Sandra Don-Arthur, Founder and CEO of Alexandrina Makeup, was crowned the overall best make-up artist at the 2018 Ghana Makeup and Beauty Awards. 

Sandra beat 22 industry players, top makeup brands and iconic personalities to win the coveted award at an event held at Kempinski Hotel in Accra over the weekend.

She also won the best Editorial Makeup award.

Commenting on the award, Sandra said her creative approach to work and her passion won her the accolades.

"I love what I do and I keep doing new things which make me happy," said Sandra.

Tara Fela-Durotoye, (left) receives her award from Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Minister of Communications

She said despite the fact that the award will earn her some mileage in the industry, she will not relent in pushing to make a greater impact in the industry, promising to satisfy the changing needs of her clients.

The event brought makeup and beauty brands retailers, wholesalers, consumers, makeup and beauty enthusiasts together.

One of Ghana’s finest actresses, Zynnel Zuh, beat Nana Ama MacBrown another actress as well as television personalities, Selly Galley and Berla Mundi to win the Most Glamorous Celebrity award.

This year’s edition was described by some patrons as the most successful as organizers added new categories such as 'Makeup Product Award', 'Skin Care Product Award', 'Marketing Campaign Award', 'Photography Award', 'Hair Styling Award' and 'African Recognition Award'.

Honorary awards were also presented to deserving personalities who have contributed immensely to the development of the industry in the past years.

Minster of Communications, (left) presents Lifetime award to Nikki Boa-Amponsem, CEO of 2nd Image Academy.

They are CEO of 2nd Image Academy, Nikki Boa-Amponsem (Lifetime Achievement award); Founder and CEO of House Tara, Nigeria, Tara Fela-Durotoye (African Makeup Icon award).

Other honorary awards were presented to Chief Executive of First Choice Hair and Beauty, Mrs Faustina Adofo Adjagar and Chief Executive of Juben House of Beauty, Mrs Mame Serwaa Achampong-Kyei.

In her welcome address, the CEO of Makeup Ghana, Rebecca Donkor, said the Ghana Makeup Awards provides the perfect backdrop for the industry to showcase vast talents, skills and entrepreneurial spirit.

She said the maiden awards took place in 2016 aimed to celebrate the achievements of pioneers, and the new crop of makeup and beauty practitioners, retailers.

“We must together pledge and endeavour to continue to pursue excellence and exceed his expectations for our sector,” said Rebecca Donkor.

Rebecca Donkor(2nd right) CEO of Makeup Ghana together with Sandra Don-Arthur and staff

The Special Guest of Honour of the program Ursula Owusu Ekuful emphasised the role the industry plays in society, which according to her is amazing as it makes ordinary women look like stars wherever they make themselves up.

She said the makeup and beauty industry has the potential to contribute significantly to the national economy if it receives the needed attention.

She said what is even encouraging is that the industry has made-in-Africa beauty products such as shea butter and Alata Samina, which make black skins look good, are recognised and now trending on the world market.

Becca presents  Most Glamorous Celebrity Award to Zynnel Zuh (right) receives  

She tasked the top industry players to properly brand our traditional beauty products to make appealing to the international market.

Below is a list of all the winners at the event.:

1	MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
2	BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP ARTIST	Marfoa Acheampong (touchmakeupartistry)
3	BEST EDITORIAL MAKEUP ARTIST	Sandra Don-Arthur (alexandrinamakeup)
4	BEST BRIDAL MAKEUP ARTIST	Valerie Lawson (mzl4wson)
5	BEST CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST	Augustine Osei (barimah_makeup_artistry)
6	MOST PROMISING MAKEUP ARTIST	Martina Asante (facemechanicgh)
7	MAKEUP RETAILER OF THE YEAR	Rozay International (xoxorozay)
8	MAKEUP SCHOOL OF THE YEAR	2nd Image Hair and Beauty
9	GHANAIAN OWNED BRAND OF THE YEAR	Evita Joseph
10	MAKEUP PRODUCT OF THE YEAR	Black Secret (Facial Wipes)
11	SKIN CARE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR	RandR Luxury
12	MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR	Glam's Make-Up
13	MAKEUP BRAND OF THE YEAR	Maybelline New York
14	MAKEUP BLOG OF THE YEAR	Koteikai Ashie Kotei (akaikotei)
15	MAKEUP VLOG OF THE YEAR	Jessica Owusu-Ansah (jesiscah)
16	MOST GLAMOROUS CELEBRITY	Zynnell Zuh
17	EXCELLENCE IN MAKEUP PHOTOGRAPHY	Joseph Amoateng (phloshop)
18	EXCELLENCE IN HAIRSTYLING	Bessy Ben-George (@revupsalongh)
19	LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT	Nikki Boa-Amponsem
20	AFRICAN MAKEUP ICON	Tara Fela-Durotoye
21	HONORARY AWARD (First Choice Hair & Beauty)	Faustina Adofo Adjagar
22	HONORARY AWARD (Juben House of Beauty)	Mame Serwaa Achampong-Kyei