Ambitions. Atlanta. The Hate You Give. ATL. The Notebook. Vampire Diaries. Fighting Temptations. No Good Deed. Stomp the Yard. Survivors Remorse. The Wire.
I’m sure you’re familiar with some of the movies and television shows mentioned. Some of these, you may have even seen more than, oh, a hundred times (*raises hand*)!!? Do you remember how flawless the actors were throughout the entire production? Now that I’m an Esthetician, that’s also a Makeup Artist, I find myself paying more attention to how the actors and actresses’ makeup has been applied than to the movie! I know, I know, but in my eyes, the makeup artists are the real superstars!
I first met Denise and Janice (pronounce Ja-Niece) Tunnell ten years ago via Twitter after becoming an Esthetician. I was excited about meeting everyone I could, both near & far, in the beauty industry and was having fun exchanging ideas, getting advice and just talking like we had been friends for years! After seeing they were going on a promotional tour for their makeup line, Illusions Cosmetics, I decided to attend to show my support; especially since they were going to be in my back yard. Interacting with hundreds or even thousands online weekly, I was surprised they remembered me when I told them my name and since that day they’ve been my “big cousins” in my head. It makes my heart full seeing their names roll with the credits.
They were gracious enough to grant me an interview as they wrapped on set for the day of Ambitions; which is set to premiere June 2019 on the OWN Network! As you can already tell, they are the real deal. Denise & Janice grew up in Baltimore, MD and are also graduates of North Carolina State University (I had to work that in, as I too, am an NCSU graduate)! They also attended The International School of Skin and Nail Care in Atlanta and Makeup Artistry at Von Lee School of Aesthetics in Baltimore, MD. They honed their makeup skills while freelancing with MAC, Bobbi Brown, Stila and Giorgio Armani.
Before beginning their careers in television and film, Denise lived in Atlanta working as an Accountant and as an Esthetician focusing on skin care; while Janice lived in Maryland also working as an Accountant and as a budding entrepreneur selling women’s accessories.
As with some entrepreneurs, Janice knew she wanted to be in business for herself but didn’t exactly know what she wanted her focus to be. With her business background she thought she’d work in management in the entertainment industry. Eventually, she began hosting trunk shows selling women’s accessories. During this time, she also began to craft a business plan to open a boutique that would house both a cosmetics line and women’s accessories.
While Denise was working and building her career in Atlanta, Janice was also working and traveling with the theater as a makeup artist. One day in conversation, Denise began to encourage Janice to come to Atlanta to pursue a makeup career there as it was proving to be successful for her. Denise’s established clientele and connections in Atlanta would come into play; working with clients in the political arena, news industry and commercials would later qualify them to work in the Union for both television and film. Since neither of them really saw themselves as industry makeup artists, they prayed and asked God to make a way and here they are; working alongside the industry’s biggest names on feature films!
Learn more about Denise & Janice in the print issue here.
