Julina Kaakunga
Anita Danayaba is a young, black American, who decided to venture into the cosmetics industry in Namibia to bridge the gap between African and American make-up styles by using technology.
Miss Maddness Cosmetics is an online makeup store that also offers online makeup classes.
The online make-up store also provides digital/electronic books with topics on business and beauty.
“Miss Maddness Namibia is also all about sisterhood and community. I noticed a lack of sisterhood in Namibia, and I decided to start a WhatsApp group (Makeup and Girl Chat) – just for the dolls to come together in a safe space. In the group, we ask for advice, share funny stories – and of course, we talk all day about make-up,” the founder said.
Miss Maddness Cosmetics was originally established in the USA in 2018. Danayaba then launched the Namibian branch in 2019.
The cosmetics brand has thus in existence for five years.
“I originally started with just lip gloss and lipsticks. My idea was only to have a lip line business, but then it started to grow into other products like brushes, eyeshadow pallets and so forth,” she told VIBEZ!
Danayaba launched the business as a form of creating employment for Namibian youth, especially creators.
One of her goals was to combine the two make-up styles, work with other artists on their love for beauty and share this with all Namibians.
“I also wanted to bring about collaboration with other Namibian creatives: photographers, models, stylists, content creators, beauty enthusiasts, make-up artists, etc. These collaborative efforts, in my view, would help to bring along more growth and opportunities within our brands,” she added.
All these she would do using just her iPhone and a few social media apps.
The name, Miss Maddness, was essentially the idea and vision of her brand, which was designed for the sophisticated 9 to 5 career-driven women who love a good turn up.
The ‘Miss’ is to describe the educated, upskilled and cosmopolitan side, and the ‘Maddness’ is to describe the fun, outgoing, outspoken and chic side as expressed by Danayaba.
Miss Maddness has collaborated with one of the prominent make-up brands in the country, KK Beautique.
Using the keywords, ‘evolution’ and fashion’, founder Katy Kaune said she was inspired by the development of Missmaddness Namibia.
“During our collaboration, we have been able to learn from each other, and it has been a great experience. Since I am a make-up artist, I also had the advantage of using some of her make-up, which I love, especially her palette that she recently launched,” she added.
Some of her accomplishments include having two sold-out launches of the Rose Gold Brush Sets, two successful photoshoots for marketing campaigns with Namibian influencers, and being able to host online make-up classes since 2021.
Out of the several accomplishments, one that she describes as the biggest was when she did a giveaway with about four participants.
Despite the fact that her first attempt failed, she persisted and took on the challenge once more.
“This included giving make-up items away for free. This was an accomplishment because it stood on the foundations of community, creativity and make-up.”
In 2024, she will be launching an official online make-up school, called the Maddness Makeup Academy.
“Young people, don’t be afraid to launch your businesses and create jobs for the community. Don’t be afraid that your stock won’t sell, or that no one will support you. If God gave you the vision, He will give you the sales and the clients. But you also have to work hard, stay consistent, ignore the naysayers and remain focused. Branding is key, and you don’t need a million followers to create influence,” advised Danayaba.
She is originally from Brooklyn in New York, USA.
In addition to being the founder of Miss Maddness Namibia, she is a social worker.
-julinak990@gmail.com