A brief introduction about yourself?
My name is Kalpi Wijevikrama, and my previous job was at a private bank. I have joined the beauty culture industry and am engaged in those activities. Currently, I work in this industry as a full-time beautician.
A brief explanation of how you got into the field.
I have had a great interest in the beauty field since childhood. But with the responsibilities of my job, I didn’t have the time to focus on it. That meant I didn’t have time to think about whether I would learn about it or not with my busy schedule. In 2010, while I was working, I first studied the beauty and hair diploma course of Ms. Tirani Peiris 2010, although I completed it in 2010, I was not able to pursue it as a career due to my job. I left my job in 2012. It was when I quit my job that I came up with the idea of starting a business. After that, with the help of my husband, the one who helped me the most, I did the hair and beauty diploma at Ramani Fernando Academy again, and with that diploma, I took the NVQ level 4 exam and started thinking about my interest in the beauty culture field again. After that, I started doing work in this field, firstly through my friends on Facebook, Instagram, and word of mouth, people got to know about me, and little by little, people saw my abilities,s and I came to where I am today. That’s how I came to this field.
What challenges and experiences have you had in the beauty industry?
Among the challenges I faced, the biggest challenge for me was COVID-19, because COVID-19 arose when I started slowly, my journey was a little slower, but I think I somehow managed to overcome the challenge. The other thing is that since I have been working in a bank, I have not been able to work with many people in this field, but the people I have worked with have given me great support.
How many brides have you styled, and what is the most special among them?
I have styled 100-150 brides so far, and every style has been special to me since the first bride I styled. Every bride that comes to me is special, and I can’t specifically name a bride as more special. I think I will feel the same way about the brides that come before me because I always think about how I can make the next bride that comes to me better than the previous bride. To do that, I train myself at home whenever possible. Even if I know a hairstyle, I think about
how I can put it better than the previous one, because every bride pays us a certain amount of money to get our service. Therefore, I always try to provide my service not 100% but 500%.
Does the bride’s makeup contribute much to her day?
Yes, we think, for a bride, her wedding day is the most special day of her life. As beauticians, we also have to think that it is a special day for us too. In that way, work will be successful when we start styling her. Also, I think that making her beautiful on the special day will make that day even more beautiful. In my opinion, the most important thing that can make that day more beautiful is the make-up.
How do you support the bride in entrusting you with her wedding day makeover?
Yes, in that regard, I tell the bride about everything, that is, how to prepare before the wedding, how to prepare her skin for the wedding day, how to follow the diet plan, and one thing that I always tell brides is not to use cream to become fair. If you have something natural, apply it, and if you have pimples, see a doctor and get treatment. Not only that, I look at their skin type and do a facial or a cleanup. Moreover, even when they are going to buy a saree, I will tell them to set some free time where I am available too, because then I can also participate with them. I do all those things without charging an extra amount of money. I allocate my time to every bride who comes to me. I give my best support in whatever they need. Not only that, I’m never going to do the bridal the way I want, because it’s not my bridal. I always try to do what suits them with what they prefer. But if what they say doesn’t suit them, I tell them that too. That’s how I support them with those things.
What advice would you give to a couple planning a wedding?
Yes, nowadays many couples pay a lot of attention to money when having a wedding, that’s why I first ask about their budget. I will give them what I can do within that budget. There are also other things that we can do beyond the budget. For example, if we buy flowers, we can buy more expensive flowers. But I do things according to their budget. Even when making clothes, I make them according to the budget. The other special thing that I say is that every bride should be very careful when choosing a photographer while planning the wedding. Because it is very important. Because the bride may not get what she wants when the editing is done by many photographers. That’s why I tell them to choose the right photographer and do those things right.
What is your opinion about Poruwa.lk marriage proposal service?
Speaking of that, it’s a good thing, because choosing a suitable partner is a big issue in today’s society. Giving a solution to that problem and helping them find a suitable partner is truly a good thing. Nowadays, we have seen many girls/boys getting depressed without getting married at the right time, and we can’t undervalue these things and disregard their feelings. Considering the problems in society, this is one side of the problem, and looking at it that way, I appreciate the service they are doing.
How to contact yourself to style a bride?
You can contact me through Glamor By Kalpi’s Facebook page and Instagram page. Apart from that, my WhatsApp and direct contact number are 0775899790. My Salon is at my house. I will tell you the address, Glamor by Kalpi (Private) Company, No 39A, Isipathana Avenue, Off Anderson Road, Kalubowila.
Since Kalubowilama’s salon is at home, even after office hours, I don’t have a fixed time for a bride to come and meet me. A bride can come to meet me at a convenient time for her.
Who are the people you thank for your successful professional journey so far?
I want to thank my husband first, Sampath Nelumdeniya; he is the one who stood behind me in everything, corrected my mistakes, and helped me in every possible way. Even financially, he is the one who helped me. Because of him, I have come this far, because I have three babies, and it was my husband who gave me the strength to balance the work of the babies and the work at the salon. Even today, he gives that support as he did then. I remember him fondly at this moment. Also, I have two more friends, Harshi Abeygunawardana and Ishan Parinda, both of whom gave me great support, and I want to remind them with love at this time. I also remember my mother and father at this time. Apart from that, many people have helped me to come this far in this industry, including Vishwa Aiya and Sisira Aiya, many people whom I have not named, and I would like to thank all of them as well. Not only that, I wouldn’t be here today without my clients, their comments and reviews are very important to me, and I have to remind them at this moment.
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