JessRenae – Make-up Artist Interview, Expert Beauty Advice
Enjoy this excellent and super informative artist interview with Kansas City based makeup artist JessRenae.
JessRenae’s Q&A is one of the most educational interviews of this ongoing series.
It is action packed with personal stories, expert beauty and skin care advice from a true professional with a passion. What more can one ask for?
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: I am 21 years old. I have been doing makeup professionally for 2 years going on 3 (starting jan.2009). My skills improved tremendously over the past year. I loved makeup my whole life! I love making people feel beautiful on the inside as well as out.
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Skill wise; no. Either you have the gift, or you don’t. However, I do believe the schools will help you with the business aspect of makeup-artistry. How to promote yourself, setting up a portfolio, what different clients will be looking for, etc. Things in that nature.
Q: Did you always wanted to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Who or what inspired you to become a makeup artist?
A: No, I stumbled upon my talent lol.
Its a long story, but I some time to kill lol. In my freshman year in high school (9th grade), I had a cousin who was into modeling. She and I were best friends. She had the hair, MAKE UP, and clothes. All the guys liked her; including the ones I was dating. I had low self-esteem. My cousin introduced me to the fab. world of Glamour , (sorta).
First, her older sister talked me in to arching my brows by using a razor. I had really bushy brows. They thinned them pretty well. ( I mean really thin! Yikes!! lol). Then, my cousin found some makeup around her house that looked like it was close to my color. I thought it looked good back then; had no clue how dark it really looked. She also gave me here old liquid liner.
Thought I was doing some damage ( good damage lol) then! I even out lined my lips a dark dark brown. (horrid!). I even wore my first pair of heels then! I thought I was the baddest chick in the school; til one day a guy friend in band told me how my makeup was nasty-looking everyday.
That hurt! Not only to find out how my cousin (my best friend) was laughing behind my back! Ouch! Ever since then, I went to the library and every makeup book they had in stocked. I Read them all! You name it, I’ve read it! Keyvn Accouin, Bobbi Brown, Color me beautiful, everything from every local library!
I tried one of the tips one day; and got so many compliments. I felt so good about self that day, nothing could tear me down! that’s when i started to discover myself.
I dared to try different looks, wore my clothes different, even my hair! I’ve gotten so many jealousy from girls; compliments, questions! That’s when I knew I was born to be different. I stop trying to be someone i wasn’t. (my cousin). and started being myself, show casing my style, the JessRenae way! Thats when i discovered my passion for makeup!!!
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: Meeting new faces, gaining new friends, experiencing different techniques, everything! I love my job! Although, I don’t see it as a job; I see it as passion!!
Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: How many people take advantage of you; how people suddenly want to be your friend because of what you are and what you can do other than Who you are. How so many beautiful people think they are not beautiful because of what society tells us what is. How much I have learned, and more to learn!
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: To me, beauty comes from within. A person with a beautiful soul is a beautiful person. They must have great confidence of themselves in order for the world to see how beautiful they are. With that inner beauty, the outer beauty will be able to reveal its self and glow beyond the world for all to see. From the eyes to smile. (Remember, the eyes are the windows to the soul…)
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: I am addicted to MAC, bobbi brown, and Maybeline’s mascaras. I use those brands daily. I do have other brands in my kit of course. I’m still out ‘venturing other products. The list is still growing!
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: Wash face day/night , everyday!!!
Tone! Tone! Tone!!
Moisturize!!!! SPF (sun protecting factor)
Mask (once/twice weekly)
Scrub (once/ twice weekly)
Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Don’t EVER sleep in your makeup!!!! Do not go out in the sun without spf15 Do not pop pimples!!!!!!
Q: Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a skin care product or during a makeup session? If so, what happened?
A: No. can’t say that I have.
Q: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with makeup? What’s the worst thing a woman can do to her skin?
A: a) Forget to set their makeup.
Wrong Foundation color
Over do the makeup
b) Sleep in her makeup and not care for the skin.
Do not take care of dark circles
Do not moisturize
Do not use SPF 15
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: To be honest, this is more of a personal question. It depends on the individual. I am interested int the air brushing. But I know it has its pros/cons as everything else. The Gel eyeliner is heaven!
Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: No. Its not necessary. There are a few drug store brand names that are very comparable to the high-priced items. However, just like the fashion world in high school, the higher the price the better.
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: Brows, Eyes, lips, cheeks. In that specific order.
Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Everyone is different. There are no rules in makeup.
I start with the eyes first. (This will prevent the fall out from ruining your foundation)
. Place a lid primer on the lids
. Place a light/medium shade (or whatever color you wish) on the lid only!
. Then, place a darker shade (a shade that would compliment the first color)into the crease of your eye.
. Place a highlighter (a light color ) under the brow on the brow bone.
. Line the eyes with a dark liner. Enhance your lashes with mascara (and false lashes…opt.)
Foundation/Concealer:
. Place concealer on dark circles / dark spots.
. Put on your foundation using a sponge or brush.
. Set with powder.
Blush:
. Apply blush.
Lips:
. Apply lip conditioner
. Line the lips (opt.)
. Apply lipstick (opt.)
. Add gloss for shine and youthful lips
Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: You can smoke out the eyes by using a dark shade (eyeshadow)for a more dramatic look. You can also add a little shimmer to lids after you darken the shadow a bit. You can even darken the lips. Add some falsies if you don’t wear them everyday. If you do, switch to a pair that’s thicker, longer, or both.
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: Hmmm… very little. For models, the makeup is a little bit more dramatic. The foundation must
be flawless. The more the better! (in some cases). And most women just want the natural look. Or just a tiny bit dramatic with the eyes.
Q: In terms of eyeliner, if you had to choose between a pencil, liquid, or creme/gel based, which one would you choose? Why?
A: THE creame/gel! Its water resistant. Easy to apply, and its the pencil and liquid combined!. Goes on like the liquid, but gives you the soft look. Its a lil dramatic like the liquid but not so LOUD! just perfect for any occasion! you will not catch me dead with out it!
Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: Once again, it depends on what my client prefer.
Q: What brand/type of concealer is your favorite for covering up the after effects of a late night out i.e. under-eye circles, blemishes?
A: Bobbi Brown’s correcter! Covers everything! Including tattoos! Not cakey or too heavy. just right. ;)
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: I have quite a few on my website. It would be a hassle for me to copy and paste, copy and paste, copy and paste lol. My website is : http://www.myspace.com/jess_renae
Q: Would you share some of your future goals, your life motto, any words of wisdom that get you by in life and professional career?
A: Yes.
“in order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different”
“the client is always right!”
“while one door closes; another opens”
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Don’t be afraid of who you are and let your creativity shine! Take pride in your art!
Connect with JessRenae via her MySpace and ModelMayhem profiles.