'I still get to help people, just in a different way': Paramedic turned beauty blogger opens up about the move from emergency departments to making lipsticks with MAC

  • Nikkia Joy is an Australian beauty vlogger and former paramedic
  • She spoke to FEMAIL about her shift in career and tips for beauty vloggers
  • Ms Joy said she never intented to work in beauty - she wanted to work in ED
  • 'I still get to help people, it's just in a totally different way,' she said
  • Ms Joy also shared her beauty tips for those wanting to get into vlogging 

When you think of beauty bloggers, the first thing to come to mind might not be medical experience.

But one Australian beauty vlogger defies all of the traditional industry stereotypes, having studied emergency medicine at university and worked as a paramedic for two years.

'I still get to help people, it's just in a totally different way,' the talented vlogger, Nikkia Joy, told Daily Mail Australia. 

These days, you're more likely to find Ms Joy making beauty YouTube videos or collaborating on lipsticks with the global beauty brand, MAC.

Nikkia Joy (pictured) is an Australian paramedic turned beauty vlogger 

Nikkia Joy (pictured) is an Australian paramedic turned beauty vlogger 

She spoke to Daily Mail Australia about her two passions, and why she loves both of them (pictured)
She spoke to Daily Mail Australia about her two passions, and why she loves both of them (pictured)

She spoke to Daily Mail Australia about her two passions, and why she loves both of them (pictured)

'I still get to help people, it's just in a totally different way,' the talented vlogger (pictured with Chloe Morello) said 

'I still get to help people, it's just in a totally different way,' the talented vlogger (pictured with Chloe Morello) said 

According to Ms Joy, she didn't initially set out to be a beauty personality:

'I had always dreamed of being a paramedic as I have such a passion for helping people,' Ms Joy told FEMAIL.

NIKKIA JOY'S TOP TIPS FOR VLOGGERS  

* Be genuine and don't worry too much about perfect editing. People will enjoy it more if they think it's real.

* Make sure your lighting and sound qualities are up to scratch. Use information on the Internet to help you to achieve this.

* Have fun with it - and if you make a mistake, laugh about it. 

* Remember that make up artistry is about passion and creativity more than qualifications. 

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'I did nursing first and then progressed onto Emergency Medicine - this was a long six-year slog at university, but totally worth all the hard work.

'I worked full time as a paramedic for two years and started vlogging and doing social media in my spare time,' she added.

But as Ms Joy's following grew, so too did she gradually start to reduce her shifts on the ambulance:

'I didn't leave the job because I didn't love it - I left because I had no longer had enough hours in the day to get everything done,' she said.

The beauty blogger confessed to still doing the 'occasional shift here and there'.

'I think it's always smart to keep your foot in the door in case you ever want to go back,' she added.

Recently, Ms Joy has collaborated with MAC Cosmetics (pictured) to create her own shade of lipstick

Recently, Ms Joy has collaborated with MAC Cosmetics (pictured) to create her own shade of lipstick

'I had always dreamed of being a paramedic as I have such a passion for helping people,' Ms Joy told FEMAIL
'I had always dreamed of being a paramedic as I have such a passion for helping people,' Ms Joy told FEMAIL

'I had always dreamed of being a paramedic as I have such a passion for helping people,' Ms Joy told FEMAIL

However, alongside Ms Joy's passion for saving lives is another passion - for beauty:

'I've always been into beauty and make up - I used to work as a freelance make up artist while I was studying. One of my clients mentioned to me once that they would love to watch an instructional make up video to learn some of my tricks.

 One of my clients mentioned to me once that they would love to watch an instructional make up video to learn some of my tricks

'The idea pretty much spawned from that conversation!'.

These days, the Australian-based blogger has more than 500,000 followers online. 

She also recently collaborated with MAC after she was selected as one of their global beauty influencers to create their own lipstick for the brand.

'The collaboration with MAC Cosmetics is definitely my career highlight to date,' she said.

'I am beyond honoured to have had this opportunity and every second of it has been a dream come true. The MAC x Nikkia Joy lipstick is something I will cherish forever.'

But as she got into vlogging and social media, so too did she lessen the hours of work she was doing with the ambulance 

But as she got into vlogging and social media, so too did she lessen the hours of work she was doing with the ambulance 

'I've always been into beauty and make up - I used to work as a freelance make up artist while I was studying,' Ms Joy said 

'I've always been into beauty and make up - I used to work as a freelance make up artist while I was studying,' Ms Joy said 

Ms Joy also shared her tips for aspiring vloggers and make up artists, which include being genuine and creative:

'You are unique for being you and people can see through when you are trying to act like something else,' she said.

'I prefer videos that are real and not perfectly edited, they are so much more fun for the audience to watch.'

Ms Joy also advocated making sure your lighting and sound qualities are up to scratch:

'There is plenty to help you with this on the Internet,' she said. 

'Make up artistry is about creativity, passion and art more than anything else,' Ms Joy concluded.

'You don't actually need a qualification to be successful in the industry.'

To follow Nikkia Joy on Instagram, click here. To follow her YouTube channel, click here

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