and worked as a freelance makeup artist until 2018.
In December 2018, Fida brought one of her biggest dreams to life by launching The Makeup Box Salon & Spa, a unique space combining both a makeup studio and a salon under one roof, spread across 2,400 square feet. At that time, Kozhikode had not seen such a concept, making The Makeup Box truly stand out.
In 2024, Fida added another milestone to her journey by launching The Makeup Box Academy. Here, she began offering training in bridal makeup, beautician courses, and more. Today, the business employs over 20 people. Fida’s business model is not a one-woman show — each department has dedicated team leads, along with a quality control manager. The salon and studio function as two separate business units: the salon offers beauty services, while the studio focuses on professional makeup services.
The business grew primarily through Instagram. Since there was less competition at the time, Fida had the freedom to experiment with her ideas. As she transformed each bride, her name began to grow through word-of-mouth within families. In 2019, she participated in the Wedding Sutra Awards and went on to win multiple awards in different categories for three consecutive years. Winning awards from different parts of India was a testament to her talent.
Fida’s journey doesn’t stop here. Her current mission is to expand the academy and open branches of The Makeup Box in other cities. Though she has received international work opportunities, her tight schedule makes it difficult to take them up. In fact, clients must book eight months in advance to avail of her services. Fida now leads a large team that she has personally trained. For those unable to get a booking with her, trained team members are available to offer the same standard of service.
Her path wasn’t easy. Coming from a conservative Muslim background, she faced natural resistance when she chose a career in makeup. However, with unwavering support from her husband, she sent her child to stay with her parents in the Gulf and decided to chase her dream. Eventually, in 2018, she returned to India with her family for good. Despite attempting several business ventures in Saudi Arabia, Fida found her true calling back home. With a unique concept and an investment of over 1.5 crore INR, she turned her dream, The Makeup Box, into reality.
Fida’s story teaches us that while “commitment” may sound like a cliché, it is the first step toward success. She observes that while today’s younger generation is immensely talented, many lack patience. The desire for instant success needs to be replaced with perseverance. According to her, success in any profession comes only through continuous effort and consistency.
Fida’s journey is a powerful reminder that dreams backed by passion, resilience, and hard work truly do come true.
