The Hidden Costs of a Glam Squad, Featuring Makeup Artist Jenna Nicole

Summary

Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: The Hidden Costs of a Glam Squad, Featuring Makeup Artist Jenna Nicole
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Guest: Jenna Nicole (Celebrity Makeup Artist)
Date: May 8, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the often misunderstood world of celebrity glam squads—the artists, stylists, and behind-the-scenes experts that help shape red carpet and campaign looks. Hosts Kirbie and Sara speak with sought-after makeup artist Jenna Nicole, known for her personalized, modern approach. They discuss Jenna’s origin story, the economics of celebrity beauty teams (sparked by Simone Biles’ viral $23,000 glam bill), shifting trends in beauty, and practical tips for professional-level makeup at home.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jenna Nicole’s Signature Current Products & Techniques

[01:10-03:33]

• Jenna shares her go-to products for both personal and kit use:
  • Armani Luminous Silk Primer, Rare Beauty Foundation and Blush ("Happy"), Makeup Forever Lipliner in Universal Earth, Rare Beauty’s brown mascara.
• Brows: Layering Rare Beauty pencil, classic Anastasia powder, and an old-school pencil from a nostalgic PR package.
• Cheeks: Mixes balm with blush for a glossy finish.
• On re-discovering classics:

  “It looks really dry, but it warms up as soon as you put it on your skin. That being said, you don’t even need, like, a lid on it. … It’s really fascinating.”
  – Jenna Nicole, [03:11]

Origin Story: From Young Mom to Pro Makeup Artist

[03:33-09:30]

• Jenna’s love for beauty began watching her mother’s elaborate getting-ready routines.
• Was responsible for sisters’ dance makeup from age 6–7.
• Became a mother at 16; necessity drove her to pursue makeup professionally to support her child.

  “I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t get pregnant at 16 and wasn’t like in a panic, like, what do I need to do to make money right now and what am I good at?”
  – Jenna Nicole, [08:14]

• Attended a specialized school for parenting teens; strong family support was critical.

Breaking Into the Celebrity World

[09:30-10:40]

• Started by working for free in LA, taking any opportunity available, often through friends.
• First big break: filled in unexpectedly for Tara Reid on a shoot.
• Moved to LA in 2018 and worked up from there.

The New Era of Celebrity Makeup Artists

[10:49-12:34]

• Social media enables more transparent artist-client connections—audiences want to know the “why” and “how” behind every look.
• Modern artists are educators and public personalities, not just behind-the-scenes experts.

  “We’re not just makeup artists anymore. We’re educators. We’re teachers. Our voices, you know, [are] being able to be heard on a different level than it was before.”
  – Jenna Nicole, [11:22]

Viral Glam Bills: The Real Costs

[12:34-18:45]

• Simone Biles’ viral TikTok about a $23,000 red carpet glam team bill prompts industry-wide debate.
• Explains what goes into glam costs:
  • Multiple pros (hair, makeup, styling), agency fees (up to 40%), pre-event meetings/zoom calls, custom kits, outfit pulls, tailoring, and products.
  • LA rates are higher due to demand and level of celebrity.
  • Unique costs for campaign level vs. simple “do and go” red carpet touch-ups.

  “Maybe the stylist pulled, like, 10 outfits and… hair extensions… could be $1,000 or $3,000 that they had to bill for afterwards. So it is a lot that goes into getting to that number.”
  – Jenna Nicole, [14:29]

What Is a “Do and Go”?

[17:25-18:45]

• “Do and go” = hair/makeup done and artists leave versus staying for event/press touch-ups (would cost more).

  “We do your makeup and leave. It’s typically… an hour and a half to, like, three hours, and then a full day on set is obviously like 10 hours.”
  – Jenna Nicole, [17:33]

• Building ongoing relationships with artists can unlock perks (brand sponsorships, reduced out-of-pocket fees).

Humanizing Celebrities & the Realities of Glam

[19:15-21:09]

• Even the most glamorous clients share real-world insecurities.
• Many stars have to buy or tailor their own outfits.
• Public criticism can sting—even for celebrities.

  “She has the same insecurities. She talks about the same things. She has worries about how she appears in public. … There’s so many different aspects to that.”
  – Sarah Tan, [19:44 & 20:19]

Red Carpet Realities: Lighting, Last-Minute Touch Ups, and Teamwork

[21:09-23:02]

• Lighting plays a huge role—controls are limited compared to studio shoots.
• Kim Kardashian notoriously advocates for best on-site lighting.
• Clients often touch up their look last-minute (lip liner in the car).

Flawless Skin in the Age of HD Cameras

[23:18-24:33]

• Layering, prepping, and product innovations make natural-looking skin easier.
• The “powder melt” technique (featuring One Size) is Jenna’s secret for camera-ready longevity and radiance.

  “That is literally my secret weapon… the glam is gonna look intentional… but it’s also gonna look like skin.”
  – Jenna Nicole, [23:56]

Contouring, Underpainting, and Evolving Beauty Norms

[24:51-27:04]

• Trends are shifting away from harsh contouring toward bronzed, radiant, skin-focused looks.
• Jenna prefers bronzer for face definition, contour only for the nose.

  “Now we’re, like, embracing skin, we’re embracing texture, we’re embracing everyone’s natural beauty, and we’re just enhancing.”
  – Jenna Nicole, [26:38]

Pro Tips for Mature or Textured Skin

[27:59-29:16]

• For mature skin, use cream products, hydrating sprays, and a carefully prepped base.
• Avoid mattifying or “baking” techniques, which can accentuate texture.

Surprising Kit Staples

[29:25-30:37]

• Still swears by Aquaphor for lips and under-eye prep.
• Skincare is layered with brushes instead of fingers; long nails and hygiene matter.
• Devices like the Delba Therashot and new-gen gua sha for de-puffing and lymphatic drainage.

Body Makeup and Red Carpet Prep

[31:22-32:46]

• Body (not just face) makeup is a staple for flawless on-camera looks.
• Uses exfoliating pads, serums, and then body makeup from brands like Westmore, Rare Beauty, and Dolce Glow.
• Favorite brush: dense, handled brush from Westmore, designed for body application.

Mascara Mishaps: Avoiding “Spidery” Lashes

[33:02-33:59]

• Jenna attributes spidery lashes to poor formulation; recommends seeking out high-quality, non-clumping mascaras and skipping heavy primers.

Early Inspirations & Makeup Philosophy

[34:00-34:34]

• Inspired by Kevin Aucoin’s artistry and vision (“Making Faces” was foundational).
• Looks up to Harouche for technique and educational spirit.

Jenna Nicole’s Top Three Pro Tips

[34:34-35:09]

1. Tightline the upper lash line to make eyes pop.
2. Use a hydrating setting spray or “powder melt” for lasting, natural glam.
3. Over-line lips for a plumper look—even with minimal other makeup.

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Memorable Quotes

• On the new era of beauty professionals:

  “We’re not just makeup artists anymore. We’re educators. We’re teachers.”
  – Jenna Nicole, [11:22]

• On what $23k covers:

  “There’s a lot that goes into it. … Maybe the stylist pulled, like, 10 outfits. … Also, tailors, hair extensions… It is a lot that goes into getting to that number.”
  – Jenna Nicole, [14:29]

• On public criticism of celebrity looks:

  “You’re criticizing somebody for how they decided to dress or what they did with their hair or their makeup… you’re dragging someone down that felt amaz.”
  – Sarah Tan, [21:03]

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Notable Segments & Timestamps

• [01:10] – Jenna’s personal product rundown/kit staples
• [03:33] – Jenna’s journey: family influence, being a teen mom, path to LA
• [10:49] – The social media era of celebrity makeup artistry
• [12:34] – Simone Biles’ $23K viral glam bill & what goes into it
• [17:25] – Explaining “do and go” versus full-day bookings
• [21:09] – Gaining empathy for celebrity insecurities
• [23:18] – Jenna’s tips for skin prep and the “powder melt” trend
• [24:51] – Contour, bronzer, and changing glam preferences
• [27:59] – Mature skin: prepping for soft glam
• [29:25] – Surprising (drugstore) products & unique skincare tools
• [31:22] – The essentials of body makeup on the red carpet
• [34:34] – Top 3 pro makeup tips

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Episode Takeaways

This episode demystifies the expense and artistry behind celebrity red carpet looks. Jenna offers real talk about the logistics, economics, and evolving roles in the industry—reminding listeners that behind the glam, celebrities are people too. The practical make-up tips, discussion of industry trends, and peek into a professional artist’s mindset make this essential listening for beauty fans and aspiring pros alike.

Transcript

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[Jenna Nicole]

Hi, kirby. Hi, sarah.

[Sarah]

Welcome to los angeles.

[Kirby]

Today we are joined by celebrity makeup artist Jenna Nicole, known for her ability to create elevated camera ready glam that still feels modern, wearable, and deeply personalized. To each client, from Selena Gomez to Brenda Song, from red carpets to editorial to her growing presence online, Jenna represents a new era of artists balancing artistry and visibility on social media. Welcome to Gloss Angeles.

[Jenna Nicole]

Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be here.

[Sarah]

We're thrilled to have you.

[Kirby]

You're so pretty.

[Jenna Nicole]

So for both of you, it's like nervous.

[Sarah]

Oh, my God. Don't be nervous. We're so excited to pick your brain. But first we want to know what's on your face. What are some of the products that you have been loving? What are products that you always maybe have in your kit?

[Jenna Nicole]

Oh, my goodness. All of the above. I have a lot on my face. Delba Tried and true Always Skin care. I'm using today the Armani luminous silk Primer, the new rare foundation, which you don't actually have to use a primer or set for the foundation. But I was a little dry today, so I did use a primer. A lot of rare beauty. Rare beauty blush in Happy Makeup Forever Lip liner in Universal Earth. It's like a nice brownie, kind of.

[Kirby]

It's really pretty.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Sarah]

Usually you hear endless Cacao or Walgram. Yeah. Wherever. Walnut. Yeah.

[Jenna Nicole]

This one, I did a client and she had it on her lips and I was just like, oh, my gosh. You have the most beautiful natural color lips. And she's like, no, it's this lip liner. So now it's my staple color.

[Sarah]

Amazing.

[Jenna Nicole]

The new rare beauty brown mascara. I've been really into brown mascara just with, like, my light eyes.

[Sarah]

You have a really pretty glow to your cheeks. Do you have anything on or is it just the black?

[Jenna Nicole]

I mix it with hope or. Sorry, Happy. But I mix in the Delba Multi Balm. So I make it kind of like glossy.

[Sarah]

Awesome.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

What about your brows?

[Jenna Nicole]

Brows is three different brow. Okay. Rare beauty in cool brown. And then I do like the old school Anastasia, like brown powder just to fill in, especially for on camera. Like, fill in any sparse parts and then what is. Okay. It's old school. I forget what it's called. It's like shadow or. Remember, they used to, like, sharpen it. Weird. Is it pencil? It's a pencil. And they used to be able to go into the store and they. This was like, in the 2005, 2006. They would, like, sharpen it. It's like a. I don't know. They sent me a care package, a PR package. So they're back. I gotta remember the name.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jenna Nicole]

Tomato or Shaz. Yeah.

[Kirby]

And what makes it different than like, an. Or, like, a traditional eyebrow pencil?

[Jenna Nicole]

If you were to, like, look at it, it looks really dry, but it warms up as soon as you put it on your skin. That being said, you don't even need, like, a lid on it. Like, it won't dry out. It's really fascinating. And then they sharpen it. Crazy. It's like this long of, like, a pencil. You know, like those yellow pencils you had when you were little.

[Kirby]

And it doesn't break?

[Jenna Nicole]

No. Oh, it's really. It's fascinating. I'm gonna. Okay, we will follow up.

[Kirby]

We will follow up. Okay, Jenna, can you tell us your origin story? How did you become a makeup artist?

[Jenna Nicole]

You know what? It's a collaboration of origin stories. I grew up with a single mother and all sisters, so a house full of girls. And she was a teacher for 35 years. So for the first 17 years of my life, I think I really fell in love with watching her get ready. She was that, like, get up three hours early. She had really curly hair, like ringlets. She would spend hours straightening it, blow drying it, styling. It had, like, her lancome blush, like, just really getting ready. And I would just watch her and be in awe. So I think it stemmed from just watching my mom be so glamorous and getting ready every day. Also, we were all in dance, so she had three girls. We were in ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics. And I'm the middle child. So it was on me when she was, you know, 7pm getting home, she's like, okay, make sure your little sister has her dance makeup on. And I was doing my older sister's makeup. And so I feel like when I was very young, like six, seven. Seven, I was doing my sister's makeup for dance competitions. Not good. Like, not good at all. I've found some pictures gluing on lashes, like, bright pink blush. Yeah, it was crazy. I also got pregnant when I was 16, so my son, he's now 21, which is crazy. So that really, I think when I was 16, 17. Kind of like college wasn't an option for me. That was really like, okay, what am I good at? What do I love? And how can I make money to pay rent, buy diapers, pay daycare at 17 years old? So it really, like, catapulted me into it. And I'm so thankful. God always has a plan, so I'm so thankful that that happened.

[Sarah]

Where were you raised?

[Jenna Nicole]

Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I'm Canadian.

[Sarah]

That's why you're so nice. That's why we adore you. We are so sweet. Okay, wait. Not to get too personal, but being a teen mom, I mean, that must have completely shaken your entire world.

[Jenna Nicole]

It was so hard. But I'm so thankful I had such a supportive family. I think I was so lucky in that, having a great support system. And my mom being a teacher, she was like, no, you're not dropping out of school. So I got shipped to an all girls, like, pregnant and parenting teenager school. So I was able to, like, graduate with my diploma and then bring my son to school once I had him to finish because I was pregnant in grade 10, so I had 11 and 12 to finish, but I don't even know if there's stuff around like that anymore. But it was just such a good program, and. Yeah, so. So it was hard, but I was very thankful that I had a great support system. Wow, that's amazing.

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Kirby]

No, that'd be with other moms who are going through the same exact thing.

[Jenna Nicole]

And I still talk to, like, a lot of them, and, you know, we follow each other on Instagram and we see how the kids are doing, and it's so. Yeah, it was a good, good experience.

[Sarah]

I think a lot of times when you hear about teen moms, you think of this, like, version that's on mtv.

[Jenna Nicole]

Definitely.

[Sarah]

And obviously I was telling someone. I feel like the Teen mom program was a great psa, especially here in America, for, like, birth control and, like, or whatever you want to teach. Right. Because, like, you were watching this in real time going, oh, my God, their lives are not great. Like, Juno was, like, a fun, entertaining movie that obviously had stunning, serious undertones.

[Jenna Nicole]

Definitely.

[Sarah]

But you were kind of like, I mean, like, Sabrina Carpenter's, like, singing about Juno. Right. You know, But Teen mom, you were like, yeah, they are fighting with their parents. They're. They have to give their kid up for adoption. I mean, it was truly traumatizing stuff. And we are almost 40, and I'm like, I still feel like a teen mom. Like, I'm like, if I get pregnant now how will I survive? I'm like, you can actually have a kid and be fine now.

[Jenna Nicole]

Like, that's, that's okay. It's so funny. As millennials, I'm also almost 40, 38, so I feel like we have that instinct to be like, when a girlfriend says they're pregnant, you're like, like, do I say congratulations? And you're like, oh, my God, like, it is that, like, I'll still 20.

[Sarah]

Totally, totally in my head.

[Jenna Nicole]

That's what was put in our heads.

[Sarah]

So I love good old Canada. They have this lovely thing. And also, kudos to your mom.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yes, she was kudos to your mom, definitely. And I think, yeah, it just, that support system was so. And I did see, I think the show came out a year after I had my son, but it was very much like that at times, right? Like, electricity cut off, like, you know, craft dinner for five days. You know, I was too prideful to like, go to my mom and be like, hey, I'm really broke, you know, otherwise she would have helped me. But yeah, and I did see, you know, in school, like, kids getting ripped away from their moms and the hallways and it was traumatizing. But I feel like for me, it really set my path to where I am now in my career. And I don't know where I'd be if I didn't get pregnant at 16 and wasn't like in a panic, like, what do I need to do to make money right now and what am I good at? So I'm very thankful.

[Kirby]

So you, when you were in high school, like finishing your diploma, were you also like studying makeup or was that

[Jenna Nicole]

after I'm self taught? Yeah. So I was just doing like, oh my goodness. So sorry for all the brides that I did back then. But I was, I think on Facebook and I was advertising as a makeup artist and I had like a little lunchbox size kit of like, probably my colors, you know, only because there wasn't a lot out there. There wasn't like a variety, like, there wasn't the shade range that we have today. And thankfully, you know, I just got certain clients, but I feel like, yeah, I just had a little cover up.

[Kirby]

Do you remember like any brands or products that were in your.

[Jenna Nicole]

It was like covergirl and like Maybelline. I think that's all we had really, like, back then. Like, I say I've been doing this for 13 years, but really my son's 21, so I've been doing it for, you know, 20 plus years, for sure.

[Sarah]

Wow.

[Kirby]

It's incredible.

[Sarah]

Jenna. Okay, so then you get into makeup. Do you remember how you broke through into doing celebrities?

[Jenna Nicole]

You know what I. So I had. When I first moved to Los Angeles, there was, I think, like, a photo shoot or something. I was just doing. I was doing every influencer that I could find for free. Cause I was just trying to build up my book when I moved here. And then I think there was a shoot or something that I got put on by one of my girlfriends, Morgan, who I think you guys both you met at the Delba. Oh, yes, I met. So she brought me onto a shoot. She was just like, hey, they already have a makeup artist. But, like, come with me. And I. I was like, okay. So I went. And I think I. On that shoot, I met, like, Patty Stanger was on that shoot, and Tara Reid was on that shoot, and Tara Reid's makeup artist didn't show up. And I, like, didn't have anything, but was. That was in my purse. And they're like, hey, can you do this? And this other makeup artist, I forget her name, but she let me, like, use her kit, bless her heart. And I did Tara Reid. And then I feel like from there, it just snowballed into, I need more celebrities, more bookings. And what year was that?

[Sarah]

Do you remember?

[Jenna Nicole]

2018.

[Sarah]

Okay. Yeah.

[Jenna Nicole]

Okay.

[Sarah]

So, like, relatively recent. I mean, granted, like, that's almost 10 years ago now, but, like, yeah, in the grand scheme of things, relatively recent. That is amazing.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Like Kirby just said, even though you've been doing it for so long, you're sort of in this, like, newer generation of celebrity makeup artists. We've had, like, so many, you know, like, icons, like, you know, Patty Dubrov, you know, people who have been doing makeup for a really long time. And we would define them as kind of like this older guard of makeup artists. What do you think defines this era of celebrity makeup artists or what makes you different? Would you say?

[Jenna Nicole]

I feel like our generation or my generation of makeup artists, we do have a very different, I want to say, like, guide we're following because of social media. How do I word this? People want to feel connected. I feel like now to the makeup artists, instead of seeing just the finished product, like, I used to open a book or a magazine, and I'd be like, oh, there's Kevin aucoin's look that he did on so and so. That's so cool. But now, because of social media and that direct link to people wanting to know the intention behind the look, the products used just that direct connection I feel like is different nowadays. We're also not just makeup artists. We're not artists anymore. We're educators. We're teachers. Our voices, you know, being able to be heard on a different level than it was before.

[Kirby]

Yeah. And you're, like, able to obviously, like, connect directly, talk to them in the comments, answer DMS always.

[Jenna Nicole]

Oh, my gosh. I get. Every time I. And I'm not one to, like, post a breakdown of the look. I need to get better with that. But I do get hundreds every time I post, and they're like, what's the lip combo? What's foundation? And I answer whenever I see them, I'm, you know, I give them a full breakdown, whether it's a copy and paste to everyone or. Yeah, so it is that direct connection, I think, that the older generation or the OG makeup artists didn't necessarily have.

[Sarah]

Totally. Okay, we want to talk about something topical. So Simone Biles has gone viral because of a TikTok she did where she said, if you're an athlete, a celebrity, an influencer, I'm talking directly to you. I got a bill for hair, makeup, and styling. It was $23,000. And is this normal? Of course, the Internet had varying opinions. I've seen the comments that are like, name who these people are, so we know, like, what's going on. This seems insane. And granted, I need to watch the entirety of that video again. I don't recall if she actually said what it was for, if it was for a campaign or she just said the red carpet.

[Jenna Nicole]

Carpet.

[Sarah]

Okay.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

Okay.

[Jenna Nicole]

Red carpet.

[Sarah]

I would love to know, in your opinion, how does 23 grand net out in your head?

[Jenna Nicole]

So I think. And I just saw that it was like, her whole collective glam team. So you're talking hairstylists, you're talking makeup artist, you're talking stylists. Now, 23 grand, that is a lot for, you know, a red carpet look. That's more of, like, campaign, I would say. But you have to remember, like, the stylist is probably renting or she's, you know, buying or pulling or whatever. So stylist fee alone is going to be, you know, X amount. Makeup artists and hairstylists also have agencies. So say I'm just throwing out a number. If it was two grand, five grand, whatever it was, per makeup artist and per hair. There's also agency fee that, you know, can be 40%, 30% added on top of that, you know, and a lot goes into a red carpet Look. Not justifying $23,000, but or normalizing. It. But I feel like, especially for celebrity hair and makeup artists in la, that's why we're all here. It's a little bit higher than you would, you know, charge elsewhere. And a lot does go into it. Like, I was just on a zoom call with a client's team, and, you know, the shoot was a week away, and we've been going back and forth for zoom calls. Stylists, hair and makeup, buying products, you know, just making sure everything was cohesive. There's a lot that goes into it. Just then showing up and then charging, you know, $23,000. I would. I would guess it's like, agency fees and, you know, it's the back and forth. And maybe the stylist pulled, like, 10 outfits and. Yeah. And then Taylor fees, like, also tailors. Hairstylist. I know, hair extensions.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jenna Nicole]

So it could be $1,000 worth of hair extensions or $3,000 that they had to bill for afterwards. So it is a lot that goes into getting to that number. Also, who she used, you know, like, there's celebrity makeup artists or celebrity hairstylists where they have the bigger agencies, so the fee is going to be higher.

[Kirby]

Yeah. And I feel like we were talking about for a specific level of celebrity, like a Simone, the makeup artist is creating a specific kit for them, you know, or you're having to work with. We mentioned Grishon, Deepak Chopra, like, you know, and updating that kit. Like, there's a lot of work that goes into a specific celebrity.

[Jenna Nicole]

Definitely, Definitely.

[Sarah]

I think Simone, though, has a valid point of, like, if this is what it's gonna cost me to do a red carpet every time, I don't know if I can do this every time.

[Jenna Nicole]

Right.

[Sarah]

And yes, she does have amazing brand deals that are, you know, provided to her based off of her very, very hard work. And so I think there's the argument of, like, well, she can afford it, but also it's still an expense. Like, it's still something she has to figure out. And I think that's why she came to the Internet to be like, is this normal? Because I think that if it is for her, she may be reconsidering some of these things. To your point, though, I am curious what this event was, and I would love for her to clarify that, because if it was a do and go, that sounds egreg to me.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

Okay.

[Jenna Nicole]

Like, a lot for a do and go.

[Sarah]

Even for a stylist trying to find a dress for a red carpet, that, like, is not going to make a real big Blip in the world. So I'm like, what was the event? How long were they with her? Like, to your point, that sounds like a campaign, in my opinion. If they're, like, doing zoom calls and they're, like, really strategizing these things and, like, making sure that there's, like, a whole look, a spread of sort.

[Jenna Nicole]

Right. Yeah. And that. That's why it is really important, I think, for. For celebrities or people to find their glam team. Because when you work with somebody for a long time, a red carpet, you can work with that. If they're paying out of pocket, you're like, you know what? Don't worry. I'm gonna go to Giorgio Armani and I'm gonna get your makeup look sponsored. So I'm gonna make up what I, you know.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jenna Nicole]

Would like to make on that end, you know, and the hairstylist would do that, the stylist would do that. So then your client is just paying a small out of pocket fee instead of, like, an outrageous bill. And then they bring you onto those big campaigns where they're not paying, the brand is paying. So it is really important, I think, to find your glam team, because then we're all a little bit more willing to work together on Totally.

[Kirby]

Really quickly, for the listeners, explain the difference between a do and go and what the other option is.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yes.

[Kirby]

Staying with them for the whole day.

[Jenna Nicole]

Right. So a do and go is essentially us coming to your house or, you know, a studio. We do your makeup and leave. It's typically around anywhere from an hour and a half to, like, three hours, and then a full day on set is obviously like 10 hours.

[Sarah]

So that's the difference. Yes.

[Kirby]

So like a do and go for this red carpet. Let's say they. They're not accompanying her to the event to make sure she's looking good on the carpet for photos.

[Jenna Nicole]

I mean, so that's a point. I would love to, like, get her here and talk to her, because that's a very good point, Sarah, because we don't. No. So they could have booked the glam team. Her. Her people could have booked the glam team. They could be behind stage. It could have been a four to six hour day. So we don't know that. So I do have some doing goes for red carpets that I would just do them and leave. But then I have had ones that I accompany them, and I'm backstage and I'm behind the paparazzi with my lights, and I'm, you know, doing the Lord's blessings. You gotta get that. Yes. You gotta get that good photo or. Yeah. Backstage stage, you know, So I would be curious, because then, of course, that number would start to increase, translate a little bit to what she thinks. We need more details.

[Sarah]

Simone, we're ready for you. Come on the pod. We want to hear all about it. I mean, I, I. When I heard that number, I was like, it was sticker shock.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

And I think it was meant to be.

[Jenna Nicole]

Right.

[Sarah]

Like, she knew what she was doing there. But I also think it started a whole conversation, because then Sarah and I saw makeup artists that we know, we respect reposting videos, being like, actually, here's how it breaks down.

[Jenna Nicole]

Definitely.

[Sarah]

Or other people we know being like, this is egregious. Why, like, why would a red carpet cost this much? So it definitely got people talking.

[Kirby]

I want to know what Mariah Carey is like, a red carpet event for

[Sarah]

Christopher Buckles when his memoir comes out. I cannot wait. He will never say anything about me. Like, he will never say anything about her. But I would love to know, like, babe, like, it's just funny because, like, we obviously have so many friends that are in the celebrity glam world, and I'll, you know, ask questions of them of, like, oh, my God, what are they using? What are they doing? And someone put it to me this way, and I loved it. They were just like, this person is just a girl.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

She has the same insecurities. She talks about the same things. She has worries about how she appears in public. The same things that people are picking apart. She's already been picking apart. Like, it really did put things into context for. For me in a way that I was like, damn. That's why I. Like, I will never criticize somebody's looks publicly. Like, even if you think that they should have done something differently. There's so many different aspects to that. Like, we hear all the time about, who was it? It was like, Hayden Panettiere one year, like, went to a store and bought her dress because she couldn't get it loaned to her.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

And she was like, but I wanted to wear this designer, so I just went and bought it.

[Jenna Nicole]

Wow.

[Sarah]

And so you think about when you're judging somebody's looks, like, especially, like, their wardrobe, Right. It's like, well, they had what was available to them. You know what I mean? Like, like, you know, dressed by these amazing stylists that have, like, all of these different brands at their fingertips or actually know how to take brands they do have and turn it into something

[Kirby]

great or the money to have it tailored. Like, you know, custom to their body.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

You're criticizing somebody for how they decided to dress or what they did with their hair or their makeup, which we all have our own taste level. Right. And you're allowed to have that opinion. But I think publicly snarking on people in that way, you're dragging people down that already feel shitty or you're dragging someone down that felt amaz.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

And I don't think either of those is a win.

[Jenna Nicole]

I completely agree. It's just gross at this point. We're all just girls.

[Sarah]

We're all just girls.

[Kirby]

We're just doing our best. That leads me to a question. Have you ever worked on a client and they've looked really great in real life, and you guys, you know, agree on, like, wow, she looks amazing. And then she has her photo taken by a photographer. Not good lighting.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And it's, like, gone viral for the wrong reason or has received, you know, criticisms online.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah. Like, the beginning of my career, I don't think they were being photographed, you know, by, like, Getty Images or anything, but recently, no. Like, I feel like that, again, is if we're able to be backstage and touch them up right before the carpet, then that makes a difference. But, yeah, I feel like clients have been, like, washed out. Where. I know when I take the glam pic, you know, we have 10 different lights. We have all this stuff, and I'm like, oh, they look amazing. And then they get on the carpet, and you're like, wait, where did all the makeup go? Because the light. You can't control a red carpet lighting. Sometimes it's amazing, and they know what they're doing, and other times, you know, it just washes them out. So. Well, that's gone viral.

[Sarah]

But, no, Yeah, I was going to say that's why I, like, every glam team, loves to work with Kim Kardashian because she's like, if. If you're working with Hulu, she's out on that carpet before anybody gets there, being, like, lighting. Where's the light?

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah. And then taking. Having a whole photo shoot at home

[Kirby]

with her own photographer and her own lighting to make sure that she gets at least one good photo.

[Sarah]

Glenn Close and Sarah Paulson on All Star were, like, this lighting on this carpet. And a lot of my babes, she knows what she's doing.

[Jenna Nicole]

I love that. And my girls are really good at, like, touching themselves up to, like. I'm so thankful that all my girls are kind of really good at their own makeup. So, you know, whether it's adding the lip liner right before they go on. And I know they were like eating in the car, so I'm stressed and. And I'm like, oh, they look amazing. They. They did their thing.

[Sarah]

They figured it out.

[Kirby]

All your girls are so pretty.

[Jenna Nicole]

They're just so beautiful.

[Kirby]

They're just like. And all of Brenda Song's looks recently for running points press.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

She's so gorgeous.

[Jenna Nicole]

She's so gorgeous. And she's one that just always like loves her lip liner. You know, does her little thing in the car on the way to red carpet. So it makes my job really easy.

[Kirby]

Amazing.

[Sarah]

So complexion has shifted a lot. How are you making skin look perfected but not overdone, Especially with these high def cameras that we're seeing.

[Jenna Nicole]

You know what, it's a lot easier now in my career than it was 10, 15, 20 years ago because of the products. It's really product layering. It's skin prepping. It's having really good high definition foundations, powders, something I'm really loving. That is like my secret. It's not a secret, but the powder melts.

[Sarah]

Oh my God. We literally. I just missed Sarah one.

[Jenna Nicole]

I used it for the first time

[Kirby]

yesterday and I was like, holy.

[Jenna Nicole]

Oh my God. That is literally my secret weapon. I think as long as you shout out because as long as you have that one size, the glam is gonna look intentional. It's gonna look contoured, it's gonna look beautiful, but it's also gonna look like skin.

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Jenna Nicole]

Red carpets.

[Sarah]

It's so brilliant. I think it's honestly, we didn't have

[Jenna Nicole]

that back in the day.

[Sarah]

I honestly think it's just glycerin. I think they took like some kind of Ben Nye or Krylon something from a professional beauty store and they were like, we can make this better with skincare ingredients. But I think it's truly just like adding a layer of moisture to your face.

[Jenna Nicole]

It's amazing.

[Sarah]

I cannot be without it. Please make a travel size. I am begging you.

[Jenna Nicole]

One size brush. He depots it for me.

[Sarah]

Grishan, you know, I'm giving you a call. Wow.

[Kirby]

I need to know how do you depot a spray?

[Sarah]

Just like you just put it in a smaller spray.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah. She has her own little like spray

[Kirby]

bottles and but it's like so sanitary. Her like, I love watching her content. So good.

[Jenna Nicole]

So amazing.

[Kirby]

Okay. I had the pleasure of watching you in a master class and like all your techniques. Something that you said was you don't really like under painting or like contouring.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Tell me why and what do you do instead?

[Jenna Nicole]

So I don't. And there's nothing wrong with underpainting. I think it's such a beautiful technique, and contouring is great. There's a time and place. I definitely contour, like, noses. I love contouring noses. Everyone has a perfect nose, but I just love that, like, everyone has a perfect nose, kids. I don't like changing the nose, but I just love that, like, definition of everyone's nose shape. So I do do that, but I don't necessarily contour the face with a typical contour. I use bronzer. So hung Van Gogh right now. He just came out with the sculpt bronze kind of duo. Been loving that. So instead of just, like, going in where you would with contour, I just go in straight with the bronzer on higher points, and I think that just kind of lessens a step and just makes it look a little bit more lived in than having those harsh lines. Except for the nose. Okay.

[Sarah]

I've been doing this too. I've stopped contouring up here because I have melasma, and I feel like I'll cover it, and then I'm adding stuff. I'm like, I'm just making my melasma look more apparent. Yeah. This is crazy. Exactly. I don't need it.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Sarah]

So I'm not doing it.

[Kirby]

I've been going over with my foundation brush, and I'm like, well, what's the point of that?

[Sarah]

What am I doing? I'm taking it away. So I will do a little nose contour, and then maybe sometimes a little, you know, here. But I saw this on Tik Tok or something. People were like, we don't need to be contouring our faces anymore. And I. It was like a revelation almost.

[Jenna Nicole]

It's okay.

[Sarah]

I don't have to not contour my face. Like, this is amazing. I don't have to contour it. I love it. I know. It's like, you know, I love that.

[Jenna Nicole]

And I think it goes back to the older generation. That's what we were all taught. We were like, you know, shout out Anastasia. She had. I think that was the first Beverly Hills, the first contour palette I had in my kit, and it was really about, like, that glam transformation. Now we're, like, embracing skin, we're embracing texture, we're embracing everyone's natural beauty, and we're just enhancing rather than doing that transformation that contouring really can give you. Yeah, right.

[Kirby]

What's your favorite nose contour?

[Jenna Nicole]

You know, What? I don't know the name. It's a little three. It's like, it's very, very cool toned. Okay. Yes.

[Kirby]

I think that because sometimes these contours are too warm.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah, yeah. It's very cool tone.

[Kirby]

What does it look like?

[Jenna Nicole]

Is it a pencil metal palette of three shades? It reminds me of the Anastasia Beverly Hills old palettes. Okay. Did the color palette, but we'll follow up.

[Kirby]

We have some things to follow that to our shot.

[Sarah]

My will ask you and we'll. We'll add it there.

[Jenna Nicole]

100.

[Sarah]

I gotta say, the makeup forever cream palettes. The little book.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yes.

[Sarah]

I have a cool tone contour in there that I've been using after.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

And ran out.

[Kirby]

Oh, I know.

[Sarah]

And too.

[Jenna Nicole]

It was so good, but it ran out.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Jenna Nicole]

Really? She's my whole palette because we got to revive 100%.

[Sarah]

She's so smart. This is from Adam. And they say with soft glam, what's the best way to deal with older poor skin issues? To get that clean, minimal base look

[Jenna Nicole]

for older skin, you don't want to enhance any texture. So it's really important to use cream products. And you can get that soft, glam, beautiful, sculpted look with cream products. And then use a really hydrating setting spray. Instead of, like, the baking, the drying out, mattifying sprays, you want, like, really hydrating. You want to do cream products that aren't going to slide all over. And also skin prep using more of, like, a gripping moisturizer, not so many, like, oils, so that those cream products are really going to stick and they're not going to spread all around your face.

[Sarah]

It really is about layering, which Sarah mentioned. Like, you're a big fan of.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

I'll go in with Rhodes peptide serum, apply that, then go in with my creams because I feel like they lay better on my skin and don't accentuate my pores that way. Definitely buff it out. And then I go to fricking town with powder melt. Like, I put on powder, but I, like, literally go to town on top of it.

[Jenna Nicole]

It's like, so good.

[Sarah]

It's so they sent me. They saw me talk about it, Jenna. And they sent me four, and I was like, oh, my God. Like, I don't have to buy this, cuz I go and buy it.

[Kirby]

She really does it.

[Jenna Nicole]

Me too.

[Sarah]

Love it.

[Jenna Nicole]

And they're great with their PR packages.

[Sarah]

They are.

[Jenna Nicole]

Whenever I see one, I'm like, yes, yes.

[Sarah]

You're like, hallelujah.

[Kirby]

Thank you for giving me one from your.

[Sarah]

You're so Welcome. I was like, I think I can.

[Kirby]

Thank you. I appreciate you. Disa asks if we went through your kit right now, what's something that would shock us that you use on celebrities? It's like a drugstore product or.

[Jenna Nicole]

You know what? I'm so blessed that I get a lot of my kit sent to me now. So they're really great brands. But of course, before, I probably would have in my earlier days been using drugstore brands. What is something. I'm trying to think. Aquaphor. Aquaphor. Like, I do use a lot of aquaphor. You know, people do like the Laneige lip mask and all this, but I'm like, oh, gee. Like, I'll do the aquaphor on the lips to prep them a little bit, like under the eyes, just so, you know, foundation doesn't settle. So maybe Aquaphor, a couple Aquaphors.

[Kirby]

No, that's great.

[Sarah]

Are there any tools in your kit that people would be surprised to see?

[Jenna Nicole]

A lot of brushes. Like, I don't use my fingers to apply skin care on clients. I use brushes. I don't know why. I just love that, like, artistry feel. I feel like I have more control and I always have long nails, so I don't want to scratch anyone.

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah. I don't know. That's such a good question. Question. Oh, the Delba Thera shot. Yeah. Is it?

[Sarah]

No.

[Jenna Nicole]

Oh, God.

[Kirby]

We gotta get you one.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yes. Very good. It's.

[Sarah]

What does it do?

[Kirby]

It's supposed to be like Ulthera, but in a device which.

[Sarah]

So what does it do?

[Jenna Nicole]

So it's radio frequency, so it literally just like depuffs. It also, like, helps your serums. There's another one. Therabody. Yes. Yeah, that one Depuffs. Helps get, you know, your serums in there. I do have a lot of Gua sha, but the new Gua sha, the ones that have like the brush instead of like the hard tool.

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Jenna Nicole]

I do Gua sha my clients faces just for lymphatic. That really helps.

[Sarah]

I know the face brushes are going really hard right now, but they're the ones that are like have the contour so that when you put it, it like helps to.

[Kirby]

Oh, yes.

[Jenna Nicole]

It's like hug your. Yes.

[Sarah]

It's less pulling and more kind of just hugging and relaxing to use on the face.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

I'm actually curious. Do you put body makeup on your clients?

[Jenna Nicole]

I do, I do. I think a lot of red carpet looks. A lot of everything you have to do full body. Like, I will go in and I'LL use a glycolic acid pad. And I will do, like, the decollete. I will do everything and just kind of exfoliate. When I'm doing skincare prep on a client for their face, I'll also do their body. And then I'll let that sit. I'll put, like creams on, I'll put serums on. And then I go in and I do body makeup.

[Sarah]

What do you use?

[Kirby]

Yeah, what's your favorite?

[Jenna Nicole]

Is it Westmore? Westmore. Yes. That one is amazing. Just because it. It covers all the little imperfections that the camera will see that you, you know, might not necessarily see in person. Rare Beauty has their new comfort oil, like mousse oil. It's really good too. And you smell amazing. So I'll mix the two just so you got a little good smell and shine. Yeah.

[Sarah]

Westcorp has really cornered the market on that body makeup.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah, I think so too.

[Sarah]

Yeah, everybody loves it.

[Jenna Nicole]

It. Yeah. And Dolce Glow. Dolce Glow. Mia.

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Jenna Nicole]

I love Isabelle. So I'll also use Dolce Glow in there.

[Sarah]

I need Westmore to make a pump.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yes.

[Sarah]

I just want to pump it like a gallon.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah, that was.

[Sarah]

It really does hide imperfections. Like if you see veins or you have freckles, anything. So cool.

[Jenna Nicole]

I got a laser done on my chest last year and I was like, you know, spotty.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Jenna Nicole]

For like a month. And I just like would go in there and it just looked perfect. So.

[Sarah]

Oh, do you have a brush, a favorite brush you like to apply body makeup with?

[Jenna Nicole]

It comes with one, right, The Westmore. It comes with that big purple one. I love that one because it has

[Sarah]

a handle on it. Yeah, I know. You really just go, literally, I just hated her body.

[Jenna Nicole]

I do love that one. And it's just dense. Yeah.

[Kirby]

Amazing.

[Sarah]

Monica asks, what is the best way to make your eyelashes look less spidery? I've used many different types of mascaras with different wands, and I have tried a lash combination, but my eyelashes always stick together and look spidery.

[Jenna Nicole]

I think that would come down to the formulation, what mascara you're using. If you're using a non clump mascara, high quality mascara, that shouldn't happen. You could pretty much paint it on with like a brush. You can use any spoolie shape, size, density. So I think it just comes down to formulation.

[Sarah]

Is there anything that she should do to prep her lashes? But prior maybe.

[Jenna Nicole]

I mean, lash prepping would kind of cause more of a spidery effect because you have like the fiber, you have the primers you could do it with powder, but it. That's what you get that effect with. You get more of like a spidery kind of. So I wouldn't prime the lashes. I would just switch up your mascaras. Yeah.

[Sarah]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Try something new.

[Jenna Nicole]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Lily asks, what inspires you? Who were the makeup artists you looked up to when you were younger?

[Jenna Nicole]

You know what? Kevin Aucoin, I had his book in Canada and I would just, like, read it and look at his, like, methods and his color palettes, and I think that was a big one. And Harouche, she was like one that, like, when I really started makeup, I was like, wow, she's. I felt like we did makeup very similar. And I was like, she's just so smart. And she, you know, now does a lot of, like, educating and. Yeah, she was one I really looked up to as well.

[Sarah]

Okay, what are three makeup artist tips that you would share with anybody who is looking to just take their glam to the next level?

[Jenna Nicole]

I would say tight line, tight line above the lashes, like, you know, like the top lid that really just makes your eyes pop. Also doing again, like a really good hydrating setting. Spray the powder, melt, if we will, at the end. And I love a good over line lip. You can go out of the house with no makeup on, and if you just do like a little lip contour or over line, you don't even need lipstick.

[Sarah]

Amazing. Jenna, thank you so much.

[Jenna Nicole]

Thank you so much for being on the show. Thank you.

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