Valerie O. Lawson (born 1 August 1991), is a Ghanaian makeup artist known for her work in both the bridal and commercial spaces.[2][3][1] She is also the Ghanaian artistic director for American cosmetics company, Maybelline New York and the founder of the brand, Contours By Valerie Lawson.[4]

Valerie Lawson
Born
Valerie O. Lawson

1 August 1991 (1991-08) (age 32)
Ghana
EducationHoly Child Senior High School
Alma materUniversity of Ghana
Occupations
  • Makeup Artist
  • Beauty Entrepreneur
  • Creative Director
[1]
Years active2010 – present

Early life edit

Valerie Lawson was born on August 1, 1991, in Ghana to Army Officer, Rtd Colonel Emmanuel Nii Lante Lawson and Clothing Designer Mrs. Joan Lawson. She is the second of three children.[5]

Lawson attended an all girls Catholic boarding school, Holy Child Secondary School from 2006 to 2009 and was fond of making sketches of her classmates.[6] She subsequently attended the University of Ghana in 2009 where she studied Business Administration.

Career edit

In 2014, she landed her first job with Wax print manufacturer, Printex and started her bridal makeup career with a model on the set.[7]

She has also worked with several Ghanaian fashion brands including Pistis Ghana, Christie Brown,[8] Mina Evans,[9] Charlotte Prive, Nadrey Laurent, Sarah Christian and the Hat Box Company on several fashion campaigns and editorials.

In 2016, Lawson collaborated with fashion house Pistis Ghana and Let's Be Seated Limited to create a bridal campaign for Christian and Muslim brides that was received by the wedding industry including a mention by wedding planner, David Tutera.[10][2][11][12]

The campaign has become an annual project and has been released each year since the first release.[13][14]

Maybelline appointment edit

On 8 March 2020, Lawson was appointed artistic director for Maybelline New York and became the first Ghanaian makeup artist to occupy the artistic director role in Ghana, for Maybelline New York.[15]

Cosmetic line edit

Lawson in 2017 announced the launch of her cosmetic brand, CVL Beauty.[16] CVL beauty has released a range of beauty tools and accessories including brushes designed for professional makeup artists across Africa and black women.[17]

Awards edit

Year Event Prize Result
2017 Glitz Africa Style Awards Makeup Artist of The Year Won[18]
2018 Ghana Makeup Awards Best Bridal Makeup Artist Won[19]
2018 Glitz Africa Style Awards Makeup Artist of The Year Won[20]
2019 Ghana Makeup Awards Makeup Artist of The Year Won[21]
2020 Beauty Fest Africa[22] Beauty Makeup Artiste of The Year Won
2021 40 UNDER 40[23] Beauty & Lifestyle Category Won [24]
2021 Women Choice Awards Makeup Artist of The Year Won [25][26]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Ghanaian makeup artist becomes first African beauty influencer to partner M.A.C Cosmetics in the UK". Face2Face Africa. 27 November 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b Weddings, BellaNaija (16 February 2017). "BN Bridal Beauty: Ghana's Contours by Valerie Lawson releases Stunning Beauty Campaign for the Christian and Muslim Bride". BellaNaija. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  3. ^ "10 Ghanaian Beauty Practitioners and Brands Honoured at the Xperience Womanity Awards | Ibukun Nartey". 21 July 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Valerie Lawson appointed artistic director of Maybelline Ghana – Glitz Africa Magazine". Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  5. ^ "International Women's Day: Glamour Exclusive with Valerie Lawson". www.glamour.co.za. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  6. ^ "12 iconic Ghanaian women who went to Holy Child School". GhanaWeb. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Our Conversation with Accra-based Makeup Artist Valerie Lawson is Worth Reading". BellaNaija Weddings. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  8. ^ by (13 July 2013). "Fashion Spotlight: Christie Brown Ghana Dure Collection". Munaluchi Bride. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  9. ^ Afolabi, Tosin. "Ghanaian Fashion Label Mina Evans Presents S/S 2015 Collection | Glam Africa". Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  10. ^ B, Charlotte. "My Title". Afroculture.net. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Contours by Valerie Lawson's Bridal Beauty Campaign – LoveweddingsNG". 23 February 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  12. ^ Kay (4 January 2018). "Pistis Bridal Collection Culture X Creativity". Jozi Gist. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  13. ^ Weddings, BellaNaija (1 January 2018). "BN Bridal Beauty Exclusive: Contours by Valerie Lawson 2018 Campaign is Perfect for the Modern Ghanaian Bride who loves Culture & Style". BellaNaija. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Ghanaian Fashion Brand Pistis Presents Its CVL Bridal Campaign; Culture X Creativity - Fashion GHANA". 3 January 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Esi Coleman – Bra Perucci Africa". braperucci.africa. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  16. ^ Style, BellaNaija (5 June 2017). "BN Beauty: Makeup Looks for the 2017 Prom Queen by CVL Beauty Studio". BellaNaija. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Contours' Valerie Lawson creates beauty editorial for Prom 2017". Pulse Ghana. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  18. ^ Online, Peace FM. "Samira Bawumia Adjudged Style Icon At Glitz Style Awards". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Sandra Don-Arthur wins top Ghana Makeup Award - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Glitz Style Awards 2018: Complete list of winners". GhanaWeb. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Valerie Lawson Leads 2019 Ghana Make-Up Awards Nominations". DailyGuide Network. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  22. ^ "BEAUTY FEST AFRICA 2020: ESTABLISHING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY". Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Xodus Communications opens nominations for 2021 Forty under 40 Awards - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Forty Under 40: Full list of 2021 winners - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Asaase Radio's Caroline Sampson wins Media Personality of the Year Award at Women's Choice Awards Africa". Asaase Radio. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  26. ^ "2021 Women's Choice Awards Africa Slated For October". dailyguidenetwork.com. Retrieved 23 November 2021.