Classic And Trendy Mastoorah Burki Shares Her Home Aesthetic And Work Plans
What led you to become a makeup artist?
I’ve always admired beauty and perfection and enjoyed grooming and styling my friends and sisters ever since I can remember. I often looked at people and thought about the kind of makeup that would further enhance their features. Therefore, I do feel I had a natural penchant to be a makeup artist.
How does having an artistic mind reflect upon your lifestyle and home?
I would say I love beautifying things in all forms. As a makeup artist my client’s face is my canvas and while setting up my house, this physical space became my canvas. I have immense interest in interiors. In fact, there was a time when I wanted to join the architecture program at NCA but it never
happened. I love handmade carpets and art, especially by Pakistani artists; some of my favourites are Iqbal Hussain, Ahmed Khan, Momin Khan and Mansoor Rahi. I’m a huge fan of horses, so you’ll see a lot of them in the paintings in my home. If I like the work of an unknown artist, I would still buy it since what appeals to my taste is more important than what is famous or in vogue.
How long ago did you move into this house? How did you manage the process of setting it up?
We moved into our house towards the end of 2011 when I moved to Lahore for the first time after my marriage. Since I got married, I was in the States and in Canada, and before that I lived in Islamabad, where I grew up. I brought most of my furniture with me from Canada, and it took me about two months to unpack everything and set up the house. I gave my interiors a lot of thought; from the lighting to the curtains. I wanted to take my time with arranging things and not settle for something in a rush. My focus was on comfort more than anything else when I moved because my children were very young.
What was the transition like moving from Toronto to Lahore?
I wouldn’t lie and say there were no problems while adjusting to Lahore. The everyday minute things – like load shedding for instance – can still be ignored, but my biggest issue was with poor healthcare and hygiene. All my kids were born in North America and I am used to the healthcare system in the States and Canada. Since young children need to visit their doctors frequently, I was horrified with the state of hygiene in the hospitals in Lahore! But I guess you have to take the good with the bad and at the end of the day, I’m an extremely patriotic person and this is home. There’s nothing like it! The biggest benefit of moving back is that all our family is here; their presence and affection while my kids are growing up is extremely valuable.
What are some of the happiest memories you’ve made in your home now?
There are so many, it’s hard to pick any one! Every day is happy as long as one is content. To see my kids; healthy, happy, going to school and having an all-round upbringing is extremely satisfying. My first born, Ibrahim, who is 15 now, and in his second year of high school, was selected to represent his school at an MUN in St Petersburg, Russia this year. Walking through these milestones with him gives me a lot of joy. My daughters, almost nine and the youngest just six keep me very busy and entertained. Apart from this, setting up my makeup studio recently has to be one of the best things I have done in this house so far.
Is your home always open to friends and extended family? How often do you entertain?
Always! In fact, you’ll be surprised to know that my main door is almost never locked! If I ever lock it friends and family would be surprised. I’m close to, live nearby and casually drop in whenever they want to. I do plan get-togethers every now and then, but I love entertaining on special occasions, Eid and birthdays, when I have the whole family over.
How would you describe the atmosphere at home? Is there good conversation, music, sports and other activities?
We have a very healthy and active atmosphere in our home, with lots of questions, answers and conversation going on all the time. My son and I
love music and both of us have almost the same taste. But my daughters have their own playlist and it is mostly according to their age. Yet often on the weekend or in the car when I am driving we do listen to the same music. I encourage my children to be sporty because I was very athletic from a very young age. While I am definitely a disciplinary parent, my children do feel that I am a friend to them also and are comfortable confiding in me. I was married at a young age and started my undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University after my son was one-year old. Studying, raising a toddler and managing married life wouldn’t have been possible without a positive atmosphere at home.
What does a perfect day look like for you?
Being at home and lazing with my family can make for a perfect day; going out with friends; being with parents and kids together, being with my siblings – there are lots of kinds of perfect days. I read a lot with my children; we share bedtime stories with each other every night. Once the kids have gone to sleep, I do like to unwind, chill with my husband where we talk about our day, eat or watch a movie.
What are some of the biggest challenges of motherhood and looking after a household?
I’m a very hands-on mother who likes to stay involved in the lives of her children. Domestic help is a great blessing but I don’t rely on them where my children are concerned, neither do I leave my children with them unsupervised. This is the reason why I waited for so long to re-start my work. Now
that all my children are more independent, I can take time out to focus on my work but when they were younger, I couldn’t make anything else a priority.
With the increasing demand of good makeup artists, you must have a very busy schedule. How do you manage personal and professional commitments?
I grew up in an army family where discipline and punctuality were always a priority. I’m extremely organised which helps a great deal in juggling commitments! I take clients only by appointment, due to which I can manage my time and organise my personal life. I believe in giving quality work, rather than taking a huge quantity of appointments – this helps in ensuring good time management.
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