Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Fae.
Hi Nicole, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my career over 20 years ago as a makeup artist, driven by the joy of helping women feel confident and beautiful. What started with weddings and private clients quickly grew into work on commercial shoots, film, and television. But beyond the artistry, I discovered something even more powerful—the ability to create confidence and help women see themselves in a new light.
That passion eventually led me to create The Annex Beauty Association, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting beauty professionals through mentorship, education, and community. Over the years I’ve seen so many talented artists struggle, not because of their skill, but because they lacked business knowledge, confidence, and support. I wanted to change that.
My newest chapter is She Owns It—the title of my upcoming book and also the guiding focus of the leadership guides and courses I’m developing. She Owns It is about giving women the tools to build confidence, achieve financial independence, and create success in business and beyond. Through my writing, courses, and speaking engagements, I share practical strategies while also reminding women that they already have what it takes.
Makeup may have been my starting point, but my work today is about transformation—inside and out. Whether I’m behind the chair, writing, or teaching, my goal has always been the same: helping women show up as the best version of themselves, not just what’s left of them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many women building a career and a business, I’ve faced financial uncertainty, the challenge of balancing work and family, and moments of feeling undervalued or overlooked. In the beginning, I’ll admit I dealt with jealousy on my side—comparing myself to others and wondering if I would ever measure up. Later in my career, I experienced it from peers in the industry and even through online bullying. That has been one of the hardest parts, because it’s sad to see how insecurities can lead people to tear others down instead of lifting them up.
But I’ve come to accept that “the tallest nail gets hit the most.” As long as I keep growing, creating, and leading, I’ll face criticism and bullying—it’s part of the territory. What I can control is how I respond. I continue to work on myself, to learn from those experiences, and to share my findings with others so they can find what works for them. My hope is that by being open about my struggles, I can inspire others to rise above their own challenges and keep moving forward with confidence.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At its core, my work is about transformation. On the artistry side, I’m known for makeup that lasts—whether it’s a 6 a.m. wedding application that still looks flawless at midnight, or a commercial shoot under hot lights. My specialty is creating looks that feel timeless and polished, while still reflecting the client’s unique personality.
I’m also known for being fast, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure. Weddings, sets, and big events can be stressful, and one of my strengths is creating a steady, confident presence for my clients. That’s something people often remember more than the makeup itself.
On the educational side, I’m proud of developing courses that go beyond technique and dive into leadership, business skills, and confidence building. Through my guides and the upcoming She Owns It book, I’m giving women a framework to succeed not only in beauty, but in business and life.
What sets me apart is the balance I bring: I’m equally invested in making one woman feel beautiful for a single day, and in giving another woman the tools to build a career that changes her whole life. That dual focus—artistry and empowerment—is what I believe defines my work.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest advice is this: don’t let fear hold you back. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being “enough”—those are the things that stop most women before they even begin. I talk about this in my book She Owns It, because I believe fear is the number one barrier keeping women from stepping into their full potential. The truth is, courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s moving forward anyway.
I also wish I had known earlier how important it is to treat your work like a business, not just a passion. Contracts, pricing, boundaries, and marketing aren’t glamorous, but they are what give you the freedom to keep doing what you love long-term.
And most importantly, don’t do it alone. I used to think success meant being completely independent, but I’ve learned the opposite is true. Working with other women—sharing ideas, collaborating, and supporting one another—will get you where you want to go much faster than trying to figure everything out on your own.
If you can face your fears, invest in yourself, and lean into community, you’ll find success shows up in ways you never imagined.
Pricing:
- https://nicole-fae.square.site/shop/she-owns-it-the-book/QR4GFU3UEQEMGBKTFSKTDZHM
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.nicolefae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MUANicoleFae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MUANicoleFae
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-fae-3078a92a/
