By Megan Sayles, AFRO Enterprise Author, msayles@afro.com
New York-based actor, Maryam Basir, launched her enterprise, Maryam Magnificence, lower than a month earlier than SAG-AFTRA went on strike towards the Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Producers (AMPTP)—successfully halting her TV and movie work.
Though Basir mentioned appearing was one thing that discovered her, she at all times had aspirations of changing into an entrepreneur. After the Michigan native graduated from faculty, she moved to New York to determine begin her profession.
“After I got here to New York, I didn’t know precisely what I needed to do, I simply knew I needed to personal a enterprise and be an entrepreneur,” mentioned Basir.
However this dream can be quickly postponed. Whereas in a financial institution, a safety guard approached her and requested if she was an actor or mannequin. Basir replied that she was not, and he inspired to contemplate taking over a profession in present enterprise.
Subsequently, she acquired an agent and began appearing and modeling, securing a number of tv initiatives. However, Basir rapidly found that actors don’t make as a lot cash as society usually thinks.
“It’s a dream job, however actors do have loads of duties on the finish of the day,” mentioned Basir. “Although we might make greater than what individuals assume you would sometimes make in a pair months at a time, the roles are few and much between. One job might must final us for six months.”
In June, Basir launched Maryam Magnificence, conducting her entrepreneurial aspirations and producing an extra stream of revenue to assist her whereas Hollywood actors stay on strike.
Basir’s curiosity in make-up arose after changing into a mannequin and actor.
“That’s once I first began to see the transformational impact that make-up can have on an individual. I noticed it in myself and all the opposite actors and fashions round me,” mentioned Basir. “I simply noticed the magic that make-up might do and the way it can actually assist improve individuals’s magnificence.”
Presently Maryam Magnificence affords the forehead stamp skit and forehead excellent pencil package. They arrive in black, darkish brown, medium brown and blonde with a matte end, and they’re cruelty-free.
The previous permits prospects to form their eyebrows in seconds. It comes with 10 stencils that accommodate completely different eyebrow shapes, spoolies and a stamp, and it’s waterproof. The latter is just like a typical eyebrow pencil, nevertheless it comes with two refills and sharpening sheets to stop the pencil from changing into boring.
Whereas creating the merchandise, Basir mentioned she was capable of deliver them to set for her make-up artists and co-stars to check. One was Tameka Elliott, a licensed esthetician {and professional} make-up artist.
Elliott met Basir in 2022 whereas serving because the make-up division head for a tv undertaking Basir was engaged on. Sooner or later, when Basir was within the make-up trailer, she requested Elliott to make use of her merchandise to do her eyebrows.
“I beloved it. I beloved the convenience of software,” mentioned Elliott. “She had completely different stencils that mapped out completely different shapes of brows, so shoppers aren’t strolling round with brows which are completely different shapes. The stencil, the pigment and the appliance was wonderful. We actually acquired the forehead on in lower than a minute.”
Elliott mentioned relying on the product, filling in eyebrows could be cumbersome and time-consuming. However Basir’s merchandise make the method simple.
“I’m very happy with Maryam. She’s a decided girl, and he or she’s destined for fulfillment,” mentioned Elliott. “If she stays targeted and continues to do what she’s been doing, I can see her model being recognized worldwide.”
Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.
