Jean Campbell
"Knowledge isn't power until it is applied."–Dale Carnegie
This was the theme of T&T's first make-up tour, a novel idea, brainchild of Ephraim Hunte, international make-up artist/educator and director of Ephraim Hunte International Make-up Academy (Ehima), which took place recently.
The Ehima Make-up Tour 2016 visited three local cosmetic houses: Starlite Collection, Maraval; M.A.C., the Flagship Store, at The Falls at West Mall, and Jeulynn at One Woodbrook Place.
According to Hunte, the industry should not be confined to classroom and studio. One has to get the big picture in order to move forward. This year's tour had as its aim, to expose beauty professionals to some of the high-end cosmetic brands available in T&T and initiated a long-needed conversation between the make-up artist community, beauty product merchandisers and cosmetic retailer, Hunte said.
It is clear to Hunte that one of the ways beauty professionals can contribute to economic sustainability in T&T, is to shop locally for their cosmetics. Participants saw for themselves that most international high-end brands are now available at selected local cosmetic outlets. This is of importance in light of the present restrictions in the availability of US currency.
Hunte praised the efforts of T&T's cosmetic merchandisers who painstakingly force the hands of global suppliers so that even our small Caribbean cosmetic community can enjoy the luxuries readily available to consumers in North America and Europe.
T&T has earned another title–The Caribbean hub of beauty and fashion–and so, Hunte said, our beauty artisans need to make themselves acquainted with the cutting-edge arsenal of global brands that are available right here at home.
Amanda Hadeed, general manager of Starlite Collection in Maraval, was high in praise of the tour: "There has always been a need for a better relationship between the professional make-up artist and the cosmetic retail outlets. This is a great beginning. I am very happy that the Ehima Make-up Tour has taken the initiative to have professionals visit our store in a more personable environment. We have feedback as to how we can improve our operations."