When Careers in Makeup, Public Health & Nursing Collide

My View: A makeup artist turns to a career in nursing

A Feature Article published in The Johns Hopkins Gazette Magazine

Photo Credit: Derek Chase of The Photo Chase

Taiwo "tia" Ajao is a 17-month accelerated BSN candidate at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

"Makeup artistry represents enhancement to me. It means a change of perspective, a new and refreshing dimension, a way to focus on features that may have not been so obvious before.

"I became a makeup artist in 2011 through certification from the Von Lee International School of Aesthetics. I then learned from the expertise of others, and my efforts landed me an intern position on the set of a feature film. I have been doing makeup for film and media since.

tia with Ms. Boyer. A Professional Model & Actress, both met on set
of an engaging web series, Where I'm From.

"I chose makeup artistry to match with my husband's expertise in professional photography. An internationally trained medical doctor himself, he has been developing his creativity in multimedia, and this challenged me to develop my creative self and merge this with my current practice, nursing.

Inspired by a one-on-one makeover Birthday treat, tia grew more confident as an artist and believes in investing into
skill-building thru training by the pros like Renny Vasquez

"After finishing graduate school in 2008 with a master's of public health in maternal and child health, I immediately gathered from my job search that most of the positions that fit my interest required that I also be a registered nurse. I initially resisted the idea and instead focused on raising our family, spending two years as a stay-at-home mom. However, circumstances forced me to recapture my interests in serving the community and return to nursing.

tia recruits Everyday Beauties to engage in unique Advocacy opportunities .
Featured here is Maternal & Child Health Colleague Christina &
Professional Associate, Nunana

"As a nursing student, I've discovered that my experience as a makeup artist was much like what is expected of me in this new field. I have to express care and concern for clients, cater to their most current and pressing needs, and learn to be comfortable and reassuring in their personal space. I have to be prepared to address concerns and help quell fears.

"I have a strong desire to care for new mothers and their babies as a public health nurse and health educator. With my husband as creative director and me as lead outreach specialist, we have started the Mommie Model Project (now ModelAdvocates)  a merger of health awareness and advocacy, using my professional makeup experience and his expertise in media. We look for creative ways for people to advocate on behalf of our communities. We get actors, students, stay-at-home moms, and others to serve as models and spokespersons for nonprofit agencies, such as the House of Ruth. I can tell you, the joy of uniting my varied skills in one setting is intense."

The ModelAdvocates Project Launches THIS OCTOBER with The B.E.A.T. Down Call-to-Action!

tia now manages a collaboration of ProMakeup Artists called AdvocateMUAs, a vein of her Non-Profit that focuses on empowering women through beauty while speaking up for those who are silenced. Learn more at www.TIActs.org!

Original Articles found here: http://hub.jhu.edu/gazette/2014/march-april/my-view-taiwo-ajao