Meet Jessica Claypoole of Aurora

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Claypoole.

Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, my name is Jessica and here is my story of how I became a makeup artist and designer. I grew up as a small town girl in a simple farm town life. It was expected to be married and start a family right out of high school. I always knew I wanted more out of life that a small town couldn’t give me. I always knew I wanted to be in the fashion industry and I wanted to go to NYU in New York, however dreams don’t always come true in a small town. It wasn’t until I turned 44 that I really started to be part of the beauty and fashion industry. I would do makeup and wear my headpieces and would post videos, but gaining followers was harder then I thought. So 2 years later I had my first opportunity to do makeup for my first photoshoot. I was so nervous that my hands were shaking. My friend Adam put the photoshoot together and he was the photographer, so after I saw how the photos turned out I was so proud of what I accomplished. I knew from that momment there was no going back but the only option was going up. So I spent the next year hustling my way into runway shows and photoshoots with both my makeup and headpeice designs. I even earned my first award from Nativ Magazine for the Top Makeup Artist in Colorado for 2024.
I started designing my floral headpieces about a year ago, I would see all of these amazing headpieces on social media and I knew that I wanted to create them. So I started out doing them just for fun. I knew I wanted to use my own flair and I really grew into my own techniques and style. I didn’t know there was a title for people who designed hats and headpieces, but now I consider myself a Fascinator Designer. My headpieces have been in 4 runways with collaberating with designers like Missy Champlain and now with Taleia Larae Styles who will be taking my designs with her collection to Italy! I also did my first solo runway as a designer for Boulder Fashion week with my Goddess collection. To be able to see what you created walking down the runway is such an exhilarating moment. This journey has been so much fun and I love the roads I have taken to get to where I am and to where ever I am going.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was defientily not a smooth road along the way. Working full time and being booked on weekends and some weekdays made it a very busy lifestyle but I was willing to work towards my dream. I hustled my way into everything. That means a lot of networking, asking if people needed a makeup artist, trying to get my headpieces in photoshoots and runways. It was like I had two full time jobs. There were times I doubted myself and my abilities.
I worked along side so many talented and more experienced make up artist and that was intimidating. However they taught me a lot of techniques because I am a self taught and made artist. When it came to designing it meant trying to create with material and beadwork and manipulating to create something new all the time. There were times that I stayed up late making my own jewels or how many headpieces I needed to create per runway shows and photoshoots. One headpiece alone took me 11 hours for my Goddess collection. I can honestly say that the struggles were and are well worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I think about explaining my own art form there are so many different dynamics. At first my specialty which I am well known for is being a makeup artist. I mean don’t get me wrong I thought about designing but that came a year later. My journey with makeup helped me so much in getting in the fashion industry. The more I did it the more I got asked to do more runways and photoshoots. I am a humble person so when I had models come up to me and say that I am talented and I haven’t had a chance to work with them, I mean that is a huge shock to me. With makeup I am known for my colorful looks, the think outside the box art and trying new things.
As a designer I am known for my beadwork, jewels, vibrant colors and flowers. That is why my brand name is Flower Tiaras by Jessica. I am always trying to be diverse with my designs, like trying to work with different elements, materials and techniques. It is really all about having fun.
I am so proud of what I accomplished in such a short time. I worked hard to get to where I am and I made that name for myself with the support of the fashion community, my family and friends.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
“Roads were meant for journeys, not destinations.” I believe that if people don’t take risks and go for what they always dreamed of accomplishing you truly lose out. Everyone has the potential to become their best self. For me and my journey I took so many risks but this has been by far the hardest and worth the risks that I have taken this late in my life. I have always been a risk taker but sometimes you ask yourself “Is this the path I want to take?”
I look at it this way, if I never took risks I would have never meet so many amazing people in this industry, I never would have been published in a magazine and I would have never won top makeup artist 2024!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/jessicaclaypoole172

Image Credits
Lynn Hough Photography
Richard Gill
John McSweeny
Blu Apples Photography
Amos Chase
Undecim Photography LLC