The woman behind the looks of my latest Cosmopolitan Beauty shoot with gorgeous Irish Presenter Laura Whitmore, is celebrity makeup artist, and cruelty-free cosmetic ambassador Justine Jenkins.
Justine is not only an amazing makeup artist with an impressive client list, but has also taken a stand against animal cruelty. She will not use any products that have been tested on animals. I do love a woman with a bit of gritty determination!
How many years have you been working in the industry?
Seventeen
List a few clients/celebrities you have worked with.
Fearne Cotton, Laura Whitmore, Alexa Chung, Elisabeth Moss, Erin O’Connor, Millie Mackintosh, Whitney Port, Alicia Rountree, Sadie Frost, Jason Derulo, Michael Buble, and actresses Ophelia Lovibond, Rose Leslie, Keeley Hawes, Tuppence Middleton, Joanna Vanderham, Vicky McClure, Eleanor Tomlinson, Charlotte Rampling, Sienna Miller, Elisabeth Moss and Amy Poehler
How long have you been a curelty free makeup ambassador?
About three years now.
Justine on-set with Laura Whitmore during our Cosmo Beauty shoot at the Grosvenour House Hotel.
Why did you choose to be a cruelty free ambassador and is it a challenge to always stay true to your cause?
To be honest, I always thought that animal testing was fazed out decades before I became a make up artist. When I discovered that it was still very prevalent, I knew I had to make a stand. I support cruelty free brands as I believe animal testing is an extremely cruel and outdated method of testing. At first it was tricky as I had to replace many of the products that I’d relied on for 15 years. I had to do a lot of research, but the amazing outcome is that I’ve discovered incredible products and brands that maybe I never would’ve done before.
Yes it can be frustrating when big brands bring out new exciting products and formulations that I can’t use, but I just remind myself of the images and videos that I’ve seen highlighting the extreme cruelty to animals that these brands condone, and once you’ve seen them, there’s no going back. It makes me even more determined to raise awareness and pioneer cruelty free beauty. I love my industry but I find it abhorrent that such pain is inflicted for the sake of a new mascara or shampoo.
Please list your top 5-10 favourite cruelty free products that you use all the time. Please tell us a little bit about each one.
I couldn’t possibly limit it to 5 so I’ve chosen 5 headings and picked my faves within those headings – is that cheating???
1) Skin Prep:- Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield – this product is relatively new to the market but I use it every day in my kit. It’s designed as a primer with SPF and anti ageing properties and I love it as it’s like a soft focus veil on the skin. Smooth one pump all over the face – perfect as a base for make up application. Juice Beauty is one of my favourite brands. It’s not widely available in this country yet but no doubt it will be soon as it’s incredible. I cannot be without their Stem Cellular CC Cream which transforms dull, dry skin in seconds. Warm in between your fingers and apply all over the face. I use it on models when they only need a hint of coverage and it smells wonderful.
2) Skin care products:- Neals Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm is a constant in my kit. I use as a cleanser, face mask, moisturiser, clear highlighter on the skin, lip balm, and to soothe any dry patches of skin. Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream is fantastic moisturiser for anyone with really dry skin, warm a small amount onto the hand and press into the skin for an instant soothing effect. I personally use Bakel Collagen Firming Serum every day. It’s really nourishing and my skin feels firm and hydrated.
3) Lip products – Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars and Nars Lip Crayons – all these lip products have great pigment and are long lasting. I often use the OCC Lip Tars also on eyes and cheeks. Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment is my go to product to prep even the driest of lips. Dab on with your finger for a pout with a sheer hint of colour.
4) Brushes – Hourglass are my favourite brushes. Made from high quality synthetic Taklon, they are more hygenic than animal hair brushes, many of which are the by product of the fur trade.
5) Foundations – Inika are my favourite organic foundation, Hourglass are my favourite all round foundations for a variety of skin types, Cover FX are my favourite if you need full full coverage, and Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue is in my own personal make up bag. My favorite application technique is to blend with a damp Beauty Blender make up sponge.
Any great beauty tips you would like to share?
Look after your skin. Do not use wipes to cleanse – they are good at removing make up but do not cleanse deeply enough so invest in a cleanser. A double cleanse is even better. The more effort you put into your skin, the more it will pay off.
There is nothing more ageing than a too heavy foundation. If you have problematic, blemished skin, use a regular foundation to even out the skin tone and spend time concealing problem areas with a full coverage concealer like Becca Ultimate Coverage Concealing Cream or Cover FX Blemish Treatment Concealer.
Any Beauty ‘Ah-ha’ moments or funny stories you would like to share?
I’ve learnt to be very careful on set. I once fell off stage on a job which was badly lit and cracked a few ribs. I had to fly to a job in New York a few days later and if anyone has ever cracked a rib you know how painful it is to make the smallest movement. Luckily for me, I knew my New York colleagues very well and they literally wheeled me in to do checks on set and wheeled me off again. It doesn’t sound funny but it was such an odd situation – and very embarrassing!
One of our final images of Laura Whitmore in the December issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine
Justine Jenkins is not only a talented make-up artist, but also a tweeting and instaglamming beauty.
Find all of her snaps on Instagram:
www.instagram.com @justinejenkins
Get beautiful news on Twitter:
And most importantly, find her stunning work on her website
