She makes your fantasy come to life
Anisha Sharma Regmi, 27, is one of the most creative makeup artists in the country. Regmi, who trained in Bangkok, is the owner of the Aesthete Makeup Academy and Studio. But she is better known for starting the culture of fantasy makeup in Nepal. Fantasy, highly dramatic, or character makeups are used for thematic photoshoots and other cinematic and theatrical purposes. The type of fantasy makeup also depends on where the model will be seen. Stage performers often use oil-based products that can withstand hot lights. Watercolor makeup works best for photography sessions, TV and films because this type of makeup typically comes in bold colors and creates clean lines that translate well on camera and on the big screen.
You must have seen plenty of fantasy makeup. Some of our best TV shows and movies such as the Star Wars, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy, Planet of the Apes, X-Men and Harry Potter have used fantasy makeups to create unique characters in line with their out-of-the-world stories and cutting edge VFX sequences.
While ordinary makeup materials like eye-shadows, lipsticks and blushes can be used for fantasy makeup as well, most fantasy designs are created using vivid long-lasting products that are expensive and high in quality. Many items are needed, with the total cost building up to Rs 45,000 for a single look. As the price is high, the demand for fantasy makeup in the Nepali film industry has not increased much. But with the production cost of Nepali movies getting bigger, it is only a matter of time before it will need at least some fantasy makeup artists.
“Fantasy makeup is not about blending in but about standing out,” says Regmi. It creates an experience where the wearers pretend to be whichever character they desire—whether it’s a mermaid, a witch, an insect, a musical instrument or even a furry animal. “It is like painting on canvas. We paint faces and we create our own rules. Sky’s the limit when you’re going for fantasy makeup.”
Regmi wanted to learn fantasy makeup because she thinks it provides great artistic freedom. “You have the power to totally transform an individual, often into something unrecognizable,” she adds. And it is this transformational quality of fantasy makeup that still keeps her motivated.
Her Aesthete Makeup Academy also runs classes for upcoming makeup artists to learn fantasy makeup. “Initially, it is intimidating for a newbie to imagine turning someone’s face into an artistic masterpiece, but with practice and focus, you may be surprised at what fantastic looks you can create,” she says.
9/11 Stories: Things will never be the same
I was running late for my interview at Site59.com whose offices were just a few short blocks away from the World Trade Center. The role there was for an accountant and I had just started my senior year of college and was already interning at Merrill Lynch's Wealth Management division in the Empire State Building. My interview was scheduled for 9:00 am and here I was at 9:50 am, still trapped inside the train that had taken two hours to get to City Hall! On most days, the commute would've lasted 45 minutes or less.
As soon as the train halted at City Hall Station, I darted out and once on the street, I was taken aback seeing both the North and South towers of the World Trade Center on fire. I had no clue as to what had happened and saw people queueing up everywhere to use the public phones. Realizing that I still had my interview to go to, I tried using my cell-phone to let my interviewer know that I was a few minutes away but the phone wasn’t going through. I continued walking briskly and even stopped to stare at the two burning buildings along with a crowd of people.
Fixated at my destination, when I reached two blocks away from the Site59 office, a rumble ensued and people began screaming that the towers were collapsing. A crowd, including me, ran into a Duane Reade and I then felt the earth shake twice as hard as any previous earthquake I'd ever experienced! As soon as it stopped, everyone in the store made a dash towards Pier 17, South Street Seaport. Outside, there were debris everywhere and the dust and smoke gushed towards us, trapping us from all angles and within no time, the entire zone was covered by dust and soot-fog so thick, it was impossible to see anything, even a foot away. As it cleared, I could see police officers directing us to go uptown via Water Street.
As we walked a few more blocks uptown, the smoke and the burning stench in the air subsided. I brushed the soot off my shirt and pants and continued marching with thousands of people. It was only when we got to Chinatown did I turn back and stop to look at the North Tower that was still belching smoke into the air. Within a few minutes I watched it pancake, throwing a vast cloud of smoke and debris which then left me with the realization that we were at War and there would be severe consequences.
The volunteers and police officers then told people on the streets that all public transport were shut down for the day. Since I needed to get back to Astoria, I then joined a crowd that continued uptown via 2nd Ave. It was a strange sight to see no vehicles on the road that day and after walking for what seemed like an eternity, I stopped to rest as the scorching sun burned hard upon us all. I then joined a group listening to the news being broadcast on the radio of a parked truck. Everyone collectively gasped when we heard that a plane had hit the Pentagon. It was one shock after another that left us pondering, “What’s next?”
Realizing that I still had a long hike and was completely dehydrated, I entered Health Nuts on 44th and 2nd to buy a bottle of water. Carrying out a small conversation about my ordeal, the cashier asked if I was Nepali. Surprised, I said yes and he mentioned that he was one too! It finally felt good to have someone I could talk to after nearly two hours of silence and self-contemplation. I never met him after but what remains in my mind is that the Sherpa dai refused to take any money from me.
Once on the lower level of the Queensboro Bridge and on finally crossing it into Queens, I could finally see automobiles on the streets. The livery cabs were packing people like sardines charging each individual a $10 fare. A few days later, I heard some cab-driving friends of talk of drivers who made more than $2,000 that way. It made me sick to hear of the heartless advantage being taken. Even today, when people and the media talk about the collective generosity of New Yorkers during 9/11, they must’ve never looked into this aspect.
Still walking, I called a friend who lived on 28th and Broadway in Astoria and went over for lunch. We watched the news for the next hour and no one had any clue as to who was behind this atrocity. Some blamed Saddam, some Arafat and a few linked Al-Qaeda. Arafat then came on the news to redeem himself of any involvement via a shivering face that looked like it had just seen a ghost. As we sat on the roof of my friend's building along with two more buddies all we did was look at the smoke still rising in the horizon of what was once the World Trade Center.
While our discussions continued, F16 jets continued to fly overhead from Queens into Manhattan and below on the street, all shops were closed and the always vibrant Broadway in Astoria was a dead zone; a scene straight out of a zombie movie and it was not even 3 in the afternoon! That was when realization finally dawned upon us that things would never be the same again.
(Note: Back in 2002 site59.com was purchased for $42 million in cash and is now a part of Travelocity)
‘Experience Jamaica’ at Yak & Yeti
Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork, Caribbean Pepper Pot Soup, Cabbage and Salt Fish, Jamaican Juicy Patties, Potato and Mango Pick-a-Peppa are some of the exotic Jamaican dishes being served at the Sunrise Restaurant in Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbarmarg from September 5 to 15.
The hotel is hosting the Jamaican food promotions “to take the guests on a gastronomical journey to experience the diverse flavors of the tropical Caribbean Island.”
The Piano Bar alongside is also serving all-day special snacks and cocktail menu for the period. Some of the exciting snacks on the menu are Calamari and Shrimp Fritters with Tartar Sauce, Jerk Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip, Mini Burgers with Crispy Fried Onion, along with drinks and cocktails such as Mojito Royal, Bacardi Rum Carrot Colada, Jamaican Fever, CaribbeanLicious and many more
Experiencing the rich Newari hospitality in Patan
Patan, one of UNESCO world heritage sites, is a not-to-miss place if you visit Nepal. Even Kathmandu folks go to Patan to experience the rich Newari heritage. Foreign tourists in particular have of late been fascinated by the idea of going and staying in traditional Newari homes in Patan that offer warmth, coziness and rich art. It’s good business too. They are ready to pay as much as $45-$100 a night for the rich, immersive experience of living in old, traditional homes. Rather than air conditioners, televisions and other modern amenities, these places offer a vintage experience. Tourists may come for short stay or longer for work.
A Newari house is characterized by the intricate wood carvings and brickwork, use of natural resources, welcoming atmosphere and low ceilings. Small entry doors that require guests to bend while entering signifies respect for the place they dwell.
If you are wondering where you can find a place to enjoy some quiet time and to experience living in a traditional Newari home, here are three hotels among around a dozen in the periphery of the Mangal Bazar area.
Swotha
Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood of the medieval city center, Swotha is easy to spot as it is smack-dab in Swotha chowk. Just a two-minute walk from Mangal Bazar, this bed and breakfast place offers incomparable hospitality. A beautifullyrestored 70-year-old Newari residence, there are altogether nine rooms, each with a private balcony. There is also a Swotha café which offers food and beverages in a soothing ambience. The price range of rooms is $80-$160.
The Inn Heritage Hotel
Right beside Swotha, you can enter The Inn Heritage Hotel which is another traditional Newari
boutique hotel. You enter an open private stone-paved courtyard where you can relax while having tea. This brick and timber Newari house, whose original features
have been kept intact, has been restored by conservation architect Rohit Ranjitkar. It offers 10 spacious rooms with modern amenities such as solar hot water, in-house restaurant and free wi-fi. The average room rate is $100.
Newa Chén
Just five-minute walk from Mangal Bazar, there is Newa Chén.
Even though the streets outside is full of people, as soon as you enter this beautiful tourist accommodation you will feel like you are
in a quiet home. Built during the Malla rule in Nepal, this traditional home was restored under a
UNESCO project. The Newari courtyard outside has books that one can read while sitting in a Newari arrangement. There is even a new gallery which exhibits traditional Nepali art. The prices for the eight bedrooms with personal seating areas and private suite bathrooms start at $45.
If you visit these hotels during off-season or through travel agents and websites, you can get cheaper deals. Hoteliers say they are usually fully-booked during the season, between October and March, so it is recommended that you book a room at least three months in advance. Next time you want a typical Newari home experience, you know where to go!
Photos by Pritam Chhetri
