A Re-Imagineer: Nikol Johnson

1) Tell us about the first half of your life. What were your priorities, your main focus?

In the first half of my life, my focus was on building a strong foundation for the future, both personally and professionally. I’ve always had a passion for artistry, creativity, and empowering others, which naturally led me to pursue careers as a professional makeup artist and licensed aesthetician. My priorities revolved around honing my craft, developing a deep understanding of skin and beauty, and building meaningful relationships with the brands I worked with. At the same time, I prioritized living boldly and unapologetically—embracing challenges, learning from setbacks, and never being afraid to redefine beauty on my own terms. This mindset laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Nikol Beauty and my mission to celebrate age and individuality.

2) You are the Founder of Nikol Beauty, makeup for the Mature Woman. What was the genesis of this idea? When did you start the business and how is it going?

The idea for Nikol Beauty was born out of a desire to address a gap I noticed in the beauty industry—there simply weren’t enough products or brands truly dedicated to the unique needs and desires of mature women. As a professional makeup artist and esthetician, I witnessed firsthand how many women over 40 felt overlooked or even excluded by mainstream beauty trends. I launched Nikol Beauty with a mission to celebrate age, not hide it, by creating products that enhance natural beauty and work beautifully with mature skin. I wanted to empower women to feel confident and seen. In 2019, I created a series on my YouTube channel called Fierce Aging, where I feature real women over 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and beyond. I was fortunate enough to have Henrietta, who was 101 on my channel. When I featured Henrietta, it wasn’t about the makeup. It was about making her feel seen and heard. She was a firecracker and had so much to teach us about leaning into the aging process with a fierce attitude. That was one of the most memorable episodes I have had in my series. From my talc-free eyeshadow palettes to my serum foundation, every product is designed with care, purpose, and a commitment to quality. Today, Nikol Beauty has grown beyond my wildest dreams thanks to an incredible community of women who embrace our message of living boldly, fiercely, and unapologetically.

3) You have over 1.1 million followers on YouTube, over 650,000 followers on TikTok, and nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram. You have become a significant influencer in your category! WOW! You are an inspiration to so many women (and me too!) How did this all happen, and what is your big vision for your efforts?

I never set out to become an influencer—it happened organically as I stayed true to my passion and mission. My YouTube channel, primarily through the “Fierce Aging” series, became a platform to celebrate real women with real stories, highlighting their beauty and individuality while addressing the challenges that come with aging. My authenticity resonated with so many women who were tired of being told they needed to “fix” something about themselves. I went a step further by writing a book in 2018 called “Beauty Reinvented,” How to Embrace Gray Hair, Upgrade Your Self-Confidence, and Redefine Your Beauty. I wanted women to make their own hair color rules and be confident with the aging process. I built a community of women who feel seen and supported by showing makeup techniques tailored for mature skin, sharing style tips, and encouraging self-confidence.

My big vision is to continue redefining beauty for women over 40 and beyond. I want Nikol Beauty to be more than a brand—it’s a movement that encourages women to live unapologetically, embrace their age, and feel empowered at every stage of life. I hope to inspire even more women worldwide to celebrate themselves just as they are while continuing to grow my platforms and create meaningful, life-changing content.

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