vegan and cruelty-free Makeup

Ever since I was 14 years old, I knew what I wanted to do professionally. The problem was, that I didn’t want to admit it to myself because my parents would surely be against my idea of what I wanted to become. They would always say, this profession is for people who aren’t very intelligent.

As a native Angolese, you grow up knowing that you are meant for something bigger. Especially as a black woman in Switzerland, you have to prove yourself and strip yourself of the cliché your parents put on you.

For my parents, it was obvious that one day, I’ll become an attorney or a doctor… Well, it almost worked out, didn’t it?

I tried, for a long time, to please my parents and did what they wanted me to do. But in that, I did nothing but lie to myself.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

It became even more evident after I finished school and I got a good feeling that I needed a break from school. Then I quickly decided, to intern at a hairdresser for about a year so that after my internship had ended, I could continue school where I left off.

I started the internship in 2005. After a short time of working there and peaking into the world of beauty, it became clear to me that I want to work in the beauty industry!

For me, it was as clear as daylight that I will not become a run-of-the-mill hairdresser - My goals were aimed much higher.

In 20016, I rather than going back to school, decided to start with a traineeship at the hairdressers.

My teacher was outstanding, and she never stopped believing in me. She used to tell me, that one day I’ll be an artist. I’m grateful for her belief in me and her intuition to see my real talent. Whenever I was close to giving up, she kept pushing me and encouraging me to continue on my way, no matter how difficult it might be.

After I graduated, I started working at Aveda in Basel. Through them, I had the opportunity to peek into the world of fashion. Experiencing the Berlin Fashion Week in Summer of 2012 was a key moment in which I discovered yet another side of mine. Working with runway models, artists, photographers, TV and art directors was outstandingly fun for me. Even though the stress level was nearly unbearable!

I felt very confident in my abilities to shine in this line of work. From then on, I knew that I didn’t want to do anything else anymore

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I then decided to specialize in this line of work. After a good four years working at Aveda in Basel, I wanted to evolve to yet another stage. I chose to continue my path at Sebastian Professionals and Sassoon.

Sebastian Professionals taught me the ways of hair and beauty art. The first collection show where I was allowed to style models for Sebastian Professionals was the Contour Balance Show Collection in 2014. This show was a success for me and I had a lot of fun. I almost couldn’t wait for what else is there to come! As a matter of prudence, I had myself trained as Art Creative Director shortly after that.

At this time, this training was the most fruitful tool I could acquire for me to get closer to my goal.

Even though I greatly enjoyed working at Sebastian Professionals, I began to miss the natural colors of Aveda and I longed to work there yet again. Not long after, I found my way back to the Aveda Exclusive Salon in Zurich.

To my misfortune, I got stuck working the gentlemen hairdressers section. Working there had, nevertheless, numerous advantages for me, as I could learn a whole new skill set and broaden already existing knowledge.

I had the best customers one could wish for. But in my heart I knew, that I am not a barber. To my luck, I then got the chance to show my skills as a Creative Art Director. I together with the team put together some beautiful collections.

Commuting between Basel and Zurich was part of my everyday life. I only ever spent time at home on the weekends. Whenever I had more than two days off in a row, I didn’t know what to do with myself at all.

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At the beginning of 2018 I had five days off and this window of time gave me the opportunity to focus on me. I thought about where I want to be in five years and whether there are boundaries I had to overcome.

In these five days, many things began to crystallize; I am my own boss, to follow someone's orders stands in conflict with my dominant personality.

Which woman with a business mind doesn’t want the Queen B moment to happen to her?

It was from this thought that my project Ylanda Beauty (pronounced Elanda) emerged. My goal came closer and closer. Ylanda Beauty reflects me as a person, my strong character, what I stand for and what I find to be beautiful.

Ylanda Beauty stands for every woman, who feels comfortable in her skin. Ylanda Beauty is for the fearless woman who isn't concerned about what others might think of her. For everyone who loves makeup and beautiful hair. Ylanda Beauty is for Miss Independent who likes to show her sexy side. For all women who are naturally beautiful and addicted to the beauty world.

Why the name Ylanda? Much simpler than you might think! I let myself be inspired by my own name and what I do professionally. It’s a great pleasure to me to share my world with you.