Meet Nicole Michelle | Makeup Artist, Loctician & Chandler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Michelle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I first pursued an artistic career in modeling. This career pretty much chose me due to my stature. I was one of those teenagers who everyone told “you should be a model!” At that time I loved playing basketball, and other sports… then modeling found me on the basketball court. I became an Ebony Fashion Fair model in the mid 90’s and continued with an agency modeling career for 30+ years.

Later, my artistic creativity began to blossom as a makeup artist, creator, and crafter then a Hair Loctician, and most recently a Chandler or candle maker.
All of these creative pursuits are rewarding me in multiple ways.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artistic endeavors consist of seeing art and creations while awake, and while dreaming. With make up, I worked for a very well-known cosmetics company for 23 years as a hiring manager, and makeup artist. During the time that I worked for the company, I began freelancing doing makeup for photography weddings/brides, local celebrities, and pretty much anyone who would hire me to provide their make up services on location outside of the retail environment.
This allowed me to give my clients an experience that would be unforgettable. I have now been doing make up for 35+ years and I love it! I especially love it when Makeup calls me to travel!

I love crafting and creating. In the past, I have made jewelry, abstract paintings, crafted clothing, and now my biggest endeavor is candle making. This is also called being a Chandler.

I believe that to be well-scented is a super power!

In 2020 there came a time when we all realized things were never going to quite be the same. Somethings big and somethings small. I always scent my entire home with fragrant oils and candles.
During this time, one of the larger candle companies that my friends, family, and I would frequent, did not have stock of the usual candles that I loved.
I decided to go online and learn candlemaking for myself.

As I began to experiment and have these various jars of scented bliss burning in my studio… Something magical happened! My make up and hair locking clients as well as my family, began to ask me how much I charge for the candles?

Within 30 days of the Christmas holiday season in December 2020, I had Candle orders and candle wax everywhere! I then created my candle website www.mytribecollection.com

Initially, my challenges were learning to work with new scents, oils, waxes and wicks. I am still adding new products and scents to my line along with a custom curated monthly subscription box.

I am so thankful for those who shop with me and place orders on my website. I am thankful for their product suggestions and patience as I hand make each item with care.

As a creative, I want everyone to know that somewhere inside you, there is a creator! Whatever it is that gives you peace… That thing that you would do for free… that is where you find your creative calling. And this is where I have found mine.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love it when friends come to town or when my local Chica tribe wants to hang out. I am a foodie, so I enjoy chef owned restaurants. I would take them to some of my favorite restaurant experiences: Roc South Cuisine & Coctails, JUST BRUNCH, Slutty Vegan, The Bougie Southerner, Scrumdiddlyumptious… And others.

I absolutely love brunch after church as well! We would do that for sure…

We would also go enjoy some live music, an outdoor concert or a food festivals. Food truck parks and taste festivals are among my favorites.

My friends, who come in town during the week for business, get some special weekday treats! My favorite day of the week is taco Tuesday! Yes! You cannot say Tuesday without saying taco Tuesday. I would also take my visitors to one of the live/eat/play environments, such as the Forum, Atlantic Station or the Avalon. We would also attend a Wind down Wednesday experience. In the summer, those outdoor events are some of the best mid week monotony breakers.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In the 80’s, My cousin, Lisa was my biggest fan as a teenager. She was my guide/agent/chaperone with many of my early modeling endeavors. My immediate family supported me as my first financial contributors, my first photographers and attendees to all of my early events.

Also in the 80’s My mother was the very first person to allow me to put make up on her. She had tons of make up for me to practice with ALWAYS. I also have 2 aunts. One came to all of my events & one would give me Avon products. That always peaked my interest in Cosmetics and Beauty. To this day, my two aunties are two of my biggest, business supporters!

In 2018 My sister,  Dolly was my very first Sisterlocks Client. She encouraged me to get certified as a Loctician and to create my candle website. Now she locks hair with me & I am her Sisterlocks Client.

My family and close friends (My Chica Tribe) were my first makeup clients, hair clients, hand made product purchasers and definitely the first to purchase my hand poured soy candles.
To this day, they are my biggest supporters as they look to me before going out into the industry to make purchases or receive services.

I am forever grateful to my clients as they always purchase my handmade products when they are in my studio receiving make up or hair locking services.

Website: www.nicolemichellebeauty.com

Instagram: @nicolemichellebeautyofficial

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/nicolemichellebeauty

Facebook: Nicole Michelle Beauty

Other: ww.mytribecollection.com @mytribecollections