“I love seeing the faces of women light up when their beauty is magnified,” MUA Shonte Allen

January 9, 2021

GxMedia
4 years ago
0

Makeup is used as a beauty aid to help build up the self-esteem and confidence of an individual. However, the importance of cosmetics has increased as many people want to stay young and attractive.

Shonte Allen

One person who has been lighting up the faces of women every time she got the opportunity is 19-year-old Shonte Alexis Allen. But a few years ago, if you had told Allen that she would have had a career in the creative industry, she would have laughed.

This young fashion enthusiastic grew up in Richmond, Region Two, and praised her parents for being the backbone of each step that she made from her childhood straight to adulthood.

During an interview with this publication, Allen believes that she inherited many talents from her father. As for her mother, she dubbed her as a “superwoman,” who has taught her how to be resourceful and enjoy the simple things that life offers. Reflecting on her childhood, the 19-year-old said that her community was very diverse and peaceful.

Life in Richmond is one where you can climb unto any tree and have a fruit, start a game of “salt” with six members and end with twelve or more, start a “bush cook” with your neighbour at your backyard, and it turns into a “fine swing” with neighbours from two streets away, start a construction or preparation for a function in your yard with two workmen and one hour later you have ten and more.

She attended the Anna Regina Nursery School and later the C.V Nunes Primary School and was awarded a spot at the Anna Regina Secondary School.

In 2015, I was moved to the Abram Zuil Secondary where my goals were carefully put into thought and action with the support and encouragement of quite a number of ardent teachers, namely Ms. Phonda Sookra, Ms. Oneka Walcott, Ms. Rhonella Preston, Sir Ajay Jailall, Ms. Abigail and many others who are too numerous to mention.

In 2017, the young make-up artist graduated as the Best Graduating student of the Home Economics stream with Grades ranging from Grades 1-2.

I was impressed by the way the teachers were determined to ensure each student academically progresses, and I was motivated to be just that way to encourage students despite of where or what they came from to be the best version of themselves.

In the same year of completing her secondary education, Allen applied to join the noble teaching profession and was successful. She began teaching in September as an Early Childhood Teacher.

My teaching career has been joyful, and many days I am filled with the inner bliss when I look at the development the children make, and I am always working assiduously to include new methodologies of teaching to ensure learning is fostered in my classroom. I am confident that my last graduating class will be effective at the Primary School as long as they are guided to tap into their fullest potential.

The young Early Childhood Teacher said that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had taken a toll on her career, health, and studies, especially with face-to-face teaching being prohibited. Nevertheless, Allen said that she quickly adapted to the new mode of teaching and accomplished her Associate Degree in Education.

Along the way, I encountered difficulties; I came across some who were bent on making my days bad and also those who were willing to make my days good, but I always allowed the positive to outshine it all and keep pushing for greatness.

Allen’s advice to young women seeking jobs is that no job is degrading as long as you are working for an honest dollar.

“Success doesn’t come overnight, so quit allowing the illusions of social media to make you feel that you are not doing enough because what is for you will never miss you but will gravitate toward you naturally if you work wholeheartedly towards it.”
She added, “Your happiness and mental health depends on what you do in your youth; no one is responsible for your happiness. Therefore you are to ensure not to spend time in places with people and things that do not serve you a higher purpose.”

Thus far, Allen has completed three courses in makeup beginners, advanced, and masters and has launched her business Shonte’s Beauty Hub. She provides one-on-one makeup classes, makeup services for weddings, birthdays, brides, Photo Shoots, and other special occasions.

I love seeing the faces of women light up when their beauty is magnified. I value professionalism and courtesy in my business, and I must say that my clients are always genuinely supportive.