Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanise Gallon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It was a light in a tunnel that I couldn’t see the end of. When I was in middle school my adopted grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. I would go to her house everyday after school and she would let me make a snack and we would watch tv shows such as Oprah and Dr. Phil and play with her pet birds and run errands before she would take me home. She would even let me get a slice of my grandpa’s favorite chocolate made for my grandpa. But every other Wednesday she had to go to chemotherapy. Most days you couldn’t tell she was ill. She would go to nursing homes, we would feed the birds at the pond and read to the elderly and then we would ride in her little Volkswagen Beetle (punch buggy) and run errands. One day when I was in the 8th grade, I went to her house and I had a feeling that something wasn’t right the entire day. When I saw her she was connected with tubes all over her body and family was in profound discussion with each other. They asked me if I wanted to see her, but I said I can’t see her under those type of conditions. My mom picked me up that day and we went to the store and came back to see her but she went home to claim her space as an angel. I felt heartbroken that my grandma that I would see everyday left me here. She promised me when I was older after I saw her making my older cousin a quilt when he graduated high school, she said that she would stitch me a quilt as well. That day never came, but I was happy with the memories we shared, the laughter we created. Going into my 10th grade year someone close to me was diagnosed with breast cancer. I thought that person was inevitable to anything but situations occurred that showed that person’s weakness. Some days I felt they were going to die due to little movement and uneasy symptoms. Her despair would range from losing weight and losing all of her hair, to days they would go home and not eat a thing because the therapy made them so sick to their stomach. That person is my fighter. I’m crying as I write you this but I never told them this but I thought I would lose them and be without them at the age of 15. She carried on chugging through each day and finally beat her oppressor. Boy oh boy was that a momentous day. She has recovered and I love each day knowing the best is yet to come my way. Along with moving forward in my life I live with fear that one day I will become a breast cancer statistic because of heredity, but I fight it everyday. I sparked my interest in makeup in my freshmen year of college. Once a semester my mom would take me makeup shopping and I would get some goodies that I wanted. I then would practice on myself. Eventually, my mom asked me when we would get dolled up to go to a ball if I would do her makeup, I excitedly said yes. To doing her face a strong survivor to see her glow and shine through and to see her say “I have eyebrows again, because cancer took them away” or to hear her say “I look beautiful” was just a joy in my heart that is indescribable. I made her feel that way through a talent that was gifted to me from above. This makeup stuff that I do is not just for me, but for people who have felt defeated and lost their spunk. For me being able to bring joy back into a women’s life is so remarkable to me. I am so appreciative and grateful. I can’t wait to become a distinguished makeup artist one day. These are my inspirations. Just know, I practice and practice to make sure I am doing better than before. I will soon start my YouTube channel.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey with makeup was definitely not smooth, lol. It was some days, I was thinking to myself that this isn’t for me. I couldn’t get the simple concept that I thought was simple. Where I achieved some concepts in some areas in other areas, I felt weak in my makeup abilities. But you try and try and try again. Till this day I take makeup classes and watch tutorials to advance my skills.
As you know, we’re big fans of Nise Beats Makeup Artistry. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My organization/business is my go to express myself while making people feel good. I am known for a soft makeup look. What sets me apart from others is the variety I can give my clients. My most proud brand-wise is my clients. They come to me with a vision and idea in their head. But when they leave my makeup chair, you can instantly see the glow they have when I achieve the makeup look they were going for. For my brand, I offer bridal services, natural and glamorous glam looks. I also do tutorials on my YouTube channel @Nise Beats.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The advice I have for finding a mentor is to look at people’s work who you would like yours to resemble. Maybe find a way to take a makeup course from them. For networking always, always have your business cards on hand. Make sure you bring up your business in conversations.
Pricing:
- Bridal Trial $80
- Glamorous Glam $75
- Nise Beats Classic Glam $65
- Holiday Appointments $80
- VIP Appointment $85
Contact Info:
- Email: Nisebeatsmakeupartistry@gmail.com
- Website: https://nisebeatsmakeupartistry.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nise_beats/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NiseBeats/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/ze0V2TCjJr8
