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G l a m. Los angeles.
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Hi, kirby.
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Hi, sarah. Welcome to los angeles. Tenille J is the Australian makeup artist behind the bronzed, softly sculpted aesthetic the Internet now knows as latte makeup. Long before the trend had a name or took over TikTok, Tennille was creating those monochromatic, caramel and coffee toned looks for her clients. Today, she's translated her signature style into a namesake beauty brand. Best known for Bronzor, her cream bronzer developed to sculpt the face without turning orange. And today, she shares with us how her love of makeup got her in trouble as a kid. Tips for finding your eye shape and the product she feels completes every look. Tenille J. Hello. Welcome to Gloss Angeles. Hello.
A
I can't believe I'm here from the land of Oz. I can't believe it. We've been speaking for so long, and I just can't believe I'm actually here to meet you. Lovely lady.
B
So I know Kirby's been like a day One fan of yours.
A
I. Yeah.
C
And then Melissa Herkman. Really? Yes. She put you on the map for both of us because we're like, who's Tenille?
B
Yeah.
A
Who's Kirby? Who is this?
B
What is.
C
What is this, like, strategic powdering brush that I love? Speaking of.
B
Because, like, how long ago was that?
C
That? I mean, we were still on virtual.
B
Yeah. So that was at least, like, three years ago.
A
You reckon that arena was longer or
B
maybe maybe five years ago?
C
It's probably a little bit. I. It's at least three, but definitely.
A
Okay. Yeah. Well, sorry, I'm thinking, like, the brushes came out maybe five years ago. Okay.
B
I think it must be four or five years ago. Yeah.
A
Yep. So that makes sense.
B
Wild Y.
C
And now here we are, and you've had a residency in the US Of A.
A
It's just here, there, and everywhere. Rob actually messaged me this, My husband, this morning. He's like, why don't you just stay there? Send the money back, you know? Yeah, just like, just stay there and then, you know, every once in a while. Yeah, exactly. So, yeah, I don't know. I've. I've got to go home at some point, but, you know, it's just.
B
You're enjoying it.
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I love that.
B
What's been your favorite part so far?
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Well, Los Angeles.
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Absolutely.
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Look, I just think there's been so many women that I've looked up, up to in the industry, and to be able to actually meet them in person, and then they've asked me to do their makeup is. Feels like a joke. Like it feels unreal. Like, I. I just think of me at 15, dreaming about being a makeup artist. Would never have thought about this moment in my life like that. It just feels very surreal. So I just think, yeah, these ladies that I've met, they've been absolutely amazing. Like Katie J. Hughes, absolute star. I've been watching her for how long? Kellyanne, Lila. I did Ash K home yesterday, and I'm meeting Mary Phillips Row. It's just. Oh, it's crazy.
C
I mean, do you already know what
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you're going to do for her face?
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I said to her, girl, I don't. I don't know how much makeup is going to come out of me tomorrow because I'm going to be shaking in my boots. I'm like, she's. She's amazing. So. But she's so sweet.
C
So I'm like, so she literally is. She's so nice person.
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Yeah.
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So sweet.
B
Yeah.
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So I'm like, you guys are going
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to become best friends, so.
C
And you need to ask her about her lore with Jessica Simpson, because it's pretty.
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I don't know what it is.
C
Get ready.
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So fabulous. Don't.
C
Don't Google it before you go.
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I'm going to go in. Just be, like, completely blind.
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Sarah. Were like, hey, there's some backstory with Jessica Simpson here.
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White is a chicken in a can.
C
Is this chicken or is this what I have?
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It's so good. Okay, we have to ask you what is on your gorgeous face?
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Okay, so Chanel water Fresh skin tint. I love it. Staple the Chanel concealer. It's. Don't know the name, but it's the matte version of it, which I love. Tenille J Bronzer in the shade Latte. Ash came home, recommended the Fenty brightening powder. It's like a pink powder. Rose quartz. Love that. So I've got that on my face. And I love the Mir Connards. An Australian makeup artist. Her liner pencil in Bruno. Oh, really nice. Brown and tenille dress. Stay liner in the shade. Turkish Delight. And then I would have to say the Fenty brown mascara. Those are my tops.
C
Is Turkish Delight for the lips?
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Yes.
C
Okay.
A
Yeah. Actually. And one other thing. For freckles and moles, I love the Revlon semi permanent brow ink. It's, like, so good.
C
Oh, brow, yes. Okay.
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I don't like it as a brow
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product, but you like it as a freckle product.
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Hate it as a brow product. But it's. I just had it one day and I was like, oh, my God, I love this. It's. So I use two shades because it's not really, really red. So for me, like, I'm an olive undertone. So I need something that's a little bit more, like, brown.
C
You love freckles, though. Like, you say that a look is not finished for you without freckles.
A
No. I feel like it looks cakey without it.
B
Okay.
C
But I tried to do freckles today, Tenille, and I feel like I just look dirty.
A
You need the. The Revlon.
B
You need the right.
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Yeah, you need the right pencil. Because I. I feel like sometimes they're really red, and then. So it just feels really foreign. And I know this sounds really crazy, but the Revlon semi brow ink, it's kind of got like a. A crust to looks like a real. It has, like, a texture.
B
Oh.
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So I like. Like, especially. I've got a few beauty spots here, so it adds some texture to the skin. So it's, like, sitting on top. I know it sounds really.
C
No.
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Weird, but like a crusty mole. You know, like, moles have texture.
C
Yeah.
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Totally sour.
B
So do you.
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Yeah.
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Do you feel like the freckles make it look like your skin is showing through?
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And that's why I think it just adds. It adds a bit of dimension to the skin. That's what I feel like. I just feel like it adds that life and, like, more. His. His words are hard now. It adds a little bit of personality. I just think for me, like, I feel like I've covered up when I don't have those beauty marks on, but then once I put it back into my skin, I'm like, oh, there's me.
C
But what's the key to application in terms of how many and where and placement?
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So I think for out here, like, on my actual face, I use a deeper color. And then for across the nose, kind of just all in this section here, I like to use a lighter one. And then I just kind of. With that Revlon. The Revlon pen, then you just kind of press it on and then just kind of again, like, use your finger as, like, a little stamp so that you kind of. It's mismatched. It's not, like, completely. God, here we go.
C
No, you're. You're explaining it perfectly.
B
Yeah. It's not like it looks really natural.
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Yes. It's not like, oh, she's got dots.
B
It's, like, not symmetrical.
A
Exactly. That's what. That's the word I was looking at. Symmetrical. Yeah.
B
Yeah.
C
Do you guys have statue in Australia? Have you heard of this brand? It's the lip liner stain.
A
I have heard of it, but yeah, it's like, it's. Does it go on, like purpley and
B
you peel it off, right?
A
Yeah, yeah.
C
So they make a freckle stain pen that you should go to Ulta and pick up.
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I need to go try this. Yes.
C
Because for me, I felt like I couldn't figure it out properly.
B
Also.
C
I just.
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I'll have a look.
C
I have melasma, so I feel like it kind of. If I'm putting freckles on this part of my face, like the center of my face, I feel like it makes my melasma on my forehead and on my cheeks more prominent.
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I. I understand what you mean, though.
C
You know what I mean?
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Yes.
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So it's hard for me. Like, I was like, we're going to see Tennille today. She said a look is never done without freckles. I go and I do my freckles and I come here and I'm like, what the hell am I trying to do?
A
I do think there's a time and a place as well. Like, say, like the Aussie girl, glam, you know, like that, that works really well with freckles. But I just seemed like when I'm doing like a full on, glammy, smoky, you know, cool, toned look, I'm not going to add freckles. Like, I'll enhance beauty spots. We're leaning into the 90s, but I think, you know, if it's not leaning into the full sun kissed look, I think freckles can sometimes if you're adding them and they're not already there, they can kind of look out of place.
C
Yeah. And detract.
A
Okay.
C
Okay. I love this. Okay, Well, I mean, I'm gonna try it now also.
A
No rules in makeup. You can do whatever you want to do.
C
Right, Right. Right. But also, we need you for guidance. So. Thank you.
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You know, so there's like, it is what it is.
C
Okay. I actually know nothing about your background, and I feel like you kind of keep it a little bit close to. To your chest. Like, it's not like you're doing a lot of story times of like, this
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is what I like. I don't even know whether people want to hear it.
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I want to hear, and I want to hear this.
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I feel like maybe our shit. I don't know. Like, you know, you forget. You think that people know you and then they.
C
Yeah, yeah. So I want to know, when did you fall in love with makeup? What was your first makeup memory? How did you decide you wanted to become a makeup artist and not just like a lover of makeup.
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Yeah.
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What is your origin story?
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My origin story, it was. I remember the moment, it was. I was around 12 and I had this friend. She's a little bit mean.
C
We all have one.
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Yep, we've all had them. You know, especially at 12. Yeah, especially at 12. But I remember her sister and I was a little bit, like, at that age, you know, you're a little bit awkward. You know, you're going through that transition stage. You feel just out, you know, you just. You just don't know what. Where you fit in the world. And hearse older sister had said to me, oh, you would just look way better if you had makeup. Hadn't thought about makeup before that. Like, I was always really arty, like, really loved, you know, the creatives. I was never sporty, don't know how to throw a ball, nothing. So for me, yeah, that kind of hit really hard. I was really insecure. Obviously, I looked up to this sister, and from that moment on, I would not leave the house without makeup. I would go to bed with makeup. I was, you know, stealing my mom's makeup all the time.
C
You were Charlotte Tilbury?
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Yeah. I was like, it was a mask. You know what I mean? So I think working through that, you know, it was. It was sad, right? It was, you know, and you just kind of figure it out.
C
Wow.
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And then in high school, you're just going through, you know, sorry. It was so funny. I was really into, like, really black eyeliner. And then back then, it was either your makeup was either orange or really pale. It's like. So it was just, like, really black eyeliner. And I would go. I was at a private school, so they'd always be like, you need to go down the office. You. You're wearing makeup. Go take it off. And like, I'm not. I'm not in this, like, yeah, like, completely. There is a photo. I'll have to get it. Yeah. Because it's like, it's so obvious, always getting sent down the office. And I ended up becoming really good friends with my principal. He was. His name is Mr. Eggin. And he'd come down, he's like, I'm not going to be able to get this makeup off you, am I? And I'm like, no. Like, it's. You're not going to be able to get it off, like. And even there was times he'd go around to the classrooms doing makeup checks, you know, and he'd come into the room. I remember One of them. And he's like, is anyone wearing makeup in this room? And I'm like, you know me. And I remember going up to him, so he's facing the classroom, my back towards him, and he said, so I'm going to talk to you really sternly right now. And I know that you're not going to do anything about taking your makeup off, but you're just going to walk back and pretend like you're really sad, you know. I was like, yes. So he could cross a fighter. Yeah, that I was not going to let this go. I had very good arguments as to why. I think that, you know, girls should be educated, you know, people should be educated about how they can wear their makeup, you know. And so, yeah, so leaving school, I worked in a bank, but I was really interested in makeup. But I looked at doing a makeup course. I was like, it's really expensive. I can't afford it. So there was a makeup company, really big in Australia. It was called Napoleon Perta. So this was before we didn't have Sephora. We didn't have like, this is 20 years ago. We didn't have Mac. We had. This was like the place to work if you wanted to be a makeup artist. So I, my cousin went and got her makeup done because she couldn't get it done from me. I was always doing friends makeups and she, they were looking for a casual staff. So she's like, my cousin does makeup. They said, they said, come get her to bring a resume in. So I went in and I just, I had no experience, but they didn't audition with me and I got the job. So I was only working like three hours a week. I ended up using my principal as a reference to get that job.
C
That is incredible.
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They called him and that's why I got the job.
C
He's like, she's committed.
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She loves it, loves makeup. So yeah, that's how I got the job. Started working there three hours a week, you know, just on a Saturday because I had a full time job and I just, I lived and breathed it. I loved it. I just couldn't get enough. I would take every shift because I was just there to learn. I was like, this is the perfect place to learn. And I think, I look back at that. I worked with him for 10 years, so started casually, ended up working my way up. I tried. I was into music as well, so I studied music, but I just fell in love with makeup. I was like, this is what I love to do. So yeah, worked my way up in that company. And I, like I said, I look back at that time and I just, I would have never learned all the things I learned just by doing a course. End up doing a course later with the company. But just being in retail, learning what people need, what they want, their confusions about makeup, just all of that, I just would have never learned that in any other setting. I think, you know, so got pregnant and decided, you know what, I think it's time to go out on my own. So that was 10 years ago. So my son's 10, turning 11. So I've been out for 11 years working freelance and, and that's kind of my story. So.
C
Side note, I was going to say Aussies just sounds so, so much more posh.
B
Yeah.
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Really?
C
Because.
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And so cool.
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Casual staff for us.
B
Yeah, like sales associate.
C
We say part time worker. You know, like it's like, yeah, they're looking for casual staff like us. We're like part time worker over here.
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I. I feel like I'm such a bogan, like where I come from. Okay. I' Queensland. That is like. So it's a little bit further up in Australia, but it's way more like bogan up there.
C
Like what's bogey?
A
I don't know. Is it like just like casual, like.
C
Oh yeah, yeah.
A
Way more like we're just way more rough around the edges. So bogan. Yeah. So I, I'm very oka in Australia.
C
So what does that mean?
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Hick.
A
Oh, oh, hickey.
B
Okay, wait, hold on.
C
So bogan you said? Orc. Orca.
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So our accent's way stronger and like way more like g' day, mate, you know?
C
Yes.
A
We don't say shrimp though. That's the issue. Like everyone, the body. We don't say shrimp.
B
Okay.
C
Oh, prawn.
B
Where, where is Bluey technically from where I'm from up.
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Literally 10 minutes from me.
B
Sorry, but that's.
A
I live like 10 minutes from Bluey's house. I've literally gone.
B
Yeah. A dream. Yeah. Wow. Bluey is how I think now most Americans see Australians. Australia. Yeah.
A
And that's like quintessential Australian. I, I think the accents the most like. Well, and then you can go a little bit further up. It's really strong.
C
Are Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie from Queensland.
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Yeah, yeah, yeah.
C
We love them.
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Aren't they?
C
It's like all the most beautiful people.
B
Clearly. Yeah. Geez.
A
I've had a bit of work done, but.
C
Sorry, who's to say they haven't either?
A
Been a little strapped in here.
C
Oh yeah, you have your strap.
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Yeah.
C
Okay, wait. So tell everyone about this, because this on Ash K. Holmes page.
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Yeah.
C
So you have this strap that you. You specifically. Do you sell this?
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I do, I do. So it's. It came about because I was like, it was my sister's wedding and I was like, let's do face tape for your wedding. But I was like, you can't. You know, she's going to be in photos, videos, talking to people. They're not going to understand.
B
Right.
A
So I was like, what can we do? They could be like, because I know you can do the little plats, you know, pull it back. Yeah. But just for ease, came up with these things. So like a little bra strap.
C
Yeah, they're a little bra strap with clips on them that basically it's like getting sculpture in your hairline.
A
I'm like, I just don't feel like the Botox is sticking around as long anymore.
C
Like, everyone's. Do you feel everyone is saying this?
A
I get like, I got it like four weeks, five weeks ago. Where is it? It's literally absorbed. Like, so this. This just ties me over. But I know it's not for every day. This is only for special occasions, like Los Angeles.
C
I love that this is a worldwide problem that Botox isn't lasting.
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I'm not happy about it.
C
Everyone's in the same boat.
A
The Botox in Korea, though, game changer. Oh, bit too much. Yeah.
B
Yeah. Like, is it the Jevo?
A
It's so cheap. Which I got it there when I was seeing my manufacturer and they're like. Because they, you know, it's huge over there. Like, they get it done every four weeks. Yeah. But yikes. They were like, go see this person. And I did. But I get it everywhere. Like, neck up to the top, like all the way down.
C
Yeah.
A
And I normally get in my chin, but they don't normally inject there. And then they injected. But my. My chin. I don't know what happened, but it was like after that, like. Because I've only ever seen one lady for my anti wrinkle, they injected there and every time I'd laugh, my. My mouth would just go.
C
It's like a reverse lip flip.
A
Because, like every joke so bad. And it didn't go for like 10 months. I was like. I was saung. I was doing everything.
C
Stuck around.
A
Stuck around. All of it did. But I was like the. The one time I wanted to not was just. Yeah.
C
Wait, what. What version?
A
I don't know. They make their own concoction there, so it's like, really strong.
C
Like, okay, so it wasn't like a specific.
A
It's not like. Because I don't. I don't know how it works, but obviously because they can. They've got such amazing labs there, so they just create it themselves.
C
Damn.
A
So damn.
B
Okay, so you got to fly back to Korea, but not for the chance.
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It was like 200 Australian dollars, which Albotox or Dysport. Whatever I get is about a thousand for my face.
B
So.
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Yeah, it's like, I think flights to get there is cheaper.
C
Plus. No, literally.
A
Yeah. I was like, I'm as the exact.
C
Tourism is a real thing for a reason.
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Every few months. Well, not every nine months. I only have to make a trip, so damn.
B
Okay, you'll have to give us the wreck. Tell us where you went. Okay.
A
Maybe not that one.
B
Maybe not that.
C
Not the reverse.
B
Okay, so as we mentioned to you earlier, you've created some of our favorite brushes. They're so stunning. Like, I was telling Kirby, I hate to wash my makeup brushes, but I will take the time to wash yours. They're just so beautiful. And Kirby was raving about your final touch brush.
C
My final touch brush have four of them. Nobody else makes anything like it. It. It's not a fan brush. It's not a special bunny paw brush. It's literally so special. It's so special.
A
Yeah, it is a special brush.
C
It is fabulous.
B
What are your tips for helping people pick brushes that they'll actually use and that they will last look like I've
A
created brush sets, so, you know, if you're a newbie to makeup, you might only need three or four. There's like, you don't need a whole range. So I think, you know, but my brush sets are really great for beginners as well. So definitely the volume one for me is like a really great beginner friendly brush set. There's 12 brushes in that one, and they're like a mix of natural hair and synthetic hair. So I think choosing brushes, it's so hard because it's so individual. I think it's like what brushes work for. Some people don't work for me. Like, I don't like it. I like, like a little bit more density or fluffiness. So I think it's really just based on the finish that you want, the products that you're using.
C
Yeah, because a denser brush is going to pack it on.
A
But see, I use a dense brush for something like the Chanel water fresh tint, and it's kind of like a big sponge. So it Kind of just, like, blends it on there. So it just depends on the formula. I think, like, I would probably use a fluffier brush for something a little bit thicker so that it kind of disperses a lot softer, rather than using a really dense brush for something really thick.
C
Oh, you're right. Because that's why Katie Jane Hughes says to prime the brush. Uses a really fluffy brush. I'll take her, like, thick, dense concealer, and then it buffs out really nicely.
A
Exactly right. So I think, like, when I'm. But when I'm spot concealing or, like, really want, like, I'm using a really dense brush. So it's like. I think. Yeah, that's. That's a hard one because it's, like.
B
Right.
A
It's so personal and what kind of
B
finish you like, but it's worth investing in a nice.
A
Definitely. If you've got a crusty brush at home, it's time to let it go.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
Like, or just at least wash it.
B
It changes the way your makeup looks.
A
And also, I just think the amount of bacteria that's sitting on there. Like, if you're not cleaning it regularly. I've seen some manky as sponges out there too.
C
Like, no, no, I.
B
The sponges. I can't.
C
Washing your brushes changes. Everything might be like, oh, my makeup isn't laying the same way. Then it's like, oh, it's because this foundation brush has, like, over 100 uses.
A
Literally. Literally.
C
Like grime.
A
Yeah, yeah. Oils.
B
And it's like trying to paint a picture with an.
A
A crepe brush.
B
That's.
A
Yeah, exactly.
B
You would never.
A
No. So I think that's, like, the biggest game changer. Even for, like, just skin health. I think that's, like, the biggest thing that you can do. Like, when people say, I'm struggling with breakouts, that sort of thing, it's like, okay, let's look at your brushes.
C
What are you doing?
B
They're like, yeah.
A
You're like, oh, okay. Yeah. So who knows? Like, staph infection? Like. Yeah, well, I've heard the stories. You know, it's scary. Like, it can be. Yeah. So I think. But it is. It is a hard one. I think it just depends on what sort of finish you like.
C
Okay, can we talk about natural versus synthetic?
A
Yeah.
C
I feel like this is something that a person buying brushes doesn't necessarily think twice about. They just. They kind of just look at the shape of the brush, and they feel it, and they're like, oh, that's great. I'll use this but then they don't realize that synthetic brushes are great for certain things and natural hair brushes are great for others. Can you kind of dive into that?
A
Definitely. The. I do love a natural hairbrush. I just think, especially with any powder work, it just picks up the product so much better than a synthetic hairbrush. Like the synthetic hair brush. It is, it is getting better. I think that there's more technology out there that is, it's making it seem like a natural hairbrush. However, like, I always just go back to the natural hair brush when you're wanting to get that really sculpted blend. Eyeshadow. Same with, like when you're working with powders now. And I think that we're seeing talcum move out of products. I think you. I probably am leaning towards a natural hair brush to pick up talc free powder a little bit more. It's going to disperse the product a little bit better. I don't know. I'm just feeling like they're. The towel free powders are a little bit more like crumbly.
C
Just say it. Just say it. They're not. Okay.
A
And I feel shinier. Same throughout the day. I'm like, I miss it already.
C
If and when Charlotte Tilbury reformulates her powders.
A
Yeah, I will. I'm holding on. I've got one Givenchy powder left. And I'm just like, same. You're very lucky if you get it on your face.
C
No, literally, I'm like, do I just preserve this
A
at some point? Yeah, it's. I think it's. I. I don't know. Is it only in the US that has the.
B
That have just removed house?
A
Yeah. Right.
C
No, I think it's. I think I feel like everywhere, because they had to reformulate it in Europe would have kept it. But because of the European Union, I think that they were like, well, guess we got to change everything, which is like such a bummer.
A
Yeah.
C
Natural hair is what you lean towards. What are synthetic brushes better for?
A
Oh, I definitely. I, I do love a natural hair brush for some cream work, but I just think for dense cream brushes, like, it works really good for creams.
C
Okay.
A
I think. But you can pick either one. I think that, that for. For any cream work, but I do love a synthetic brush for any cream.
C
Okay.
B
Do you ever like to use your fingers for anything?
A
Yeah, but I also have nails, so it's kind of like.
B
Right?
A
Yeah, yeah.
B
Like you're gonna poke your client.
A
And I'm just so used to, I think my retail background. We just always use brushes. We never use Sponges. Like, it was not a thing. Just because it would be too hard to clean in between clients. So. Yeah. And even back then, you'd only ever use your hands for, like, skin care, like, massaging the skin. But. But if you. Like, if you love using your hands for makeup, there's no. Like, that's. You do you like. I just think I've been. That's how I've always done it.
C
So your specific style started the latte makeup trend, and then somebody else actually popularized it. Like, they saw your look, and they were like, okay, this is Tenille J. She is the shit. Here's how we're gonna create this latte look. And then you're like, oh, it's like, you have.
A
I was like, a Monday. I was thinking I was on shoot on a photo shoot. I was like, what the. Like, it just started popping up.
C
And so it was like, free personal branding, though.
A
Oh, I loved it. You know, it killed me because I was like, six months right before my bronzer launch. Damn it. But it was. It still was great. Yeah. You know, like. But I was like. Because they called it the latte look, and I already had the latte bronzer in the production.
C
So then how do you. Yes, and I love latte.
A
I use latte.
C
How do you describe to someone this latte look? And especially for different skin tones?
A
Yeah, I think that look happened in 2018. So that was, like. It was obviously. It goes viral on Pinterest all the time, that look. And that photo shoot was for a brand that I've been working with for years called Sundry. It was, like, one of our first shoots together, and it was in the backyard of my friend who's a photographer's yard, and it was, like, right up against, like, some crappy wall. Like, it was just, like, an iconic shot. And I didn't realize if. I don't know whether you've seen the photo, but there's a fly in her hair.
C
Of course.
A
Yeah. I didn't know, like, this. And I was like, hang on. That's a fly. Like, because it was hot. Like, hot and sweaty out there. Like, we're like. We were. You know, it was a great photo shoot, but we were just. We were still steaming up. So I think that look came about. I was really into fenty. It was island ting. Eyeshadow, the bronzer.
C
Yeah.
A
It's such a great olive undertone, that powder bronzer. And so I was really in this kind of golden undertone, olive undertone kind of makeup look back then, which I Still am now, but I think I was just really over. Everyone was using. There was this one eyeshadow from Mac and it was really red. And for me, when I put it on my skin, it just looks so out of place because I have more of an olive undertone. So that's when I was really into, like, those yellowy golden olive tones. So that kind of happened from there and then it resurfaced again. So.
C
Oh, that's amazing. Like, how would you. For instance, we have a Slack channel and a lot of people are like, I love the Tenille J Bronze ors. They look amazing. But how do you pick your best shade? So if somebody. Especially since, like, here in the US we can't just walk into a store and, like, see your products. So how do we decide online which one's going to be best?
A
We did create. I created a. Because I was doing for ages, personal recommendations, so they just messaged me and I would literally color match you. It's kind of gotten a bit out of hand and at the moment, so it's like I can't. I've like, if someone's really struggling, they can email and I will literally. I might take a few days to get back to you, but I will reply with a color match. But we have created, like, a little shade quiz, so you can go on there in our website. You just go to the bronzer page and you just scroll down. It's right there.
C
I do, like, especially on the packaging that it says the shade name and then what shade it actually is, like light, medium or medium neutral or whatever. Because I do think people tend to gravitate towards those words.
A
Yeah, definitely. That's. I think for me, I was just like. Because, I mean, you could. I could go nuts. That was the thing. I was like, I've got seven shades, but I really would love to add like another 10.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
Because I. I think everyone's natural bronze looks so different. So that's where it's like, my bronze is going to look different to yours. You're probably a little bit more of a neutral undertone.
C
Yep.
B
So he's going to ask you to color match us.
A
Yeah, yeah.
C
Which. What would you use on both of us for bronzer?
A
You're not using, like, like, with your natural shade.
C
I have no self tanner on today.
A
I'd go, maybe even cappuccino.
C
Yes. Okay.
A
Macchiato. Yeah.
B
Okay.
A
But then you could do a little bit of mocker. Just, you know. Yeah.
C
Okay. What about the stay liners? I was saying earlier, before we started recording that, I was like, it was ready to put them in my basket, and I DM to Neil and I'm like, what shade should I get? Like, should I do Turkish delight, nougat, shine? I'm sending them to you. I'm like, oh, my God. This is the best day of my life.
A
I'm so excited.
C
She literally sent me every single shade. Ideally, how are you using, like, specifically? Like, I mean, because all of them could be lip liners, depending on your skin tone. Right. Like, for me, what? Like, mocha mousse is a lip liner on me, but it could also maybe be an eyeliner.
A
I use it as eyeliner all the time. Yeah, yeah.
C
So if somebody's trying to find their best daylight liner shade for their lips, how are you helping them?
A
This is actually really hard. Like, we. I don't do color matches for lip, for the lip liners or eyeliners. Just because the lip, like, someone's lip shade, can just throw off everything.
B
It's also so personal.
A
It's so personal. It's really personal. Like, I just know, like, for me, something can look, I can swatch it on my hand. Then once it goes on the lips, it looks like a completely different shade. So it's like, it's. That is really hard, like, to color match someone, like, because it's a really personal thing and it kind of has to be in person. And also some people, I think, like, a brown lip liner is going to look amazing. And they're like, I like pinks. Yeah, Well, I don't like pink. I feel like it's a lot easier to color match a bronzer or foundation or something like that.
C
But so I have mocha mousse on.
A
Yeah.
C
Because she applied it to both of us.
B
Yeah.
C
I'm wearing mousse and I'm wearing a.
A
It's coming soon.
B
Coming soon.
A
Plum pudding.
C
Plum pudding, Sarah. So if you guys are, like, trying to gauge what you're thinking about getting, take a look at us.
B
Tell us the six eye facets we should all know and how they help with creating a beautiful eye look.
A
I'm gonna have to remember this one because I always only remember five, even though I've created. I've written down six. You have a phone, Please excuse me for not. So the eye facets. I think I created a course. Is that we've pulled it from.
C
Yes.
B
Yeah.
A
So I created a course when I was trying to teach on how to look at eyes. I think, you know, I was really kind of sick and tired of, like, oh, someone's just a hooded eye or someone's just a downturn. And I'm like, well, you could be a mix of both of those. It's just you're not just one. I think every eye shape is completely different. So you have to look at all the different areas of the eye. So I came up with these six facets. So the first one is obviously the size of your eye. Small, medium, large. That can really help determine what you're going to do, like what your goal is. And then you've got shape, color. The color. Yes, the color of your eye. The. The shape of your eye. So whether you are rounded or almond, you know, you can kind of. There's even like a little bit of a squarish kind of eye as well. So it's like again, you could be already with just determined whether you're a small almond eye. That can completely change how you look at your eye makeup. Then it's how you look at your eyes. What is this? Horizontally?
C
Yes,
A
horizontally. So this is where it sits like where either wide set, close that you could be mid set. So again, we're already thinking size. You know, are we a little bit wide set? Are we a little bit almond shaped? Like you think of Kate Moss wide set, she's a little. She's probably a smaller eye, maybe small to medium. But then she's got an almond shape.
C
Yep.
A
Where it's completely different to someone like, who's wide. So that has like Amanda seafood. Is that how. Yeah, wide set, rounded, slightly downturned, you know?
C
Yes.
A
All that's like we're looking at all. Like I would just do. I wouldn't do their makeup the same, being that they're wide set, you know, because there's so many other factors of their eye that I'm looking at. Okay, so you got this side and then you got. What's this one?
B
Vertical, Vertical.
C
Up and down. Okay, wait.
A
Up and down.
B
So in terms of like, where it's.
A
So this is where I'm looking at the outer corner of the eye. Okay, so is it slightly downturn? Is a little bit more upturned. So what corrections and am I making there or what am I enhancing those sorts of things. So again, wide set could be slightly downturn. I think I'm probably a little bit more wide set with a slight downturn. So what I'm going to do to my eye eyes is so different to someone that has an upturned eye. Wide set. Okay, what's the other one? How many have I got now?
C
There's one that's like. Are your eyes not bulging, but like.
A
So this is the next one. Okay, so this is where we're looking this way, like, so positioning of the eye, I would say.
B
Like a profile.
A
Yeah, like a profile.
B
Like your profile.
A
That's the word.
C
Okay.
A
See what I said? Words are hard for me.
B
Today we're figuring out together.
A
So this is where I'd probably look at where the eye sits. Because we've got deep set eyes protruding. So the eyes sitting like a Mila Kunis, you know, like her eyes are further outside. With Amanda Seifried, her eyes are sitting way, way further out. So again, you have to look at that also. Is there a hood there? Is there a defined crease? Like all those sorts of areas?
C
Because the profile can also determine, like how shadowy exactly your eyelid or your eye under eye even is. Right.
A
Especially for protruding eye. Like, you can really kind of smoke it up on that lash line. You can do so many different things. Like, sometimes I'll smoke it out. I'll really, like, focus on lining that. That waterline to kind of push it back if that's what the client wants. Or that's the look that we wanted to create. But if we want to kind of enhance that, we can really smoke it up underneath.
C
Okay. I think that was all sex.
A
I think so, yeah. Size, color, shape, horizontal, vertical, and then.
B
Okay.
C
Love that. Now tell myself and Sarah, when you're looking at our eyes, obviously we have makeup on, so it's different. But when you're looking at our eyes, what are our eye profile? You don't have to go through every single one of those. But, like, what do you notice about our eyes?
A
I would say yours are probably a little bit closer together.
C
Okay.
A
Slight. But they're kind of like, mean. It's close.
C
But I mean, I'm curious because I think I know.
A
Because I know that people will say that you're hooded eyes.
C
Yes.
A
But I don't think that they are.
C
I don't have a headed eyes.
A
No, no, I don't think they are. I would say you've got. They're an almond shaped.
B
Okay.
A
They're definitely almond. And I mean, you do your makeup so well, so it's hard to see,
B
like, when you do create shape.
A
Yes.
C
So that's why. Because my eyes are slightly downturned.
A
So that's what I mean. So you've got a lift there because of how you've done your lashes, all that sort of stuff. So that's where I think when I've Seen you without. You make a slight downturn, but you're adding that lift to it, so.
C
Totally.
A
You know. But they're nice medium size, I think. I don't think they're really. Yeah.
B
Is that how you would describe your eyes?
C
Yeah. Like, downturned. I wasn't sure if they were close together or tiny.
A
Little bit. But it's more like. I just see you might feel, like, really heavy if you're putting heaps of depth in here.
C
Totally.
A
Is that right?
C
Yep. I always try to avoid, like, inner.
A
Yeah.
C
With stuff. So if people do inner corner liner on me, I feel like sometimes it just makes me look like.
B
And.
A
Because naturally, what that will do. I mean, but you look at Sarah Jessica Parker, Right. Her eyes are really close together, but she enhances that. She always does a smoky eye. Brings it all the way in and it looks gorgeous. Like, I just think there's. It's just personal preference, like, for her. Like, she's embracing that.
B
Yeah.
A
Which I think is cleaning and, you know. Yeah. And that's it. You look at the 60s and they were, like, really enhancing a downturn. They loved it.
B
Yeah.
C
Yeah.
A
So everything was about rounding off the eye. You know, really enhancing that center of the eye, opening it up, enhancing the downturn. But then you move into the 70s and it's a little bit more snatched.
C
Okay. What about Sarah?
A
Almond eyes? I would say probably small.
B
Small. Medium.
A
Small to medium. Like, I've seen some pretty small.
B
Yes. Yeah.
A
In my time. But I guess I would say, sorry, we're so far apart. I need glasses.
C
I know. We are. Like, you're, like, trying to squint.
A
You need, like, do my. But I would probably say, like, again, mid set. Like, you're not. And you're not having to do any. Like, there's no downturn. I would say they're quite straight.
B
Yeah. I would identify with those.
A
I would say a little bit hooded, just slightly. But, like, I love it. Yeah.
B
My bluff. One day.
C
You're not getting a bluff. Literally. This is like.
A
I love. I. I love a hooded eye.
B
You do?
A
Yeah, I do. I think, like, you get like, Jennifer Lawrence, and I just think, like, the smoky, like, you can re. I think you can go have a lot of fun with smoky eyes.
C
Would you die to do Jennifer Lawrence's makeup? I would actually. It would be like my Avengers all coming together.
B
But you were mentioned, like, who is your dream celebrity?
C
Yeah.
A
I don't. I always get asked this. I don't know, like, Mary Phillips, Katie Jane Hughes, Ash K Ho.
B
Okay. Right. No, Fair. But is there, like, an actor? If they were, like, coming to Australia and they're like, I need a makeup artist. Oh, you're like, me.
A
Let me have a thing.
B
Okay. Okay. Sorry.
C
Okay, we're gonna go to this last question then.
B
I was gonna say you do need to do Hayley's makeup at one point, because I think you guys would. Oh, really? The Haley Bieber. Hailey Bieber.
C
Just be like Mary whenever you're unavailable.
A
I'd love to do Haley's makeup. I'd love to do, like, I'd love to give. I'd love to do Kim. Yeah, I'd love to give it a go, but.
C
Oh, you're gonna be fighting Mario and Melissa Herkman.
A
Like, I would, but then, like, I don't know. I mean, we. I. I'd love to.
C
You doing a Jennifer Lawrence glam.
A
That would be fun. Like, I just.
C
Margot Robbie. Yeah. Love to see it. Yeah.
A
That's a hard question for me.
B
Okay. Okay.
C
Okay.
A
We don't get many celebrities down in Australia.
C
I know. Which is so crazy.
A
It's like, we. I'll just take whoever. Whoever's ready.
C
Whoever's here.
A
Whoever's ready for me.
B
Like, I'll.
C
I'll be there.
A
I'll be there. Like, yeah, you know.
C
Tenille, this is the last question. What part of the makeup routine do you think most people struggle with? And what is your advice to them? Yeah, like, what do you think they're doing wrong or they're actually struggling with? And, like, how can they. What's the solution?
A
Yeah, I think base. I think the base. I think. I know. I think people probably think it's the eyes, but I think your base is, like, where it's at, you know, because at the end of the day, a bit of mascara.
C
Hot.
A
You know, if your base is looking amazing, then everything else is going to come together. So I think it's just take your time. Like, I just see some of my friends, my family, and I'm like, just take a breath. Blend. Take your time. Like, and. And I'm a huge dabber when it comes to makeup, so really, like, layering on top. Like, none of this. And when I say this, for those listening at home, it's like scraping the face with your brush. Like, actually just layering, dabbing, being really gentle, building your coverage. I am a big fan of one layer makeup. I love a full coverage, but I'm using my concealer and my bronzers to do that because all creams have coverage, you know?
C
Right.
A
So I think, you know, don't rely on your foundation to do all the work. Use it as like a second skin and then layer upon that. But I mean, for me, that's why I love the Chanel because it's really lightweight, just kind of blurs the skin. I don't think it's. I think that's the definition of like a skin tint because it actually just is the slightest tint. It's not giving that much coverage.
C
So.
A
Yeah. Slow down, take a breath. Just when you think you finish blending, just blend a little bit more, you know, and dab.
C
Yeah.
A
Swiping.
B
We all need to be a little bit more gentle.
C
Yeah. You're not coloring in a coloring book.
A
No.
C
Think of it as a colored pencil where you're.
A
I see. Like, it's. Especially if you're putting like powder over the top of a cream and you're going ham.
B
Yeah.
A
You've just done all this blending work with your creams. You're being really strategic and then you're just like moving it.
C
Yeah.
A
With. And especially if you're not using like a natural hair brush and you're going with synthetic, I feel like that's going to pick up your product a bit more. So.
C
Okay, one last question. Being an Aussie.
A
Yeah.
C
Do you have a favorite setting spray?
A
Yeah, yeah, I do. The l' Oreal three second Setting Mist.
C
Did you say that earlier? Did you use that?
A
No, I didn't. I didn't say that earlier. But I do love that. I love the one size as well. They're my top two. I love them. So just when you. Just because it's hot where I am, like, you girls don't know what summer is here. Like, this is bloody beautiful. Like, this is stunning.
C
We're complaining.
A
No, you come to Australia and you should. Okay. But it is sweltering in peaks. Summer, you like. That's why we're all about the. The bronzed light layers. Because it's hot fluff. Like. Yeah. Forget about bouncy hair.
C
It's not happening.
A
Forget it.
C
Amazing. Tenille, thank you for coming on. It was so much fun. We learned so much from you. Where can everybody find your products, by the way?
A
Tenillej.com but soon we're going to be getting back onto Revolve.
B
Yay.
August 8, 2026
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Guest: Tanielle Jai, Australian Makeup Artist and Brand Founder
In this lively and insightful episode, Kirbie and Sara sit down with Australian makeup trailblazer Tanielle Jai—a master of the bronzed, softly-sculpted aesthetic now known as “latte makeup.” Long before the look went viral, Tanielle was pioneering her signature caramel and coffee-toned glam, later launching a namesake brand with cult-favorite products like Bronzor. She candidly shares her journey from an insecure, makeup-loving teen to beauty entrepreneur, gives practical advice on choosing products and tools, and demystifies everything from faux freckles to finding your perfect bronzer shade.
This episode brims with practical advice, candid moments, and the infectious enthusiasm of a true artist. Whether you’re interested in perfecting your faux freckles, mastering your perfect bronzer color, or just want to geek out over makeup brush theory, Tanielle Jai’s approach is equal parts artistry and accessibility—exactly what makes her a beauty insider’s insider.