Janice Kinjo: Hollywood’s Go-To Makeup Artist & Men’s Groomer
Makeup artists - they’re just like us! Well, maybe their origin stories. With a name now synonymous with flawless faces and impeccable artistry, Janice Kinjo ignited her passion for makeup during a phase we can all relate to: teenage rebellion. What started with youthful defiance in Orange County has now blossomed into a thriving career working with major stars and spanning nearly two decades - with no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Janice’s Path to Makeup Artistry Fame
Jaxon Lane: Tell us about yourself and how you began your career in the makeup industry.
Janice: I truly loved makeup as early as high school - and the fact that my parents hated when I wore makeup made me love it even more. I was a middle child, with classic Middle Child Syndrome, so anything they said no to - I did more!
Janice got her first taste of doing makeup for the stars with a high school theater production, when she helped out with her friend’s makeup. Shortly after, Janice headed to the University of Southern California, and quickly made friends with students pursuing film.
Jaxon Lane: What was your look in college - and how did you keep pursuing your love for makeup?
Janice: This was at the height of Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Girl and its popularity, which I fully embraced. I was a walking billboard for Tokyo style, fashion and, of course, makeup! With that signature look, I attracted a lot of film people, and started to get gigs for student films doing hair and makeup.
After graduation, Janice headed to another center of style and the arts: New York City. Though she had aspirations of an unpaid internship with the UN, she quickly landed a temporary marketing job to make ends meet. However, Janice soon found herself dying to escape the 9-to-5 life. Instead, she decided to embrace her true passion for art and making the world a better place.
Janice: As a Buddhist, we believe in world peace - wherever you are, how can you make the world a better place? So I resigned from my job, and wrote that I was leaving the job to be an artist and pursue world peace. They definitely thought I was crazy.
Jaxon Lane: What an incredibly brave move! How did that turn out?
Janice: Luck was on my side - my neighbor was an established makeup artist, and knew I had just quit my job. She invited me to come assist her with a shoot a few days later for Vibe magazine. This was back in 2005, and it was a real turning point: on that job, I met my first two mentors who have helped me through this industry. I learned incredibly valuable life skills in that setting, like having the correct etiquette, and the fact that how you show up and act with professionalism is what keeps you going.
Jaxon Lane: Incredible. Tell us about some of the early clients you worked with.
Janice: One of my very first clients still boggles my mind: I was able to work with LL Cool J when he was on 30 Rock. He asked me to be on the show with him! He really gave me a chance, and I just couldn’t believe that this chance was real. Once I embraced the opportunity, I realized that this was such a clear sign that makeup artistry was the field for me and what I needed to pursue seriously. I told myself to buckle down…and here I am 19 years later.
Janice continued to source clients in both men’s and women’s makeup through Craigslist, MySpace (there was no LinkedIn yet!) and Model Mayhem - a platform that people used to find hair and makeup models for collaborative work. From those early jobs, she started creating a true portfolio to showcase her work.
Janice continued to work with icons of the industry after kicking off a working relationship with Tamar Braxton, Tony Braxton’s sister, who starred together in the show Braxton Family Values. Though Janice calls it “good luck” and “being in the right place at the right time,” it’s a testament to her deep expertise and talent that Tamar recommended Janice to none other than Mary J. Blige for her birthday.
Janice: Of course, I said I would absolutely love to do her makeup. She was the sweetest, kindest and most genuine soul. From that experience, I started working and traveling with Mary! It was an incredible opportunity to travel the world with her for 4 years or so. She is so talented, and has this ability to command a huge audience of people - I would watch the shows every night and never got sick of it.
Around the time she was working with Mary J Blige, Janice also worked with Uzo Aduba - and another big Hollywood talent, Jeffrey Wright, who has remained one of Janice’s long-time clients. Jeffrey ended up receiving an Oscar nomination, meaning Janice was on tap from December to March of the promotion series to help him look his very best every night.
Courtesy of Janice Kinjo, @janicekinjo
Courtesy of Janice Kinjo, @janicekinjo
Jaxon Lane: What an incredible series of clients. What would you say is your secret to forming these relationships?
Janice: If I’ve learned anything, it’s that talent will get you in the door - but what keeps you in the room is how you act and what you do.
Janice’s Product Recommendations
Jaxon Lane: We’d love to hear about the products you rely on for your many clients. What are your go-tos?
Janice: I literally don’t leave the house without the Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Eye Gels. People are so busy and tired these days - these gels help them hydrate and wake up. My special trick is to put them in the freezer so they get nice and cold, but not frozen. Then when I use them on a client, they always say “Ohhh, this feels so good.” That’s my go-to no matter what - for red carpets, photoshoots, anywhere. They’re a must!
Janice: Another favorite - especially for outdoors shoots - is Rain or Shine. It’s the best SPF, hands down, both for men AND women. So many people comment on how it soaks into the skin really nicely and doesn’t burn the eyes - and for me, it’s so important that it goes on invisible and it doesn’t mess with makeup application. The issue with most sunscreens is that you need to protect the skin from the sun, but if you put makeup on top of that sunscreen it just slides off when you sweat. That doesn’t happen with Rain or Shine. I know you’ve won awards for it, but it’s really true - the formulation is amazing, and my clients don’t have to worry about it running into their eyes with sun, sweat or bright lights.
Janice: Another product I love for men’s grooming is the Andis SlimlinePro TBlade Trimmer, which provides really precise lines and trimming beards. Also, I use Bevel clippers for cutting hair and doing fades.
Janice: For foundation, I switch it up depending on which client I’m working with. Tinted moisturizers are my favorite, because they even out the skin tone. The Apostle tinted moisturizer launched in the last year or so, and it’s a great men’s line.
Reclaim Tinted Moisturizer, Apostle
I also want to shout out your moisturizer! I love that your line isn’t in glass, and it’s TSA friendly, so it’s super easy to carry around and pack. I’m always on the go to meet my clients, so it’s really important that my products are mobile. And then it’s just the perfect balance of moisturizing, but not super dewey. You can really see the skin soak it all up and feel hydrated. With your line, I can see how much care and effort you’ve put into formulating each of them. They’re made really thoughtfully.
Janice’s Makeup and Skincare Tips
Janice: I find that shininess and hyperpigmentation - spots or anything like that - are two big concerns men have. For example, grooms in weddings get lost in pictures next to the bride because they’re not being taken care of!
One product I love is a L’Oreal Anti-Shine Primer that takes away shine instantly, and has a super easy application. Then you can just pop on Rain or Shine for sun protection and a tinted moisturizer like Apostle.
Then, a really good translucent primer can be good to remove shine is L’Oreal’s Magic Secret and you can even use it on bald heads.
To address spots, I do like to use a little bit of coverage with makeup. Two lines I like a lot are Makeup Forever and Armani Luminous - their color range is amazing.
Addressing another common male skin concern, Janice recommends Tend Skin for ingrown hairs. “It might smell a bit strong, but it really helps to flatten out the bumps,” she says. She also emphasizes the importance of using clippers with a zero gap to prevent ingrown hairs.
What’s next for Janice
Jaxon Lane: Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us. With so much incredible experience and expertise behind you, what are the next few months and years looking like?
Janice: I just wrapped up a TV show yesterday - and I’m excited to say I’m taking a little break to travel to Japan. My parents were born and raised in Okinawa. We have a lot of celebrations to cover after having been separated due to COVID for so long. My son is turning 2, and my husband and I got married in 2020 in the height of COVID summer, so we’re going to have a wedding ceremony in Japan. My Japanese heritage is a big part of my life - I was born and raised in the OC, but am bilingual and speak Japanese and stay close to my parents’ roots.
After I’m back in the States, it’s back to work and focusing on the next jobs with my agents.
Jaxon Lane: Sounds amazing. Thanks again, Janice! We can’t wait to hear about what you do next.
Courtesy of Janice Kinjo
Courtesy of Janice Kinjo
Janice's career is a testament to her talent, dedication, and passion for makeup. Her ability to connect with her clients and understand their needs has made her a sought-after artist in the industry. Whether you're a seasoned skincare enthusiast or just starting out, Janice's tips and product recommendations are sure to help you achieve her sought-after looks in the comfort of your own home.