Regine Daniel Success Story - Division of Education, Research and Technology

DIVISION OF EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Providing Quality Education

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL

Regine Daniel

Makeup Artist

College of Art and Makeup Design

As a teenager I was very involved in my school’s drama group and my local theatre group. It was a form of escape for me and I absolutely loved the thrill that came with preparing for a production. Naturally, theatre arts was my favorite subject at school. One day, my teacher gave us an assignment that explored the various behind the scenes elements that went into a theatre production; lighting, costume, directing etc. I was given the task of creating a makeup look for each character for the play.

Initially, I didn’t think twice about my assigned subject. I remember thinking to myself “Why is there a whole department for makeup? How hard can it be?” I remembered even feeling disappointed that I was not appointed something like costuming or set design. I sat down to do the assignment one Sunday afternoon and noticed there was one character that needed to be aged. “How can I age someone using makeup?” I thought. This question led me down a rabbit hole looking at countless YouTube makeup videos of people performing what seemed to be sorcery!

Changing young faces old, creating bruises and open wounds where there were none, I’d never known this was possible – I had to try it! I recruited my little sister and convinced her to let me experiment on her face and to my surprise it worked, she really did look older and from then on I completely fell in love with makeup as an art form.

After leaving high school I continued freelancing and practicing my skills while working full time. I had not fully made up my mind to pursue makeup as a career but just a hobby. I would do odd jobs here and there for local film productions while also doing makeup for special events (weddings, anniversaries etc.). I had no set goal. I was lost! Standing between what I thought I should do, which was going to university, getting my degree in something plausible enough that would allow me to attain a good enough salary at an office job, and my passion; makeup. I needed some kind of sign that this was the right path for me.

At the time I was working at the Division of Community Development and Culture under a youth training program, I was recommended by a senior officer who knew I did makeup to work on a film set alongside an international crew. I remembered being very excited. It was truly a life.

Shortly after I was all business. I had to learn how to do this professionally! Although I had formal training for beauty makeup, most of my special effects skills (aside from a workshop here and there) were self-taught. I needed hands on training, but how? I started researching schools and looking for the best way forward. With every option, cost was a major factor.

I remember thinking to myself that no matter how much money I save it would be almost impossible for me to accumulate TTD140,000 in tuition alone, not to mention the cost of living in a foreign country. I had hit a roadblock! My aunt had suggested that I should apply for financial assistance at the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS). She was confident that I will get help. At that point I needed to have faith so I pushed through and sent in my application.

To my surprise in less than two months I was contacted to move forward and was told I was awarded a Bursary. It was nothing short of a miracle. This was an extra push for me to achieve my goal. I told my parents and they were ecstatic. My family held my hand every step of the way. The Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) award generously covered half of my tuition, and by the grace of God and with the help of my family, community, church and friends we were able to raise the other half via fundraisers and generous donations. I felt reassured in knowing that I was not alone on this journey but had the support of people that believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Jump forward to December 2018, the day after Christmas and I’m packing my bags to start my new life as a student in Toronto at the College of Makeup Art and Design, feeling nervous, excited and optimistic about the future that lie ahead.

I was set to start classes in January. This was my first time in Toronto and I had no idea what to expect. When I got off the plane it felt like I walked into an air conditioned room that was fully cranked up. There were some major challenges I was yet to face. The weather really took a toll on my health and did not make it easy for my body to acclimatize to the changes, and dressing for the cold was definitely a learning experience.

I spent most of the winter sneezing and taking allergy medication, winter was not as glamorous as I expected it to be. Moving around in a large city was also quite challenging at first.

I remembered getting lost on my way to school and back home almost every day to a point where I’d leave home very early just so I could find my way to school on time. After about two (2) months of always being lost I eventually learned my route.

With my tuition being paid in full I was now tasked with the luxuries of adulthood, paying bills! While my parents supported me from home I still needed to help myself juggle the cost of living. I was able to find a job that fell right in my category as a makeup artist for the L’oreal owned brand, NYX.

I had found my bliss! Doing makeup on clients every day, testing new products and helping people.

I loved every moment of it and was able to make good friends in the field.

It was my first time living alone and away from my immediate family but thankfully I had family in Toronto that basically adopted me as their own. They supported me through it all, bringing me soup on cold winter days, teaching me how to get around, tending to me when I was sick, helping me move into my new apartment and just being there every step of the way.

I officially graduated in November 2019 and was very excited to get back home to share all the new knowledge I had gained. When the Pandemic hit in early 2020, a few months after I returned I was grateful to be home but concerned about my future as an artist on the island. I took that time to brainstorm on how I could create a sustainable income using the skills I learned while opening doors for other beauticians and artists in Tobago; from this my business Heiress Beauty Centre was birthed. I am now able to offer makeup services and classes in addition to selling makeup products that are usually not found on the island. Heiress Beauty Centre is also home to hair stylist and nails technicians, creating a safe, professional and relaxing space for them to operate right here in Tobago.

I share all of this to say that through it all God will make a way! Even when it looks like there is none. I would encourage anyone to follow their bliss and their passion. Marc Anthony once said “If you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life”, there is purpose in your passion if you follow it boldly your gifts will make room for you!

MORE STORIES

Address:

The Division of Education, Research and Technology
Dutch Fort Plaza,
Dutch Fort,
Scarborough,
Tobago.

Contact: (868) 299-0781

Quick Links:

STUDENT RESOURCES

PUBLIC RESOURCES

Stay Updated:

Powered by the Division of Education, Research and Technology | ICT Unit

Copyright © 2024 Division of Education, Research and Technology. All rights reserved