Transgender make-up artists contribute in generating employment
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 14 2022: Transgender make-up artists across the State are helping people present their most beautiful self forward as well as generating employment to many youths by establishing beauty parlours across the State.

Noted in this profession is 43 year old transgender (nupi manbi) make up artist Khaidem Jenny from Khurai Konsam Leikai who has been a make up artiste for roughly 20 years.

She is the owner/founder of the famous Jenny Beauty Parlour (salon) located at Khurai Lamlong Keithel, which also provides employment to both men and women.

Speaking to this Sangai Express reporter, the make up artist shared the humble beginnings of her career, saying that she first delved into the world of make-up by doing her own make-up for 'chitrahaar' as a part of dance group 'Seven Sisters'.

Following this, she received formal make-up training at Babina Beauty Institute, Nagamapal.

Transgender make-up artists contribute in generating employment

Subsequently, Khaidem Jenny along with Santa Khurai (noted transgender activist) set up a parlour at her residence called 'San Jen Beauty Parlour'.

During this time, they charged Rs 300 for full face make-up, threading- Rs 10, haircut- Rs 30 to Rs 50 and Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 for potloi dressing.

After this, the make up artist set foot in the entertainment world by doing make up for album songs.

She also rented a small room and set up Jenny Beauty Parlour (salon) at Khurai Lamlong Keithel during this time.

Soon she began working as a makeup artist for films, with 'Meirilakta' being her first film project.

She received Rs 5000 as remuneration for the 20 days of shooting and make-up work for the film.

Following this, she began receiving several film projects and worked for many famous actresses such as Manda, Kamala, Binata and so on.

With time and constant progress in her career, Jenny Beauty Parlour (salon) has now been transformed into a chic establishment set up in a large AC room and providing a variety of beauty related treatments and services.

Most notably, the parlour currently provides employment to 15 people, consisting of both men and women.

Aside from this, the successful makeup artist also established Jenny Beauty Institute four years ago at her residence in Khurai Konsam Leikai.

The institute provides training to both men and women in batches of 40 students each.

Students are charged between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for each training course.

Jenny Khaidem maintained that one cannot idly wait for Government jobs to fall in one's lap.

As such, youths of the State are trying to eke out a living through pursuing compatible jobs.

Many have taken up beauty training at beauty parlours in their search to find jobs.

In this regard, she added that some students who received training from them were then selected to work at Jenny Beauty Parlour.

Scores of students who received make-up training are now the breadwinners of their respective families, she shared.

"People might not think much of beauty parlours and those who work there.

But these parlours have become a source of livelihood for many people in the State", Khaidem Jenny commented.

Addressing the mushrooming of many beauty parlours run by men, women and transgenders, she called this a positive and hopeful development.

Lastly, the far-sighted make up artist shared her plans to establish a transgender old age home, while commenting on the fact that since a majority of transgenders do not marry or have children, they will lack caregivers in their old age.