Explore Nelse Karini's journey in the Beauty Industry

It’s the freedom of having my own destiny, basically something that I love. That’s why I started my own business. I started it for fun, putting make-up on and then realizing I could do it.  So, I’m an Albanian immigrant who moved here 18 years ago. At first I didn’t like it here, it was crazy but I got used to it. When I came here I didn’t even speak English, I started from scratch. I didn’t have any friends, my sister was the reason I moved here. She taught me a lot of things. The first words I learned were “thank you” and “sorry”, the basics. – Nelse Karini

I finished school for business management back home and when I moved here I thought I was going to do that. I always had fashion and beauty in mind, I always loved that. I went to school, with a broken English and decided I was going to take makeup classes. From there, I went and applied at Macy’s. That was my first beauty counter job. I was so excited to take that. It was basically my first experience. – Nelse Karini

At first I was nervous but then I started doing makeup on clients, I saw their faces, they were so happy, the way they were looking. I just love makeup. Different clients were coming back saying they loved my eyeliner, my eyeshadows, asking how I use stuff. I got more excited and wanted to take more classes and get better with makeup. I thought I can do this. – Nelse Karini

Yeah, it came really naturally. I loved makeup myself and I was always wearing makeup. Just seeing women faces so happy and comfortable, it’s the feeling. – Nelse Karini

Makeup is art. It’s a lot of work too, it’s not easy. I am there for some of the most beautiful days in the clients’ lives. When I worked at Macy’s I started doing fashion shows. I started investing my time and working hard, sometimes not sleeping for too many hours. Just getting more excited, saying yes and working harder. – Nelse Karini

It took my at least six years to get my name out there. Basically, it’s hard but you have to be loyal, you have to show up, you can’t cancel, be there on time and basically be loyal to your clients. – Nelse Karini

I basically love high end products, I love a good product so I always try the product first on myself and if I like it, I will use it on my clients. I do a lot of weddings and I love that so I have to make sure the products last all day. If I’m going to put something on you, it’s not going to change or fade, it stays. I always go under good products basically. So, I basically invest in good products. – Nelse Karini

Brushes is number one thing you really need to invest in. you can have any product but brushes are really important. You need to get some brushes and learn to blend. You don’t need much to get started, you just need a basic makeup kit. Get some brusher as a starter, get one eyeshadow, some basic stuff. Eventually, you’ll ad more products. – Nelse Karini

A lot of time. I always worked two jobs, I kept a bartending job because makeup didn’t pay my right away.  I was doing a lot of freelance and free stuff basically. I did a lot of free work. I was doing fashion shows to get my name out there. If someone needed makeup I didn’t say no. you’ve got to do that in the beginning. You also have to be really good to make it. – Nelse Karini

Never give up. You need to work really hard. Even if you fail, you just keep going forward.  Nowadays I get clients by word of mouth. If they like you, they will come at you. I don’t really advertise. If you get some good clients in your portfolio, they’re going to refer you to other people. – Nelse Karini

You mostly have to invest in the beginning, take some makeup classes, you want to know some basic stuff and invest in the kit. As you start getting better and get more jobs you’ll invest more. So, something between $5,000 – $10,000 is enough as an investment. – Nelse Karini

At first it was just for fun. Then it became my job and afterwards I thought I really liked doing this. I started thinking I wanted to make a name, a brand in the future. I’d like to make some products under my name and my dream is to go bigger and bigger. – Nelse Karini

It took me at least ten good years. So, becoming a makeup artist doesn’t happen overnight. Basically I had to build my name and reputation in Boston. It takes time but you have to have faith and be patient and you can make it. – Nelse Karini

As I previously said, it’s important to move forward and show up on time. I’m a big fan of networking, I use social media a lot, word of mouth. In the beginning it is ok to advertise yourself, spend some money to get started. – Nelse Karini

It’s a lot of good makeup artists out there. I think they come back to me because I offer the whole package. It has a lot to do with the makeup artist’s personality. Sometimes, you just connect, it’s about how you make your clients feel. – Nelse Karini

It’s a lot of good products out there. Basically every brand has something good and I mix it up. I mostly use high-end products but I have a little bit of everything. So, quality really makes a difference. I love it when clients tell me their makeup lasted all night, some even say they have slept with my makeup on. – Nelse Karini

I didn’t actually try to become a brand ambassador, I just went with the flow. I collaborated with Fashion Week Ney York, Fashion Week Boston, worked with a few magazines, I’ve done some TV people so it was a good start basically. I didn’t feel the need to collaborate with any brand but in the future I would really hope to. – Nelse Karini

I would say it’s important to be loyal and respectful to people’s privacy, be yourself. You’ve got to be loyal to the people giving you the opportunity and be respectful to their privacy but at the same time you’ve got to be true to yourself, you can’t just copy someone else’s work. You really have got to develop an artistic way of doing your makeup because otherwise you’re going to become duplicable and people will see you as ordinary, not doing anything special.  If you’re good, they’re going to come to you. – Nelse Karini

Everything has been moving so fast the last three years. I’m so excited for the future. I have some big things coming up. – Nelse Karini

Yes, they have. I started it for fun and right now I have big plans for the future of my business. I’m especially happy for my dad because he is an artist too. Coming from another country is hard but I am so happy this country has given me an opportunity to make it. I am very happy with where I’m at right now. – Nelse Karini

I get excited every time I get appointments. I can’t wait to meet both my new and regular clients. I especially love weddings because it is such an important day in someone’s life. It’s essential to stay focused. Every day I get up and feel excited and ready to start my day. – Nelse Karini

I don’t think I’ve done any mistakes. At least not yet. – Nelse Karini

I don’t follow the trends because trends change all the time. Just because it works for you doesn’t mean it works for the other person. When I do someone’s makeup I take a really good look at the face, think of what I have envisioned and I work with the client. It’s never about the trend basically. I work more on the natural side, I stick to the classical look. I don’t like heavy makeup. – Nelse Karini

I’m looking forward to growing my business. I really hope to make some products ‘Beauty by Nelsi’. – Nelse Karini

Well, I came into a foreign country with a dream and I have made my dream a reality. I love what I do, I love making people beautiful and can’t wait to see what the future holds. – Nelse Karini

You’ve got to blend. I hate to see a face that is not properly blended. I especially love a flawless foundation. I don’t really follow other makeup artists. Everyone is different and has his/her own style. – Nelse Karini

Yeah definitely. Especially if you’re just starting out, it’s good to pick up any tips and tricks. – Nelse Karini

Not really. I am happy. – Nelse Karini

I think I am. – Nelse Karini

I’ll keep it a surprise. – Nelse Karini

Don’t leave the house without SPF, get your eyebrows done and use lip gloss or lipstick. Always have a lipstick in your bag. It is very important. You’ve got to focus on your skin first and makeup second. Makeup is no good if you don’t have a healthy skin. – Nelse Karini

Never give up, just move forward. Even if you fail, just stand up and continue your journey. – Nelse Karini