The festive and wedding season is upon us – a time when makeup artists (MUA) across Singapore find themselves racing from one appointment to the next, brushes and palettes in tow. Between Deepavali celebrations, back-to-back weddings, and glittering year-end parties, October to December is the year’s busiest and most demanding stretch for Indian makeup artists.
“You have to be on time. You have to keep her calm,” said Ms Shirin Rei, 38, a seasoned Singapore-based makeup artist and skin specialist. It sounds simple, but during this hectic period, punctuality and calmness are hard-earned luxuries.
For Ms Shirin and fellow artists Gayathri Gopalakrishnan and Roxanne Sylvia, this stretch is akin to a triathlon, dealing with gold-flecked bridal looks, elaborate saree arrangements, and appointments that start before sunrise and often stretch past midnight.
Ms Shirin’s entry into the beauty world was serendipitous. “After beauty school, I started my own clinic in 2008. It accidentally worked out for me,” she said. What began as curiosity in skincare and makeup quickly turned into a full-fledged career. “It came very naturally. I had the hand for it.”
For Ms Gayathri, 50, the path was more deliberate. “I realised makeup didn’t need a huge investment to get started,” she explained. What began as side gigs in Australia, volunteering backstage at fashion shows, eventually grew into a thriving business in Singapore, built largely on referrals and word of mouth.
Ms Roxanne’s journey started even earlier. “I’ve always had a keen eye for anything beauty-related since I was about nine,” she said. “I started by doing makeup for friends and events, not realising it would later become my lifelong passion.” Over 15 years later, she leads a team of artists under her own brand, MakeupbyRoxx, known for its polished, radiant “signature look.”
The festive and wedding season is the ultimate endurance test. “Wedding season is the most exciting and intense time of the year,” said Ms Roxanne. “My days start at 2 or 3am and go late into the night. I make sure I’m stocked up on coffee and snacks, and I plan my meals in advance.”
Ms Shirin described the same whirlwind pace. “I’ll finish a full day of treatments at my clinic, rush to deliver a bride’s saree, then head back to the studio. It’s madness. I carry so many bags…Once, I even left my entire hair kit at a client’s house.”
For Ms Gayathri, it’s about stamina and emotional steadiness. “We might have five or six clients a day. By evening, you’re exhausted, but you still have to show up with a smile. Because for the client, this is their special day. You’re the one she’ll remember when she looks back at her wedding photos.”
The evolution of makeup looks
What brides want has changed dramatically over the years. “Back then, brides would say, ‘Give me full coverage, I want my makeup to be seen from afar,’” recalled Ms Shirin. “Now it’s, ‘Make it minimal. I want my skin to shine through.’”
Ms Roxanne has noticed the same shift. “Brides today want to look like enhanced versions of themselves – radiant, glowy, and effortless. There’s a big focus on skin, on timeless looks that photograph beautifully. The ‘no-makeup makeup’ look has become an art form.”
That emphasis on skin has also reshaped services. “These days, I’m doing more skin-brightening treatments, facials, even intraoral massages,” Ms Shirin said. “Makeup is secondary. If your skin looks good, you don’t need layers of make-up.”
Inclusivity, too, has become central. “Younger clients want to look like themselves, especially darker-skinned brides who used to be whitewashed by heavy foundation,” said Ms Gayathri. “Now, it’s about celebrating natural tones.”
For Ms Roxanne, that philosophy goes beyond beauty. “Being part of such intimate, emotional milestones in someone’s life is an honour,” she said. “It’s also incredibly rewarding to mentor younger artists and show that makeup can be a tool for empowerment, not just aesthetics.”
Of course, the job’s pressures are real. “Every bride has dreamt of her big day for years, you only get one shot to make it perfect,” said Ms Roxanne. “Managing time, weather, lighting, and emotions can be overwhelming. But when your clients align with your signature style, it makes everything smoother.”
Technique, all three artists agree, separates professionals from amateurs. “Everyone wants the latest trend,” Ms Shirin said. And it’s not just technical, it’s emotional labour too. “You’re managing their anxiety,” she noted. “You can’t show stress. Even if you’re exhausted, you have to be calm. You’re the first face they see on their big day.”
As for what’s next, the trio sees beauty moving toward authenticity and self-expression. “I see women leaning more toward looks that reflect their personality and comfort,” Ms Roxanne noted. “Colours are making a comeback, but timelessness will always win.”
Ms Shirin agreed. “Younger women are bolder now – they try new techniques, mix styles, and they’re not afraid to stand out.”
