Meet Jen Marine of Jen Marine Makeup Artistry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Marine.

Jen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As an art major, my dream was to one day be an animator for Walt Disney Studios and draw the movies; however, growing up, I was always quite good at applying makeup–mine or my friends. Once I was in college, I decided that rather than waiting tables, that I would get a part time job behind a makeup counter while finishing up my art degree. Soon before I knew it, makeup became my life and my desire to do makeup full time took a front seat. I was soon hired on at a high-end luxury day spa, and shortly after that, I became a National Artist and Educator for a mineral makeup line and was traveling all over the U.S.

I felt a calling in 2007 that I was ready to step out on my own as a freelance makeup artist and wanted to pursue a more artistic path by doing what I truly loved the most–creating art. So, I reached out to some local photographers and modeling agencies and began doing fashion and beauty photoshoots with them to build up my portfolio. Soon I had established myself among my industry colleagues as a viable talent here in town to call for many different types of makeup jobs. I worked on fashion shoots, commercial productions, runway shows, brides, and television/film production. I keyed my first SAG film in 2014 as the Key Makeup Artist and Hairstylist, and had the opportunity to dabble a bit in Special FX. I then took an interest in expanding my makeup knowledge into a new genre, working to create fake cuts, bruises, gunshot wounds and blood. Although I provide all types of makeup looks from the most natural, clean, everyday face, to the more romantic, blushing bridal look, to intensified, dramatic looks, or even all out avante-guard faces and costume makeup, my first love is working in the fashion and beauty industry.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road was definitely a journey, and to be honest I’m still on the road–and some days it’s extremely bumpy and other days it’s smooth sailing. I would say it was definitely a struggle in the beginning when I was first trying to establish myself in the industry while also trying to learn and establish who I was simultaneously as an artist. You do a lot of work for free starting out, (test shoots or TFP it is called), in order to network and gain a relationship with different photographers who you hope in the future will call on you when they get a big job. So, you have to be able to still support yourself despite the limited amount of income you may be bringing in at the time.

You are also trying to get your footing among a lot of other really great talent in the town, and dig a little spot for yourself where you are called upon for your own unique artistic abilities. There is a great deal of competition, and sometimes it’s hard to be your own cheerleader when you see others successes around you. But you have to remind yourself that Houston is the 4th largest city in the U.S. and that there are plenty of jobs to go around. The industry frequently ebbs and flows, and before you know it there will be a new job right around the corner that has come your way.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jen Marine Makeup Artistry – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Jen Marine Makeup Artistry is a makeup artistry company that specializes in providing makeup for fashion and beauty editorials, commercial production jobs, television and film makeup, actor headshots, fashion shows and runway looks, red carpet looks, makeup for galas and special events, and of course weddings.

Jen prides herself in her ability to create a flawless “non-makeup” makeup look, specializing in clean, natural beauty–which believe it or not, still requires a great deal of makeup! Between highlighting, contouring, color theory and blending techniques, Jen can utilize and apply her extensive knowledge she gained as an artist, towards painting faces and not just art canvases.

Jen also loves to create beautiful artistic looks for fun events such as costume makeup for galas or birthdays, special artist events, and come Halloween–recreating movie character faces and other forms of cosplay, craftily decorating a full face in glitter or crystals, or creating the look of a zombie or the ever-popular sugar skull!

One last thing that sets Jen apart from the rest is that when you hire Jen, you get Jen. You do not get a different artist operating under the Jen Marine Makeup Artistry name. She is a one woman show. Jen wants to provide and establish a personal relationship with each of her clients, so that they know who they are getting and dealing with at all times.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My future plans are to continue to make people look beautiful and feel strong and confident in themselves. By growing my business and providing top notch artistic creativity and professionalism to all my current and future clients.

Pricing:

• Full makeup Face by Jen starts at $175

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jenmarine.com
• Phone: 832-928-5862
• Email: jen@jenmarine.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jenmarinemakeup
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenmarinemakeup

Image Credit:
Jarrelle Lee
Megan Tipps
Ben Guidry
Merry Widjaya