• Zaina Kigenyi set a new Guinness World Record with nine lipstick applications in one minute.
  • The Kampala-based make-up artist beat the previous record of eight applications.
  • Her achievement highlights Uganda’s growing influence in the global beauty industry.

Ugandan make-up artist Zaina Kigenyi is officially a Guinness World Records holder.

Zaina has set a new record for the most lipstick applications completed in one minute after managing nine flawless applications in just 60 seconds. The attempt, which took place in Kampala last April, saw her beat the previous record of eight — and make history in the process.

But the achievement didn’t happen by chance.

Zaina revealed that preparing for the challenge required intense planning and practice. She experimented with different lip products to find the ones that would glide on smoothly and quickly. She also carefully organized her models and perfected the art of switching between shades without wasting a second.

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Her strategy was simple but demanding: spend no more than six seconds on each person.

“My goal was to spend no more than six seconds per person,” she explained in an interview with Guinness World Records. “That meant planning the exact sequence of movements — where to start, how to apply accurately, and how to transition quickly.”

Even the smallest delays mattered. Zaina admitted she noticed herself slowing down during transitions between models. So she and her team adjusted positioning and workflow to eliminate any wasted movement.

For her, the attempt felt like a natural extension of what she already does best.

“It just felt like a perfect fit,” Zaina shared. Known for her fast and effortless lipstick applications, she said a speed-based record aligned perfectly with her strengths. In the past, she had even challenged herself to apply lipstick with her eyes closed — all part of sharpening her precision and confidence.

After receiving confirmation of her record, Zaina took to social media to celebrate the milestone, proudly declaring herself the “first in my bloodline to break a Guinness World Record.”

It’s a bold achievement — and one that puts Uganda on the global beauty map.

Congratulations to Zaina Kigenyi on this remarkable feat.