From a young age, I knew I wanted work in hair, makeup and beauty. My first experience of makeup was finding my Nan’s lipstick as a young girl.  I was instantly attracted to the beautiful gold outer case.  Carefully, I twisted up the bullet, to reveal the beautiful pink shade inside. Instantly, I swiped it across my lips.  Then I rushed to show my Nan, my new discovery.  Luckily, she gave it to me, my first ever lipstick. Little did she know, it would spark my professional makeup artist career!

I was obsessed with that lipstick and I still have my Nan’s vintage lipstick holder, that I cherish. Today, I am still curious about colour, formulations and how makeup products perform. My dream is to visit a makeup factory or lab to see how it all comes together. Until then, I will continue to explore products and formulars to my hearts content.

I’ve always had a strong work ethic. This came from my Mum, who I had watched work hard, whilst growing up. I studied cosmetic and theatrical makeup courses at college, whilst working in administrative roles and I also became a PA. I believe this is where my organisational and planning skill have came into there own. Alongside this, I worked for direct selling makeup companies, offering advice and tips on what to buy that worked for them. I loved doing this as I still got to talk makeup!

Weddings

Eventually, all my hard work came together and I started my own business, as a professional freelance makeup artist. Initially, I advertised in the yellow pages. (Remember those big yellow books or maybe you don’t!) Then came my first wedding makeup booking, that I did was on 21st May 2001. From then my wedding business flourished. I trained in hairstyling at the London College of fashion and continued to attend makeup shows, courses and events to stay industry aware and network, meeting new people. Something I continue to do. Throughout the career highlights below, my wedding business grew and I continue to makeover brides.

Jenny’s Career

My career as a makeup artist has taken me all over the world. Working in some beautiful places and unusual locations! I consider unused underground stations, sheds in fields, decaying stately homes, even in a field working out the back of a van or a tent, as most non-conventional. Working in Cyprus with gorgeous landscapes and Bahrain, where I flew via helicopter, to the Arabian golf to work on ships with the most amazing experiences.

Film projects, at the start of my career, included creating makeup for various indie films published for Amazon US and some have won awards at film festivals. TV projects include working on the Jeremy Vine show, Big Brother and MTV to name a few. I have also appeared on TV as a wedding makeup expert and I was invited to be on a special feature of extreme cake makers on channel 4. The cake makers were tasked with making cakes that could be served for a royal wedding and the cake was delicious. What a dream job eating cake!

As a casualty simulation makeup artist. I have worked on variety of projects delivering moulage and casualty simulation makeup for medical training activities for the NHS, emergency services and the military. Currently, I still work in Casualty Simulation on various long term projects. As a fan of Halloween makeup, I have worked as the Head of Makeup for The Howl at Mead open farm for scream park entertainments Ltd. This is my 10th year creating and designing the looks, along with running a fantastic team of makeup artist (Don’t open the link if you don’t like scary clowns and creatures!).

Published work and appearances

My work has been published both in print and online. This varies from creating the hair and makeup looks for editorial and commercial shoots, writing and contributing to articles as a makeup expert for a variety companies, including Magpie Wedding, The Lady, Bond Magazine and your natural health. For several years, I was part of the hair and makeup team for wed2b creating hair and makeup styles for their brands. I also worked on their first ever TV commercial.

I enjoy meeting people and I’ve demonstrated makeup techniques at major beauty shows around the UK. A highlight was to demonstrate a makeup look on stage at the ideal home show, live to an audience. Although incredible nervous before-hand, I actually enjoyed it and loved speaking to audience members after, who wanted to meet me and ask questions about the products I had used.

JB Makeup Studio

In 2017 I opened my own makeup studio based in Broughton Grounds Business Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. I have created a relaxing studio space for clients to come for bridal previews and makeup lessons with a friendly welcome and good coffee! I’m incredible proud of the studio space that provides a calming experince within a private setting with everything to hand for your hair styling and makeup experience.

Educator

Teaching others is incredibly rewarding. I begun teaching for Airbase makeup as part of their pro team back in 2011. I also created and delivered casualty simulation CPD accredited courses, after qualifying as a teacher. I’m a former media makeup university lecturer which I did for almost 9 years. Most recently, I have created a website dedicated to makeup education delivering accredited hair and courses.

Things I love

I love books and keeping up-to date with new publications from my makeup idols. Colour theory books absorb my free time lately, as I find the subject fascinating. You never stop learning. Having a keen interest in historical and period subjects. I look out for exhibitions that take my fancy, at museums or places of interest, one of my favourites is the V&A in London. My photography skills have been building over the last few years. As well as snapping my family, I do focus on portrait style imagery.

I’m a huge theatre fan and have been to see many wonderful shows as well as watching them at home. My daughter and I have seen many shows and we love singing along and being swept up into the storylines. I also love a good coffee!