Meet Nelli Shine

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nelli Shine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nelli below.

Hi Nelli, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

To deal with my imposter syndrome, I focus on learning and practicing all the time.

What helps me the most is being honest with my clients. I don’t promise what I can’t deliver. As long as clients know my limitations upfront, they can decide whether to book my services or not.

For example, when I was starting out, I offered free trials and explained that I was a beginner who needed practice. If a client liked my work and chose to book me, that was great! If not, I took it as practice and reminded myself that I was still learning.

What I’ve learned is that almost everyone feels this way at some point, and that’s okay. When I have those days I overcome this feeling when my clients leave happy, share nice reviews and come back for more, it really lifts my spirits and reminds me that I’m doing a good job.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a professional makeup artist and event hairstylist, which I call a beauty stylist. My journey began with some money I wanted to invest when I saw an ad for makeup school. Since I’ve always loved art, I decided to take the course.
In Namibia, makeup services have often been undervalued, and I found my purpose in uplifting makeup standards. I want Namibian women to believe in the power of makeup. Over time, I’ve organized workshops to teach these skills, empowering others to enhance their beauty.
My clients trust my expertise, and that reassurance makes me feel I’m in the right place. As a fully booked artist, I also teach my clients how to do their own makeup, so they don’t feel left out when I’m not available. I’m excited to help everyone feel beautiful and confident in their own way!”

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three important qualities in my journey were:
Passion: Loving what I do helped me stay motivated and create beautiful looks.
Resilience: Facing challenges made me determined to succeed and improve my skills.
Empowerment: Uplifting others and teaching them gave me purpose and built trust with my clients.

Advice for those starting out:
Be honest, humble, and ready to listen: People will often give you a second chance if they see that you have good intentions and potential. When you do your best, they will help you understand their needs better.
Get proper training: While being self-taught is valuable, learning how to do makeup professionally is crucial. Understand the techniques to read people’s faces and apply makeup based on knowledge, not just creativity. This will boost your confidence and help you stand your ground.
Don’t compare yourself to others: It’s great to be inspired by artists you admire, but focus on your own practice. Invest your energy in honing your skills over the years, and you will develop a unique style that others will recognize and appreciate.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

The most helpful person in my journey has definitely been my husband. Without his support, I would have given up a long time ago. He motivates me to keep going when I feel like quitting and always reminds me how proud he is of my progress. On tough days, he listens and offers valuable advice. For instance, when I was upset about customer complaints regarding my prices, he encouraged me to maintain my quality and assured me that the right customers would appreciate it. He also supported my decision to leave a job I didn’t enjoy, which has made a huge difference in my journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Muashine
• Other: Second Instagram account for bold creative makeup looks