My Makeup Story

I have been obsessed with makeup starting from a young age (I'm not going to say how old I am but I'm not that old), let's just say black liner and dark brownish maroon lipstick (MAC Paramount-they still sell it by the way) was my jam in high school.  lol

I have been a freelance makeup artist since 2004. 

I worked for Bare Escentuals for a little while...until I realized retail was not for me.  I did not like the feeling of being tied to one particular makeup line or being pressured to sell makeup.  I did not like selling items to customers that they did not really need just to make numbers for the day.  I enjoyed helping people find a makeup product that they were looking for and that worked for them.  One makeup line was going to take care of a persons every need. 

I also freelanced for high end salons doing weddings and special events...until I realized doing the same wedding makeup for every bridal party was not what I was looking for either.  It was fun helping people feel great for their big day but it was also very stressful.  Might seem silly that doing makeup could be stressful but you girls know what I'm talking about.  :)

After all of this time, I finally figured out what I actually love doing and that is TALKING about makeup.  Helping people find what product or application works best for them.  Trying 381 different black eyeliners (okay a little exaggeration, well...maybe not) trying to find THE PERFECT one.  By the way I still haven't found it!  I have found a lot of good ones and I like to tell people which ones I like A LOT and which ones really are junk.  Which ones will work for a smoky eye, which one will be best for work, which one will work for a special occasion and which ones will smudge and which ones won't.

I'm on a never ending journey for the ultimate under eye concealer and black eyeliner, specifically for the waterline and along the way I want to tell you my thoughts on all of the other products I try...

Some of My Past Work

Contact Me

JJ Van Heusen
Makeup Artist/Consultant
jjvanheusen@gmail.com
jj@dragonflaibeautyreview.com
707/543-6779