Not everyone is able to achieve a steady balance in life that involves a family, their dream job and a day job all in one. Davia Black, the brains behind Sugah Faces has done just that. She is an alumna of St. Joseph’s Convent and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College where she studied Hospitality and Food and Beverage management. Although she is very well known in her field now, she revealed that she never pictured herself making a living off of it…
What are you most well known for?
I’m a makeup artiste. I started Sugah Faces 4 years ago. The name came about because people call me ‘bag of Sugar’ because of my spaced teeth. So I took that and came up with the name. I didn’t plan on doing makeup as a business though. I’d do my own makeup and then some of my friends wanted me to do theirs. Then other people started noticing and eventually I started getting clients.
Were you employed when you started Sugah Faces?
Back then I was already working at the Ministry ofEquity as an Accounts Clerk, and I still do today. It’s not something that I’ve ever really enjoyed. I was looking for a path to follow so I brainstormed a few ideas but being a makeup artist never crossed my mind.
What was your first paid makeup gig?
It was in June of 2016 for the St. Joseph’s Convent Prom. A friend of mine had a cousin who was attending the prom and graduation that year. She urged me to do her cousin’s makeup, but I initially said no. Then she sent me everything I’d need and told me how much she believed in me. So I took a bus to go all the way to La Bourne to get the job done. I was unsure of myself, but while I was working on the client, she was so impressed and that gave me encouragement. After it was all done I thought to myself that I could really do this.
How did Sugah Faces become a popular name after that?
I created a Facebook page because it was more popular back then. I also needed pictures to post so I offered to do faces for free; family, neighbours, friends, anybody who would give me their time to do it. One by one I started gaining a following. There were about 5 clients who would visit me every weekend to do their makeup. Then those girls started bringing friends and they would also share my work. I also have very loyal clients. Some of them won’t go out if I can’t do their face; they’d actually cancel their plans.
Do you specialize in a particular type of makeup artistry?
I love glam. A glam look means bold lashes, eye work that stands out, flawless face… I personally enjoy that extra special look on clients. I can also do natural looks and bridal looks, but my specialty is glam.
Doing Bridal looks can be tricky because it’s such a massive occasion, how do you deal with that?
I feel the same way about all my clients, I don’t want to mess up any occasion at all. Every appointment for me is very important to get right. With bridal bookings, I always book them early so it’s not in a rush. Sometimes I end up with brides who prefer a glam look instead of the traditional bridal look. That bridal look is soft, neutral tones, light gloss, fresh face… I have brides who request glitter for their eyes, one bride even wanted blue lipstick which isn’t the expected look.
What is the one moment in your career that you’re really proud of?
That moment was January 2020 when I opened my own studio in East Winds Marisule. Prior to that, I worked from home in my apartment. Now I have a proper studio to work in. Right now, it’s by appointment only.
Is there an entrepreneurial background in your family?
There isn’t. I feel like everything I do is different from what everyone in my family does. I’ve always been the bold one but my sisters are all very reserved. Entrepreneurship wasn’t something that I saw but knew it could be done. I always said that I wanted to work smart, not hard. Seeing my mother at a retirement age and not being able to stop working made me think that I didn’t want to be like that when I got older.
What is your support system like at this point in your career?
All but one of my sisters is interested in makeup. So, when it comes to makeup talk, those discussions don’t happen at home. My family knows what I do but I don’t get much input because it’s not a field they’re knowledgeable in. With my friends, you don’t say makeup if they don’t mention my name. They do an amazing job with promoting my makeup classes: ‘Sip and Slay’. With everything I do it’s all hands-on deck, whatever I need from them they do it and it makes the experience so much more fun. Prior to COVID-19, it was an event held twice so far; at Palm Haven and Cap Estate Gardens.
My boyfriend is also extremely supportive! He can name palettes, products and he’s very knowledgeable on it. Back when I started, he was a huge inspiration for me. His personality, being Ezra all the time… I saw how he used it to become an artiste, monetizing it and he’s just really being himself. I figured that I wanted to be happy and making money like that doing something I truly enjoy.
Do you feel complacent at your day job?
No, because I’ve learned to totally separate myself. When I go to work on a morning, I focus solely on that, as if I have no clients. When work is done and I get home, I don’t want to hear anything about my day job because I’m with my clients.
How do you divide your time with family, a day job, Sugah Faces?
My brain is always going and I’m never still. It’s a lot to handle but I’ve made up my mind to do it like that only for a certain time, while I build and grow. I do miss spending time with my daughter because she’s mostly with the sitter and other family while I’m at work. You sometimes lose out on a lot; family events, beach days. Sometimes I feel like I’m losing out on life to do work.
Do you think of taking the plunge and going in full time with Sugah Faces?
I was very close to making that decision and I felt that it was the right time. Then COVID-19 came in. I was so happy then that I had a day job, another source of income because that’s what kept us afloat. Even now, I haven’t gotten back to my regular client flow. People aren’t really going out and those who are, don’t always have the extra money to spend on makeup. They’d prioritize an outfit, tickets to the event but makeup would become an afterthought. The flow of work can be uncertain sometimes as an MUA (Makeup Artiste).
When things get back to normal it is something I will consider again though. I’d be bringing in other aspects of makeup as well. There are lots of products that can’t be found here so I’m looking into making them available.
Where do you see Sugah Faces in the next two years?
In that timeframe I want to be getting ready to train other makeup artistes. I actually want to get out of doing the makeup myself and get into the business of makeup artistry, like production and skin care. I just want to provide that and give back. We don’t have cosmetology or makeup artistry schools here where someone can learn the skill. Right now, it’s YouTube or taking informal lessons from someone, but I want to establish something official.
What advice would you give to other upcoming entrepreneurs about following their dreams confidently?
I’d say do what you love. I wouldn’t advise anyone to get into something that they don’t love doing. Entrepreneurship is hard work and you’ll feel like giving up. The only thing that will stop you from giving up is the fact that you genuinely love what you’re doing. Don’t focus so much on what everyone else is doing. Find your niche and make the most of what you’re good at.
We wish Davia all the best in her future endeavours!
