As a Nigerian Makeup artist, I soon realized that lots of people assumed that I could tie ‘gele’. I couldn’t until recently. Gele are elaborate versions of headtie, they are made out of varying textiles, and are very popular in West Africa. In Nigeria, gele is popular especially for wedding ceremonies and parties. Women groups (known as chamas here), express their sisterhood bond by choosing a specific colour and style to represent their association. At weddings simply by seeing your outfit material and gele (asoebi), one can tell if you’re at the ceremony with or for the bride or groom’s family.
On my most recent visit home, I decided to take a lesson in gele tying. I was on such a tight schedule, I could only have a two hours session. For this post, I am trying out my newly acquired skills on 3 Kenyan Beauties, to compliment their fashion style. I’m still far from perfect, but we had fun!
Fashion Forward Miss.
More youngsters are choosing to wear gele with outfits other than the regular kitenge/ankara dress and skirts, it’s always such a fun look.



Makeup Products used:
Eyes: Brows-Ciku Hi-brow Shadow (brown black), Ciku Brow fixx (dark brunett), Blushing girl tools eyeshadow primer, Ciku eyeshadows from the palettes ‘pinch me…. I’m dreaming’ and ‘Powerhouse’, LA girl gel eyeliner, Angel lashes.
Face: Ciku Hi Def Foundation in Warm yellow (N95), Ciku blotting powder in transparent (01), Ciku blusher in Sultry (296).
Lips: Davis lipliner in Dark purple, Ciku Lipstick in ‘Sugar twin’.
Chic Babe.
The chic babe takes a simple outfit, and with a few accessories, and the right colour combination, makes a fashion statement. She’s effortlessly stylish.




Makeup Products used:
Eyes: Brows-Ciku Hi-brow Shadow (brown black), Ciku Brow fixx (dark brunett), Blushing girl tools eyeshadow primer, Ciku eyeshadows from the palettes ‘pinch me…. I’m dreaming’ and ‘Plum crazy’, LA girl gel eyeliner, Angel lashes.
Face: Ciku Hi Def Foundation in Warm yellow (C95), Ciku blotting powder in transparent (01), Ciku blusher in ‘Naturally you’ (700)
Lips: Flomar lipliner no. 205, Ciku Lipstick in ‘Marilyn’
Showstopper.
A showstopper always starts fashion trends, her style is fearless. She makes unusual fashion choices because she is a glam queen.




Makeup Products used:
Eyes: Brows-Ciku Hi-brow Shadow (brown black), Ciku Brow fixx (dark brunett), Blushing girl tools eyeshadow primer, Ciku eyeshadows from the palettes ‘pinch me…. I’m dreaming’ and ‘Plum crazy’, LA girl gel eyeliner, Angel lashes.
Face: Ciku Hi Def Foundation in cool Neutral(C11), Ciku blotting powder in transparent (01), Ciku blusher in ‘cheeky’ (300)
Lips: Ciku Lipstick in ‘Whatever’
More and more people are adopting wearing gele here in Kenya. And it’s such an amazing fusion of cultures. Hopefully a few ladies will find some inspiration here on how to rock her gele.
A big thank you to my gorgeous models- Elsie Stephens (Fashion forward Miss), Ami-na Jasho (Chic Babe), and Kenyan Fashion blogger Denim and Cateye (Showstopper).
You can purchase Ciku makeup products from their website, or by contacting them on facebook.
Photography by Gabriel’s House of Photography.
Thanks a lot for stopping by! Do let me know what you think by leaving a comment. Liked this post? Remember to share. Never want to miss a post? please subscribe. Take care, and God bless!
Lovely!
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Thank you! 😉
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Nicely done
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Thank you!
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Fantastic!The geles look very good.you are definately a brilliant and gifted student if u could pull this off after just a 2 hr class. Well done sunshine, this is just the beginning!!
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Thank you Shola! After paying handsomely, I was very determined to learn something. I find that as long as someone is willing, they can do exploits by God’s grace.
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We see you used our Blushingirl Tools eyeprimer. Thanks for the mention,very much appreciated.
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And I loved it!
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Nice!
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Thank you forr writing this
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