Nigerian star Symply Tacha smashes two world records by making other women feel beautiful
Nigerian reality star and influencer Anita Natacha Akide aka “Symply Tacha” has added two world record titles to her long list of accolades.
The 29-year-old, who you may recognize from shows like MTV’s The Challenge and Big Brother Naija or from her massive online presence, spent a day helping other women feel beautiful to break her records - all while battling a storm and power outages in the process.
She performed the most cosmetic makeovers in 8 hours (individual) – 82 – and then kept going for the rest of the day to complete the most cosmetic makeovers in 24 hours (individual) – a total of 144.
After setting up her make up station in Lagos, Nigeria, on 11 October – with a glass wall so passersby could watch and cheer her on - Anita was swarmed by fans desperate to get a makeover from the star.
“The idea of daring to be different drove me,” Anita told us. “Makeup has always been my safe space - it’s how I express myself.
“From childhood, I was fascinated by beauty and colours. I’d play around with mascara, eyeliners, and lip glosses even when my mum, a devoted church worker, didn’t approve. She’d throw my products away, and I’d save up to buy them again. That pattern taught me persistence to keep fighting for what I love.
“This record was born from that same spirit, resilience and the courage to stand out. I wanted to show that Nigerian women can achieve anything they put their minds to, that creativity is powerful, and that African women deserve global recognition.”
And Anita certainly achieved that, breaking the previous record, set by Mary Yongai (Sierra Leone) by more than 30 people.
Each of her 144 models had to have foundation, concealer, blush, two eyeshadows, mascara, lip liner and gloss, and finishing powder applied, as well as their eyebrows done.
And Anita gave every model a unique makeover, personalized to suit their facial features.
Every participant left feeling confident and beautiful that was very important to me.
The before and after pictures say it all, with the women beaming after their makeovers.
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But just because everyone was happy doesn’t mean it was easy.
Anita said: “We faced a nine-hour storm that disrupted everything. The rain poured so heavily that our screens, monitors, and branding fell apart. The wind scattered the setup, and we had to rebuild the venue from scratch mid-event.
“On top of that, we experienced multiple power outages during the 24-hour attempt. The lights went off three or four times, but I refused to stop. My team turned on their phone flashlights, and I kept doing makeovers in the dark.
“It wasn’t just about makeup anymore, it was about proving that nothing could stop us.”
She added: “The people kept me going. My makeup artist assistants, the crowd cheering outside gave me energy, and every model that sat in my chair became a new canvas, a new spark of motivation. Each face reminded me why I started.
“I knew so many women and young girls were watching, waiting to see if I could do it, if I could prove that limits are illusions. Every time fatigue set in, I reminded myself that I wasn’t just painting faces, I was painting a story of possibility.”
Anita admits she was “beyond emotional” when she got official word she’d broken the records.
She said: “I screamed, cried, hugged my sister and assistants - we were all overwhelmed. It felt like the whole of Nigeria was celebrating with me. Seeing the comments online, the love, the excitement… it felt like every person who had ever believed in me was standing right there.
It wasn’t just about setting a record - it was about rewriting narratives that African women can lead, create, and inspire at a global level.
Her fans were just as thrilled, joining in the celebrations with her online.
Anita is incredibly grateful to everyone who received a makeover from her, as well as her team, including project manager Seun Oluyemi Anthony aka “Otunba”, who worked hard to help her plan the event and recruit enough women for Anita to transform with makeup.
She’s already thinking about breaking another record and hopes her story inspires others.
The star said: “This record isn’t just mine. It belongs to every girl child who has ever dared to start over, every creative who has ever been doubted, every person who has been disqualified but refused to give up, and every dreamer who still believes that greatness can come from anywhere.
“I want my story to remind the world that greatness has no geography, and that Africa’s creative power deserves to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.”
