Meet Nicky. Nicky is a makeup artist who has been making people glow for over 20 years. We have been following and admiring Nicky's work for some time now and we were over the moon to have her join our directory recently. She was also kind enough to fit us into her busy schedule and answer a few questions so we and potential clients could learn a little more about this highly sought-after makeup artist.
Give our readers a little bit of background on how you got into your chosen profession and how long you have been doing it?
I studied Graphic Design when I finished school, with aspirations of working in the magazine industry; fashion and beauty in particular. I wanted to have a thorough understanding of how the industry worked so I took on extra studies in Photography and Makeup Artistry. For the last 20+ years, Makeup has been a hobby alongside my full-time work. Two years ago I decided to take the leap and turn my hobby into a full-time business.
What do you love so much about being part of someone's wedding day?
It’s an honour to be asked to be a part of a Brides wedding day. To be trusted to make the Bride look her very best for such a special day. I love the entire vibe of a wedding day. The excitement, the nerves, the flowers, the dresses, the hair, the moment when everything comes together, the squeals, the laughter, the tears, all of it. Each wedding day is different, that’s one of the things I love about my job. A different location, atmosphere and group of girls - no two weddings are the same.
Do you suggest to your brides how they should have their makeup done or do you prefer they tell you what look they are going for?
I always take the time to listen and understand what look my Bride is after on her special day. Some Brides know exactly what they would like and often have an inspiration picture of their desired look, which is great. I then use that inspiration to offer suggestions on what will work with their individual features to enhance their natural beauty. Other Brides are happy to trust my experience and skills to create the perfect look for them.
What does a typical weekend look like if you don't have a wedding on?
A very rare weekend off would be spent with the kids, usually at the beach during the warmer months. I’m a real homebody though, we have a large rural property and I absolutely love spending the weekends just pottering about.
Did you always have dreams of becoming a Makeup artist as a little girl? If not what did you see yourself being before you started this profession?
I grew up on a farm and I was a massive tomboy. I had no interest in makeup whatsoever, but I was always very creative from a young age. I knew that someday I would work in creative arts. Over the years I have dabbled in various aspects of creative arts including illustration, painting, typography, signwriting, millinery, photography, graphic design, sewing, arts and crafts. I found a passion for Makeup Artistry, and I feel very grateful to have been able to turn that passion into a career.
Have you got any disaster stories from previous weddings you have done?
I had to do a wedding in a remote location that could only be accessed by boat. I don’t like boats. Like I really, really, really, really don’t like boats. When I arrived it was absolutely bucketing down rain, torrential, blowing a gale in every direction. You could not have dreamed the worst scenario for someone that really, really, really, really, doesn’t like boats. I had to load all my gear, and myself, into a small tinny to be transported to the location. By the time I got there, I was drenched from head to toe and had to do the entire wedding dripping wet. It poured down rain all morning, but thankfully the sun came out just before the ceremony and it was an absolute cracker of an afternoon for my Bride and Groom. Unfortunately by the time I was transported by boat back to the mainland, the single road out was completely flooded from the downpour. I was stranded. It was a rather eventful little adventure! There is no questioning my commitment to my Brides!
Do you think it's worth doing a trial before the wedding day? Why?
Bridal trials are a great idea for a number of reasons. Firstly, they give you the opportunity to meet your artist. Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists play a huge part on your wedding day; they could potentially be with you for up to 7 hours, so it’s important that you choose someone you are happy to have in your space. It’s also a good opportunity to bounce ideas off your artist if you are unsure of the look you are after. This will save time on the day and will ensure that you are both on the same page so there are no surprises on your special day. If you are unfamiliar with the artist’s work, it will give you the chance to see if their style is suited to your needs and guarantee that you know exactly what you are going to get. A trial also gives you the chance to see how the makeup is going to hold up over the day as well.
What is your most important tip for a bride?
Over prepare and then go with the flow. There is an incredible amount of planning and organising that goes into the perfect wedding day. There are also a lot of moving parts on a wedding day, most of them out of our control, ie the weather. My best advice is to take a deep breath and go with the flow. The day will be amazing.
We would like to thank Nicky for spending the time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions. To learn more about Nicky Fletchers Makeup services or get in contact with her, simply follow this link to her business page.
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