MELISSA: You are Hollywood’s most indispensable makeup artist; did you ever think that this would be your life?
JAMIE: Watching my Mom get ready was always so amazing to me. Makeup made me so excited, looking back. I always liked it but it’s not something I was encouraged to pursue. Studying film in college, I never expected to end up here. What began as dabbling began to evolve into my career now. One day, you turn around and you’re like “I love what I’m doing!” I didn’t even make the connection that I am always working with these celebrities who are in big films and me, myself studied film. It’s all very cool.
MELISSA: Who was the first celebrity you did make up for?
JAMIE: I remember my first celebrity interaction was Lionel Richie. I grew up with him; my dad had his cassette tape. Heidi Klum was pretty early on in my career too. That was a crazy one.
MELISSA: What’s the easiest way to turn a day look into night?
JAMIE: Just emphasize what you already have going on. Add a strip lash or just amp up the darkness. For me, a smoldering eye is more night for me. I’ll take a coal liner and rim my lash line and smudge it out. A bold lip always works too. You can just test makeup in a stronger way at night then in the day.
MELISSA: Where does your inspiration come from?
JAMIE: To be honest, my inspiration comes from the person that’s sitting right in front of me. I used to be obsessed with fashion magazines and other people’s Instagram accounts. But if I see something, I don’t want to steal it, I want it to evolve naturally. So, when I look at a face, some people have the kind of features that a cat eye would look amazing on. Or they might look amazing in jewel tones. It’s really the individual I’m working with.
MELISSA: What is your favorite look?
JAMIE: I love a cat eye. My girls are more natural, and I don’t get to play that much. I recently shot with Violet Grey and we got to be more editorial. People were amazed. It’s funny because you get put into a category of “Oh she’s an editorial artist”, “She’s a red-carpet artist”, but I feel like we all have it in us to do anything and everything. Most of my clients just want to look like the best version of themselves so it’s fun when I get to do stuff that’s more out-of-the-box.
MELISSA: What should be three makeup items a woman should never leave home without?
JAMIE:SPF is critical – When you put it on it gives your skin this dewy texture no matter the makeup you put on
Eyelash curler – Troy Surratt
Lip Duo
