BY YEMISI SULEIMAN

Omobola Adepero Fadina is the Chief Executive of Blush Nigeria, a leading beauty retailer offering one-stop quality cosmetics, skin care, and

Omobola Fadina

other beauty products. The outfit which officially opened its Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos outfit to customers on the February 6, 2011, also operates a professional beauty hair salon.

With a B.A. (Hons.) degree in Business Administration from Brunel University, London, Omobola has over 10 years experience in investment banking. Her inspiration to start the Blush range of cosmetics came from playing with beauty products from her mother’s dressing table while growing up. Her passion for beauty is undeniable, as she has gone through great lengths to perfect her knowledge of beauty, leading to the creation of her own range and an exciting beauty boutique.

What stands Blush Nigeria out from other beauty and hair shops? I think what makes us different is the brand; within this brand we have a range of products. What we intend to do is to stock difficult-to-find brands from the US or the UK. It took me about two years to really get to this point. You probably have read in the news that Moroccan Oil is the rave right now. It is actually here in Lagos because we have the franchise to sell it here.

I think, in terms of difference, when you walk into our shop, you will be able to actually see what you want to buy. In Lagos today, you find a lot of shops; when you enter, you can’t even see what you are looking for because it is all choke block. But here, as you walk in, you feel a sense of peace and the way we have laid the products is eye-catching and more appealing to the customer.

We have done a lot of work in the way the shop looks; when you walk in, the kind of feel and ambience you get, the layout is flows. It flows from hair to beauty products. And, when you look around, it is clearly defined what is where.

We also offer at-home-services, from everyday make-up to bridal make-up. Our make-up artist can actually come to your house, the stylist as well; because they work together. It is easy for them to work together in your home; to create that wonderful and glamorous look that befits a red carpet event or party. Your best beauty secret? I go to the gym regularly. I enjoy going to the gym. I eat lots of fresh fruits and I eat a lot of avocado. I eat two of them twice a week. It is quite good for the skin and it is great for anti-aging. I regularly wear make-up; I love make-up.

fadina

For day time, I wear light make up. For events, I wear make-up to give me that red carpet look. But I think taking care of yourself is very important and drinking lots of water. I do have treats, you know. I do eat snacks but I am very conscious of how much I eat. I give myself a treat (from time to time) and I do eat well. How would you describe your style? My style is very classy. I love the fashion of the ‘50s and whatever I wear is very girlie. So, I am a kind of a girlie girl. I love fitted, not too tight but definitely classy clothes. I will never wear anything that is too short or wear too much jewellery. That is my style. Taste in accessories? I can get my accessories from anywhere; not really like it must be gold or silver. You can wear an outfit that goes only with gold or silver or pearls, but I will buy accessories from anywhere. It could be from Lekki market, accessories in London or from New York’s Broad Street. They have lots of stores that stock wonderful jewellery pieces. What is make-up like for you? Make-up, for me, is light during the day. I will never wear too much make-up, eyeliner or bright, red lipstick during the day time. It is just not my look. I am more of an elegant person during the day and then at night, I just add a bit of lipstick, a bit of gloss, eyeliner – something that makes the lips or face (look) hot. Are you one for shoes or bags? I am a bag person. I think, because I am tall, nice shoes are like four inches (high); they are too high for me. I love them but I can’t walk with them. I am pretty much a bag person. I love my handbags.

Your favourite fashion designer? In Nigeria, I love Zebra because she cuts with my figure; like the ‘50s flirty, girlie look. She ensures the Western trend with ankara, so I love her clothes. One item we will always find, at any time, in your hand bag? You will always find eyeliner and lip gloss; probably a hand cream as well. Preference for perfumes? Perfume is such a personal thing; definitely, not a flowery perfume. I don’t like flowery perfumes. I like Sandalwood. For me, perfume is whatever takes your mood. A friend bought me perfume oil from Egypt. It is called Sandalwood and it is amazing. I am not really particular about designer brands. Best holiday spot? I went to Australia 18 months ago. I love Australia. I will go back if I had the time but it is too far. It is a wonderful place to study. I went to Sydney. I love the coast and it is the most beautiful country I have been to. So, what is your dream for Blush? I think my dream for Blush is for people to know who we are and what we are about.

Certainly, the dream is for us to grow beyond Lagos and reach the borders of Nigeria, make the brand a global brand. It is a concept that is new in Nigeria but it is also a platform to help local indigenous beauty brands to sell their products in the store.