Changing Careers in Your Late 30s: Nichole Lee’s Leap from Fashion Buyer to Freelance Makeup Artist.
“Starting Over at 37: Nichole Lee’s Bold Career Pivot into Makeup”
Podcast: The Makeup Insider
Is it ever too late to start over? According to Nicole Lee, absolutely not.
In our latest episode of The Makeup Insider, I sit down with Nichole—known online as @nicholeleemakeup—to talk about her bold and inspiring career pivot. At the age of 37, Nichole walked away from a successful career as a fashion buyer and stepped into the dynamic, fast-paced world of freelance makeup artistry.
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Nichole spent over a decade climbing the ranks of the fashion industry. But despite her professional accomplishments, burnout and a lack of fulfillment began to creep in. The demanding nature of the industry was taking a toll on her health and well-being. After years of ignoring the signs, she made the brave decision to pivot toward her long-standing passion—makeup.
Facing Fear, Finding Freedom
Nichole speaks candidly about the financial fears that nearly held her back. Leaving a stable income and corporate structure for the unknown world of freelancing is daunting for anyone—but especially so later in life. She shares how having a solid savings plan and the emotional (and financial) support of her partner made all the difference.
Her advice? Don’t leap blindly. If you’re considering a major career shift, especially in your 30s or beyond, start with a financial cushion. It buys you time, protects your mental health, and gives you the space to build your new path without desperation.
The Advantages of Age
While some may view a late-career shift as risky, Nichole believes her age became a surprising strength. With more life experience came clarity, focus, and a heightened sense of urgency. She didn’t have time to “figure things out slowly,” and instead approached her new career with intention and grit.
Her years in fashion gave her a keen eye for detail and an understanding of aesthetics that set her apart as a makeup artist. It’s proof that previous experience—no matter the field can become a powerful asset when starting something new.
Learning from Mistakes (and Smoky Eyes)
Nichole shares some of her early missteps with refreshing honesty, including a memorable moment where an attempt at a smoky eye didn’t go to plan. But instead of letting the setbacks stop her, she leaned in. She used each challenge to sharpen her skills and improve her client experience.
These real-world lessons shaped not only her technique but her mindset, resilience, humility, and constant learning are now cornerstones of her approach.
Building a New Career Brick by Brick
From test shoots to coffee meetups, Nichole slowly built her network within the fashion and beauty industry. She made smart use of Instagram, sharing her work consistently and using hashtags strategically to attract her ideal clients.
Authenticity, she says, is the key to standing out online. It’s not about chasing trends it’s about sharing your journey, your personality, and your artistry in a way that resonates with people.
The Self-Employed Reality
Nichole doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of self-employment. The shift from a regular paycheck to fluctuating freelance income brought its own stress, as did the pressure to always be “on.” But she’s found ways to balance hustle with health, learning to prioritise rest, ongoing education, and even expanding into hairstyling during the pandemic—an unexpected twist that added another skill to her portfolio.
Kit Favourites & Artist Inspirations
Toward the end of the episode, Nichole shares her current favourite products, from go-to concealers and bronzers to how she finds the perfect lip colour for each client. Her makeup kit is an extension of her fashion background—versatile, considered, and always evolving.
Whether you’re dreaming of a new path or already knee-deep in transition, Nichole’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. With practical advice, raw honesty, and a whole lot of heart, this episode is for anyone thinking about starting over—and doing it on their own terms.
🎧 Listen now: Nichole Lee's Transition from Fashion Buyer to Freelance Makeup Artist: Overcoming Financial Fears and Starting Anew at 37.
Available on Apple, Spotify, and Buzzsprout
Action Plan: Changing Careers in Your Late 30s — Inspired by Nicole Lee
Step 1: Reflect & Research
Identify your "why": Be honest about why you want to leave your current career. Is it burnout? Lack of fulfillment? Passion for something new?
Explore the new field: Follow artists, read blogs, listen to podcasts (like The Makeup Insider!), and talk to professionals to understand the reality of the industry.
Step 2: Financial Prep
Build a safety net: Start saving a transition fund—ideally 3–6 months of living expenses.
Review your budget: Cut unnecessary expenses and plan how you’ll sustain yourself as you build a new income stream.
Partner support: If applicable, communicate openly with your partner or household about the financial shift.
Step 3: Start Small
Begin training: Enroll in makeup courses or workshops to build your foundational skills (if needed).
Practice: Offer free or low-cost services to friends, models, or creatives to gain hands-on experience.
Document everything: Start building a portfolio through test shoots, before-and-afters, and styled looks.
Step 4: Transition Intentionally
Soft launch your services: Create a separate Instagram account for your work. Share progress and document your journey.
Connect with creatives: Reach out to stylists, photographers, and other makeup artists for coffee chats or collaborations.
Stay in your current role (if possible): Consider a gradual shift—reduce hours or freelance part-time while you build.
Step 5: Build Your Brand
Show up on social media: Share your work consistently and use strategic hashtags to reach your niche.
Stay authentic: Let your story and personality shine—clients love a personal connection.
Get feedback: Ask for honest reviews from early clients or collaborators and use them to improve.
Step 6: Keep Evolving
Upskill regularly: Try new products, techniques, or even expand into hairstyling like Nicole did.
Prioritize health: Watch for burnout and be intentional about rest. Success is a marathon, not a sprint.
Track progress: Celebrate small wins—your first paid job, a rebooked client, a repost by a brand.
Pro Tip from Nicole:
“The best part about starting later in life is you don’t waste time. You know what you want and you go for it with focus.”