Get to know New York City based make-up artist, Jade Voight! Most people know that finding a make-up artist can be difficult- Jade Voight aspires to make people look like a better version of themselves- not like someone they’re not. As she likes to put it, “non-surgical facial enhancement.” Learn more about Jade, her favorite products & looks!
Jade Voight:
Hi, how are you? Thanks for having me.
Lauren Conlin:
Of course. You look beautiful. I just want people to get to know you a little bit more and get to know what you are all about. So tell me where you’re from and how you sort of got into makeup in the first place.
Jade Voight:
So originally I am from Virginia Beach. I’ve always had a love and a passion for entertainment industry and the beauty industry. And when I was younger, I really thought I wanted to be in front of the camera. And I was a child model, a child actress, but my favorite part of everything was always getting my hair and makeup done. I felt like those people who do it always had the funnest job, they always knew the best gossip and they really got to transform people and make them feel really special. And I always really admired that. And then when I got older, I told my parents, I went to cosmetology school, after I graduated, I said, “I’m moving to New York City and I’m going to be an artist.” And they could have swallowed their tongue. But I had so much fun-
Lauren Conlin:
I know, because you’re from the South, your totally… Yeah, you’re an only child right from the South, And they’re about to let their baby move to New York City and become a makeup and hair artist. Yeah, that’s a lot, that that’s a lot. Okay. Now also, I know this about you, but you were also Miss Virginia. Can you tell me about that?
Jade Voight:
I was. When I was in cosmetology school I actually auditioned to be Miss Virginia. I’d never done a pageant before, but I did and I won in 2015. And it was the most spectacular time. I got to meet so many great people. And it also opened the door for me to move to New York and have those connections here built in, so it really was a great networking experience. And again, I got to learn so many different hair and makeup looks. I mean, as we know we know pageantry is so different than your everyday glam, and I just really appreciated everything about it and it was such a great learning lesson.
Lauren Conlin:
Yeah. Wait, that’s very cool. That’s very cool. Okay, so right now currently you are basically full-time at a national news network, which is incredible. So I mean, your job, this always blows my mind because, and I tell people this, your job basically depends on how these men and women look on camera. And now if there is a hair out of place, if there is an eyelash out of place, that’s all your fault and you are going to get in trouble for that, right?
Jade Voight:
Yes, it is.
Lauren Conlin:
Now tell me about that. Honestly, that’s a lot of pressure.
Jade Voight:
It’s a lot of pressure, but it comes with a great reward because seeing the talent come in the morning without their coffee and then you’re working on them as they’re sipping their coffee and getting ready. And then at the end you have helped this person transform their morning, feel their best and just let them talk to you and get whatever’s off their chest. And for me, that’s the most rewarding part of what I do and what I love about it the most, is just helping people and just giving them the energy to do what they do best. And it is a lot of pressure, but it’s a great reward.
Lauren Conlin:
This sounds crazy, but people are, especially people on TV, I mean, they’re very particular I would imagine. And it’s like they have their own opinions about how they should look, and then you have your own expertise, but you also have a boss that has their own… That must just be a lot of moving pieces there?
Jade Voight:
It can get tricky. It can get tricky. So I think it definitely takes a person to have people skills and be able to communicate and understand what people want and how they feel their best. And I think the best part of trying to mix all these opinions in and ideas is just having an open conversation and saying, “Hey, I think this would look better, but what do you think? Can we make a happy medium and make it happen?”
Lauren Conlin:
Yeah, I know-
Jade Voight:
[inaudible 00:04:50].
Lauren Conlin:
… because I feel like a lot of these people, I mean, it’s kind of like, “You don’t have a choice. I know you want your hair in a ponytail, but they’re not going to let me do that, so just… Yeah, relax.”
Jade Voight:
Yeah, and it also comes down to the talent too. Understanding what their boss expects for them and realizing that I have a boss that I have to report back to.
Lauren Conlin:
Right, right. Okay, so just getting into products a little bit, what would you say your favorite makeup brand product is and why? And does it work for TV as well as going out on a day-to-day basis?
Jade Voight:
That’s a good question. Right now, my favorite makeup products or brand, line, I should say, is Dior Backstage. I love it. It looks flawless. It looks glowy. It doesn’t-
Lauren Conlin:
What is it, a foundation or is it a-
Jade Voight:
I mean, it’s a whole line. It’s a foundation, it’s a blush, it’s highlight, it’s eyeshadow. I mean, it’s everything. Dior has this subline of backstage products. So it’s more for runway. You get that glowy, beautiful, effortless look. But I wouldn’t say that it… It looks great on camera, but as far as TV with all the lights, I find that airbrushing works really well, like Temptu, Dinair, something a little bit heavier with all the lights and the cameras. It’s definitely different, and you have to experiment with what works best for you and also what works best for your client, what kind of skin they have, how to prep the skin to use different products. It can get tricky, but I’m in love with the Dior Backstage line, it’s phenomenal.
Lauren Conlin:
Okay, Dior Backstage. I didn’t get that at first. I’m actually so excited to go and try it. And now I think everybody is always wondering about this, I know I am, and my mind changes all the time, but what would you say is the best mascara for people to use, for length and curl?
Jade Voight:
I love the Lancome Big Monsieur, I can never say it, Big Monsieur.
Lauren Conlin:
Wait, sorry to interrupt you, this is super random. I just want to Bluemercury, whatever that makeup store is called, and the guy said the same thing. He goes, “Lancome, is so underrated and so good.” Okay, yep.
Jade Voight:
It’s so good. They have one that’s waterproof. It’s super black. It’s super dark. It lifts, it lengthens. Oh my god,. It’s my favorite. It’s my favorite by far.
Lauren Conlin:
Okay, all right.
Jade Voight:
And he’s right, it is underrated. Everyone’s like, “[inaudible 00:07:17] or whatever.” But it’s, run to go get it and try it. Let me [inaudible 00:07:22]-
Lauren Conlin:
Okay, that’s very funny. Okay. Yeah, no, he said that and I’m like, “I think I remember trying it and it being really good.” Is there any looks right now that you are not necessarily into that seem to be trending? I know like Julia Fox did the weird black all over her eyes. I wasn’t super into that, a lot of people liked it. I mean, to each their own, I guess.
Jade Voight:
To each their own. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of it. I really like blended looks and it just wasn’t blended. And I feel, she’s very unique in her own way so she can do whatever she wants. But personally for me, I think I like really blended, soft, sultry looks I would say it’s probably more my style, even on myself I really like really natural looking skin. I don’t want to make people, when they look at themselves, feel like it’s not them. That’s not what I’m here to do, I’m here to enhance what God gave you, what you have. So I don’t want to change anyone.
Lauren Conlin:
No, and I know from personal experience from having you do my makeup quite a bit, that that’s exactly what you do. You nailed it. I didn’t know what the word was, but the blended look. It’s a natural look, but it’s not. So it’s funny, so you did my makeup on Saturday night and I went out before I had to do something, so I went to two parties. And people when I go out, they’re like, “Oh, your makeup looks so good.” And I’m like, This is not Saturday, this is on a regular night. And I’m like, “Yeah, Jade taught me how to do X, Y, Z, X, Y, Z.” And then Saturday night I had girlfriends and they’re like, “Oh, Jade did your makeup.” Because it just looks so much better. It’s natural, but it’s like you can just tell it’s just so much better than you can do it yourself. I can’t explain, it’s just [inaudible 00:09:13]-
Jade Voight:
But you’ve gotten so good and I’m so proud of you.
Lauren Conlin:
Thank you.
Jade Voight:
And when I see you out, and I’m like, “Oh, Lauren, your makeup looks so good [inaudible 00:09:22].”
Lauren Conlin:
You taught me a lot, and so… I mean, anyone who uses Jade, do not be afraid to ask her what she’s doing as she puts the makeup on you because she will answer you whether or not she has… I remember one time I was like, “What are you doing with the eye liner? Are you going out to in or in to out?” And you’re like, “I don’t know, it depends. It changes every time.” And I’m like, “Okay, that’s fair.”
Jade Voight:
The right eye is in, yes.
Lauren Conlin:
Yeah, that’s what I mean. I’m like, “What’s the…” Yeah. But no, Jade, tell people where they can find you, how they can book you. Because although you do have a full-time job, you are very much available for bookings.
Jade Voight:
I am. So you can check me out on Jade Voight on Instagram, Jade Voight on Twitter, and you can also go to my website at jadevoigtartistry.com. And you can send me a DM, you can email me as well at jadevoigtartistry@gmail.com.
Lauren Conlin:
Perfect. Okay, and then is there anything that you want people to know about you just in general that they might not know or they might assume something about you that is not true or… I just like to ask that.
Jade Voight:
I tell everyone when they sit down in my chair, I always tell them, “Don’t be afraid to communicate with me. If I’m doing something, or at the end if you want something changed or tweak, please feel free to let me know because you have to wear the makeup all day. You have to feel confident.” And I think a lot of people get nervous speaking up for themselves, but I just want everyone to know that this is for you, this is something good that you do for yourself to make you feel comfortable and that’s my goal at the end of the day.
Lauren Conlin:
Yes, I love that. It’s so true. Don’t be afraid to speak up because you will listen. Okay, Jade Voight, this was so fun. I love spotlighting you, and you look beautiful. So yeah, if anybody can see what her makeup job would look like, it’s literally right there for you. It’s so great. All right, thanks again, Jade Voight.
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