Hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, my husband and I embarked on a new adventure with our two little boys as we moved to Wellington, New Zealand in January 2018 after I had received a job offer in my career field at the time as a software engineer. Believe it or not, I had no idea what eyelash extensions were! It wasn't until I had seen someone ask for recommendations for lash extensions in a community forum, that I decided to book in for a set myself and let me tell you, it was love at first sight!
Being the Nerdy Nikki that I am, I began researching everything I could about lash extensions; how they were made, what they were made of, how they were applied.
I would come home after a day's work at my corporate job and spend the evening watching YouTube videos of lash artists applying extensions. It seemed so interesting, intricate and therapeutic to me. I signed up for a beginner's course in Classic Eyelash Extensions and transformed one of the spare rooms at home into my beauty room.
After obtaining my certification in May 2019, I would lash clients in the evenings and over weekends while working in I.T. on weekdays. Within five months, I took another course in Russian Volume Extensions. Shortly after this, I dived in and made lash artistry my full-time career. I continued taking regular lash courses to enhance my skills and techniques while staying on top of industry trends. Focusing on quality client service and perfecting my craft meant I had a full book of clients and I was able to let my creativity flow and continue mastering my art.
Work never felt like "work" and I truly felt happy and fulfilled to be doing something I loved every single day.
In 2023, my efforts were recognised on social media and I was invited to speak at Aotearoa's Lash Conference, presenting a workshop on my signature lash styles. The life of a lash artist can be an isolating one at times; my social circle are all in corporate jobs, and although I see multiple clients every day and connect with other lash artists online, there is something so special and powerful about being in a room with other artists who share the same passion and similar experiences.That has been my biggest takeaway from the lash conference; the community connections and friendships made.
I felt so honoured to not only swim in the sea of all things lash artistry around me but to share my knowledge and receive feedback after the event of how something I had shared during my workshop had been the key to solving a struggle, or the spark to inspire a new style, technique or way of lashing. That is the beauty of events like this: they spark motivation and inspiration!
Of course, the cherry on top of an already magnificent day was being crowned New Zealand's Lash Artist of the Year. Bringing home the title was met with pride and happiness by my friends, family and clients, and the general reaction was, "Well, you deserve it." Because they know me, they know my heart, and they know my passion for my art and my business. What was truly special for me was that this award meant recognition by my peers. Again, it circles back to connecting with those who walk the same road as you do. Our paths might be a little different, but our foundation unites us.
WINNER / LASH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
LASH INDUSTRY AWARDS 2023
Nikki Rae
Nikki Rae Beauty
Karori, Wellington
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