2014 Cosmetology graduate Breeanna Nichols speaks to the current class and does a makeup demonstration.
On Friday, October 26, Cosmetology students at Rensselaer Educational Center (REC) in Troy had a special guest speaker visit the class. While guest speakers are common, this one was unique. Breeanna Nichols graduated from Questar III’s Cosmetology program in 2014, and now owns Breeanna Nichols Artistry.
After graduation, Nichols attended the Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry in Ford Lauderdale, Florida to become a master makeup artist. She learned production makeup and fashion and special effects makeup.
REC Cosmetology teacher Lisa Baron said Nichols was motivated and eager when she was in her class and picked skills up quickly. Baron says Nichols has “walked the walk” and shows what can be accomplished with vision, determination and hard work.
Guest speaker Bre Nichols demonstrates makeup artistry tips on a current student at the Cosmetology classroom at the Rensselaer Education Center on 10/26/2018.
Nichols’ dream was to be an on-set film makeup artist. After finishing school in Florida, she eventually moved back to New York and worked as a manager at Bombshell Hair Studio in Albany. Still determined to work toward her goal of working in the movie industry, she began sending hundreds of emails to industry contacts. She heard back only from a few but persisted nonetheless.
She worked pro bono in the hope of getting her name out there, and bartered for things like her website, designed by a well-known professional photographer and web designer.
The hard work paid off – Nichols is currently living her dream doing makeup on an active film set.
Nichols’ passion and enthusiasm for her work was evident when she visited the class, and her talk and demonstration kept the class engaged and excited all day. Thank you, Breeanna, for coming back and sharing your story and experience with our students!
