Meet Jessica Buchanan | Makeup Artist & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Buchanan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I didn’t initially pursue a creative career through makeup. My parents always told me I was going to university, so I knew I had to choose a job that required a degree. I chose to become a teacher because I fell in love with the alto saxophone during music class in high school. So I pursued becoming a music teacher. Once I became a teacher, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. Life as a teacher is extremely predictable, repetitive, and draining. I used creativity and art to make daily life and work more interesting and fun. I always had an extreme passion for creativity while growing up. It consumed all aspects of my personality. I found a love for special effects makeup because of the creativity it offered. The creative possibilities were endless for transforming myself into animals, cosplays, and creatures while also improving my makeup skills and techniques. I’m always trying to see how far I can push myself and what new things I can learn. Art is endless.
I was a teacher for a few years before I changed my career path to become a makeup artist thanks to the support of my fiancée. I don’t have any regrets becoming a teacher first. It’s what I needed to do first before I discovered what I truly needed to pursue, creativity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a special effects makeup artist, also known as @makeitjess on social media. I like to add a bit of glamour to my crazy makeup looks. I specialize in transforming myself into characters, animals, creatures, or cosplays. I like creating looks where I am unrecognizable rather than everyday makeup looks. I can do both, but I prefer the challenge the creative makeup looks offer.

Makeup wasn’t initially my career. I was a teacher for many years while I was just doing makeup on the side as a hobby. It offered a creative outlet for me to help handle the stress and anxiety I got from my job as a teacher. My makeup journey to where I am now was a slow process. I was on Instagram for a few years with minimal success. Things started picking up when I started posting videos on TikTok during Covid, like many of us did. I am really grateful for the wide audience TikTok was able to show my content to. With the support of my fiancée, I was able to leave teaching to pursue makeup full time.

I really enjoyed being a makeup artist and content creator, but while being away I missed teaching. I combined my passions for makeup and teaching and I created Make It Jess Masterclass. This masterclass teaches people of all skill levels a full face of makeup while with their friends in the comfort of their own home. It’s perfect for a girl’s night, birthday party, or bachelorette party. It’s a super fun time with friends and people learn how to do their own makeup for their next wedding or big event.

The transition from being a teacher to a makeup artist wasn’t easy at first. It was hard to get out of the teacher mindset and into more of a business mindset. I had to learn how to sell my makeup skills to grow my business and my brand as @makeitjess. It was a slow process for me, but having the right support system and team behind you helps tremendously.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Toronto and there are an endless amount of things you can do and see. If you’ve never been, you have to do our more touristy destination and see the CN Tower. Visit the glass observation floor at the top of the tower before grabbing dinner at 360 restaurant where the restaurant rotates in a circle to give the perfect view of the Toronto skyline. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you can even walk on the roof with the CN Tower Edge Walk. One of my personal favourites and also the scariest thing I’ve ever done.

You can’t leave Toronto without visiting the Toronto Islands. Hop on a ferry or take a water taxi over to walk around the many islands and beaches. Careful which beach you go to as one is clothing optional. The islands are a perfect spot to hang out during the summer heat before stopping at a local patio for dinner and a drink.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I never would have become a makeup artist and @makeitjess if it wasn’t for the constant love and support from my fiancée, Brandon Vaters. I never would have guessed that painting our faces for a Halloween costume was going to turn into a career in makeup. He was the one who encouraged me to pursue makeup. He gives me the strength and encouragement to take risks in going for my dream. He is my greatest team mate in my success.

Website: www.makeitjess.com

Instagram: @makeitjess

Facebook: Makeitjess

Other: TikTok: @makeitjess

Image Credits
Jessica Buchanan, @makeitjess