Nicole Lynn is a 28-year-old makeup artist/stylist who have been in the industry for eight years. Her mother was the first one to notice the way she drew eye liner in a perfect line and joked about her doing it as a career. She ended up leaving home at 18 and pursued it. She remembered signing up for beauty school just to drop out later because she felt like she was outsmarting the teacher. Then she landed a job at Mac Cosmetics and according to her “almost everything I know now was taught by my talented co-workers”. Nicole stayed on for two years before securing a job at Channel V Asia as a makeup artist. She stayed on there for about 5 years. It was there that she met her current partner in beauty, hair stylist, Ming. They have been working together ever since.

I got our super busy Miss Nicole to sit down and answer some of the most difficult questions ever thrown at her on this first of the two-part interview:

What is your greatest achievement so far?
To be honest, I haven’t achieved what I’d really love to. I would absolutely love to own my own fashion label one day.
A few months ago though, I styled my very first fashion show for Sony Ericson. It was a bit bumpy at first, I didn’t know how to handle it, I fought with the models, shoes went missing, buttons went popping. But in the end, with the help of my couldn’t-have-done-it-without-them team, it was perfect!! I was so happy when I saw the girls on stage looking absolutely fabulous.

Nicole and her partner in crime, Ming

Tell me about some famous and familiar faces that you have worked your magic on?
To name a few, I’ve worked with Paula Malai Ali, Shane Ward, Marion Caunter, Dominique Tsai, Joey G, a hip hop American band The Dey, Boys Like Girls, Too Phat, Che’nelle. I also got the chance to meet The Yin Yang Twins and Fat Man Scoop recently. That was really surreal as I’ve been listening to his music for a long time.

Which local/international star do you think always got it right in terms of makeup and beauty? What makes you say that?
To me, I think Jennifer Lopez always gets her makeup right. It’s always fresh, dewy and never over done. Even if she uses blue eye shadow she makes it look like it’s perfectly natural to wake up in the morning in blue eye shadow. She works with this amazing makeup artist called Scott Barnes and Mally Roncal, who also has their own makeup line. Everything Scott touches turns into a melting pot of honey. Kim Kardashian comes in close. She always look really well put together and I love it that she isn’t afraid to try new things.

Adam Lambert and his guy-liner. Hot or Not?
I’m all for gay love. My friends Ming, Aaron and Raf are honest, crazy funny plus they always tell you if your makeup is smudgy. But in my opinion, if a guy wants to use makeup, he’d better be a homosexual or in a dress with killer heels making 50 bucks an hour at the side of the street. There are some things that are just not meant to be. To me, being a metro sexual is getting your hair cut, using deodorant, wearing dandy clothes and keeping your skin fresh and clean. I guess I’m old fashioned that way. I understand if makeup is used to play up an image like a rocker on stage but as an everyday routine? God no! I’d cringe if my man asked me if his mascara was running.

Nicole Kidman at Nine premiere

Have you seen that photo of Nicole Kidman at ‘Nine’ premiere? What happened there?
When I look at this picture, I’m thinking A. her makeup artist wanted revenge B. maybe it’s not really makeup powder? What a dusty disaster.Still, everyone makes mistakes, even the Nicoles of the world (yes I have an entire walkway of shame). It’s like when your skirt is in your underwear and no one tells you or your zip is undone. No, wait, in her case I think I’m sticking to point A.

Tell us one thing that every girl should have in her purse.
This is probably the toughest question I had to answer. I can never just pick one!! Even if I’m at the market, I always have powder, liner, gloss, lipstick and blusher in my purse. If my bag isn’t 4kgs, something is missing in there.

Nicole's touch of fabulousity for Sony Ericson fashion show

What is the latest invention in beauty industry that you would like to try and why?
Makeup companies are coming out mascaras with a vibrating effect now. I haven’t had the chance to get my hands on them yet but I’m curious to see how that works out. Something tells me it’s not going to be any different from regular mascara. But a girl can never have too many multi tasking gadgets. Chanel is coming out with gorgeous temporary tattoos in the shapes of bracelets, necklaces, pendants, cherry blossoms and a bird. I’m a commitment phobic and have a few tattoos that I’d like to remove. Chanel and I are going to have a very beautiful non-committal relationship together.

What is your current project?
I’m working on a lot of weddings this year. I’m always happy when I work on them, it makes me feel special that a bride wants you to be part of her big day.
I also have projects coming up for TV commercials for both makeup and styling. When I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to be involved in art in some small way. My parents were against it as they didn’t want me to be a ‘dying artist in the attic’ so I “painted” peoples’ faces instead. And to my relief, there was no death there.
Recently I started painting again. They will be featured on my (coming soon) blog nicole-golddigger.blogspot.com and will be sold at HStore KL in Bukit Bintang Plaza in February.

Next week: Nicole Lynn will share with us some tips on makeup and beauty.

Photos courtesy of Nicole

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