I walk in to the home of Flash Niper, a newcomer to the makeup world. Clearly Flash is not her real name. She’s somehow created a persona for herself combining the surname she was given by friends, preceding the alleged last name of the Joker: the arch nemesis of DC Comic’s Batman.
“Sorry, I’m almost finished.” She beckons while finishing up a game of Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 on her large flat-screen television. I watch on. She makes a character that somewhat resembles herself; the green hair, the tattoos, the multiple piercings that grace her face. Flash is your typical double-take, yet her appearance, while startling to some, compliments her quiet demeanor.
Flash Niper, born Marae Lezama, is a 19 year old freelance make-up artist born in Queens, New York. While a new face (she’s only been an artist for 1 year), she has experience and an understated professionalism about her. As we ready for the interview, she does not hesitate to show me her work. As I glanced though her portfolio, I’ve noticed a trend; she uses themes in her photo shoots. “I like themes because it shows that I can create multiple ideas from one basic idea. It emphasizes my versatility,” She explains. One of the themes she uses is VAMP, where the styling and makeup is inspired by vampires. Her personal style vividly reflects itself in all of her work.
A client arrives to get their make-up done. “We can still continue the interview,” Flash exclaims nonchalantly. We move downstairs, where she works. It is a full make-up studio. There are chairs and a trunk full of all of her supplies. Flash takes her time to turn on a loud, heavy metal song. “It’s A7X… it keeps me going.” Music is a key factor in all of her work as she goes on explaining, “I can’t focus unless I have music that drives me. The music genre changes depending on the occasion.”
Flash has done make-up for numerous events including local fashion shows as well as well known magazines, like The Source Magazine. She has done the makeup from the likes of Rosa Acosta and local TV stations like The MNN Network. Her hard work and effort is paying off slowly bringing her talents to the forefront.
Flash has many inspirations including Kat Von D and Pink. “I admire their nonchalant attitudes… I find women like this empowering. They both made it on their own.” Flash is following in their footsteps. She hopes to become a world renowned freelance makeup artist. With as many accolades as she already possesses, she cannot be anything but great.

Check out her work http://flashpalette.blogspot.com/