Winner of ‘Nagaland Get Gorgeous Mega Model Hunt 2014,’ Temsutola Longkumer of Changki village is nothing less than almost all ladies’ and brides’ favorite. Taking the world of beauty and glamour by storm as a splendid make-up artist, Ato embarked upon a journey to truly take up her artistic passion as a career by leaving her air hostess profession in Jet Airways Mumbai.
Here is an exclusive chit-chat with the 28 year old artist where she walks us through her journey.
MT : Ato, Thank you for the time. You won Nagaland Get Gorgeous Mega Model Hunt in 2014. Could you kindly share the experiences you had and also the inspiration behind which made you take the modeling path?
Ato: I first came to know about the event through a local daily paper. Come to think of it, I had never expected myself to win the competition even in my wildest dreams. There was no one in particular who had actually pushed me to participate in the event, I had zero experience and no knowledge whatsoever about pageants of any sorts.
But I just felt an inner desire to take part in it anyway. Long story short, I am glad I went ahead and followed my heart coz winning was one thing, but the experience of it all was beyond my wildest imaginations. So much was learned from this journey.
Yet, in all honesty, becoming a model was the least thought of profession, specially growing up as a rather Tom-boyish girl all throughout school days. But I guess this is also where we understand that our lives are never as we want but always according to God’s mighty plans.
MT: Earlier, your biggest interest was to work as an Air Hostess. Would you like to give a comment on your experience in Jet Airways and what made you leave the job? Was it due to any shortcomings you had?
Ato: As my modelling career took flight, a slow and constant desire to become an air hostess grew inside. Although that chance never came about not until one fine morning when I was in Dimapur on another modelling stint, I saw an ad in the local paper for a call to interview for air hostesses the very next day.
Equipped with zero interview process experience and no training like the other interviewees, I just prayed a lot about it and went for the interview with all confidence. And surprisingly, I was among the merit list selected in the interview. The training for the air hostess took place in Mumbai, which was really challenging considering I was just a small-time town teenage girl from humble Mokokchung.
The lessons and training imparted were all new and different all together. They were tough too. But so much of what I know and who I am today is credited to what I have learned from my days with Jet Airways.
After a few years with Jet Airways, I decided to resign and return home. Not because of any shortcomings but mainly because of two reasons. One was because I wanted to be near my aged and sickly mother and take care of her more often, and the other was the desire to pursue my real passion as a MUA. So, basically I took a huge risk but it was something I knew I had to take.
MT: Speaking about your MUA, how will you describe it? Did you happen to undergo any special training?
Ato: My interest and passion for MUA started during my days as an air hostess. In fact good and decent make-up is part and parcel of every dedicated air hostess.
I had always loved playing with the brush and colours, the contours of the face of different individuals with different face structures, etc. Fast forward, for now I mostly focus on bridal make-ups/make-overs and my preferred/choice of place to work is here in Mokokchung itself, although I also travel to other places where I am hired.
“I feel Mokokchung, so far, does not have that good number of bridal makeup artists as there should be.”
Anyway, I do not have any formal training, so I am self-taught. When one takes up something as a passion, you cannot help but try and be better at it every time. So this is how I learned and got to where I am today, no different story.
MT: What kind of a response do you often get from your clients? Do you also have any assistants that help you?
Ato: So far, all my clients have said nothing but praises. I thank God and my lucky stars for that. But I keep it as a priority to communicate and discuss with each and every one of my clients before I actually start working on their faces and hair, so that we already have an understanding of what we want.
Besides that, I also try to give them what would best suit their needs too from my side. So, all in all, everything has been great so far with every client. As of now, I do not have any full time assistants with me but maybe in the near future if the need arises, I might consider that option as well. Time will tell.
MT: Looking at the trend, do you think MUAs in Nagaland can have a career?
Ato: Definitely. One just needs to put his/her heart and mind into it and pursue it with a passion like no other. Anyone, male or female- with the heart for MUA can take this up as a career if they are serious enough. The avenue to earn from being a MUA is vast these days.
“In today’s Nagaland where ‘unemployment’ (because of the general notion and belief that govt jobs are the only jobs) is at its peak, nothing like loving what you do and earning a living from one’s sweat and tears.”
Yes, support from all corners like parents and society is important too, but if you have the passion, one can make a great career out of MUA. I am living it too.
MT: What do you hope to accomplish in the next five or ten years?
Ato: Well, it is all in God’s hands to be honest. But I do hope to continue working hard in this field and be successful and be among the ones to somehow inspire many more. Maybe, and hopefully, in about a few years from now on, I could also be in a position and with the resources to give training to those who share the same interests and passion and who want to make it big with MUA as a career option. That’s my biggest dream.
MT: Leave a message to our readers.
Ato: Dear readers, follow your dreams with passion and dedication and consistency, sky’s the limit. With God with us, what can be impossible? We only have one life, live passionately. Love to all!
This is such a detailed and insightful post. I really appreciate the effort you put into explaining everything so clearly. It’s made a big difference in my understanding of the topic.
Very insightful and informative.