As is the case with every child, Sabrin’s curiosity about makeup stemmed from watching her mother.
From her observation, an urge to learn more about the skill was kindled and she began exploring more about her unfamiliar passion through research and experimenting on her friends. Years later, she is now a force to be reckoned with, and crafts captivating, uplifting creations, full of soul, meaning, and honesty. She has easily cut a niche for herself with her bold, artistic makeup looks that mimic life’s art form with her meticulous use of lines, patterns, and color. Her eye for detail and precision distinguishes her from other makeup artists in Nairobi. Sabrin’s trademark is defined by crisp lines, saturated colors, and out-of-the-box designs- traits she attributes to her obsession with neatness.
"Seeing my friends’ faces transform in front of me was exciting. I have been chasing that excitement since then."
The human interaction is one of the most important aspects for Sabrin; feeling good, feeling beautiful- as well as the artistic expression that is made possible through her work.
She has always taken pride in exploring different outlets for her creativity, but working on a person’s face and the collaboration that ensues in the creative space that is makeup artistry, is the most appealing and gratifying.
“It (makeup) is a creative outlet I cannot get enough of, and seeing as there is no limit to creativity, there is no limit to what I can then create.”
She aims to expand her
artistry and evolve to explore
other elements of makeup.
With no limit to creativity, she emphasizes that there are no barriers to what she can create. She describes anyone she works with as her dream client as she finds herself exploring different techniques due to the contrast in tastes and preferences.
She would, however, love to work with beauty and lifestyle influencer Joy Kendi and beauty entrepreneur Huddah Monroe. Makeup as a craft is centered on vanity, but Sabrin strives to make a statement with her art and do something beyond making people prettier.
In a field as dynamic as makeup artistry,
Sabrin finds her inspiration in her fellow
artists due to their creativity.
“Whether they work on clients or themselves, I am constantly in awe at the amazing levels of creativity they unlock.” she reiterates. Her work seeks to draw inspiration from their craft and appreciate the levels they continue to unlock- and she wants to do it with flair, color, and vibrancy. She credits working with YM Life as one of the first times where she was given free rein and creative freedom. YM Life’s aim to create out-of-the-box content seamlessly matched with her out-of-box ideas and artistry making it easier for her. “Not to mention they treated me like a counterpart and never a subordinate which allowed me to feel free to speak and express myself.”
“The idea of creativity has always been a Western one, especially in the publishing world. As such, pushing African art, artistry, and luxury to the forefront not only stands as a creative gesture but also a political one.”
As an African creative, she appreciates the role YM Life will play in supporting her and her counterparts through their efforts in pushing African art and luxury to the forefront. The platform will provide voices for Africans to own our narratives and pioneer a creative field in a way that has not been done before.
