Nayan Sandiford: Finding my place in the hair and make-up industry

Nayan Sandiford, a BA (Hons) Hair and Make-up for Fashion student at London College of Fashion, shares her experience as a Black creative in the make-up and hair industry, as well as her hopes for the next generation.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your creative practice?

I've always loved beauty, fashion, colour and art. I began by pursuing a career in art and as I explored what I wanted to do further, I discovered that make-up was the form of art I wanted to express myself through. Make-up became the creative practice that let me express myself and my creativity more openly, so I decided to pursue it as a potential career.

What has your experience been like as a Black creative pursuing a career in the make-up and hair industry?

If I'm honest, it’s been a difficult but fulfilling experience. Before coming to UAL, I studied hair and make-up in a salon where I had to adhere to specific beauty standards. The limitations on my creative control were difficult to work within because I always wanted to push the boundaries of beauty and show that it didn't have to adhere to a standard, as long as someone felt beautiful.

I feel that beauty is meant to be a feeling, which is why make-up is subjective. It's about the feeling you want to create and sometimes the story you want to tell. Learning how central beauty standards were to everything surrounding make-up, hair and beauty was difficult, particularly when I wanted to push beyond those standards.

Have you ever felt challenged in your sense of belonging in the industry?

I have and it's been difficult to process. I also understand why we struggle to feel a sense of belonging in this industry. Issues around inclusivity and diversity make it harder to feel a sense of belonging. There's also appropriation, discrimination and racism within the fashion and make-up industries.

I'm extremely passionate about what I do. I see debates on social media about how divided certain communities and demographics are, how people avoid acknowledging the truth and how the realities of these communities are affected by issues that impact a large majority of people.

I've been exposed to these issues and experienced them myself, whether that's racism or feeling like I don't belong. As a creative, it's difficult not only to get into this industry but also to build yourself within it.

How have you navigated these challenges and what has helped you keep going and believe in your abilities?

Navigating these challenges will always be difficult, but something that has helped me keep believing in my abilities is the passion and potential I put into my projects and how much care I show for what I do.

I'll admit that I was afraid at first because it's always going to be a fight. There will be times when you feel like you don't belong and that you have to fight 10 times harder to feel like you're on the same level as everyone else.

Something my mum taught me is that your gifts will shine, no matter who is around you. If you own those gifts, believe in them and recognise the potential you have as a person, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. If you believe in who you are and express that openly, you can push yourself beyond what you thought you could achieve.

Even when it feels like the world is built against you, there will always be small moments of hope and people who see things in you that you might not yet see in yourself.

What inspired you to want to create a platform where young Black girls feel they belong in the make-up and hair industry and what would you like to achieve through this?

My own experience inspired me to create a platform. At first, I didn't really believe in myself or think I could become a make-up artist. I was afraid, as I imagine many young Black girls might be when entering an industry they feel is designed against them.

What I see on social media makes me want to build a platform where people feel they have the potential to become make-up artists. I see so many talented young Black people sharing their make-up skills, showing what they've taught themselves and expressing themselves in ways that are individual and beautiful. Yet they don't feel like they can enter the industry because they feel like they're fighting a battle. I won't deny that it can be a battle, but I've proved to myself that even when something feels like it's built against you, you can push through those barriers.

You can step into discomfort and challenge expectations because at the end of the day, you have something to prove and should be given the opportunity to prove it.

What I want to achieve through this platform is to show people that they can do it, even when it feels like there are so many obstacles against them or when they're struggling with self-doubt. Face those fears, confront yourself, make the uncomfortable comfortable and do the things that scare you, because you'll never know what you can achieve if you don't try.

Sometimes it sounds easier said than done, but I feel that the more we band together and show that there are people willing to fight the fight and put themselves out there, the more people will be willing to do the same. I think there needs to be an example of someone willing to show that: "I'm here. I'm doing it and I'm going to keep doing it. I'm going to do it how I want to and express myself how I want to, no matter who is against me, even if it's me."

What advice would you give to other young Black creatives who are passionate about pursuing their ambitions but may be unsure about entering the industry?

Never stop yourself from pursuing your ambitions. Never doubt your ability, your creative promise or your potential. Your drive and passion to pursue what you want are real. Never let yourself believe you are not worthy of anything, because you are.

You will achieve things you never thought you could have achieved, even if they're small, because the baby steps matter as well. The small achievements and progress you make may seem small to the outside world, but they're big to you because they matter. They're what will push you further and give you the confidence you need to keep pursuing your ambitions and growing as a creative.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience or your hopes for the future?

I hope I can make a change, even if it's small. I hope more people take that leap, even if they're scared. It never hurts to try because there will always be people who support you. There will always be people who see your potential and want to encourage you and that's what matters. If they can see those qualities in you, then you have them.

I hope that in the future, more Black creatives are willing to put themselves out there, pursue their ambitions and not let anything stop them, even self-doubt. I hope to keep building myself and my identity and keep putting that into my practice, because that's what matters.

Connect with Nayan and explore her work:

• Explore Nayan's portfolio
• Follow Nayan's business Instagram account