Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Black.
Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Black, Queer hair and makeup artist based in LA and this is my story: Branching into becoming a professional makeup artist began back in 2018 on the South Side of Chicago. Shout out to 67th. However, my love affair with beauty began when I was just a wee lad growing up on the West side of Detroit. “HP all Day”
I have always loved makeup despite being a tomboy. Thick Black lip liner doused in gloss thick enough to choke on, eyebrows sharper than knives and finished with a dash of powder that would never be my shade was my daily recipe for beauty. My mother didn’t approve which made it even more daring. But at the core, I felt beautiful. I felt powerful and I haven’t looked back since.
In 2018, my first paid gig as a makeup artist was with a dear friend at her book signing. Now, I had made the decision to start doing makeup professionally and shared that ambition with friends however I hadn’t put makeup on another person officially yet. So, I was new. I had helped friends with eyeliner or lipstick but never a full face of makeup from start to finish. So, when my friend asked me to be her makeup artist for this very important event I declined. I didn’t feel like I was ready and I felt inept. But she did not care. She trusted me and told me everything would be fine because whether I started with her or someone else, I still had to start. And she was right. It was fine. She was fine, she looked good yall. (love you Kat!) However, I truly believe it was her unwavering trust in my talent that made that first application so successful and also gave me the motivation and trust within myself to give my new makeup business 100%.
That first application wasn’t bad but I wanted to be great. So I reached out to anyone who would listen and search for a mentor. I got a lot of No’s. But then a chance meeting at a makeup event would later turn into a four year mentorship and friendship with makeup artist Mercedes Small. She’s brilliant and she completely changed how I viewed the art and business of makeup.
I moved to LA during the pandemic to get some reprieve from the Chicago chill and to continue to build my career as an Artist. I love what I do. Period. I do not take it for granted to be able to live fully and make a living with my passions.
I’ve come a long way from lip liner and ill-matched powders but the passion is the same: Makeup is Special and Beauty is for Everyone.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle in the beginning outside of paying for the makeup was convincing photographers and agencies to give me a chance. The key was finding out how to get experience as a professional artist without a professional portfolio. I did a lot of free work and bartered with many photographers for a chance to get images. But slowly I was building a beautiful network of collaborators that helped me develop my craft.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a hair and makeup artist based in LA. I specialize in Special Events, Bridal, Commercial, and Television and Film.
My proudest flex as a hair and makeup artist is to be able to work effectively with any skin tone and any hair texture.
I have had remarkable mentors that have taught me how to be precise and quick without sacrificing creative taste or efficiency. I really love what I do.
How do you think about luck?
I feel honored to make a living with my passions. I branched out and began something new and had no idea where it would take me or lead me or even if it would be successful. So, I’m positive that “ Luck “ has played some parts in both life and business.
Determination, tenacity, hustle and skill have also played substantial parts and not always fruitfully. However, I’m determined nonetheless.
This is a lifelong love for beauty and makeup artistry and I’ve got a lot more stories to tell.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NickBlackArtistry.com
- Instagram: @NickBlackArtistry
Image Credits
Special Thanks to Photographers: Alec Basse Anais Benoudiz Emily Davis Studio Alex w/ LiorPictures Kstyles Images MichaelMontiel Photo Pooja w/ thelittletembo RicanFX Models: @damnthosesteaktacos @themodel_pt @jaylynndanette @kaisaanne @shespreet @kyra.mcneil @anaiaku @londonjames12
