Wilson Odiyo, 27, is the in-house makeup artiste and creative director at cosmetics' retal giant, Madora. With deft brushstrokes, he returns common faces into "fierce" creations, something his mom doesn't quite agree with.
You touch loads of pretty faces; surely, you must have someone special?
Not really. No. I am not seeing anyone, but, someday, I look forward to getting into a relationship.
I’m guessing that, for you, love is deeper than makeup, so what do you look for in a girl?
You’re right; I look past makeup and face. I am looking for a “normal” girl. I cannot describe “normal”, but I will know it when I see it. I believe in fate.
I don’t want to just rush into things. I am looking for someone very intelligent; maybe more intelligent than me. Someone who is tolerant, because, at times, I am not easy to live with. There are times when I get very bad mood swings and anxieties.
You stare deep into beautiful faces for hours on end; what brings these bad emotions?
I think my mood swings and anxieties are brought about by my personality. I realised that, growing up, I kept plenty of issues to myself.
So this has something to do with your past?
Somehow. I came from a dysfunctional family. We used to live with my mother and other siblings in Manyatta slum, Kisumu. The first time I saw my dad I was 12 years old, and I was playing football with my friends. I saw a man walking toward our house.
I kept looking at him and thinking, “Why do I feel like I know this man?” I went to our house, and there he was, standing at the door. I just figured out who he was. We went out. He bought me chewing gums, bought himself a cigarette, and lit it right there. That was the first bonding that I had with my dad.
Do you smoke?
Once in a while. When I get bad nerves.
How’s your relationship with you father?
Initially, I was mad at him, but I forgave him. What happened, happened. My dad is my buddy. We are very close. He calls me all the damn time. He wants to see me grow, and he doesn’t really care how.
Tell me about your mother.
My mother is a teacher. She took it badly when I chose this career. She wanted me to be in a “proper” profession. She told me that I went to a foreign land and wasted a lot of money, and that I was going to become a homosexual. She kept on saying that, and even told family friends the same thing. That hurt me.
Sorry about that, but I’m sure she will come around.
She’s coming around. Nowadays, she talks well of me, and is deeply concerned about my welfare.
Was makeup something you wanted to do, or did you stumble into, um, faces?
In 2012, I went to Port Elizabeth, South Africa where I developed an interest in beauty therapy and registered in a school. I wanted it to be a side hustle, while I looked into training for a “proper” profession. Unfortunately, my brother who was my host, passed away and I had to return home.
And then?
I enrolled at Vera Beauty College in 2013 and graduated with a Diploma in Beauty Therapy. I have also been trained by international instructors from Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lancôme, Clarin and other designer brands.
Some of the faces you have worked on are ...
Avril, Muthoni the Drummer Queen, Kidum, Caroline Mutoko, Swaleh Mdoe, Janet Mbugua, Cynthia Nyamai, the main character in the Sense8 drama series ... the list is long. I did my internship at KBC. I have also worked for K24 and True Love and Drum magazines.
You’ve worked on men’s faces, too, do you wear makeup?
I wore makeup once, in college, when I had chickenpox and I was trying to cover it. I did a foundation, and the following day my face was swollen. I reacted to that foundation. From that day, I only apply lip balm.
What’s the future of this industry?
Very promising. With an international brand like Madora opening shops in our country, it shows there is great potential – both in jobs’ and wealth creation – besides easy access to genuine designer brands. This is the right time to venture into this industry.