| December 3rd, 2015

FEATURE: Our Lips Are Sealed

By: journeymagazine

Words by: Jessika Ward

Black women have been innovators and leaders of the beauty industry for decades, creating products that make being “beautiful” more simple and fun.

In 2006, Kaori Nik attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where she studied psychology while doing hair at home.

Nik, a 27 year-old entrepreneur, beautician and makeup artist from Chicago, has created a product that brings a change to the beauty industry. Nik is the creator of ProFixx, a vegan lip pigment and lipstick line that was launched in October 2013.

Though she did not always plan for her future to be the way it currently is, she is no amateur when it comes to the beauty industry. She attended cosmetology school in 2009 to become a hairstylist and has been a part of the industry ever since.

Nik said she decided to create ProFixx when she began mixing colors for her clients to get the “perfect shade”.

“Often times my clients would want the color I used on them but I was unable to recommend any one product because I used so many,” Nik said.

Nik’s family and friends have watched her and her product grow. Her mother, Cynthia Thomas, said Nik is truly passionate about producing a consistent, quality product that makes clients feel and look amazing when they apply it.

“Because Kaori cares about the quality of the product not just the sell,” Thomas said. “She is very careful about the market placement of the product and honest advertising.”

It is important to not confuse this product with a lipstick. ProFixx and commercial lipstick are two very different products. ProFixx is made with oils and butters and does not have as much wax as a lipstick.

“ProFixx is not as stiff, it’s more so a lip butter or chapstick with a huge color payoff,” Nik said. “Not to mention it’s vegan!”

The ProFixx creator does much more than run her business and attend to her hair and makeup clientele. Nik has worked with popular recording artists, America’s Next Top Model contestant Kayla Ferrell, and world-renowned photographer Stan Malinowski. She most recently worked for the MTV video music awards and has worked for other production sets.

“Just last week I was on set with Will Smith. Freelance artistry can take you any place at any time. I love it,” Nik said.

This beauty entrepreneur said she is most inspired by artist such as Alex Box and Kazuhiro.

“I moved to LA to pursue special effects makeup. I love the idea of a challenge and makeup is a big shift in the perspective of beauty so I’m excited,” Nik said.

Marilyn Camacho, Nik’s roommate and friend of 6 years, said Nik was only doing hair and makeup when they met and she has seen Pro-fixx grow from an idea to a product that sponsors many events and companies and has lots of supporters.

“I’ve seen her evolve into this amazing business woman that truly cares about her clients and what they are applying on their face. It was important for her to make sure that her product was cruelty-free and make something that she could really be proud of,” said Camacho.

Though she is on her way to take over the beauty industry, Nik shares that she has doubts and fears like any other human.

“I want people to understand that as a black woman, entrepreneur, and artist I go through so many moments of doubt, concern and stress,” Nik said. “It’s important that we talk about how overwhelming you can feel when you’re finding your way in the entertainment industry. Self motivation and preservation is key.”

She has said that Profixx is a brand geared towards women who are not afraid of change and she hopes women will embrace it.