Meet Trailblazer Jessica Eden

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

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started getting really interested in makeup through dance when I was younger. We did recitals and competitions with LOTS of stage makeup. I really fell in love with the creativity it allows.

I eventually moved to Colorado from Nashville 8 years ago to pursue cosmetology school at the Aveda Institute Denver. About 3 years ago I went back to AID to teach, and I started teaching the editorial photoshoot phase. At that point I had only done a couple of editorial/styled shoots, but I knew taking this position would lead to a lot of great connections to further my career in the world of editorial. I always wanted to do hair and makeup for movies and TV (like a lot of us), and editorial meant being free to get weird and expressive.

I reconnected with Brad Van Dyke (Denver based makeup artist, and someone I look up to greatly) at the institute. He informed me of “The Editorial Experience” which really kick started my presence in the editorial realm. The experience was set in Malta, and it involved a very intimate space to learn the ins and outs of the how to execute an editorial photoshoot. Once I got back to Denver, I made it my mission to get into more shoots, and to organize a shoot by the end of the year.

I connected with Randi Rheaa a couple of years back on Facebook, and she asked me to do a shoot with her and Alicia Myers, and Menez. This turned out to be my first published shoot in Feroce magazine, and what an amazing team to connect with! From there I joined Denver Fashion Week for makeup and made more connections with some incredible models and designers. About 6 months – year later I organized my first shoot with the help of a lot of the people I mentioned above and that shoot got published as well in Piction magazine! 2018 and 2019 have been incredible years, and I’m excited to see what 2020 has in store!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has not been smooth at all. My largest obstacle has always been having the support of my salon home to pursue editorial. Almost every job I’ve had as a cosmetologist has in my initial interview claimed to support my dreams. However, when the time comes to ask permission to do a shoot outside of salon time, or to organize a shoot for the salon there are always conflicts. I’ve heard everything from “that’s considered moonlighting” to “it’s a distraction”. I even had one salon try to control what I posted on Instagram, because they said I was posting too much editorial work and not enough in salon work. Another time, I turned down a paid internship (on my days off) with a now well-known photographer, as I was told it was a violation of company policy. Luckily, I finally found a salon that not only supports me, but encourages and promotes my work (3 Little Birds).

My advice would be this: leave any job that doesn’t fully support and encourage what you want to create in your career. I promise, you will find somewhere that wants to watch you succeed! Get involved in as many fashion shows/shoots you can. Reach out to someone you admire and see if you can just watch them work behind the scene. Offer to assist, hold hair brushes, clean their makeup brushes, do whatever you can to help. Any chance I can get to assist someone I admire I try to take that opportunity. Be humble, you don’t know everything and you honestly don’t ever want to. What’s the fun in creating something you have mastered? Aggressively chase failure, because it will take you farther than success will (Ryan Leek). Perfection isn’t always the most beautiful thing you can create.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
In the salon I specialize in color, especially blondes. In my creative time I fluctuate between hair and makeup usually. I like to be adaptable to what is needed for each shoot. I think that’s what sets me apart. There are not a lot of artists that do both hair and makeup. I genuinely enjoy both as well, so it’s mutually beneficial! I’m most proud of having had the courage to start asking others to critique my work. It’s so hard to hear what you’re not good at, but it’s so important if you want to be great. I always want to have something to work on, or I start to feel stagnant. I think it’s equally important to accept positive feedback as well.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
My mother’s patience has always inspired me. She is so calm and kind in all situations. I think there’s more strength in that than any other virtue.
My sister also inspires me. She inherited my mom’s patience first of all, but she’s also fiercely passionate and intentional. You can consider yourself lucky if you are in her wolf pack, because she is as ferocious as she is sweet.
Natalie Portman is my celebrity inspiration. She’s so natural, intelligent, elegant – with a dash of sas. She seems to have a lot of self-control and that’s so admirable.

Contact Info:

• Email: jedenaveda@gmail.com
• Instagram: @JessEdenHmua

Image Credit:
Joy Allison
Heidi Gress
Chasity Lollis
Randi Rheaa

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