Meet Natalie Nicole Portillo | Licensed Cosmetologist, Wax Expert, Professional Makeup and Hair Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Nicole Portillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie Nicole, what do you attribute your success to?
I personally feel like what’s made me stand out in the short amount of time I’ve had my makeup and hair artistry business is the urgency to be a representation of success in my family. As I get older, I start to realize and understand all of the things I heard my parents tell me about life and how it is my responsibility to work hard in order to become successful. I was blessed enough to have been born into household that pushes their children to always strive for the highest of the high and that limits do not exist. This is the motivation I use when I have been on my feet for long hours, days at a time and it’s what I’ll continue to strive for not only to honor those that have prayed and encouraged me on this journey of success but those I’ll bring into this world myself and show that they can do it too. As a second-generation Latin American and a daughter of parents that always made ends meet, I want nothing more than to be another example that people of Latin lineage can reach great achievements in the field that they are passionate about.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My whole business has always been centered around the beauty that each individual holds, so my art has always been the enhancement of my client. I love getting to know my clients and building a professional relationship with them, it has always been a personal goal of mine that each bride remember the moments of them getting ready as some of the most special memories about their wedding day. There are some people you meet in life that you will never forget, like the nurse who did a little bit more for a mother during the labor of her baby or the first grade teacher that gave her lunch to a student that didn’t have one that day, I want to be that for a bride on her wedding day. My everyday has become someone’s milestone in life and I plan to always keep that importance in mind as I continue to grow in my career. As glamorous as being a “boss lady” sounds, it has most definitely not been the easiest road to take. I have encountered struggles that I didn’t even know existed in this process, having your own business is so meticulous so paying great attention to detail is a must. There is trial and error as I learn to overcome challenges and the only thing that keeps me going is really the constant telling myself that this will pass and that I will learn something at the end of the day. Keeping a balance between my professional and personal life has always been something I struggle with but when it really comes down to it, it’s so worth it and there’s nothing else I ever see myself doing. I am so proud of how far I have come in less than a year and am so excited to see what new doors will open for me in years to come. I just want people to know there is so much heart behind this brand and that this is not just a job to me, this really consumes my entire life and I am in love with it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston and areas neighboring have basically been home my entire life. I am a huge girly girl and love a good photo with my friends, I would definitely take my girls to Bloom Bar, Secret Garden, Purple Kow- the best boba! I love Korean BBQ so Gen BBQ is one of my favorite places to go. I always lunch at Saigon USA Pho & Grill and Fabulous Pho in the Woodlands/Conroe area and Ruggles Black Restaurant is for date night or my best friend’s birthday. And if you haven’t gone to the art museum downtown at least once, what are you doing?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am or even who I am without the faith in God, the love, the encouragement, and the support of my family. I do what I do in honor of all the hard work I saw my parents put in to raising my brothers and I, and I hope to bless them with the fruits of my labor as we all grow older together. Thank you to my closest girl friends that sat in my car with me as I cried and told me to not be afraid when I became fully self-employed at the age of 22, they have not only constantly recommended me and shared my work, they have also helped me in even being apart of my growing team. Thank you to all of the photographers that have ever showcased my work and recommended me to their clients, Thank you Modern Boudoir Houston for including me in showing so many women how beautiful they really are. Thank you Lilliam Ayala and her team for having me, teaching me and mentoring me as a young artist as well as many other artists that have reassured and uplifted me and my work. A major, major appreciation shoutout to all the brides that have allowed me to be part of their big day and every client that has ever sat in my chair, thank you for bringing me further towards all the goals I have set for myself, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without all of you. There are so many others that have brought me this far, thank you. It truly took a village so thank you guys for believing in me.

Website: https://nxnmakeupartistry.com/

Instagram: @nxnmakeupartistry

Facebook: NxN Makeup Artistry

Image Credits
Credits to Scotty’s Photography By Scott Fukubayashi Credits to Houston Imagery Studio By Maria & Tony Chicas Credits to Katie’s Photo Life By Katie Charlesworth