ROMERO JENNINGS

Director of Makeup Artistry

Moving from Jamaica to New York when he was six years old gave Director of Makeup Artistry RomeroJennings a dual heritage that offered him an eclectic and fruitful taste forboth the fast pace of the city and the more wholesome approach of island life.He describes his style as having four main aspects – colour, nature, futurismand technology – a heady mix that he affectionately terms “organic alien.” Notthe most typical approach perhaps, but certainly a winner that has propelledhim to worldwide acclaim.

Joining M·A·C in the 1990s, Jennings claims to have always felt at homeamong the brand’s team of dedicated innovators. After working in Japan, wherehe was offered a place to study and assist makeup artists such as Mitsuru Kohnoand Savaro Watanabe, Jennings returned to the Big Apple with equally big plans.“Strategy is my best friend,” he confesses. “I always strive to innovate and tothink about the next big trend. I constantly challenge myself to be moreefficient, technical and productive. This really can be seen in theorganization of my makeup kit and my daily life.”

A die-hard fashion fiend, Jennings began drawing models and designingclothes when he was just seven years old to a soundtrack of

glam rock. “Music is a big part of my life,” he concedes. “Grace Jones,Debbie Harry and David Bowie were unreal, virtual, creative, shape-shiftinginspirations to me, and even today I still listen to their music and look totheir images for inspiration.”

In the spirit of his chiseled icons, Jennings’ preferred look involvesa perfected skin with a strobing face effect and an architectural eyebrow.Master that, and combine with regular use of Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliatorand he promises to unlock the secret of eternal youth.

Landing a full-page interview in the New York Times Magazine was a standout career moment, second onlyto being interviewed by

Kim Kardashian, whom he describes as “a living doll.” Jennings took theNew York Times feature as an opportunityto explain the more painterly approaches to makeup while admitting that it wasalso a good platform for showcasing his (exceptionally) long fingers.

Perhaps that comes in handy for putting his horticultural skills to gooduse. “Gardening inspires me to create, social media is my research and providesaccess to high-tech apps and learning opportunities, while music allows my mindto dream,” explains this polymath, who is showing us that it really is possibleto have it all.