Full name : Gayani Samarasinghe
Nickname : BATZ
Education : Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya, Secondary Education at : Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo
Life’s Moto : "FASHION IS MY DRUG"
Life's biggest achievement 2012 Philips Bridal Fair – Sri Lankan invitee
Years active in the field : 3 years
This little lady has had the privilege of doing makeup on almost all the fashion models and celebrities in Sri Lanka as well as on international artistes like Maxi Priest and even the late great sports icon Tony Greig. Almost all fashion photographers in Sri Lanka know her by her name and her face, she is Gayani Batz.
Gayani started small but upon realising the extent of exposure and opportunities she received from the glamour and fashion industry in Sri Lanka, she has evolved a lot in the industry.
Gayani Batz? Explain the origins of your name.
I get this question a lot and here it goes... Gayani is the name given by my parents and BATZ is the changed version of my pet name "Butty". Now don’t ask me how I got the name Butty.
What makes you the most preferred choice for makeup in the glamor and fashion industry in Sri Lanka?
Just like I said when you asked me about my motto, fashion is my drug. I’m always closely linked to fashion, I always follow the trends and I research about new trends and new makeup techniques myself to make sure I bring out new things in the work I do.
I understand you have the influence and help of Sri Lanka's fashion industry ‘heavy weights’. How did you earn their respect?
I always respect the senior people in the industry and they have seen my work a lot and they know I do justice to the fashion industry in Sri Lanka. It’s not just applying foundation, lipstick and doing a shoot. People need to feel the amount of work I put into it and I believe the seniors have seen that in me.
When will an island-wide chain of your salon materialise? Future plans?
I don’t have huge dreams as such. But I want to develop myself to meet international standards.
Share a skin healthy secret with the readers?
I am actually an Ayurvedic beautician and as an Ayurvedic beautician my only advice is to be naturel and use very less makeup as possible. I know this might be a bit funny to say as a makeup artist but I use very less makeup myself and also on my clients. I make sure that the naturel texture of the skin is maintained or else it looks unnatural.
Tell us about your work with the legendary Tony Greig?
To be honest I was a never a huge cricket fan. But on the day he passed away, I was watching TV and got to know about what a great person and a legend he was, listening to all the cricketing stars talking about him. And I had tears in my eyes thinking what a great privilege it was to have worked with him.
It was very nice working with him as he was a very friendly and funny gentleman.
As a fashion makeup artist, is it necessary to carry yourself as a fashionable person too?
With lots of time and dedication I believe I have become a celebrity in this industry and it is important that I walk the talk as well. So I need to carry myself with good clothing and good looks. I believe so to a great extent.
