Her world booms as the patronage sprawls. It is not about who she is but about what she does. Her artistry and finishings are a brand which is winning many hearts. From Aba to Lagos in Nigeria down to Accra, Kumasi and indeed, most major cities in Ghana, Nancy Blaq, a brand in make-up world resonates. For this reason, Star Tracker located the Nigerian-born, IT first class graduate, awarding-winning Ghana make-up artist for an interview during a recent trip to Accra. Here is the package.
Who’s Nancy?
I am Nancy Chinalurum Ogbonna. The owner of Nancy Blaq. I am the first of 6 children of my parents. I am a Nigerian, born and bred in Aba, Abia State. Here in Ghana, I am a celebrity make-up artist. I practice in Accra and across Ghana.
Tell me more about Nancy Blaq as a brand
Nancy Blaq as a brand has been on for 2 years now. I started in April, 2014 as a brand. But as a talent, I have had it from Nigeria, right from when I was 13 or 14 years old. My aunt, Kelechi, a fashion designer used to take me along when going to dress her brides and then I would do their make-up. And later she would give me something small which was actually a big deal for me back then. That’s how it all began.
So, how did you come to Ghana?
I came to school in Ghana. I used to be a medical student in Nigeria. And then after 4 years, we had a little issue with our accreditation and I had to drop. When I came to Ghana, I started afresh on an IT course, that’s Business and Information Technology. I schooled here. So, basically, this is my hood and when I started make-up as a profession, I decided to stay back. I have been here up to 5 years now.
You said you were a medical student in Nigeria and later switched over to IT, tell me about your academic background.
I graduated from the University of Greenwich, UK. They have a campus here in Ghana. I studied Business and Information Technology here in Ghana but it’s a UK university. But before then, I had gone to some other schools. My education started in Nigeria. First of all, Living Word Academy for my Nursery and Primary in Aba, Abia State. From there, I went to Adventist Technical Secondary, Owerrinta, Abia State as well. Then Carol-P Schools, still in Abia State for my JSS to SS 1. Then I left for D-Nals, that is Danchima Nigerian American Laboratory Schools, Aba. That’s where I concluded my secondary. Then for the University, I first went to Madonna University for three and half years. That’s where I did Medicine and Surgery which I never completed. And later, I moved to Ghana. I tried continuing with a medical course but I didn’t get it due to some challenges with WAEC subjects. There are courses they expect you to have which we don’t have in the Nigerian system. We rather do such courses in our Junior Secondary. For instance, Integrated Science. So, I had to change to Information Technology at a time in Valley View University, VVU, Accra. You know, changing from Medicine to IT wouldn’t be easy and it wasn’t easy for me. And I decided to drop out of Valley View. That was how I got to know about University of Greenwich and later got admission there. And because I had acquired a little knowledge at Valley View, it was a bit easier for me to adapt this time and I decided to stick to it because after attending 3 Universities, I just had to finish in one. By God’s Grace, I finished with a First Class from the University of Greenwich.
A first class graduate of IT should be a toast of the world’s IT companies especially at this time and age. So, why did you take to make-up?
Yea. You can never tell what the future holds hence my degree. But at the moment, I like what I am doing. Like I said, I started make-up from a very tender age. I love make-up. I am very passionate about it. It was quite easy for me to delve into make-up because it is in me. It’s a talent. And I do not think going to school was bad because you need education in whatever you are doing to actually thrive. A university degree, no doubt, is good. But I like what I am currently doing and I intend to take it further. With a First Class Degree in IT added to make-up biz, I don’t think it’s a bad idea. But basically, our future is determined by God.
How about your parents reaction to this?
When I started here professionally 2 years ago, I actually decided to hide it from my parents. I hid it from them for a long time because I didn’t know how they were going to accept it, especially coming from my type of family where much is expected of me as the first child. But finally, when I saw that it was picking up, I had to open up to my father and I was so surprised the way he understood the whole thing and accepted me. My siblings, my grand ma, everyone has been supportive.
As a celebrity make-up artist, what is your experience with entertainment people?
As an award-winning celebrity make-up artist, the requirement includes working with most celebrities. So, if my clients are about 100, I have worked more with a lot of celebrities than the regular brides, wedding guests and all of that. The celebrities I have worked with are quite a handful both in Ghana and Nigeria. They include Jackie Appiah (actress), Becca (musician), Nana konadu Agyeman (ex Ghana First Lady) Efya (singer) Yvonne Okoro (actress) Sika Osei (TV presenter/actress) Afia Schwarzenegger (Queen of comedy in Ghana), Lydia Forson (actress), Sakordie (rapper), Irene Logan (musician), Stacy Amoateng (TV host RWS), Victoria Michaels (Intl model). Then in Nigeria, I have worked with Dakore Egbuson (actress), Ebube Nwagbo (actress), Emen Isong (Nollywood producer), Korede Bello(musician), Ice Prince Zamani (musician) and many others.
Let’s know some of the awards you have won so far
I won the Best celebrity makeup artist 2016 Ghana Makeup Awards and Fashion Makeup Artist of the Year, 2016 (Afroma Awards) in September, 2016. I have also been nominated for the African Top Ten Awards
Do you have the intention of bringing your brand to Nigeria?
Of course, that’s where I started my make-up artistry. I am sure I used to watch a lot of top notch make-up artists back then in Nigeria. That’s where I got my inspiration from. Yes, I would love to come back home, to do something for my homeland. I mean Nancy Blaq coming to Nigeria would be a great deal for me because that’s where it all started.
Are you having any challenges here as a foreigner?
From what I know, I am well accepted here. Ghanians love me for who I am and they love what I do. My acceptance here is quite heart-warming because that’s why Ghana would pick me up out of the lot for different awards. Just like Nigeria, Ghana is also good in welcoming strangers. They are known for that and they have accepted me for who I am.
One notices that outside your facial paintings, you don’t wear jewelry. What informed that?
Yes, I was born without a piercing and growing up, I stuck to that. I didn’t have my parents, aunts, wearing jewelry. Thanks be to God. And I saw that my aunts still looked pretty, classy and not out of date without wearing jewelry. But I tell you something, my religious denomination inculcated that into us. I am a Seventh-Day Adventist, SDA and we don’t wear jewelry in our church. I am not in any way castigating anyone who wears jewelry but I just feel that it doesn’t change who you are.
