Today we’d like to introduce you to Nickayla Roberts
Hi Nickayla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been into makeup since middle school. I would watch countless makeup tutorials on YouTube and practiced filling in my eyebrows. During my sophomore year of high school, I started building my personal makeup kit with all the necessary products I needed as a beginner. I practiced eyeshadow looks and techniques applying face makeup. During my junior year, I began practicing looks on friends and family members. I launched my Instagram in 2018 and started to post makeup looks of myself. Once I got comfortable enough I would post looks I’d do on models and clients.
I graduated from Florida State University and during my first few semesters I took a break from makeup to get familiar with campus life. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that my passion blossomed and I realized I wanted to take makeup seriously. Through a lot of marketing, I gained a steady clientele in Tallahassee up until I graduated. I moved back home to Broward in August 2023, rented a suite, and got back to business. I felt like I was starting all over again because gaining a clientele in Broward where there are tons of makeup artists can be challenging. But I could not let that discourage me. The only way I could stand out was to be myself, stay consistent on social media, and promote my business in public with any opportunity that presents itself.
After a year of being back home, my business has grown a lot. I meet some of the most amazing women in South Florida. The reactions I get from clients after I finish their makeup is why I do what I do. When clients return, I know I’m doing something right. I’ve received countless affirmations from clients, friends, and family that fuel my passion to keep going. As fun as doing makeup may sound, I do get burned out sometimes. But all the support I receive and remembering my why keeps me grounded.
Today I do makeup for special occasions such as birthdays, photoshoots, graduations, baby showers, weddings and more. I offer Natural, Soft and Full glams; something for everyone and every occasion. Some of my long term goals are to do makeup for short films, movies, tv shows, and even music videos. I’ll always be here for my South Florida community, but I would love to travel to do makeup for people all over the nation. I have no idea how far my passion for makeup artistry could take me but I am open to the journey. I’m so grateful for opportunities like this where I showcase what I can offer. To me, makeup is more than just looking beautiful, it’s about bringing out your inner confidence and expressing yourself through art.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur definitely has its challenges. In the beginning when I was learning to do makeup, I would make mistakes or after finishing a face I would go on an overthinking spiral critiquing what I could have done better. Even though my skills have improved a lot, sometimes I still nitpick and wonder what I could have done better on a look. Besides my skills, retaining clientele has not always been so smooth. In March of 2020, I was a freshman in college and had to go home because of covid-19. From March to August of that year I barely got any clients which was a disappointment but understandable given the circumstances at the time. When I moved back home after graduating, getting clients in Broward was not the easiest as well. There are months when I get lots of bookings and months where there aren’t as many, due to supply and demand.
Before I got my suite, working from home was a little frustrating at times. In Tallahassee, I lived in an apartment with two of my friends and they didn’t mind me working there. They were actually very encouraging. Even on summer break when I’d come back home, I’d still work and set up in our living room. Although my family and friends were supportive, I longed to have my own space. For safety, I did not want to continue giving out my personal addresses to clients. Thankfully, I’ve never been in a situation where me or anyone I lived with was in danger. In those moments of feeling anxious and just wanting my own space to work, I knew it was a waiting game. I knew that as soon as I came back to Broward, the first mission was to find a suite. It’s such a blessing to have a space I can call my own and clients can feel 100% comfortable.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I do makeup for special occasions and events. The glams I offer range from Natural, Soft, to Full glam. Natural glam consists of a full face of makeup (foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, lashes, etc.) with a light amount of bronzer on the lids. With my Soft glams, I offer 3 different eyeshadow looks to choose from. Full details for each of them are on my booking website below. For my Full glams, they are on the more dramatic side. The eye looks clients usually request are full cut creases or black smoky eyes with glitter or rhinestones. The Full glam is the most popular around prom season for sure.
I also offer Dynamic Duos, 1-on-1 Classes, and Bridal Trial appointments. For the duos, two clients can come together to get their makeup done and there is a discount on the total price. In my classes, I teach clients how to achieve an everyday, beginner friendly makeup look. Bridal Trials are important because me and the bride go over the exact look she wants on her wedding day. After the trial if there are any tips she may have or anything she may want to add I take note of it and make changes. Then on the wedding day, the final look is complete and we have a happy, beautiful bride!
I’m known for enhancing your natural features, I still want you to look like yourself. When I ask for feedback from clients, they exclaim how much they loved their makeup, received compliments from others, but also how they still looked like themselves. I love to apply just the right amount of each product so the makeup does not cake up. I am most proud of my dedication to learning new techniques whether big or small. Seeing how much my work has improved over the years makes me feel very proud of myself. What sets me apart is my level of professionalism, punctuality, cleanliness, commitment to clients’ comfortability, and my overall personality. Clients always tell me how peaceful my energy is which means more than they know! I know how I’d like to be treated when I’m getting any kind of service done, so I try my absolute best to replicate that for every client that sits in my chair.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay committed to learning. As a makeup artist, learning does not stop and I’m not just talking about makeup techniques, it extends all the way to customer service. Anyone can learn how to slay a face, but creating an environment for clients to want to return to matters. Through connecting with other makeup artists on social media, I am always picking up tips on how to elevate my business. A part of learning is being open to constructive criticism. The day after an appointment, I reach out to my clients asking how their makeup lasted through the day. Most of the time there are no pointers, but on a few occasions I’ve received a tip on what I could do better. I find these critiques quite helpful.
Pricing:
- Natural Glam – $90
- Soft Glam – $100
- Full Glam – $110
- Dynamic Duo – $170
- Bridal Trial Service – $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nickaylaalexiamua.as.me/schedule/772132d5
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickaylaalexiamua/
