Life & Work with Gericka Nyzhae’ Gillespie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gericka Nyzhae’ Gillespie.

Hi Gericka Nyzhae’, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Gericka Nyzhae Gillespie (MUA Nyzhae’). I am a Makeup Artist/hairstylist who is from Atlanta. I come from a military background and have been moving around the states until age 11. When I was five, I became interested in hair and learned how to cornrow hair. My mother used to do hair and I wanted to do hair like her. She could do any style she looked at; it was amazing! I started doing when I was 13 and haven’t stopped. As far as makeup I started getting into it in high school doing simple liners but when I got into college that’s when I started doing makeup and perfecting my craft. I also have a gift with making clothes, I can see it and make it. I have been fortunate enough to work on a MTV set for the movie My Super Psycho Sweet 16 as an assistant wardrobe designer at age 14. I also had my clothes in multiple shows around Georgia from the age of 14-16. I chose to focus on my makeup and hair in college. In 2022 January I vowed to perfect both crafts and strive to be my own boss. I took three makeup classes this year and one lace class to invest in my art. I wanted to be happy doing something I love and enjoy doing without feeling like I’m working.

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?
I went to school at Albany state university and graduated with my BSW in social work. I built a clientele base there. When I graduated and moved back home, it was hard to get clients due to everyone doing the same thing. I still do not have the clientele that I want but I won’t give up because I know my time is coming. As an artist, we sometimes put out more work and receive less rewards. The biggest thing I realized is to remain consistent and someone will recognize your talent that will help guide you to the top. Prayer also helps me start and end my day. The other difficult challenge that I have in my life is taking care of my daughter full time! Shout out to all the mom bosses that are successful. This is not easy but the biggest thing is that we never give up! We have no choice but to be our best.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a hairstylist who is only doing weaves right now. I am a makeup artist who loves bold looks but also natural. I am so proud of my process! When I say, I took me forever to just ask for help! Once I did this year I feel like that’s what was missing to my puzzle piece! What sets me apart from others is that I do not make a face look like a cake face. Your face will free light and free. My makeup style is natural glam. I bring out the beauty that someone already has versus looking like another person. I’m a clean makeup artist! I also like that for glam looks I’m giving bold colors always! I love my pigments !!

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
During covid, it was the year that I took my power back! That year I learned to actually love myself sign up for therapy and live the life I was meant to live! I overcame a domestic violence relationship and then lived with accepting that I am a single mother. That year I blossomed and everyone around loved the new me, especially me! Covid taught me that life is too short and that I didn’t want to die before fulfilling my purpose!

Pricing:

• $60 glam full face
• $125 lace closure wig install
• $ 150 frontal wig install
• $55 natural full face

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/nyzhae
• Instagram: @nyzhae_
• Facebook: @muanyzhae
• Youtube: its_nyzhae

Image Credits
Jasmyne Booker (salon pic only) Gericka Gillespie (everything else)