LAGOS MAKEUP ARTIST, ENI BALOGUN FIGHTS OGE CONCEPTS FOR USING PICTURES OF HER WORK

A cold war is presently brewing between top makeup artist, Eni Balogun and Oriyomi Onebanem over the use of pictures of Eni Balogun’s work.
Eni Balogun is one of the leading makeup artists in the country. She is the CEO of Lise Makeover outfit and Lise Beauty range. She is also the president of PCMAN. She has been immersed in the world of Makeup Artistry for over 11 years, and she is still going on strong. Her early commitment in the business started at the age of 16. Her makeup interest had evolved into something far beyond her expectatations. Over the years, Eni has mastered the skills and expertise that place her at the top of her game in the makeup industry. She has attended a number of fashion /makeup schools and events both locally and internationally. She has also worked with some notable photographers, fashion designers, fashion stylist and coordinators and even has quite a number of celebs as her clients.
The top makeup artist is presently fighting an Ibadan based makeup artist, Oriyomi Onebanem, the brain behind Oge Concept over the unauthorized use of pictures of her work. Oge Concepts is one of the latest entrants in the industry. She started Oge Concepts in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital about a year ago, and specializes in hair, nails and makeup. She shuttles between Ibadan and Abeokuta, and her makeup business has taken her to other part of the countries.
The picture which is the bone of contention is mounted as a big Sign Post in front of Oge Concepts’ shop located at Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ibara Abeokuta, by Government House, which is also included in her portfolio.
And because of this, Eni is not finding it funny with Oge Concepts whom she sees as ripping her off her sweat. In Eni’s case, she wasn’t even aware that this picture has been out there. The first time she heard it that someone was using her pictures to pull off jobs, was towards the end of last year but she didn’t take it serious. It was one of her friends that told her, but still she was sure. Not until recently when her cousin called her and asked her if she gave any of her students (makeup artists trained by her) the permission to use her pictures, and she said no. That was when she knew she had to act first. The bride in the picture is actually her bride, and most people close to Lise Studio are familiar with that picture and it has been associated with her over the years. Her friend actually confronted Oge Concepts when she was the picture and she denied, saying that all the works in her portfolio and banner were done by her and that she never used anyone pictures. A couple of weeks back, Eni also sent some people to take a picture of the Sign Post that had the picture boldly displayed, for confirmation, and when they were taking the pictures, she just came to open the shop and was confronted. But ever since then, she has not pulled down the picture.
City People also spoke to Oge Concepts and was asked how and why she decided to use someone’s picture and take credit for a job that is not hers. She answered; “I got the picture from Wedding Planner Magazine and that’s the only picture that I have. And I used it just for the shop outside banner. I don’t have it on my business card or other promotional items. The truth is that I don’t even know the person. It was all a mistake. When I was setting up the shop, I wasn’t around; I didn’t even want to use any picture, I told the guy who created the sign post to use pictures of just makeup line. So it was the guy that used the picture from the Wedding Planner Magazine”.
Obviously, Wedding Planner gives credit to any makeup job displayed in their magazine, why did she go ahead to use the picture considering the fact that it is a competitive industry. She answered, “Its wasn’t my fault. The guy was just trying to bring out the best and he obviously does not know Eni Balogun or Lise Makeover Studio. It was just something he created and approved when I saw it, and never know it was going to generate this controversy. Honestly, it’s not a deliberate action.”
But you have been using this picture to get jobs in Abeokuta, she said, “Oge Concepts is a Salon, Nails and Makeup outfit, under one umbrella, but to be honest with you, I do more hair and nails in Abeokuta, as Abeokuta people can’t pay for makeup. The only time I get jobs is from people that know me already and also know that I’m into makeup. Most of the jobs I do are even outside Abeokuta.”
Eni has also taken legal measures as regards this incidence. And as Professional Certified Makeup Artist in Nigeria (PCMAN) member, she has referred the case to their lawyer who is currently following legal proceedings to make sure that justice is achieved.
This is not the first time Eni is facing this situation, she has had similar occurrence in the past. And the fact that it’s a regular occurrence is getting a lot of professionals frustrated.
Eni is not the only top makeup artist that has been in this kind of dilemma as there are couple of top makeup artists who have pictures of their work taken up by new makeup artists. It’s becoming more and more common to see new makeup artist using experts’ jobs to pull jobs for themselves pretending that they did it. It will be recalled that Banke Meshida Lawal, also had this same problem couple of years back when an upcoming makeup artists also got the pictures of her works from her website and used it to get jobs. That is one of the issues, PCMAN is trying to curb to bring back sanity to the makeup industry.

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bebeakinboade

BEBEAKINBOADE is the fresh voice of African style, offering an informative, inspiring and entertaining mix of fashion,beauty ,entertainment,events ,place, inspirational and much more

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