Monalisa Umutoni, known to many as Mona Faces, has been at the forefront of Uganda’s beauty industry for 10 years. She turned an untapped sector into a thriving business, proving that with skill and determination, dreams can be realised. She has inspired a generation of make-up artists. Mona’s story is one of passion, perseverance and vision. What began as a solo venture has grown into a trusted brand, working with celebs and making an impact on red carpets, fashion runways, and high-profile events.
Mona’s journey started at a tender age. She says she has always had a love for beauty, playing with her mum’s make-up when she was five years old trying to wear her powder and this stayed with her into high school. She joined make-up business while at campus after she teamed up with her high school friends to start a boutique.
“I never saw myself going for corporate employment and at that time in my second year at university, we started a boutique to support ourselves and that was my opportunity to meet many people whom I would sell clothes to and ask if I could also do something with their faces. I did not ever think it would turn into a whole business,” she says.
Mona adds that one day, she did make-up and styling for her friends before they took pictures, which they posted on Instagram and the photos went viral.
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