Ugandan make-up artist sets lipstick world record with speedy applications
Beauty truly has no limits, and make-up artists prove it! Zaina Kigenyi (Uganda), a passionate content creator and a make-up artist, has broken a Guinness World Records title by helping other women’s beauty shine through.
With a total of nine, she claimed the record for most lipstick applications in one minute when she took on the challenge in Kampala in April last year.
Zaina started doing make up after getting her prom make-up done and realizing it was not what she was hoping for. That made her think that maybe she could create a better look for herself and other young women.
She began experimenting with different techniques and textures, gradually finding her artistic style and improving her skills. Later on, her career really took off as she decided to be a professional make-up artist, and began making beauty-related content on various social media platforms.
Lip products have always been Zaina’s specialty in the world of beauty. Realizing that many women own make-up products but aren’t always sure how to use them, she made it her personal goal to create quick tutorials, sharing her skills of speed and simplicity in lipstick application. So, taking on this record attempt was very on-brand for her.
“It just felt like a perfect fit,” Zaina shared. “Since I am known for fast and easy lipstick application, the idea of attempting a speed-based record felt very natural to me. I had previously done personal challenges, such as applying lipstick with my eyes closed, and I’ve always considered speed and precision part of my skill set.”
At the time of the attempt, the standing record was eight lipstick applications in 60 seconds. Zaina said it took a lot of intentional preparation to succeed: testing different lip products, gathering models together, and navigating between shades.
She explained: “My goal was to spend no more than six seconds per person, which meant planning the exact sequence of movements – where to start, how to apply accurately, and how to transition quickly.”
“I noticed moments where I slowed down, especially during transitions between models, so we adjusted positioning and workflow to minimize delays.”
Achieving the Guinness World Records title paid off both personally and professionally. Zaina said it was not only a fun challenge, but also a validation of her work as a make-up artist and content creator.
Her Ugandan beauty brand Zyna Make Up, built around redefining beauty and making it more accessible, has grown significantly. Zaina says it’s a great pleasure for her to be able to teach people how to do make-up easily and confidently as a way of empowering her community.
“It feels meaningful as a form of recognition, especially in a space where content creators are not always fully acknowledged,” Zaina shared. “There were many congratulations and a lot of pride from the people close to me!”