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From Talladega Nights to Hollywood days

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Photo courtesy of Stefania Rosini.

When Jamie Hess signed on with Saks Fifth Avenue to sell cosmetics, serving as the personal makeup artist for an A-list actor’s Magic City crew was not in the job description. 

But in 2006, the L.A. based film crew for Adam McKay’s Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby personally selected Hess to work with Will Ferrell during his Birmingham area film promotion.

Three months after the filming concluded, Hess, a 1997 VHHS alum and newly minted Auburn University graduate, quit her job and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a makeup artist. 

Although she had virtually no support system in her new city, Hess threw herself into makeup artistry and trained at the Joe Blasco Make Up Center in Hollywood. Upon graduation, she joined the established FX lab, W.M. Creations, Inc., owned by Matthew W. Mungle, a 30-year industry veteran. 

“By default, simply because of who I work for, there is an expectation of the quality of work that will be delivered,” Hess said. “Between the education I received at Joe Blasco and the incredible opportunity I’ve been given working directly under Matthew for the last seven years, it has given me credibility within this industry that would have been much more difficult to attain on my own.”

That credibility most recently landed Hess on the set of CSI: Las Vegas.

She said her most satisfying moment comes after a long day on set.

“When I’m doing difficult makeup, whether a special makeup effect or a difficult beauty makeup, and it works flawlessly on camera, that’s gratifying,” said Hess. “When the higher-ups on set are happy with what a makeup assignment looks like on the monitor, it’s the best feeling of success and relief.” 

The tall order for Hess is that in her quest to deliver client success, she’s navigating an ever-changing set of filming circumstances, often with demanding hours that separate the wannabes from the professionals.

“Many times I’ve had to report into work at the same time I would be going to bed or I’ve worked so far into the next day the sun is high in the sky before I get to head home,” said Hess. 

Her call time is typically 90 minutes before the rest of the crew, with actors coming in and out of the makeup trailer within 30 minutes of her arrival.

After heading to set, Hess focuses on maintaining the integrity of her assigned talent’s makeup for the duration of that day’s shoot.

“It’s my job to ensure the actor looks the way they should for the scene, and that runs the gamut from touching up lipstick and making sure skin isn’t shiny to resetting blood if it is a crime or autopsy scene,” she said. 

Apart from maintaining her parallel gigs with this season’s CSI: Las Vegas and her work for W.M. Creations, Inc., Hess has set her sights on larger career goals as well.

“L.A.’s a city where everyone wears multiple hats, so we all inspire each other to dream and reach for bigger things,” she said, adding that she plans to re-launch her makeup blog before the end of the year. “And as for the future, I hope to have a makeup line at some point. There are products that I want to utilize that don’t exist in the current market, so I’m constantly brainstorming about what’s needed.”

Every woman’s makeup essentials

Must haves by Hollywood makeup artist Jamie Hess 

The best make up starts with the best skin, so before anything goes on your face start with a good skin care routine. I personally go straight to my dermatologist to create a skin care regimen.

As for your purse, I have 4 essentials:

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