Kenyan makeup artist and content creator Dennis Karuri has taken his followers down memory lane, sharing throwback photos and opening up about the difficult experiences that shaped the person he is today.
Karuri, who has become one of Kenya’s recognisable beauty personalities through his makeup artistry, fashion and social media content, shared the reflections in a TikTok video on Monday, September 28.
The video featured old photos of Karuri from his younger years, when his appearance and career path looked very different from the image many of his followers know today.
‘Beauty was nowhere close’
While reflecting on his younger years, Karuri revealed that he studied agribusiness economics and food industry management at university.
He said beauty was not part of the career he imagined for himself at the time.
“Beauty was nowhere close to anything that I thought I would have done,” he said.
Karuri described himself during his university years as masculine and mature, explaining that he had no idea that makeup and beauty would eventually become such an important part of his life
After completing his studies, he secured a job in a government office. However, the experience left him questioning whether he was following the right career path.
He recalled wondering whether the office job was really what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
Losing his mother changed everything.
Karuri also opened up about one of the most painful periods of his life — losing his mother while he was in his second year at university.
He described his mother as his biggest cheerleader, recalling how she encouraged him and often told him that he would become a superstar and one day build houses for her.
Her death deeply affected him, with Karuri admitting that he felt as though he had lost himself for a period of time.
The makeup artist revealed that he even reached a point where he considered ending his life following the loss.
“I kind of felt like I’d lost myself for a minute,” he said.
How modelling led him to makeup
Karuri eventually found himself exploring modelling, a decision that introduced him to makeup and a completely different side of himself.
He recalled the first time he had makeup professionally done and described the experience as transformative.
“That feeling came back like I was born again,” he said.
The experience helped him rediscover a sense of purpose and eventually led him deeper into the beauty industry.
Karuri has since established himself as a professional makeup artist who has worked with public figures and built a significant online following.
Karuri’s message to his followers
Looking back at his journey, Karuri encouraged his followers to embrace who they are rather than allowing other people’s expectations to determine their path.
“Find who you are and stay authentic,” he told his audience.
For Karuri, the throwback photos therefore represented more than a look at his younger appearance. They offered a glimpse into the years of uncertainty, grief, and career changes that eventually led him to the beauty world
