FY Glam Studio CEO Faruza Yakubu Credits Passion, Consistency For Her Success

When Faruza Yakubu first discovered makeup tutorials on YouTube as a university student, she had no plans of building a business. Instead, she practised on her roommates’ faces after lectures, recreating techniques she had watched online.

Years later, the self-taught makeup artist has built FY Glam Studios into a recognised bridal makeup brand, teaching aspiring artists while pursuing a master’s degree in management and human resource strategy.

Faruza disclosed this on Style on 3Music TV, where she said her interest in makeup began in Level 100 after watching tutorials by Nigerian makeup artist Lydia Stanley.

“I would watch, then practise. I was very obsessed with makeup. Every single day, if I wasn’t at lectures, I was in my room doing makeup,” she said.

What began as a hobby soon became a small business after she and her roommates decided to start separate ventures while at university.

She chose makeup, charging friends who had previously allowed her to practise on them for free.

“My friends really supported me. The same people whose faces I used for practice paid me when I started charging,” she said.

Faruza said she continued running the business throughout university and during her national service. Although she wanted to experience office work before deciding on a career, she said the experience convinced her that self-employment was the better path.

“I realised it wasn’t for me. I decided to focus on my own business,” she said.

Despite working professionally for about seven years, Faruza said she had never attended a physical makeup training programme until recently.

She credits much of her development to self-study through online tutorials and virtual classes.

“Everything I know about makeup, I literally taught myself. It was only recently that I attended my first physical class,” she said.

The experience, she added, reminded her that there is always room to improve. Faruza believes passion is essential for anyone hoping to build a career in the beauty industry.

“If you really love something, it doesn’t even feel like work anymore. It becomes part of your daily routine,” she said.

Alongside growing her business, she is completing a master’s degree, saying education remains important regardless of career success.

She also spoke about the practical side of running a beauty business, explaining that registering FY Glam Studios and opening a business account became necessary as the brand expanded.

Social media, she said, played a major role in her growth because she began sharing her work from the earliest stages of her journey, even before she considered makeup a business.

“You don’t have to wait until you have a huge following. Just start,” she said.

Faruza also challenged the perception that makeup is an expensive business to enter. According to her, beginners do not need to own every product or foundation shade before taking clients.

“We mix products all the time. You don’t need a huge amount of capital to start,” she said.

While she initially accepted every type of makeup job, from special effects to music videos, she has since narrowed her focus to bridal makeup.

She said specialising has allowed her to strengthen her expertise and build a clearer identity.

“If you are known for everything, you are known for nothing. Focus on one thing and master it,” she said.

Looking ahead, Faruza said she hopes to build an international client base and establish FY Glam Studios beyond Ghana.

“I want to be internationally sought after,” she said.