By Chinazam Ikechi-Uko.
‘Tis the season to be jolly and for Christmas, Afrobeats sensation, Ayra Starr teamed up with Maybelline to gift her fans a meet and greet. The event was held on the 17th of December at the Maradiva, Twin Waters, Lagos.
In March of 2023, the number one cosmetic brand in the world, Maybelline announced that the Nigerian singer and songwriter, Ayra Starr would be the newest face of the brand. This meant she would be joining Gigi Hadid, Winnie Harlow, and Shay Mitchell as ambassadors for the brand. More than a year later Starr has unveiled an array of jaw-dropping looks including the TikTok favourite– her makeup for Balenciaga’s SS25.
To celebrate the successful year, Maybelline hosted a beauty experience where beauty enthusiasts could shop, eat, and bask while attending masterclasses. Lagos’ favourite cocktail in a pack, Quacktail was on site. Brands like Garbe, Maira Champ, Raena, Velvet Bow, and 234 cards.
THE AYRA STARR MASTERCLASS:
In a pixie cut and a pink-striped mini dress, Starr entered the Maybelline masterclass hall to lead the final session. Her session was moderated by Hawa Magaji. She was calm, funny, and indulged the audience. She told a male guest who expressed a desire (He got up to dance as an audition) to appear in her music video, “Lucky you, I am shooting the video for Lagos Love Story soon.”
Lagos Love Story ranked at number 74 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Songs of 2024. To Starr’s surprise, everyone asked, “But when is the Woman Commando video dropping?”
Starr bashfully laughed it off and remained lip-tight about any Woman Commando plans. She satisfied the antsy party by answering a question about having a world tour. “I currently have shows for December. But there is definitely going to be a The Year I Turned 21 tour.”
Unfortunately, no information was provided about the launch of her doll. In the summer of 2024, Starr announced she would drop a collection of Ayra Starr dolls made in her likeness. The teaser alluded that the drop would be in the summer. But five months later, there has not been a follow-up.
It appears that Starr was caught off guard, as she did not hear when the question was posed during the event. This left many of her fans and eager collectors in suspense, as they were hoping to learn more about the details surrounding the release.
After the session, media and VIP guests got turns discussing with Starr. Starr had an amazing 2024 run, so, unsurprisingly, we were curious about her plans for 2025. Here is a look into the mind of Starr:
GET TO KNOW AYRA STARR’S STYLE IN HER WORDS:
Q: Your 2024 looks are one for the books, do you have a favourite makeup look?
Starr: I am very open to trying different things. That’s my makeup artist, Onome. She has been doing my makeup since I was 15 so she understands that some days I want something bold and playful and some days, I don’t.
Onome: She goes from a complete 0 to a 100.
Q: What is a complete 0 for you?
Starr: Sometimes, I just do brows and lips. I usually have lashes in so that is just brows, lashes, and lips.
Q: How do you prep for a makeup look that’s a 100 on the scale?
Starr: There’s a lot of skin prep. Skin prep is an 80 and makeup is a 20. One beauty secret of mine is dancing and singing in the mirror. Trust me, it works and relaxes you.
Q: What’s a beauty product you can’t live without?
Starr: Maybelline Lighter Lips.
Q: What’s a beauty product you’d create if Maybelline wanted to create an Ayra Starr X Maybelline makeup line?
Starr: I would love that I already know the products. Do not steal my idea but I’d create a two-in-one lipgloss. Lighter lip gloss on one side and a lip liner at the opposite end. I wonder what I’d call it?
(Sabi gloss, I yell!)
Starr: Sabi gloss!
Q: Now being a style icon comes with several descriptions of your look. But if you were to define your makeup and style in three words, what would it be?
Starr: Eccentric… hmm, I am shy. Can I say, gorgeous? Okay, eccentric, culture-defying, I know that’s two words but I like to mix, and another word I’d say is celestial.
