"Make-up opened a new world for me. It became a way to express and show a piece of my personality."

Can you introduce yourself briefly?

"My name is Naomi Waku, I am 31 years old, and I work as a makeup artist and visual artist. Online, I am known as Namglam. I have been active in this world for ten years and primarily share my work via social media. I also work as a makeup artist for photoshoots, video productions, and concerts, but my main focus is on creating content online. In addition, I work on various projects: I have done some design work, coached young makeup artists, and soon my work will be displayed in metro stations. I am always open to new opportunities that come my way."

How did you get into make-up and how did you become so big on Instagram?

"I started with makeup ten years ago. Originally, I wanted to be a fashion designer and began studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, but I realized that wasn't the right path for me. Then I turned to my second passion: beauty. It was a tough time as I wasn't sure where to go with my life. That's when I started sharing my makeup online, and it helped me get out of that dark period. Then, I also participated in the NYX Face Awards, where I made it to the finals. In the competition, you had to come up with and execute a creative look within a specific theme. This was the first time I approached makeup in this way. Nowadays, I work more in the editorial direction. "

"When I started, Instagram was still strongly focused on glam makeup with large lashes and full brows. I also created those kinds of looks but combined them with more artistic makeup, which set me apart and put my name on the map. In the beginning, I mostly did ‘cute’ makeup looks, but over time, I became more creative and artistic. Especially around Halloween, I posted daily videos, and one of those looks , where my face was half black, half white, went viral and reached 2 million views. From that moment on, my community really started to grow. It was an incredible experience to build a network in this way. In Brussels, I don’t know many other makeup artists, but online I have found a large community. I often receive messages from people saying I inspire them, and that means a lot to me."

Is there a particular makeup style or artist who inspires you?

"My makeup style depends heavily on my mood. But if I had to name one person, Pat McGrath is definitely my biggest inspiration. Her work is revolutionary in the editorial makeup world. For example, she did the makeup for the Margiela Couture show in 2024, and it elevated the entire collection. The clothes were already strong, but the makeup completed it."

Is er een bepaalde make-upstijl of artiest die jou inspireert?

"Mijn make-upstijl hangt sterk af van mijn stemming. Maar als ik één naam moet noemen, dan is Pat McGrath absoluut mijn grootste inspiratiebron. Haar werk is revolutionair binnen de editoriale make-upwereld. Ze heeft bijvoorbeeld de make-up verzorgd voor de Margiela Couture-show in 2024, en dat tilde de hele collectie naar een hoger niveau. De kleding was al sterk, maar de make-up maakte het af."

What is your relationship to Laetitia Bica's work? Why did you decide to collaborate on this shoot?

"We met at a birthday party. I had done the makeup for the birthday girl and was invited myself. Laetitia was there too, and we started talking. Soon after, she asked me if I would like to collaborate with her. Later, I looked at her work, and I was immediately convinced. Her use of color, the collaborations with artists I admire, and the inclusive aspect of her work really spoke to me. Her work screams self-expression, and I love that."

Which designer are you wearing during the shoot? Did your outfit inspire your makeup?

"I’m wearing an outfit by Sander Bos and a hat by Kays during the photoshoot. Laetitia showed me the clothes beforehand, and I brought flowers with me that I wanted to use in my makeup. The background of the shoot also played a role. All of these elements inspired me in the moment. I hadn’t planned anything beforehand; I only knew that I wanted to create something colorful and ‘insect-like’. I love to work spontaneously."

The exhibition is called 'Come As You Are'. What does this title mean to you? Does it relate to your work as a makeup artist?

"For me, the title means: come with your energy, your ideas, and spontaneity. That perfectly aligns with my work because with makeup I try to express myself and show a piece of my personality. "

"This shoot was a special experience for me. It was truly a collaboration: Laetitia handled the photography, I did the makeup, and there was an exchange of trust where we fully relied on each other's artistic vision."

Do you have any exciting projects lined up?

"Starting on March 8th, my work will be exhibited at the Porte de Namur metro station. For this project, I collaborated with photographer Simon Loiseaux, who is also Laetitia Bica's assistant. The exhibition is called Chromium City, and it showcases portraits of people in the city that i have done makeup for. The models look blue, green, or red because I wanted to transform the photos in a fictional, artistic way with my makeup. In total, ten images will be displayed, and they will be up for two years. It's an amazing project that I'm very proud of!"