Meet Tonisha Kong | Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tonisha Kong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tonisha, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I kind of fell into my creative career as a Makeup Artist. I did Zoology in university and had this grand plan to be a veterinarian, but Ive always been artistic from day one. I taught myself how to play the piano at like 4 years old on this tiny/baby piano some random family got me and my mother over heard me playing ‘Mary had a little lamb’ by myself on the veranda and she was in disbelief that I did that, and as I got older she encouraged that by enrolling me in classes etc. I was also was extremely good in art classes and painting. I was very fortunate to have a parent and family that was extremely encouraging and supportive of my artistic side especially coming from a time where the only thing that mattered was academia and becoming a doctor/lawyer/teacher. Yes, I was still getting that doctor/lawyer script but my family fueled my creative side, they would get me canvas and pastels, anything I needed to create the art I wanted. I grew up with a lot of support.

As I got older, my friends around me started noticing that creative side as well. In labs we had to draw diagrams of dissections and experiments, and all my friends would bring me their things to draw and in return they would do the cutting (I didn’t really like the dissecting part lol). Also in university is when I started experimenting with makeup where I would wear these bright colored eyeshadows when most of us didn’t really get the concept of makeup but my friends were coming over for me to do it to them also before we went out. I have so much pictures of us looking absolutely crazy back then but we were surely feeling ourselves. Ive always loved makeup, I guess in a way it was like painting on yourself so I would get into my moms makeup and wear it to school and she would get calls that I was wearing makeup to school and she would laugh. Makeup as a career was FAR from any thoughts in my head, I loved animals and being a vet was the most logical thing to do but in reality I hated it.

While in university I was in my first and only music video and it exposed me to whole other world behind the scenes I didn’t know existed. Then I started working with the director from that shoot who was also up and coming so I started attempting to do makeup on his shoots (which was also absolutely atrocious, yes I also have pictures from back then). I was still continuing my studies, after zoology I did business because I jus didn’t know where to go or what to do, was just on this rollercoaster of school and doing all these different things and feeling very out of place and my parents just couldn’t afford that. So I just said let me tell them what I really want to do, which was makeup, they’ve always been encouraging it won’t hurt. And the rest is history, my sister sent me to a makeup school in Manhattan, I’ve trained and worked with Rihanna’s Makeup Artist along with many others (most of which my sister had taken on financially, her only requirement was for me to do her makeup for her passport pictures). But I’ve have a wonderful career since then and I feel like this is truly where I belong because it’s something I love doing so much. Makeup isn’t just a mask people put on to trick people, it gives you confidence you can create new characters, a face is like a blank canvas with so much to do! I love being apart of that. And a plus is my mother tells me every chance she gets how proud she is of me and how much I’ve done which makes me even happier.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My makeup style is more about enhancing someone’s natural beauty as opposed to masking it. Which is also what sets me apart from the others, it’s about making people feel confident and comfortable in your own skin not converging it up and completely changing. It is something that I’m extremely proud of, to be able to make people look and feel beautiful that when they look in the mirror they’re still seeing themselves.

It took a lot of work and it definitely wasn’t easy getting where I am today. A lot of 12 hour days and sleepless nights, also a lot of trial and error and failing. For me also it was a lot confidence building, I had a lot of self doubt fighting with and telling myself the only obstacle holding me back was me and getting out of that mindset. Which was also the biggest lesson I’ve learnt, that nothing can stop you from what you truly want and what’s meant for you but YOU, so you have to bring positivity and encouragement to yourself ALWAYS.

My brand and story is true reflection of the love I have for my job and my clients. It’s been my mission to to make every client see that they are beautiful and they don’t need to cover everything in 20lbs of makeup and become a new person to feel that way. I consider it such a privilege to have someone put so much trust in me to do so.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently live in Jamaica where there’s so much to do! We would have to go to Lyme Cay, which is a small sand island in the middle of the sea. You take a 15/20 min bait ride out and they drop you off for the day and pick you back up, it’s like being on a private island with your friends. Then we would have to go to Gloria’s after for the best seafood in town and it’s where the boats dock.

For hang out and drinking, there’s a Bar/restaurant called Jangas in Kingston. Great food and drinks, music every night and some nights they have live entertainment, great place to hang out.

On weekends we have our occasional Jamaican parties, we have seasons so depending on when they get there we would know what’s on the agenda. The list of things to do would be never ending.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to the awesome women in my life My Mom and Big Sister. If it wasn’t for their constant support, encouragement and love I wouldn’t be where I am today. They’ve stood by me through every challenge and I’m forever grateful for their presence in my life.

Instagram: @TonishaKong

Facebook: Tonisha Kong Makeup

Youtube: Tonisha Kong Makeup

Other: tiktiok: @TonishaKong

Image Credits
Morgan’s Creek Jm Notion Mag: Lila Ike Photographer – Destinee Condison, Creative – Kate Bull Popcaan – Nyqui Directed by Damanic Green, DP – Gareth Cobran Hennessy Henny White by CANADA , Photographer – Lou Escobar Balance Photographer – Prodbynick Andy Swim Photographer – Brooke Anne Frederick