Today we’d like to introduce you to Madiha Tazien.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Madiha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Makeup has been a passion ever since childhood! I was always quite fascinated by it. If anyone was to go through my toy closet as a child, they’d hardly find a doll I hadn’t done makeup on with colored markers! I was really unstoppable. That passion converted to real products and faces as I grew older. I was always the go-to person for family and friends events.
I actually did my first bride while I was still in high school! Then it dawned on me to pursue makeup artistry professionally. I wanted to take my makeup credentials beyond being “self taught” and “home grown”, and be properly certified. Putting myself in the shoes of my clients, I realized that when a bride trusts me with the biggest day of her life, the least I can do is have proper qualification.
That’s when iShadow Studios was born! I trained under makeup and hair design gurus across the country and picked up many tricks of the trade. I formally attended Atlanta Makeup Academy and had the opportunity to directly train with Atlanta’s leading makeup artist and mentor, Kat Flynt Pfender. My accredited certifications include: bridal makeup, editorial makeup, media makeup, and airbrush makeup. I keep my skills sharpened through continued education. I attend MAC Pro Masterclasses several times a year to stay current and on top of latest looks and trends. Whenever I’m not in class, I’m taking online makeup and hair design courses with great artists like Tamanna Roashan and Anaa K. I’m a big advocate of continued education!
I absolutely love being a makeup and hair artist. Some people color their hair or draw, others have elaborate tattoos and multiple piercings, but makeup is the way I creatively express myself. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to pursue my passion as a career!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, it’s actually been much smoother than anyone would expect. Obviously, there’s the obstacles that come with starting a new business like having no established clientele and not knowing anyone in the industry, but that was just at the beginning. It was super frustrating because people thought of me as an inexperienced makeup artist who did makeup as a hobby, rather than professionally. No one took me seriously! It took a long time to get where I am now, regarding respect and trust in the beauty industry. Because of the lack of knowledge and connections I had in the community, I didn’t even know how to set my rates! But, I’m proud to say that I have grown a-lot since then.
One thing that you would think was a big obstacle is my headscarf, when it comes to discrimination and the fact that I am also a hairstylist, who doesn’t even show her hair. Again, that goes back to the trust problem, but now that I am actively doing work, that problem is mostly gone. But contrary to popular belief, it actually benefited me! Even if no one knew my name or my company’s name, I always stood out and was remembered as the makeup artist who wears a hijab. So it worked out as a branding strategy!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about iShadow Studios – what should we know?
iShadow Studios specializes in providing high-end bridal and media makeup services. High-quality makeup along with top-notch customer service! We are different and better!
I am an independent makeup artist and the face behind iShadow, and have been providing bridal and party makeup services for the past decade. I am a freelance makeup artist in the Atlanta area and I specialize in bridal, pageant, and fashion show makeup. I specialize in providing makeup for beauty pageants, south Asian and American weddings, fashion shows, magazine photoshoots, personal photoshoots, along with birthday parties, prom, homecoming and various personal events. I offer in-studio services as well as on-location makeup and hair services.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I owe it all to family. If I had to pick one thing that pushed me and motivated me to try harder and do better, it’s definitely my family.
I am extremely proud to say that my husband relentlessly supports me and encourages me everyday. He travels for work almost every week and my work is primarily during breaks and weekends. Sometimes, it’s hard to spend time together because of our schedules, but he encourages me to take clients, knowing that the time spent with me gets cut down with every booking that I take. He completely understands and never complains! He helps me with managing while having his own job. We all wear as many hats as needed at iShadow Studios.
As luck would have it, my youngest daughter came along just as I was getting my bearings straight! At first, it was quite a challenge to leave her behind for the times I had work when she was smaller, but as she grew older, I knew it would get easier because of how well she understood. She was well aware of the fact that I was doing makeup and even referred to it as “mama painting.” That was when I knew that I had nothing to worry about.
Another key team member is my eldest daughter who is just as passionate as I am about makeup. She is always more then willing to help out and enjoys it immensely. She is the basically the head of the social media department of iShadow Studios! She controls my Instagram and Facebook when it comes to what pictures to post, best times to post, captions, hashtags, and even Instagram and Facebook stories. We work most our events as a family and it’s never a disappointment when I have my daughter helping me set up by telling me which booth setup looks best and gaining clients by informing them of prices, what products I use, and what I do. She has a great knack for the skill and is improving day by day. I can’t wait for her to officially join me as a makeup artist on the iShadow Studios team!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.ishadowstudios.com
- Phone: 770-634-8779
- Email: madiha.tazien@ishadowstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishadowstudios/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ishadowstudios/
Image Credit:
Hakim’s Studio USA, MNK Pics, This Modern L<3ve Photography, Sima Photography, David Scruggs Photography, SA Kamath Photography
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