The Lanzarote makeup artist Omar Wade, who has been professionally dedicated to artistic makeup for years, has become a versatile professional. He previously worked as a nursing assistant, but after studying at an academy in Barcelona a 'Social and Photographic Makeup Course', he set up his own studio and has managed to find his true vocation and bet on it. Now at 35 years old and ten years as an entrepreneur, he is in his best moment and doing what he is most passionate about.
A business in which he works alone. The main reason is not to lose the attention he has been giving to his clients for years. "They already have confidence in my work," he makes clear.
A vocation that he has been feeling since childhood. "I have always been drawn to the world of makeup, since I was little, a lot because of the influence of Carnival," he revealed to La Voz. He began at the age of 19 collaborating in theaters, town galas, Carnival and parades, all in Lanzarote. "I was born as a makeup artist thanks to Carnival," he confessed to the newspaper.
In addition, he makes it clear that makeup has been his therapy for years since a very early age. "When I had a problem, I would come home, grab the paintbrushes and put on makeup." Something that also happens to him with his workplace. "My makeup studio is my temple," he highlighted.
"When I had a problem, I would come home, grab the paintbrushes and put on makeup"
An artist who has also experienced moments of loss of confidence, especially with the immersion in his own business. “When I started, I was anxious about the risk of knowing that I was not going to get paid if people did not put on makeup with me,” he said. A fear of failure that came hand in hand with dealing with the lack of moments of inspiration and the obligation to be at the foot of the canyon for his business. “It was difficult for me to break with the chain of not being inspired and being blocked, but when you register as self-employed, you have to win the battle against the mind," he revealed.
Makeup for weddings, 'Belly Paint', 'Drag Queen', prosthetic and characterization
Highly specialized in wedding makeup, the work in which he feels most comfortable. "With the premises that the bride gives me, my knowledge and materials, I am getting the look with which she feels represented," Wade highlighted. In addition, the makeup artist anticipates that for this 2024, the wedding season already begins in February. "I have to do makeup for a Hindu wedding that will last three days."
A part of the profession that he considers special due to the approach that involves being part of that long-awaited day. "I like weddings for the emotional part, being involved in the family nucleus, and experiencing that exciting day," he says. “I enjoy the training, it's like an afternoon with friends, laughing and learning.” They can occur in group, as a couple or alone. “I like to enjoy the atmosphere that is created in the training,” he acknowledges with enthusiasm.
Regarding male makeup, grooms also lend themselves to makeup, as they want to have "something more beautiful and are encouraged to remove dark circles," the makeup artist highlighted. When they prepare to get married, they are encouraged to put on "some product so that the photos do not come out with too much shine," and achieve a 'good face' effect.
He also does makeup for pregnant women. With the 'Belly Paint' technique, he manages to illuminate the pre-mommy belly with Disney themes in the eighth month of pregnancy. A job that requires a lot of "pressure": "It is not a makeup that can wait, it has to be done at that moment," he acknowledges.
Carnival is another of the strengths for this makeup artist. Here in Lanzarote, he goes to do makeup for the galas and also for the 'Drag Queen', some of whom have been presented at the Carnival of Las Palmas, in previous editions. For this Carnival 2024 he has several orders that he is already finalizing. "I am going to do makeup in Tenerife and a group in Lanzarote wants me to do their makeup as Avatar," he revealed. "I am preparing the ears, the prostheses and all the material for that date," he revealed.
A party that he is going to enjoy despite working. "I also need time to do my makeup and go out to experience Carnival with my friends, which I love," he confessed. Like some of his clients, he also has a costume prepared that will surprise. "I'm making an Avatar costume for Carnival," he said.
Training in Arrecife
The makeup artist offers training for anyone who wants to learn how to put on makeup. “I give self-makeup classes for people who have previous knowledge, but also for those who do not have knowledge and want to learn how to get the most out of themselves," he explains. In addition, he will soon begin to train teachers as well. "I will give classes to teachers who give aesthetics courses, specifically, the artistic part," he concludes.
Currently, he has an additional service in his business, making personalized designs and threading, something that he accompanies with makeup techniques.
In one of his next small courses, which has a very original theme, he will try to train from a more artistic and fictional part. "I will give three-day classes on character creation, prosthetics and applications on models," he concluded about his next agenda for this 2024.
