Graduate Success: Humaira Sheikh

We asked some of our graduates to share their graduate success stories and here is what Humaira Sheikh, Makeup Artist had to say.

I had always been interested in the beauty industry but never thought I would be able to make a career out of it. Ever since I was in high school, my friends and family would always ask me to do their makeup and everyone would tell me I should pursue something involving ‘hair and makeup’. My parents weren’t too happy about that idea so I received my Bachelors in Biology first. After I graduated, I wanted to take some professional makeup classes which would enhance my artistry skills, and thankfully I found NYIB!

I researched a lot of makeup schools but ended up choosing NYIB for many different reasons. NYIB stood out most to me because of their ‘makeup team’. The school programs offer a lot more than just teaching you how to apply makeup professionally. They give you the chance to go out there and experience what it’s like to be a professional makeup artist in the ‘real world’. It gave us the opportunities to work fashion week which gave me great experience in working with different complexions, different kinds of people, how to handle situations if something goes wrong, networking, and just the overall experience of the life of a professional makeup artist. NYIB gave me opportunities even after I graduated so that I could jumpstart my career! Many schools focus on their current or potential students, but NYIB makes sure that their graduates are headed in the right direction as well. I landed my first paid job through NYIB referrals for a catalog shoot! And to top that – I was able to meet and work on many celebrities at New York Fashion Week! Theo Rossi, Eric Decker, Marcedes Lewis, Chris Weidman and Madeline Stuart, just to name a few.

Thanks to NYIB, I have accomplished a lot since I graduated! Initially, I wanted to focus on the bridal aspect of this industry, but because NYIB had given me so many different opportunities, I was able to experience the different types of work available. I have worked for TV, Film, Catalog Shoots, Runway, Bridal and so much more! There is no greater satisfaction than to see your work published in catalogs or on TV! Currently, I am working for a company that does Halloween Costume inserts so when you go costume shopping this Halloween, you might just pick up a costume with my work on the model!

The best advice I can give someone that wants to make it in this industry is to take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. Initially, you need the experience and confidence to go out there and be able to handle anything thrown at you. NYIB helps you with that! As a student of NYIB, yes, I had done many unpaid shows but now I am hired as the lead makeup artist for those very shows. If you are looking for a makeup school to attend, I would choose NYIB all over again without any hesitation!

Yes, I attended college and graduated with a Bachelors in Biology. Because of this my next move might be to become a cosmetic chemist and create the very products that I love to work with. I have the credentials for both aspects so you never know. Really, the opportunities are endless!