By Sainabou Sambou
Ebrima Ceesay is a young Gambian male makeup artist who has defied stereotypes and broken the glass ceiling in hairdressing and cosmetology.
Ebrima holds a certificate in hairdressing and cosmetology from Vicky’s Hairdressing Salon and Skill Centre and currently pursuing diploma in hairdressing and cosmetology.
In an interview with the Gambia Daily Ebrima expressed his passion for hairdressing and cosmetology, and revealed that it all started with him barbing ladies’ hair. “I trim both male and female hair and a lot of ladies come to me for barbing,” he asserted.
Speaking about his motivation to venture into such female-dominated trade, the young cosmetologist had this to say: “When I realised that there are some female haircut styles that I could not do I decided to go and acquire more skills to be able do more in the costomotology business. I made enquiries from friends and I was directed to Vicky’s Hairdressing Salon and Skill Centre.”
He added that his sister and brother in-law encouraged him go in for hairdressing while the proprietress of Vicky’s guided him.
“I love what I am doing. I am a man, I could have chosen any other type of job but I choose hairdressing and cosmetology. Since I graduated from high school hair dressing and cosmetology is the only thing that I have studied,” he added.
Asked how it is like working in a female-dominated field, area, Ceesay said he faces a lot of challenges including stereotyping. He said some people mock and make fun of his work.
The young man, revealed that he wants to have his own salon and to build a hairdressing and cosmetology institute, where young people can acquire the skills and be self-employed while creating employment for others.
He called on the government, private sector and philanthropists to support him to further his education on cosmetology. He urged young people to engage in skills work to help bridge the unemployment gap in the country.
