Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Gemmell.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Makeup had always been a central part of my life as a way of creative expression, but it wasn’t until I got to college that I learned how prominent it would become in my life. While studying the craft during an elective course in theatrical makeup, I learned how crucial the art was to the vast idea of storytelling and soon after my career path became clear. After gaining wide respect for how the craft could shape a story, I was excited to make my mark as an artist in the industry. I began by volunteering for plays, fashion shoots, and runway shows which all gave me the confidence to know this was what I wanted to fill my life with. Soon after, I attended the film school Gower Studios located in Hollywood, where I learned how to perfect my craft for the camera. I moved from North California to Los Angeles, lived with local friends and attended classes all while networking and building a circle of like-minded individuals. I especially bonded with one of my instructors and soon after graduation, she hired as an assistant. From then on, I learned how to work my way up to key makeup artist while always keeping at the forefront my ideals of maintaining a safe and comfortable environment with every client that sat in my chair.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Though the film industry itself comes with a wide array of challenges, I found that if I always kept a focus on the creative nature of the craft and a mutual respect for those around me, many obstacles worked themselves out. The artistic aspect of the job was more or less effortless in nature, but the sacrifices it took to get there were anything but easy. The long 15-20 hour work days, last-minute problem solving, on location struggles, and the constant stamina needed to keep up with the demanding work were all part of the journey to success. I learned to love my job despite the struggles, particularly because of the people I get to meet. As they sit in my chair for hours at a time, I become privy to their life stories, adventures, hardships, and goals. I genuinely bond with my clients as they become my canvas for art while I paint on black eyes, prosthetics, fake bruises, or fresh beauty looks. Whether I am turning them into a zombie or a beauty queen, the bonding of it all never ceases to amaze me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Throughout the years, I was able to craft a specialty surrounding clean beauty for all ethnicities. Early in my career, I made it a priority to study different skin textures and calibrate any skin tone to bring out their best features, all in a timely manner. When I worked on music videos for Master P and Little Romeo, I was catering to at least 20 people per day, all with different skin tones and always made it a priority to know exactly how to work with every type. I think my ability to get to find common ground and bond with whoever is in my chair facilities to the comfortableness that is essential for a collaboration that optimizes the exact desired look. I make it fun and the talent brings their own excitement to the table and together, we make the experience the best it can be. I am most proud of my relationships I have with others. I provide an ego-free supportive space for my talent to be all they can be. We elevate. We validate. We express judgment free. We stay in gratitude. This industry has been a gift. As a makeup artist, I am so incredibly grateful to be witness to my talent’s success. They get to shine brightly and feel supported. I am happy to be that person who provides a fantastic experience in the arts and film. It is a place where creative personalities can feel 100% at home. There is limitless creativity, expression and collaboration that is a unique place to be.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk has been a constant centralized ideal in my life since a very young age. This idea of “risk” has always been second nature and something I have faced without fear. In many ways, the “risks” I took never felt as such because there was no negative connotation behind it. So in many ways, I categorize what are traditional “risks” instead as “leaps.” In this sense, there is no option of failure because I have always led a life of trust in myself and in my path. I have been known to drop everything and travel to foreign countries without a plan, money, or fear. I believe everything you want in life is just a small leap away. So there is no choice but to run full force towards opportunities, experiences, and adventures. I took a leap by moving to LA and pursuing a career in makeup artistry and in many ways, that leap always felt like it was led by a force much greater than myself. I welcome challenges and opportunities and I am blind to consequences of risk because I am lead by my heart. I believe if you keep that at your forefront and only follow was feels right, every experience derived from that will be a rich one.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jennfx.com
- Instagram: Glow_forlife
Image Credits
Chester Bennington, Finn wolfhard, Jenn Gemmell, Sahvannah Rae.
