We recently connected with Kirsten Nicole and have shared our conversation below.

Kirsten , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In July 0f 2022 I was on a week long roadtrip through the midwest with a few of my friends. We ended our trip in the southeast, in Nashville. At the time, at home I was working in a salon full time in Philadelphia. My career life was “okay”, it felt stable and I thought that meant it was good, but I longed for something more. While still on the trip, I began looking at jobs in Nashville. I found a seasonal job as a makeup artist for an entertainment company. I laughed it off, not believing I would ever be able to pick up and move. I sent it to my mom as a “haha, this would be cool” kind of thing. She texted back urging me to apply for the position, and to worry about the logistics later. This trip made me look at my life through a new lens, and see myself the way others see me. I felt invigorated, ignited to believe in myself, all thanks to my mom and friends supporting me.

I applied for the job in the Nashville airport before flying home, and the day I got home I put in my notice to leave my job.

2 weeks later I had an interview with the company, and 4 weeks later I was offered a higher position than what I originally applied for.

2 weeks after accepting the position, I picked up my whole life and moved to Nashville for the fall. I met the most incredible people, artists, friends, coworkers. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my mom & friends.

If you are looking for a sign to take a risk- this is it.

Kirsten , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

From a young age, I was mesmerized by makeup. In elementary school, I would steal my gramma’s eyeliner and put it on while on the bus. For years, I snuck around wearing makeup when I wasn’t allowed to yet. My next door neighbor growing up was a few years older than me, and she also loved everything hair & makeup. I would go over just for her to do my hair and makeup, and I hoped one day I would do it as well as she did. Fast forward a few years, I started inviting my friends over just so I could do their hair & makeup. At 15, I worked my first wedding. From then on, I began doing hair & makeup for other special occasions in my hometown. Before graduating high school, I was convinced I would never find a substantial career in the beauty industry, that it would only ever be a hobby. I graduated, went to college, left college, and finally returned to the industry in 2020 with a new outlook.

Since then, I have worked on editorial shoots, music videos, and with touring artists. My passion for makeup drives my creativity, and drives me to be my best. I think what makes me stand out among other makeup artists isn’t necessarily my artistry by itself, but who I am as an artist. I don’t think of myself as a hair stylist or makeup artist, I see myself as an artist. Someone who is simply creating and sharing those creations with others. I strive to bring positive energy into every situation I’m in, and make people feel they’re in a safe space to fully be themselves. Human connection is the most beautiful thing, and to be able to connect with people daily as my job is the biggest blessing I could ever ask for.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest thing I had to unlearn was self doubt. For a long time, I closed myself off from opportunities simply because I doubted my abilities. My career stayed stagnant for a moment in time, and there was no one to blame but myself. How can anyone hire you if you don’t put yourself out there? The second I made the choice to start believing in my own abilities, that is when things began to take off. Some days it’s harder than others to have confidence in myself. I still have many moments of self doubt, but now the good days outweigh the bad. In those moments of doubt- I remind myself that not only do I believe in myself, but a multitude of other people believe in me as well. From friends, family, to strangers, my art has impacted so many people in positive ways. That in itself is something to celebrate. Take a moment everyday to celebrate yourself.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist to me is seeing the impact your art has on others, especially when one of your forms of art is altering/enhancing the way a person looks. The glow in a person’s smile after you’ve just done their makeup, the excitement when you’ve just given someone a fresh haircut. Being able to make someone feel comfortable and confident in their own skin is the most rewarding part of it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: kirstennicole.com
• Instagram: colorbykirsten

Image Credits
Pinkshift by @camiliberty Bren by @hagytodd Hannah Wicklund by @shannenbamford Briston Maroney by @photosbyzayne