From Eritrea to the DMV: The Rise of a Promising Makeup Artist
By Faisale Shefawe
Published on 06/16/25 4:55 PM ET
In her early teens, Nebyat Demoz, or Nevi for short, was certain her future was destined for the United States, especially as the number of family members and friends living overseas increased by the day. Around the same time, Nevi discovered the power of makeup from the large makeup bag her older sister had brought from Saudi Arabia. More than ten years later, that same interest would help her build a career in the country she once dreamed of.
Growing up in Senafe, Eritrea, Nevi had a cherished childhood spent with siblings and friends: they played games, listened to music, and danced. Sometimes, she helped run her family’s small kiosk that served the community.
But the time to leave all that behind came in September 2006. She left her home country on foot for a journey that would take more than two years, crossing through three countries before reaching Israel.
Before arriving in Israel in 2008, Nevi spent two years at a refugee camp in Ethiopia and traveled through the harsh deserts of Sudan and Egypt. Surviving the journey through those deserts was the hardest part of reaching the promised land.
In Tel Aviv, Nevi started working right away—first at a daycare for a short period, then at a retail store that sold clothing and makeup in a neighborhood heavily populated by immigrants.
“I loved working there because of the location,” Nevi said. “Most of the customers were foreigners who were in the same boat I was.”
She worked at the store for several years.
In November 2016, a plane carrying Nevi departed Tel Aviv for the United States—more than ten years after she had left her hometown. This time, the journey was smooth, short, and peaceful.
In her early years in the U.S., Nevi settled for low-paying jobs, like many new immigrants do before getting their degrees or certificates to improve their income. For her, those years were critical because it was the first time in her life she had the peace of mind to think about her future.
“In Israel, you only think about the day,” Nevi said. “You’re not even sure if you’ll still have your job the next day.”
Before deciding on her next career move in 2019, Nevi called her close friends in Tel Aviv for ideas. One of them suggested she consider the fashion and beauty industry, since she always enjoyed dressing fashionably and doing her makeup. That advice immediately clicked—she realized she could become a makeup artist.
In March 2019, Glam Makeup Studios handed Nevi her official makeup artist certificate—one that would change her life forever. As she expected, it was the beginning of something big.
One certificate wasn’t enough for Nevi. To better understand the business, she took another course at Blush by Makki, a makeup training taught by the famous Makki Araya.
Like any new business, clients didn’t come calling right away. Nevi was still new to the country, and her social presence was almost nonexistent. But that would soon change.
Nevi started growing her business by handing out cards at events and asking friends to bring in clients. Then, a once-in-a-century pandemic forced millions of people, including Nevi, to stay home.
When pandemic restrictions were lifted, Nevi began rebuilding. This time, she met the right person who would supercharge her career—Lina Kifle, hairstylist and founder of Glambyline, a popular online store for hair extensions and wigs. When Nevi told Lina she wanted more clients to thrive in the highly competitive makeup industry, Lina didn’t hesitate to start recommending her. In 2024, Lina would connect Nevi to Ethiopian pop star Veronica Adane, who hired her for a major album cover shoot.
“Lina was the first person who took a chance on me,” Nevi said. “She has played a significant role in my success.”
In 2023, Nevi met another person who would take her career to the next level. While scrolling on Instagram, she came across the account of Snit Habteab, who was preparing to compete in Miss Africa USA. Nevi didn’t wait—she sent a DM offering to collaborate for free. That message led to a strong friendship and business partnership.
Later that year, Snit won the Miss Africa USA crown—and decided to keep Nevi as her permanent makeup artist.
“Snit is everything to me. She’s both my sister and my best friend,” Nevi said.
The year 2024 was a great one for Nevi. Her clients had tripled, her social media presence had grown, and she got a message from none other than Veronica Adane, asking her to do makeup for the cover of her new album. Nevi was thrilled—not just to be part of history, but because she genuinely loved Veronica’s music.
Nevi has big plans to grow in an industry where style, skill, and connections matter most. She is determined to open a larger studio to serve more clients—and most importantly, she wants to return to her home country and train others in makeup artistry.
So far, she’s done everything she said she would