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By Jenna Menard ’03
Jenna Menard ’03 will give a presentation, “Looking Like a Million Bucks: Tips from a Celebrity Makeup Artist,” at the April 4-5 Council of Lafayette Women Conference. The talk description states, “Secrets for looking great are unveiled, with perhaps a little insider information on the famous and fabulous of NYC.” To learn more about the conference or to register, visit the Council of Lafayette Women Conference web site.
I have spent the last five years in New York City working on my career as a freelance makeup artist. Each year brings different opportunities and opens many more doors. Recently, I have been receiving more exposure by being asked to give expert makeup tips and tricks for various magazines and online blogs. This is helping to get my name out there and is allowing me to become recognizable.
While gaining exposure with the press and media, I also have been able to extend my list of celebrity clients. Having both Kate Winslet and Jennifer Jason Leigh as regular clients has helped move me up on the unofficial list of desired celebrity makeup artists. On the fashion side of things, I have had work published in Harpers Bazaar Japan, Town and Country Weddings, and Martha Stewart Blueprint Magazine, and I continue to work with Vogue.
Throughout the past year I have discovered how important all of the skills I acquired at Lafayette have been to success in my career. It’s not just about the art and talent of my job, it is about being persistent with clients and having a well rounded education that enables me to stand out among my peers in the industry.
I always appreciate and look forward to speaking at Lafayette because I know that every conference I attended not only had an impact on my career, but also on me as an individual. The opportunities Lafayette provided are extremely valuable. I believe as women in the workforce it is important to share stories and teach each other about our expertise. We can learn from each other, which will make us more powerful and successful women. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and talent with others in hopes that it will help them as well. I know I will learn from the group of people I am speaking to and also from other presenters at the conference.
If it wasn’t for the CLW Conference, I would probably not be doing what I am doing. One of my first jobs after graduation was acquired through a past speaker, Ann Roth. A Lafayette administrator put me in touch with her knowing that she would be a great contact. Ann then provided me with another contact which led me to my position assisting on the set of the feature film The Stepford Wives in 2003.