Passion To Profession – Banke Meshida-Lawal

Hello there, how are you doing?

As 2026 unfolds, we’re reminded that beginnings don’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes they come quietly, carrying reflection, clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. A new year invites us to look back with gratitude, to honour how far we’ve come and to reimagine what’s possible ahead.

It’s in the spirit of renewal that I’m excited to share another edition of Passion to Profession, a series that celebrates the journeys where creativity meets intention and passion evolves into legacy.

This conversation has been a long time coming—two whole years, to be precise. I interviewed Banke Meshida-Lawal back then, and shortly after, I moved houses. In the chaos, I misplaced the notepad containing all my interview notes. Imagine my shock when I recently stumbled upon it while sorting through the boys’ old school books.

Life happened. Silence happened. And now… alignment. Because some stories wait patiently until they’re ready to be told the right way.

Welcome to this conversation.

A Note to Banke 💛

Banke, if you’re reading this, I know you must have wondered what happened. One minute, I was practically stalking you for this interview, and the next—poof—total silence. Thank you for never once switching up on me and for keeping that same warm energy.

Yes, I know a lot of people have interviewed you. Of course they have. You’re an icon in the industry, and your story will always be sought after. But this one? This is different.

This is Aunty Lulu style. 😉

Without further ado, let’s dig in.

Who Is Banke Meshida-Lawal?

Banke is one of those names you don’t need to over-explain. She has built a career that speaks for itself—quietly powerful, deeply intentional, and impossible to ignore. In an industry that thrives on noise, she has mastered the art of impact.

I met Banke almost 22 years ago when she did my sister’s bridal makeup. From that moment on, she became my go-to for a flawless face beat—until I couldn’t afford her anymore! 😜 She has worked on every bride in my family except my youngest sister, who got married in the U.S.

Banke is the definition of a multifaceted woman. She has successfully mastered the three pillars of sustainable success—talent, passion, and interest—and she has done so with consistency for decades.

Let’s dive into her remarkable journey.

Once Upon a Time: The Early Years

“I grew up in a loving family of six in Ile-Ife, Osun State,” Banke shares. “I had my early education there and planned to study International Relations at the University of Ife.”

When her family moved to Lagos, everything shifted.

“The rhythm, the energy, it was completely different from Ife, and I loved it instantly. Lagos became home.”

That move led her to study English at the University of Lagos, a decision that unknowingly set the stage for everything to come.

But Banke’s relationship with creativity had already begun long before university.

Her earliest memories go back to watching her mother shape her brows using a gold body eyeliner pencil with a white cover. At six years old, curiosity took over. She tried it on herself and, in fearless childhood logic, removed all her brow hair 😱.

“I couldn’t understand why I was punished,” she recalls with laughter. “Is it not my eyebrow?” 🤭

Creativity surrounded her. At the same age, she watched her father carve a violin at home, transforming raw material into something soulful. Music, craft, and art were constants in her upbringing. She mixed powders and potions for her dolls, instinctively drawn to texture, colour, and experimentation.🧪

Then came a defining cultural moment: Madonna’s Frozen.🎆

“That video birthed my love for henna art and tattoos,” she says. Henna became the first creative service she ever charged for, long before makeup became a business.

Discovering Banke

While at UNILAG, Banke dreamed of becoming a diplomat, travelling the world and immersing herself in different cultures. But her course also gave her something else: time.

Time to read. Time to explore. Time to experiment.

Her love affair with makeup began simply while getting ready for class.

“I spent so much time experimenting with cosmetics that I ended up late for lectures more than once,” she laughs. “People noticed. I started practising on my roommates, some willing, some not so willing.”

A pivotal moment came when a roommate asked her to do bridal makeup for her sister. The results were stunning. Reviews followed. Referrals multiplied.

What began as curiosity quickly evolved into purpose.

“I started BMPro about 25 years ago, and we’re still standing strong,” she says. “Passion and experience keep the flag flying.”

The Brand That Keeps Giving

BMPro officially launched in 2006 with just 16 products. But Banke quickly identified a glaring gap in the market.

“Products weren’t being created with dark skin, especially Nigerian skin tones, in mind,” she explains. “So I did my research, found experts, and worked with factories that could create formulas to my exact specifications.”

Today, BMPro has grown from fewer than 20 products to over 200 beauty products—and counting. The brand continues to thrive, with international companies creating look-alike versions of her innovations, a true testament to her influence and staying power.

The Natural Shift to Photography

Photography was never part of the plan. It evolved organically.

“I’ve always photographed my clients professionally,” she explains. “My style, tone, motion, and ensemble became recognizable. Some clients only trusted my lens because they knew I would present them truthfully.”

As demand grew, it became impossible to ignore. This led to the birth of Molten Studios, Banke’s photography arm.

Balancing Work and Home

Behind Banke’s success is a strong and steady support system: her husband, Lanre.

“We met in my second year of university,” she says. “He saw my passion from the very beginning and has always pushed and supported me.”

When their daughters came along, Lanre ensured she had the structure and support needed to keep everything running.

“My 100% support system—my Lanre—is how I juggle it all.”

The human brain is capable of so much. Patience is key to learning and executing perfectly.”

Banke Meshida-Lawal

Makeup or Photography?

“Both!” Banke says without hesitation.

“Makeup gives me a rush—the build-up, the transformation, and then capturing it on camera. When clients gush about their images and send me prayers… priceless.”

Innovation, Longevity, and Staying Relevant

“I believe creatives are the gatekeepers of innovation,” Banke says. “I never become complacent. There’s always something new, and I’m constantly reinventing myself.”

She’s also keen to debunk a common myth for young creatives.

“You don’t need massive capital to start a business. Vision, consistency, and resourcefulness matter more.”

Despite decades of success, she has never considered walking away from her art.

“It brings me too much joy,” she says. “Though there have been moments that made me rethink my approach or stance, those experiences refined me. They didn’t remove me.”

Beauty Beyond the Surface: The Move into Interiors

For Banke, creativity has never been confined to faces or photographs. It was only natural that it expanded into space.

“I also started doing interiors,” she explains. “I began with washrooms and bathrooms. These spaces are so important, yet they’re often overlooked.”

To Banke, these rooms hold meaning far beyond function.

“Your toilet reflects who you are,” she says. “It’s one of the most intimate spaces in a home. How it feels, how it’s designed, and how it functions says a lot about the person who lives there.”

Her approach to interiors mirrors her philosophy in beauty and art: thoughtful, intentional, and deeply personal. It’s not simply about aesthetics, but about creating environments that feel considered and cared for, spaces that quietly elevate everyday living.

Beauty Secrets & Personal Truths

One surprising truth?

“Every time I overload my skincare routine with trending products, I break out badly. Once I strip everything back to basics, sometimes just soap and water, my skin clears.”

And yet, she laughs, “The cycle never truly ends.”

A Few Things You Might Not Know

Banke is learning to play the piano and hopes to hold a recital someday. She also crochets to unwind.

“I throw my soul into anything I enjoy,” she says. “But if I don’t like something, I won’t even give it a second try.”

Any Other Hidden Talents You’d Like to Share With Us?

“I’m still discovering some of my own talents too,” she laughs. “I think I’m one of those people who throw their soul into anything they enjoy doing. But if I don’t like something, I won’t even give it a second try.”

She’s also deeply aware of the mind’s potential.

“I believe the human brain is capable of doing so much. Patience is key—both in learning new things and in executing them perfectly.”

Advice for Upcoming Makeup Artists

“I have so much to share—I’ll probably put it all into a course someday. But here’s the short version:

• Perfect your art.
• Create a niche.
• Find your market.
• Serve them impeccably.
• Don’t follow trends—create beauty.
• Stick to your unique style.”

If She Had a Superpower…

“To touch people and heal them—cancer, infertility, drug abuse—everything. Just one touch!”

Her Guilty Pleasures

“Gadgets, makeup, clothes.”

Her Favorite Way to Relax

“I love travelling with Lanre and our close-knit family. When he’s there, I don’t even know how we get anywhere. All I know is that I’m being taken care of—waking up, lounging, eating… bliss.”

Aunty Lulu’s Closing Note 💛

Banke Meshida-Lawal is proof that passion, when nurtured with patience and consistency, evolves into legacy. Her story reminds us that excellence is not rushed—it is built, layer by layer, over time.

And if this conversation teaches us anything, it’s this: the right stories always find their way back—exactly when they’re meant to.

Thank you Banke

Always with love,
Aunty Lulu

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