As a celebrity makeup artist, you have been able to see your fair (or unfair to the rest of us!) share of celebrities with and without their makeup. Yet, the rest of the world rarely sees celebrities without their "face". What has being in your shoes shown you about real beauty, and what do you want the rest of us to know?
Well yes, there are some amazingly beautiful people out there; some that can take your breath away! However, everyone has insecurities about themselves. I could be working on a beautiful woman in my chair and and she might say something regarding her lips, or brows asking if I could do it this way or that way because she thinks it looks better. That is coming from a place of insecurity.
Another thing we can't forget, I get paid very well to make sure she looks "perfect". A lighting person the same. A wardrobe person, same. Then we get to the retouching process...
Thinking back, do you have a memorable celebrity moment where you thought in your mind, "I really do have the best job!"
I was working on the Sharon Osbourne show. She had a segment that involved a group of male models in underwear, I had to rub them down with oil! Now that was one of those moments!
You are a fairly recent breast cancer survivor. What did going through breast cancer teach you about beauty?
It's true what they say about beauty coming from within. When you are undergoing treatment, your body is no longer what it once was. You have no hair, no lashes, no brows and somehow you are supposed to still be attractive. Now, I say that, and not everyone may have felt that, but I did. When all of what you define yourself as a woman is stripped away, how do you feel pretty?
I don't know how I got there, but I felt that I was beautiful no matter what. My breasts didn't define me, my hair, etc. It was who I was and what I can offer to this world. The other stuff is just wrapping.
You are a volunteer for "Look Good, Feel Better", an fabulous organization that gives cancer patients the hands-on beauty knowledge to get through chemo and radiation treatments while still feeling a bit like themselves. What is that like for you now being on the other side, cancer free?
I say that if this cancer doesn't take my life early, I would not change the experience I've had. It has given me so many gifts, specifically the opportunity to work with women undergoing treatment. When I get up to speak and tell them of my experience, they get excited. I've had 20 years in show business, worked with countless celebrities; it's kind of neat.
When I then tell them that I know what they are going through, and it has been only three years since cancer has personally affected me, the feeling in the room shifts. Their faces change to hopeful, and I know that is how they see me.
The women talk to me more openly because I know their process. It's lovely to see them change from being scared and somewhat uncomfortable, to feeling at ease. It truly is my pleasure.
You have a teenage daughter; what skin care tips do you share with her and her friends?
The biggest thing I tell my daughter is less is more. It's funny, I tell young girls and old gals the same thing....hmm...
I led a class for my daughters Girl Scout Cadette group because I thought it was so important to learn make up properly from the beginning. A lot of young girls are excited to wear make up and they over do it because they finally get the chance to wear it. Big mistake. Just enhance! Young girls are so naturally beautiful already, they don't need to over do it. Again, less is more.
And lastly, what does your daughter think about the long list of celebs you've had your makeup brushes on!
Oh, she is a teen; she just rolls her eyes! We will be watching TV and I will point out people that I have done, sometimes it is more than one. She responds in her typically teenage way, "Yes Mom, of course you have". Unless of course it's some child star and then she gets mad that I didn't get an autograph!
And if you aren't already in love with Jan Ping, a final thought from her.
The cancer experience has changed my life forever; it is now my passion in life. If my life experience can help just one woman feel better about herself, stronger to fight the battle and look good while doing it, then I have done what I set out to do.
