Building a Beauty Empire—Aneeka Bushra & the Success of Splendor

February 22, 2025

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Aneeka Bushra has quickly risen to become one of Bangladesh‘s leading makeup artists, celebrated for her talent in embracing and enhancing each bride’s natural beauty. From her humble beginnings as a self-taught artist to founding Splendor by Aneeka Bushra, her story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. With a unique approach to beauty that combines modern techniques with timeless elegance, Aneeka has not only garnered a loyal client base for her salon but also worked her magic on several brides, celebrities, and influencers across the country. In this exclusive conversation, we dive deep into the story of how Aneeka turned her love for makeup into a thriving career and her aspirations for the future of beauty.

TINDS: Can you share a bit about your background & your childhood?

Aneeka Bushra: I was always an introvert with a deep interest in art, fashion and makeup. While I studied business at Independent University, Bangladesh, my true goal was always to break into the world of makeup and fashion.

TINDS: What inspired you to pursue a career as a makeup artist?

Aneeka Bushra: It was sheer passion. I wanted to create something special with my abilities. It wasn’t something I planned—it just felt natural to follow what I truly loved.

TINDS: How did you learn and become an expert makeup artist?

Aneeka Bushra: I am a self-taught makeup artist driven by my passion. Later, I have enhanced my skills by completing advanced makeup courses in Canada and India.

Aneeka Bushra: My signature style focuses on flawless, glowing skin while preserving a natural look. I enhance each client’s unique features, drawing inspiration from classic beauty and modern trends. Training in India and Canada helped me refine my techniques, creating a style that blends sophistication with individuality.

TINDS: What’s the biggest challenge you faced when starting your career in Bangladesh?

Aneeka Bushra: I started at the age of 20 with no financial backup or support from my family. I literally had to build everything from scratch, and I learned everything along the way.

Building a Beauty Empire—Aneeka Bushra & the Success of Splendor

TINDS: How is Splendor by Aneeka Bushra unique from others in the industry?

Aneeka Bushra: At Splendor, we focus on making every client feel special and confident. We tailor each look to suit their personality and style, using top-quality products and techniques. Our goal is to create a timeless, polished look with a professional experience. This approach truly sets us apart.

TINDS: Can you share a memorable story with a client that has stayed with you?

Aneeka Bushra: One of my most memorable clients was a bride with an inspiring love story. Despite many challenges before her wedding, she trusted me with her makeup. When her husband saw her, he was so moved he broke into tears. Later, he brought me flowers and cake to thank me for making his wife look so beautiful—a moment I’ll always cherish.

TINDS: Who’s your favourite muse for makeup?

Aneeka Bushra: My forever favourite muse is my mother. Back when I just started, I would do her makeup. When nobody else trusted me, she was the one who always gave me her face to work on. She’s definitely my forever favourite muse.

TINDS: You’ve worked with a lot of celebrities. If you could do makeup for any historical figure, who would it be and why?

Aneeka Bushra: Audrey Hepburn. I’ve always loved her style, and her face is absolutely stunning. Her makeup, elegance, and overall persona have always inspired me. I’d love the opportunity to bring out her timeless beauty even more.

TINDS: What’s one secret to a perfect makeup look?

Aneeka Bushra: Skin prep is key. Taking care of your skin by moisturizing, applying sunscreen, and using serums is essential. Perfect makeup starts with healthy, well-prepped skin.

TINDS: Personally, how do you define your style as Aneeka Bushra?

Aneeka Bushra: My style is fun yet natural. I would describe it as a fusion, blending both traditional and modern elements while keeping it fresh and natural looking.

TINDS: Who or what has been your biggest influence in your professional journey?

Aneeka Bushra: My mother. She’s been my biggest motivation and support. Even when I doubted myself and didn’t feel capable, she believed in me. So yeah, my mother has always been my greatest inspiration.

TINDS: What are the top 3 makeup products or tools that you can’t work without?

Aneeka Bushra: My makeup brushes, the Makeup Forever HD Skin All-In-One Face Palette— it’s a contour, blush, and concealer palette that’s incredibly versatile and works with everything—and setting spray. These are the essentials I can’t work without.

TINDS: How do you approach creating the perfect look for different occasions, from weddings to fashion shows?

Aneeka Bushra: For fashion shows, I like to think creatively, experimenting with fun elements like bold colors, glitters, rhinestones, and unique touches that aren’t typically seen on brides. I draw a lot of inspiration from Pinterest. For brides, I prefer something softer and more ethereal—focusing on enhancing their natural beauty.

TINDS: What has been the biggest achievement in your career?

Aneeka Bushra: Winning the Best Makeup Artist Award by Daily Star in 2019 was a huge achievement for me. What made it even more special was that I got to take my mother to the award ceremony. She passed away due to cancer the following year, so that will always be my most cherished moment.

TINDS: What’s your most favourite makeup trend of all time? And what’s the most disliked?

Aneeka Bushra: My favourite makeup trend of all time is the clean girl makeup look. On the other hand, my most disliked trend is anything too harsh, like heavy contouring, cut creases and sharp jawlines. I’m not a fan of overly dramatic looks—it’s just not my style.

TINDS: How do you balance your creative space while maintaining client requests?

Aneeka Bushra: I believe the key to balancing my creative vision with client requests is active listening and collaboration. I take the time to understand their preferences, expectations, and inspirations while offering my professional insights to elevate their ideas. It’s all about finding the perfect harmony between their desires and my artistry.

TINDS: Where do you see yourself or Splendor by Aneeka Bushra in 5 years?

Aneeka Bushra: In 5 years, I see Splendor by Aneeka Bushra as one of the most renowned names in the beauty industry, not just in Bangladesh, but internationally as well. I want to represent my country on a global stage. My goal is to expand the brand, offering advanced training and programs for aspiring artists. Additionally, I plan to launch my own makeup line or beauty products. I aim to grow as an artist, explore new trends and techniques and push my creative boundaries.