Quick answer: This is Nikol Johnson's honest weekly vlog. She takes you behind the scenes of a Nikol Beauty brand photo shoot in Miami, opens with a reformer Pilates session, walks through her low-key camera-ready skincare, and speaks candidly about her endometriosis, IVF journey, and perimenopause — with one clear message: advocate for your own health, because no one knows your body like you do.
Key takeaways
- Nikol shares her personal endometriosis and IVF story and why she believes you have to be your own health advocate.
- A candid behind-the-scenes look at a real brand photo shoot: wardrobe changes, editorial inspiration walls, and hours of work.
- A reformer Pilates session opens the vlog as her low-impact movement of choice.
- She talks through a simple, camera-ready skincare routine, including her reusable silicone eye masks.
- Everything is framed as her lived experience, not medical advice.
Hey ladies — this is one of the more open, personal vlogs on the channel. Over about 25 minutes, Nikol lets you in on a genuinely full week: prepping for a photo shoot while not feeling her best, a reformer Pilates flow, a drive down to Miami, the shoot itself, a Fourth of July beach day, and a heart-to-heart about her health. Here is what she actually covers.
Why is Nikol so passionate about health advocacy?
The most personal thread in this vlog is Nikol's own health history. She shares that she has had debilitating cramps since she was twelve, was later diagnosed with stage 3–4 endometriosis, and went through multiple rounds of IVF. She describes feeling dismissed — being told a diagnostic laparoscopy she requested was "exploratory," and feeling pushed to keep cycling rather than getting answers. After surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, she says she finally got her life back and could work out again. Her takeaway is blunt: read up, ask questions, and don't accept being brushed off. This is her personal experience, not medical guidance — for anything you're facing, please work with a qualified healthcare provider who listens to you.
What actually happens behind the scenes at a brand photo shoot?
Nikol pulls back the curtain on a Nikol Beauty shoot. You see the unglamorous reality: velcro curlers in for volume, always wearing a button-down so nothing pulls over freshly done hair and makeup, and a long drive on I-95 to Miami. On set, she and her team power through look after look, changing wardrobe and color stories to match different products — blush sticks, lipstick, and makeup brushes — with a wall of editorial images for inspiration and a strong lean into texture as they shift toward holiday. It's a candid look at the hours of work behind a single polished image.
Why reformer Pilates for perimenopause and mature bodies?
The vlog opens mid–reformer Pilates flow, following cues through moves like heel stands and "frog." Reformer work uses spring resistance rather than heavy weights, so it builds strength and stability with relatively low joint impact — which is why many women find it sustainable as hormones, muscle, and bone shift over time. If you're new to it or managing a health condition, ease in gently and check with a trainer or your provider about what's right for you.
What does Nikol's camera-ready skincare routine look like?
Because she filmed the morning before a shoot while dealing with her period and puffiness, Nikol shows a simple, feel-good routine rather than a strict regimen. She starts with a micellar water (grape water and chamomile), a few drops of a face oil, and a relaxed gua sha massage — done "the way that feels good" rather than by the book. Her eye area gets extra love: her own reusable silicone eye masks worn over an eye balm and a single drop of a Volufiline serum, with a reminder never to touch the dropper to skin so you don't contaminate the bottle. At the beach she reaches for a mineral SPF. If you're trying anything new, patch-test first and keep it gentle — puffy, hormonal skin is not the day for harsh actives.
The bottom line
This vlog is less a tutorial and more an honest window into Nikol's week — the health battles she's fought, the work behind the brand, and the small rituals that help her show up. If it leaves you wanting to explore the makeup she's shooting, browse the best sellers, see what's fresh in new arrivals, or shop the full makeup range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this Nikol Johnson vlog about?
It's Nikol's weekly lifestyle vlog covering a full week: prepping for and filming a Nikol Beauty brand photo shoot in Miami, a reformer Pilates session, her camera-ready skincare, a Fourth of July beach day, and a candid personal conversation about her health, including endometriosis, IVF, and perimenopause.
Does Nikol give medical advice about IVF or perimenopause?
No. She shares her own lived experience — her endometriosis diagnosis, IVF rounds, and how she felt dismissed by some providers — to encourage women to advocate for themselves. She is not a medical professional, and nothing in the vlog is treatment advice. For your own care, always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
What is reformer Pilates and why does Nikol do it?
Reformer Pilates uses a spring-loaded machine so resistance comes from springs rather than heavy weights. That makes it a lower-impact way to build strength and stability, which many women find sustainable through the hormonal changes of perimenopause. Nikol uses it as her gentle movement of choice, but beginners should ease in and check with a professional.
What skincare does Nikol use to get camera-ready?
On a puffy, low-energy morning she keeps it simple: a chamomile-and-grape-water micellar water, a facial oil, and a relaxed gua sha massage. For her eyes she layers an eye balm and a drop of a Volufiline serum under her own reusable silicone eye masks, then uses a mineral SPF at the beach. Patch-test anything new before your big day.
What goes into a Nikol Beauty photo shoot?
A lot more than one pretty picture. Nikol shows velcro curlers for volume, button-down tops so nothing smudges her hair and makeup, a wall of editorial inspiration, and take after take across different wardrobe and color stories to showcase products like blush sticks, lipstick, and brushes — all in a single long, demanding day on set.
How can I hear about Nikol Beauty sales and launches?
Nikol says the newsletter is the place to be. She writes it herself, keeps it infrequent so your inbox isn't flooded, and uses it to announce her biggest sales, flash sales, coupon codes, and new launches before anywhere else. You can sign up on her website to stay in the loop.
