As promised, here's our Q&A with up-and-coming vlogger Jessica Harlow. If you didn't watch her Bombshell Beauty video, check out yesterday's post.
If you love videos, subscribe to Jessica's YouTube channel. She has some fun videos coming up for Halloween. And if you have questions for Jessica, leave them below. We'll ask her to answer them. And let us know if there are other vloggers you'd like to know more about!
JESSICA HARLOW Q&A
When did you make your first video?
I filmed and uploaded my first makeup tutorial to YouTube about a year and a half ago.
What was your first video?
It was a pin-up look inspired by Dita Von Teese.
When did you realize you were talented at doing your hair and makeup?
Probably when I was around 17. That’s when I started being asked a lot of questions about how I did my makeup and what products I used by everyone from friends and family to complete strangers. One time, while shopping in Sephora, a woman started asking me questions about my makeup and I ended up doing hers on the spot.
How did you learn how to do hair and makeup?
I’ve been playing with makeup my whole life. I just fell in love with the transformation and the art of it. My main source of information came from magazines. I would spend hours putting the tips I found in magazines like Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire to the test. I’d examine photos of celebrities and try to recreate their looks. Eventually, I would look up online what kind of products and techniques makeup artists would use on the stars.
Aside from making your videos, have you ever done hair and makeup professionally?
I started working at department store makeup counters when I was 18 and that’s where I really began learning what works with different skin tones, eye colors and ages. I’ve done makeup for everything from proms to photo shoots, however, my passion lies in teaching others how they can get makeup artist results on their own.
What’s the secret to a good video?
Simplicity. Aim for 5 minutes or less. It might take you longer to edit a video down that much, but believe me, the audience will LOVE you for not wasting their time. Be clear and concise when explaining what you’re doing. Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s a video above all else and they need to see what you’re doing. Good lighting and a good quality camera are essential.
What’s your top beauty secret?
Confidence. Also, getting as much sleep as you can and keeping hydrated don’t hurt either.
Where do you find inspiration for your videos?
Everywhere. Music videos, films, fashion editorials, runway shows and my imagination. Inspiration is all around us.
What was the inspiration for the Bombshell Beauty video?
The look I did was based off of a combination of different looks I’d seen on Sophia Loren. I love how bold yet sophisticated Sophia’s look was. She really used makeup to emphasize her already striking features. I love that kind of attitude and confidence.
Why did you pick the products you picked?
For the Sophia Loren look, it was important for the application to be smooth and matte. For the eyes, I started by applying Aquatique Waterproof Eyecolor Base all over my lids. This product really helps to minimize any imperfections on the lids and it prevents creasing.
I used Color Design Eyeshadow in Chic all over the lids and blended a little bit of Fashion Label into the crease to give the eyes depth and dimension.
Artliner in Noir makes it easy to create the perfect cat-eye liner which is essential to recreating a Sophia Loren look. Hypnose mascara was used on the lashes to make them appear very black, long and full.
When did you first use Lancome?
Lancome has been one of my mother’s favorite brands since forever. I practically grew up around tubes of Lancome lipsticks and bottles of Lancome nail varnish. I started using Lancome products myself when I was about 13. I remember how back then you weren’t one of “the cool girls” unless you had a tube of Juicy Tubes in your school bag. I felt extra cool because I had two – Simmer and Dreamsicle. I remember my favorite mascara in my teen years was Fatale. So sad to see it discontinued. [Sorry, Jessica!]
What’s your favorite Lancome product or products?
I never leave home without Dual Finish pressed powder. It’s the best powder foundation I’ve ever used. I’ve experimented with others but I always come back to this. It’s been my favorite for almost six years now! (I’ve been using it since I was 15).
Le Crayon Khol in Blanc is the best white eyeliner pencil. It’s hard to find a white eyeliner pencil that shows up when applied to the waterline.
My favorite eyeshadow is Fashion Label. I’ve been wearing it all the time since I got hold of it a few months ago. It’s the perfect combination of brown and purple. It makes every eye color pop!
How do you think how-to videos are changing the beauty world?
How-to videos have changed the way women shop for makeup and use their makeup. Now, instead of having to go through all that trial and error of what to buy, what works and what doesn’t, a woman can go online and watch a tutorial that shows the product in action. They get a better idea of pigmentation, blendability and wearability in minutes. You can’t fake those things in video. It either works or it doesn’t.
I also think it’s given a lot of women more confidence. We’re showing them how to get results on their own. I think before the how to videos, women either didn’t have very many products or had a bunch of products they didn’t really know how to use. Before, all the information was coming from print. There’s only so much you can get out of just words. With the how-to videos it’s like they’re right there with the artists. They see everything up close and personal.
Do you have any beauty heroes?
Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga.
Who are your favorite vloggers?
Michelle Phan, Petrilude, GoldieStarling, and iwanted2c1video. I’ve learned so much from watching their videos.
Who are your favorite makeup artists?
Kevyn Aucoin, Mario Dedivanovic, Alexis Vogel, Billy B, Pat McGrath.
What’s next for you?
More beauty videos of course! But, I’m also working on some beauty-related projects offline.
