Rhythm-Lee King (Ngāti Kahungunu) completed two EIT qualifications.
Rhythm (Ngāti Kahungunu) left Hastings Girls’ High School in 2024 with a clear idea of what she wanted to do next.
“I didn’t want to leave school and not know what I was going to do. I wanted to make sure that I had a plan in place.”
Her interest in makeup began when she was a child and her mother did her makeup for ballet recitals. As she grew older, Rhythm began experimenting with Halloween looks before doing makeup for her mother and friends.
“I’ve always loved makeup. It has always been a passion of mine, and I really wanted to follow through with it when I got older.
“I love making people feel good about themselves. I also love learning about skin, what is good for it, what is not and how different habits can affect it.”
When Rhythm discovered EIT offered a programme that matched her interests, she decided to apply.
She enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Foundation Skills (Hair and Beauty) (Level 2) at EIT’s Hastings Campus before progressing to the NZ Certificate in Skin Care and Cosmetics (Level 3).
Both programmes were six months long, allowing her to complete them in the same year.
Rhythm had intended to continue into the Level 4 beauty therapy programme, but an opportunity to begin working in the industry came first.
“I was supposed to do Level 4, but I got a job, so I thought I could always come back to study.”
She joined Farmers Hastings as a beauty adviser in March, helping customers choose products and providing services such as colour matching.
Rhythm has since moved into a merchandising role in the store’s health and beauty department. Her work includes managing stock and creating promotional displays when brands release new products.
“I think it is very rare that someone says they love their job, but I genuinely do love my job. It is so fun.
“I love setting up all the new promotional things when brands come out with new products. I love the people and the environment.”
Rhythm says her EIT studies gave her a much broader understanding of skincare, products and makeup techniques than she had expected.
“I thought I would just go to class, put makeup on people and then take it off, but there is actually so much more to skin and makeup techniques than I thought.”
She now draws on that knowledge when helping customers at Farmers.
“If I had just left school and gone straight into work, I would have been a lost sheep. Because I went to EIT and learned everything they taught me, I am able to help my customers at work a lot more.”
Rhythm studied with support from the Te Ara o Tākitimu scholarship, which included assistance with travel costs.
She says the practical support, along with encouragement from her tutors and classmates, helped her complete her studies.
“I received help with fuel costs to get to and from class, so I had the funds to actually get there.
“My tutors were really lovely and helped me when I was struggling. My classmates motivated me to keep going as well. The support at EIT is really, really good.”
Alongside her role at Farmers, Rhythm has begun offering makeup services through her Instagram page, Beauty by Rhythm.
She has done makeup for birthdays and school balls and has also worked with the bridesmaids at a wedding.
In the future, Rhythm hopes to become a full-time makeup artist, specialising in weddings and running her own business.
“Once I am older and have explored the world a little more, I definitely want to become a full-time makeup artist and be my own boss.
“I am still young, so I am still trying to find where I fit in this world.”
Beauty Tutor Fleur Gunn said: “Rhythm was always a bubbly, energetic student; always eager to learn”.
“She was enthusiastic in class activities and thrived in all aspects. Her makeup skills were always incredible, but she grew to be really great at her retail skills on client days.”