19 Questions With Jamie Greenberg
by The Candidly Team
This article is part of our series called "People We Like," in which we highlight women across all walks of life.
Parents, chefs, doctors, writers, entrepreneurs—ya know. Interesting women.
Today, we’re featuring Jamie Greenberg, a celebrity make-up artist with clients including Rashida Jones and Kaley Cuoco, and creator of her own genius blush/highlighter hybrid, aptly named “The Blightlighter.” Her approach to makeup is real, fun, and candid, and her Instagram feed is filled with helpful, little-known makeup tips for not-25 year olds!
The Candidly Questionnaire
1. What’s your most compelling quality?
My ability to make people feel comfortable instantly.
2. What’s your worst quality, according to your friends?
Workaholism!
3. What are 3 amazing hacks that will make our skin look glowy without a makeupy look?
Cream blush (I’m partial to my Blighlighter).
Mixing a few drops of oil or moisturizer into your foundation (if the formulas don’t clash).
Putting on a cold face mask before you apply makeup.
4. What’s an overrated value you don’t buy into?
Heavy contouring. If someone loves it and it brings them joy, no judgment at all! I just don’t think people need it.
5. How do you feel about cilantro?
YUCK! I have the gene that makes it taste like soap, so no thanks.
6. What are 3 key things women over 40 do wrong and should be doing differently?
Wearing too many powder products. As we get older, our skin gets more and more dry. Cream and liquid eye shadows and blushes won’t accentuate signs of aging like powder does.
DON’T be afraid to have fun with your makeup. No matter what age you are, you can still rock bold colors, glitter, highlighter, all that good stuff.
Don’t skip out on the skincare, honey. Take the time to have a full daily routine. Some of my favorite skincare brands are Chuda, iS Clinical, Skinceuticals, Mother Dirt, and Shani Darden.
7. Are essential oils anything?
Duh!! I’m obsessed with aromatherapy and essential oils. One of my faves is Nature’s Truth—their entire line of essential oils is delicious and so soothing. Don’t sleep on essential oils!
8. What's the most effective beauty trick you know?
Finding multi-tasking makeup products. Saves space, money, time, and pulls my look together since the whole face is in one family. Look for lip and cheek products, eye and cheek products, blush and highlighter mixes (*wink, wink. Check out the Jamie Makeup Blighlighter).
9. How do you get your self-esteem?
I don’t think I’ll ever wake up and think, “Whoa! I finally have total self-esteem and it’s never going away.” It’s an ongoing journey, but working really hard and paying my dues helped me feel more confident in my skills as a makeup artist. Keeping a close circle of good people around me also reminds me that I’m worth it. And exercise can always pull me out of a funk.
10. What's a secret for selecting our ideal foundation shade, that doesn't require advanced art degrees or color wheels?
Knowing your undertone can be a huge game changer to help you choose a foundation shade.
There are multiple tricks you can use to do so, like checking the color of the veins on your wrist. If they look more blue, you’re cool. If they’re greener, you’re warm. If you can’t really tell, you’re probably neutral!
This also works with jewelry, if you prefer gold bling you’re likely warm and if you usually rock silver you’re probably cool.
11. What’s your favorite item of clothing you own?
I live in Goldsheep leggings. So comfortable and the patterns are wild and fun just like me.
12. How do you handle conflict in your closest relationships?
Communication is key, baby. How you’re feeling will always come out anyway, so you might as well be honest and upfront as soon as you can be. Honesty can be hard, but it actually shows someone that you respect them and care enough about them to work through whatever it is.
13. Is there a trick or hack for minimizing the look of eye bags?
Prep is key so I always make time to do an under eye mask before makeup. Right now, I’m loving the Meaningful Beauty Revive and Brighten Eye Masques.
Put your masks in your fridge, or invest in micro current tools like NuFace or Ziip.
14. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself as a leader?
I’m good in a crisis.
15. Should an average woman even attempt a true cat eye liner? Any tricks or products for this terrifying decision?
Yes. Do the cat eye! It doesn’t have to be a dramatic or bold cat eye, you can do something subtle if that feels more comfortable for you. I used to be terrified of doing cat eyes, but practice makes perfect.
Start with a good mirror, some Q-tips, eye makeup remover, and your choice liner. I love using the EM Cosmetics Illustrative brush tip liner. If you mess up, that’s ok, just clean it up and try again.
16. Is social media ruining our brains?
Noooo. There are plenty of downsides, but I’ve made some of my closest friends over social media, As long as you learn your personal boundaries surrounding social media, it can be an amazing way to connect with people. But set your boundaries as needed.
17. What's the single greatest hack for applying concealer so women 40+ don’t look cakey?
Before you go in with concealer, put an eye cream or moisturizer on. Let it settle in, then apply an eye primer. Yes, an eye primer, under your eyes where you put your concealer. These primers are heavy duty and they’re the best prep before putting product on more delicate areas. The product will also stay on longer.
After that, use a brush that you’d usually use for blending eye shadow and blend the concealer. Start light, then build on with more layers as you need it. But don’t rush it. Many people just apply a ton with their fingers, then rub it in. You’ve got to work the makeup into your skin and be a little patient with it.
18. Should women over 40 even bother with eyeshadow? If so, how do we apply it so it enhances our features and doesn't look terrible?
Of COURSE women over 40 can rock eyeshadow. Makeup has no age limit. Start with a good primer all over the lid, some of my faves are from Lorac, Doll 10, and Thrive. Experiment with color to figure out what works on your eyes.
It’s not about whether or not you can go bold, it’s about how you apply and how much time you spend on the look. Rock the glitter, do the cat eye— I dare you.
19. Describe your actual bedtime routine.
First, I tuck my youngest daughter in by reading her a book and holding her hand until she falls asleep. Next, I tuck in my older daughter and then my son. I wash my face for 20 seconds. I do all my skincare, floss, brush, put my brow and lash serum on and get into my bed and chat with my husband. Then I watch TV.
What is your single favorite:
Skin-enhancing foundation: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush.
Pore-perfecting primer: Benefit Porefessional.
A no white-cast SPF that's incredible under makeup: Neutrogena or Chuda.
Lip-plumping balm or gloss: Too Faced Lip Injection.
Non-cakey concealer: Doll 10 TCE Concealer.
Creamy bronzer & blush: I have to say Blighlighter!
Not overly-glittery highlighter or highlighting gel base: Blighlighter again or the Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Illuminator.
Long lasting eyeliner: Stila Stay All Day.
Mascara that doesn’t budge: Thrive Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara.
Essential brushes that are easy to use: Anisa.
Jeans brand: Mother.
Sweats: Worthy Threads.
Effective “lady” product: Elix.
Last minute gift: Joanie Bud Bakes cookies.
Bra: Knix sports bras.
Shampoo: ROIL Salon’s line.
Comfortable shoes: Nike Air Force 1.
Splurge skincare: Natura Bissé.
Drugstore skincare: Pixi.
Everyday bag: Louis Vuitton.
Guilty-pleasure TV show: 90 Day Fiancé.
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