Name: Nicole Pigott
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology
Minor: Music Skills
Hometown: Roseland, NJ
Theme Song: Right now I’m being basic and only listening to Christmas music so I’m kind of drawing a blank. I would have to say “99 Problems” by Jay-Z. It’s a song that my best friend, Mic, and I have been using to pump ourselves up since like 2010. We’ll literally listen to it in every situation: if we’re going out or if one of us is happy or angry… it’s just really versatile.
Idols: My biggest idol is my mother. She’s such a fighter and beautiful spirit. I’ve never in my entire life met a more caring and selfless human being and I’m not just saying that because she’s my mother. If someone needed the shirt off her back she wouldn’t think twice about giving it to them and then going to a store and buying them 4 more so they’d never run out. As far as makeup, my biggest makeup idol is Canadian artist Samantha Ravndahl for Batalash Beauty. Girl is FIRE. The other one would be Amrezy, a.k.a. queen on Instagram. I sat across from her at NYFW at the Bellami Show and as if sitting first row wasn’t enough, sitting across from her killed me. She’s so sweet and fierce.
Favorite Quote: “My current situation is not my final destination.” I have that posted on my mirror in my room. It can apply to so much whether it be school, fitness, relationships, anything. It’s so very important to remember that.
Favorite Free-Time Activity: Does shopping count? (haha) Right now I’d say it’s doing holiday stuff and watching football with my dad. I’m a very family oriented person so I love setting up the tree with him and decorating the house. I also love watching the Jets and yelling at the TV more than him. Growing up as an only child, I got really into sports from hanging out with my dad so much.
Can’t Live Without: I can’t live without my 2-year-old Borador puppy, Jersey. He sleeps on my bed with me every night and hangs out when I write papers and film my videos. He’s the cutest and he’s my best friend.
HCM: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
NP: The best advice I was ever given was to never get discouraged when I fail. Failure has incredible company including some of the biggest CEO’s and celebrities. It’s all about how you get up and shake yourself off and move forward. I like to remind myself of that and to just breathe every single day.
HCM: What are your passions?
NP: Oh gosh there’s so many of them. The main ones are giving back to the community and veterans, working out (I’m on this crazy fitness journey and I’m obsessed with working out), fashion, music (both performing and seeing concerts) and of course my family and friends because without them I’d be nowhere so they’re incredibly important to me.
HCM: When did you become interested in makeup artistry and what made you decide to start pursing it as a freelance career?
NP: My senior year of high school I had to do an internship and I did mine at Anthony Robert Salon in Verona. It was there that I was first really exposed to fashion and makeup. I started to learn from the makeup artists there and also on YouTube and I’ve been freelancing ever since then. I also have always been artistic. I’m a member of the Art Honors Society so makeup is a way for me to channel my creativity and eye for colors.
HCM: What has been your favorite makeup artistry gig thus far?
NP: About two weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of working backstage at designer Robert Greco’s show, Montclair Fashion Night at the iconic Wellmont. It was my understanding that there was over 1,000 people in attendance which is mind blowing to me. Not only was I backstage helping with models and changes, but I had the honor of preparing Real Housewife of New Jersey, Melissa Gorga’s models for her new boutique Envy which just opened in Montclair. The opportunities Robert has given me I will be forever thankful for, including the Wellmont show.
HCM: What do you love about the YouTube community?
NP: The YouTube community is one of the most accepting and freeing places. You can make a video about anything and the cool part is that someone somewhere wants to see that video and is interested in the same thing you are. It’s also a very positive place to grow a craft and to advance.
HCM: As a freelance Makeup Artist and YouTube Beauty Guru, what advice can you give to others about following and developing their aspirations?
NP: The best advice I can give is don’t compare yourself to what you see on Instagram and the Internet. It’s so easy to get caught up in the “perfect aesthetics” of what we see on social media when in reality it’s creating an unrealistic expectation of what is needed to succeed. You don’t need a $3,500 set up to be successful. As long as you’re happy with your work and your progress, then that’s true success.
HCM: What is your ultimate goal?
NP: I pretty much have two main goals: one for myself and one for my beauty channel. My biggest goal for myself is to wake up every morning happy with the path I’m on (makeup, school counseling, working out) it all makes me so incredibly happy. I love waking up knowing that if I’m going to school to work towards my goals of being a school counselor or if I have a makeup shoot that day or even if my only plans that day are to work out, then I know it’s going to be a great day because I love those. As far as my channel, I want whoever is watching to feel beautiful and feel like they can express them self through makeup. And for me to be able to be an educational part of their journey through tutorials is so touching. That’s all I can pray happens, is that I can help people see their true beauty through positivity and enlightenment.
Check out Nicole’s blog: www.matteandglossonline.com
Watch her latest video here: http://youtu.be/0MybSFqbR-A
Instagram: @nicolepigott
Twitter: @nmpigott
Facebook: www.facebook.com/matteandglossonline