From makeup artistry to creative direction, beauty content and education, Mbali Christina has built a career rooted in creativity and curiosity. Now, through DEMYSTIFY, she is making beauty education more accessible while encouraging others to understand and embrace their own artistry.
This week we have Mbali for Five @ Five to talk about the evolving beauty industry, turning creativity into a career, and what it really takes to build a creative practice.
1. Looking back at where you started, how do you think the industry has evolved?
Makeup artistry in South Africa has become significantly diverse. I see a lot more people of colour being able to participate in conversations within the beauty industry, whether it is holding brands accountable for campaigns or being an important voice in a brand’s product development, it is very empowering to see people of colour’s inclusion in Beauty. As a makeup artist who started freelancing in 2017 and then running a freelance makeup artistry business from 2020, the industry has also become more curious about the makeup artist and their story rather than the artist being an anonymous person behind a face. I love how beauty communities are giving makeup artists all over the world their well-deserved flowers via print, digital and social media.
As a beauty creator, if I compare the beauty industry from2020 to 2026, there has been a significant shift in the longevity of trends on social media. In 2020, beauty trends would circulate for a while before shifting. Today, if a makeup look or technique was trending last week, it would have most probably evolved or shifted after a few days/weeks.
I LOVE being an editorial/creative beauty creator, because our community often sets the beauty trends or has first-handinsight into what makeup styles or techniques our peers are gravitating towards. We have a hand in the virality of a makeup artist’s work being referenced and celebrated, it is really cool to witness.
2. What was it like figuring out how to monetise your skills and turn your creativity into a career?
It was quite gradual. My creative career began in Theatre as a thespian, hence, I knew I would always have to be a creative entrepreneur or at least work multiple jobs to make a living. Whether it was through performing on stage or set designing. Therefore, when it came to makeup artistry, I just viewed my skills as another stream of income. Monetising my makeup skills as a freelancer had to be strategic, because I had to think like an entrepreneur. However, monetising as a beauty creator was extremely experimental, as the South African Creator industry was and still is evolving rapidly.
The biggest lesson I have learnt when it comes to career building, which can be applied to any creative industry, is to never enter a creative industry with the intent to make money fast. It will feel extremely exhausting and not rewarding. Rather focus on investing in your craft. Align yourself with themes, styles and a story that amplifies your personal goals or dreams so that communities and brands who resonate with your story and work are able to collaborate with you. Collaboration is the foundation of paid online work as an artist, so I learnt how to keep my brand DNA while amplifying another brand’s message or product. I am also very open to learning the different ways to sell digital products online, which I think is an important trait to have to be able to monetise your creativity on social media – always be a student.
3. What was the turning point in your makeup career that led you to creating Demystify?
I was actually lecturing at the University of Witwatersrand as a junior Theatre Design lecturer when I initially thought of DEMYSTIFY. I really enjoyed teaching, however, I did not have as much time to teach private makeup lessons, while working as a creative director, creating beauty content and lecturing. It was only when I started doing masterclasses with Rimmel London and Playgirl Beauty where I witnessed the importance of step-by-step guidance that South African beauty lovers craved, in addition to makeup masterclasses. Everyone wanted more information about makeup, and I was beyond happy to create makeup courses I wish I had when I first began my makeup journey.
DEMYSTIFY believes the basis of being confident in your makeup skills is repetition and understanding. My goal is to not only teach makeup to every individual who purchases our courses, but to make individuals feel empowered by understanding the process of makeup artistry in a way that is simplified. I am really excited for beauty lovers to experience DEMYSTIFY, because it’s not just online makeup courses, it is a transformation of your self-image and a manifestation of the type of person you want to present to the world.
4. What are some of the fundamental skills and knowledge that go into being a makeup artist or beauty content creator that people outside the industry might not realise are required?
Whether you are a makeup artist or beauty creator – artistry is the fundamental skill that has to be valued and celebrated. I am an artist first before anything, and makeup is one of the many mediums I use to express a story, feeling or experience. As an artist who is constantly evolving in the ways I express my creativity, it can be challenging to convince people or organisations of my value in the industry. Thus, it is very important to know your worth as an artist and constantly advocate for yourself and your work. As a creative entrepreneur who is multi-disciplinary, constantly pouring into your creativity, creating safe spaces to experiment and developing healthy habits is non-negotiable. Artists are the creative machines, and if I am not pouring into myself (journaling, exercising, playing with artistic mediums, or learning new skills), it will be very difficult to show up as a creative director, makeup artist, and beauty educator online and offline.
5. If the beauty industry had more people like you, how would it look like?
BORING. I am so inspired by the weirdly wonderful artists and mutuals I follow on social media – I am truly obsessed with how different we all are. The most invaluable aspect of the beauty industry are the makeup artists/beauty creators – no one is ever the same, even if two artists are inspired by the same reference, everyone’s style is unbelievably unique, it’sso magical!
My favourite beauty artists at the moment are @imonaugust @mylaa @maoomua @amka.tonia @wendysworld_xox and many more! FOLLOW THEM, you will always be inspired.
