Troy Jensen, Make-Up Artist: A tFS Exclusive Interview

Troy Jensen is a celebrity make-up artist for the likes of Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Cindy Crawford, Ellen Pompeo, Mary J Blige, and Rachel McAdams.  Sarah Howard gets the dirt on his favorite beauty products for tFS, and finds out what it takes to make it in the business.

Sarah Howard: How did you break in to the make-up industry?

Troy Jensen: I got started working with artists like En Vogue and Vanessa Williams, touring the country. Getting experience on set taught me about all the different mediums in the entertainment industry, like photography, video, and management. It was really a time when I learned so much.

Obviously, this is something I am passionate about and love so much, so I work really hard at what I do. I have my own blog and beauty site at troyjensenonline.com, where I develop products and work on multimedia projects, but I never forget how I started, and I never forget the people who have taught me my most valuable lessons. This isn’t an easy industry. 

SH: You need talent?

TJ: Yes, but that alone isn’t what makes you successful, especially nowadays. You have to be willing to focus on what you do, work hard, be professional, know when to take direction, and when to push your own personal aesthetic. It is my emotional intelligence that I feel has made it possible for me to be in this industry for nearly 20 years - and I’m just getting started!

SH: 5 most coveted products, and why?

TJ: Models Canvas Primer and Highlighter: I start every make-up look with it. It nourishes and primes the skin before foundation, but I also use it on top of foundation to give a natural skin-like glow. It's not greasy, it just gives a really fresh finish. The highlighter then pops areas of the skin like the bridge of the nose, cheek bones, cupids bow just above the lip, even on the clavicles and balls of the shoulders. It gives the effect of instant retouching.

Revlon’s ColorStay Liquid Foundation: The ColorStay formula gives a long lasting finish and the effect of flawless skin with its natural-looking coverage. I even use it for body make-up. When creating a faux tan, I’ve used the darker shades on pale skin tones to give an even, natural-looking sun kissed effect.

Benefit’s Benetint, liquid cheek and lip tint: I think every girl knows about Benetint.  By applying a touch to the apple of the cheeks and lips you get a natural, rosy flush.

I first found out about it from actress Eva Mendes, who often only wore mascara, Benetint on her lips and cheeks, and lip gloss. It makes the skin look alive and fresh.

It’s especially good for olive, medium, and darker tones who don’t always get a natural rosy flush - this gives that effect. You can layer it on the lips for a bright cherry red lip color that lasts for hours and never fades, and all you have to do is add a sheer or shimmery lip gloss.

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Beige Massai: It’s easy to get addicted to this palette, it’s just so beautiful and rich. It’s the prefect neutral brown palette that works on blondes, brunettes, and redheads.

YSL Rouge Volupté in Sensual Silk: This color is perfect for a smokey eye and beige lip look.  It’s that perfect Sophia Loren color that makes any woman sexy, womanly, and glamorous.

SH: What’s your favorite look that you've created?

TJ: I have to say some of the looks I created on Kim Kardashian I’m really proud of. She’s stunning, she’s sweet, and she’s the perfect muse (my type of girl). I’ve had a lot of fun creating different looks on her, and photographing her.

Read more of Sarah Howard's beauty stories on her blog at www.beautybanter.com.