Nick’s passion for makeup started young. “At an early age, like many artists, I was fascinated with all things Halloween. I wanted to transform myself and friends into creatures and characters,” he shares. But it wasn’t just the spooky season that inspired him.

In 2000, while watching Oprah, he saw something revolutionary: a male makeup artist confidently working his magic on TV. It was a game-changer for a small-town kid from Santa Fe, New Mexico. "It was a new concept and unheard of in the small town of Santa Fe, NM. I fell in love with Kevyn Aucoin’s style of makeup and ability to transform celebrities into hyper beautiful forms of themselves or other characters." That moment sparked something in Nick—a desire to combine his love for art and transformation into a career.

 Q: What were your first experiences with makeup like?

 

Nick’s first foray into makeup came in the '90s when he was a theater kid experimenting with stage makeup. “I took a long break and fell back into the world of makeup during college. I was experimenting with drag and stage makeup,” he explains. The transformative power of makeup was freeing, giving him a chance to break free of his timid personality and shine on stage. Eventually, Nick found his way to the MAC counter in Albuquerque, NM, where he was one of the few male artists at the time. "Despite having to break down the walls that society put up, I developed a following of clients and friends that would support my artistry and help coach and develop my skills." Keep in mind, this was before the rise of social media and YouTube—everything he learned was through experimentation, studying magazines, and drag queens.

 

 

Nick didn’t just stop at makeup—he took his craft to the next level by earning an esthetician license. “Understanding skin and hygiene best practices on a deeper level has made me a stronger artist,” he says.

Now, not only do clients receive flawless makeup, but they also get healthier skin—earning him compliments not just on his makeup skills but on his ability to enhance natural beauty. It’s the ultimate win-win for his clients.

 

 

One of Nick’s most jaw-dropping projects was his collaboration with photographer Amber Gray for the Mermaids Series. "I love this shoot. It was two days of collaboration and creation with a fun team." Shooting with Amber Gray means embracing the unexpected, from elaborate sets to creative challenges.

 

“Day one, the team transformed her studio into a bamboo forest with a pond and falling snow. Day two, we shot in an enormous water tank,” Nick recounts. With the model submerged for long periods of time, the makeup had to hold up through every splash and ripple. He fused classic beauty with geisha-style makeup, creating hauntingly beautiful looks that seemed to swim straight out of a dream.

 

Q: Why is body painting so important to you as an artist?

 

Nick has a deep passion for body painting, and it shows in his work. "There is a certain energy that the model takes on and emits when their body is transformed,” he says. It’s more than just painting—it’s making the model embody a new character. During his time at MAKE UP FOR EVER, Nick was introduced to the medium by mentors like Dany Sanz and Floriane David. “They handed me the tools and products, then pushed me to practice the fundamentals.”

From there, it was all about honing his skills, memorizing the flick of the wrist, and understanding how to layer textures and colors to create limitless effects. According to Nick, "Creative makeup is 40% understanding formula, texture, layering... 40% is design and ingenuity, and 20% the model you work with." It’s an intricate dance of technique and imagination.

 

Working with renowned photographer Mike Ruiz is always an adventure. “He will generally provide a concept and then let me fly with it,” Nick explains. Nick loves how the art flows organically during their shoots, allowing for spontaneous creativity while staying true to the concept. It’s a partnership rooted in mutual respect and the freedom to push boundaries.

 

 

 

As an educator, Nick is passionate about sharing everything he’s learned from his mentors. “Every education moment is about sharing many tips to get to the desired results with the path of least resistance,” he says. Nick calls them “light bulb moments”—the kind of insights that make students go, “Oh, that’s why that works!” One of his favorite lessons to teach is about sculpting with highlight and contour. “Sculpting is just painting with light and shadow, dictating where the light reflects off the features and where the shadows will fall. ” he explains. By studying the natural shadows created by bone structure and room lighting, artists can create dynamic, dimensional looks with just a few strategic strokes.

 

If he could turn back time, Nick would tell his younger self to lean into freelance work and unleash his creativity. “Don’t hold back your creativity. And for crying out loud, adjust to social media sooner. I was so resistant to the world of social media at the beginning.” And now? He’s fully embracing the digital age.

 

 

Nick is keeping his future open to possibilities. “The sky is the limit. Be on the lookout for our ESUM Luminary collaboration! When you are in New York drop me a line and we can schedule a treatment to pamper your skin!” he says. Whether it’s more transformative body painting, teaching new techniques, or collaborating on ambitious photo shoots, Nick’s artistry continues to evolve.

 

 

Watch Nick at work on his ESUM Luminary25 Colloaboration.

 

Follow Nick on Instagram at @nicklujan_artistry and check out his portfolio at nicklujanartistry.com.