Nellie Muganda of Neja Cosmetics

Tanzanian-born Nellie Muganda is a make up artist and hairstylist with an extensive resume in the advertising industry spread over the last 23 years. She has worked with models for many large companies such as Levis, Eastman Kodak, Toyota and Nike. Personalities she has worked with include Tori Amos, Tony Bennett, Tracy Chapman, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Huey Lewis among others.

It was Nellie’s experience working in the advertising world that taught her what women lacked in the cosmetic marketplace. Many women find the cosmetic counters in the larger department stores overwhelming and are unsure whether products are right for them and lack the confidence to know if their make up is applied correctly. After five years of researching and designing her product line, Nellie successfully launched Neja Cosmetics in 1999 which now sells in San Francisco and overseas. She offers a variety of colors for all skin tones and her cosmetics have a yellow-based cast that helps to warm up many complexions.

During her many trips to Africa, Nellie discovered that African women love to wear cosmetics. These beautifully skin-toned women wanted to know why she always looked so flawless and glowing. They loved the natural look but wanted a hint of glow to their faces. That is what Neja cosmetics provide. The Neja Cosmetics line is simple but elegant, designed to enhance a woman’s natural beauty, keeping them fresh looking, not “made up.” Nellie’s philosophy is “a woman should wear make up – the make up shouldn’t wear the woman.”

While make up is Nellie’s focus, she also employees four licensed estheticians to offer facials and waxing, believing that what’s under the make up is equally important as the make up itself. Nellie also provides hair and make up consultation and expertise for wedding parties and other special occasions. Neja Cosmetics is located at 1850 Fillmore Street in San Francisco (415-345-8301). Email Nellie at neja@speakeasy.net.

Click on an image to see a larger version.