Whanganui make-up artist wows judges
Make-up artist, former WHS student Nika Steele takes the digital stage.
PHOTO: Caleb Kingi
A Whanganui make-up artist is making her big debut by vlogging.
Nika Steele is one of six New Zealanders to make it into the top 30 Australasia Face Awards.
It is competition where participants submit a YouTube make-up tutorial video and compete to become the Beauty Vlogger of the year. The winner gets $10,000 worth of prize money and a trip to Los Angeles to watch the US edition.
The competition has been running annually in the United States for the past six years and this year is the debut of Australasia edition.
The 24 year old said she had always dreamed of entering the Face Awards but never had the courage to actually do it....until now.
"When I found out I had made the top 30, I cried and ran around the house in disbelief. I sat there dreaming about this for so long."
On Friday the theme for the second round will be announced and participants will have two weeks to submit their next vlog.
The top 15 will be selected on a public voting forum. After that, make-up artists will submit a third video and the top six will be flown to Melbourne for a live show where they will compete for the final winner.
Miss Steele said if she won she would use the money to start her own business in Whanganui.
"It would give me the kick-start I need to start working as a full-time freelance make-art artist out of Whanganui and further my qualifications to eye lash extensions," she said.
The former Whanganui High School student completed a certificate in beauty therapy at UCOL and later a certificate in fashion make-up in Auckland.
Before she entered the competition she had never made make-up vlog.
"I am a part-time freelance make-up artist but I had never made or edited a video before. I taught myself with the help from Caleb and Abbi Kingi."
Miss Steele's next vlog will be open for voting on May 18. To view Miss Steele's entry vlog or to subscribe to her channel view below:
By Emma Russell
Wanganui Chronicle 6/5/17