Transperson makeup artist Renju Renjimar has opened her beauty studio, Dora Beauty World at Angamaly on May 6. She brings with her 23 years experience as makeup artist as she opens her dream salon.
Mamta Mohandas and Priyamani inaugurated Dora Beauty World, which will also have franchises acros Kerala. It was her friend Sudheesh’s suggestion which led her to setting up Dora at KSRTC Complex, Angamaly. She has plans to start the next franchise in Andhra Pradesh and later in Dubai.
The salon has more than 10 employees who look after the spa, hair and facial treatments while Renju handles the makeup. Since she is the brand ambassador for Glowfil, she uses the company’s products in the salon.
She first started makeup at home, with her sister’s daughters, “It was my first tutorial in makeup. After that I started doing makeup at school and college youth festivals. I never got a chance to learn makeup, nor was I able to assist anybody or even watch! I don’t know how it all worked out, but it did. It is all God’s grace,” says Renju.
Well-known primarily as a bridal make-up artist, she counts a number of celebrities among her star clients. “I didn’t set out wanting to be a makeup artist, but life guided me this way. Initially it was a means of livelihood, now this is my passion. Renju Renjimar is nothing if not a makeup artist. It is so much a part of my life...even my daughter Aleena accompanies me during some of my bridal makeup appointments.”
Dora Beauty World will also release cosmetics, manufactured in Thailand, later in the year. The requisite quality checks and lab tests are on.
Happy with the response from clients Renju says, “I didn’t get an opportunity to study makeup in Kerala, but thousands have learnt from me. I want to continue doing that!”
(The writer is an intern with The Hindu)
