The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
IT promises to be a thrilling night as outstanding make-up artists compete for honours in the inaugural “Zaron Battle of the Make-up Artists” final tonight.
The event will be held live at Nash Studios (NashTV) in Harare.
After three elimination rounds, it is now down to the final, which will see 12 contestants compete to be crowned the best make-up artist in the country. The initial round had 60 participants.
Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN)’s Natasha Chihande is among the finalists vying for the top prize at the Zaron Cosmetics Zimbabwe-sponsored event.
Other contestants include Chido Mukundwa, Esnath Madzudzo, Evelyn Tafadzwa Mukumba, Inviolata Sox, Kudakwashe Chesa, Michelle Ruwizhi, Natalie Ndlovu, Rachel Kumadiro, Tessa Masawi, Viollettah Sibanda and one gentleman, Takudzwa Taugadza.
“It will be lit, fun and exciting,” said event organiser Valentine Zhou.
“The artists we are left with are exceptionally talented and probably in a class of their own. The final 12 already got consolation prices. Then the finalist will win a make-up station, called a Beauty Station, worth US$450.
“The winner will get Zaron ambassadorship, US$950 cash price and US$350 worth of two nights accommodation at any Cresta Hotel.”
Competitions of this nature are rare in this country and many are wondering how today’s event will be conducted.
“We are going to have three rounds. The first round, the judges will eliminate four and another four will be eliminated in the second round, and the final round will have the remaining four,” explained Zhou.
“From the remaining four, we will find out who is the best. The judges have a selection criterion. “On each round, they have to apply make-up on a person for 30 minutes, they are given apparatus they will use… one is a mystery box, then they will pick another one of their own choice.”
The five expert judges for the competition are Karin Coric, Diane Ruzvidzo, Mary Yuki Mandeya, Marshall Malikula and Sandra Gopo.
Zhou said they have been wowed by the talent exhibited by make-up artists who graced the event from the initial round.
“It is so amazing because some were first-timers. We had students from colleges, some from professional institutions.
“The level of creativity and enthusiasm is amazing, the support we have had through live streaming and responses is amazing.
“We are discovering that we have so many make-up artists in Zimbabwe, even after we had closed our entries we had people from Gweru, Chinhoyi, (and) Mutare who wanted to come in.
“We have a People’s Choice award, which will be voted via social media platforms, mainly Facebook and Instagram, after we open on Saturday night. The final will be live on NashTV on May 30. Voting will start while the contestants are on stage.”
There are plans to make the “Battle of the Make-up Artists” an annual event.
“This programme was birthed by Zaron (Cosmetics) Zimbabwe, a subsidiary of Zaron International Hub. We have the franchise for Zimbabwe.
“We decided we wanted to do an activity that would assist us in bringing the products to the fore so that people get to know and appreciate the products we have. This competition is one of the many ways we are doing so. People knew about the brand but did not know we have operations in Zimbabwe.”
Zaron Zimbabwe chief executive officer Daisy Chavundura said they are happy to host the inaugural event.
“This being the first-ever of its kind in Zimbabwe, we promise our viewers and audience the absolute best. We are grateful for the support from Booties Pharmacies our main sponsor, as well as Mil Minds, Sterkinekor, Pulse Medical, DSC Healthy, Medi Village, Cresta Hotels, Better Brands and Zim Fest.”
