Jo Levy
Make Up ArtistWe’re garter-deep into wedding season and so far we’ve given you the best dresses, prettiest palettes and of course the most dazzling engagement rings. But when it comes to wedding day prep, nothing is more important than the face. Enter Jo Levy, a make up artist who has honed her cosmetic craft specifically to bridal beauty (working with more than 50 brides each season!). Jo got her start in the beauty industry nine years ago at the cosmetics counters of high-end department stores before leaving her job to attend MUD, a prestigious makeup school in L.A. But no one can stay away from Chicago too long, so Jo headed back to the Windy City after graduation to work for Sonia Roselli Make Up Studio. Today, she travels the country as the National Artist and Educator for BECCA cosmetics (an Australian line), but still finds time to work with independent clients, 80 percent of which are prepping for their Big Day.
SAY ‘I DO!’ TO JO AT JOMLEVY@YAHOO.COM
BEAUTY MUST-HAVES >> fragrance: KAI PERFUME OIL // body lotion: LAURA MERCIER ALMOND COCONUT MILK SOUFFLÉ BODY CRÈME // concealer: BECCA COMPACT CONCEALER // mascara: L’OREAL VOLUMINOUS MASCARA IN BLACK // nail polish: ESSIE GLAMOUR PURSE // lip gloss: BECCA LIP PLUMPING MOISTURE GLOSS // sunscreen: COOLA ORGANIC SUNCARE
Q: What is one major makeup mistake you see women making over and over again?
A: Not using the correct products for their skin type. Many women with dry, aging skin have jumped onto the ‘mineral powder foundation’ bandwagon; that type of foundation is for women with sensitive, oily or acne-prone skin.
Q: So the fix is…?
A: If your skin is dry, stick with liquids and crèmes that give your skin a dewy looking finish. If you are oily and dry, wear a liquid foundation and apply a lightweight powder to only the oily areas (chin, nose, forehead).
Q: How is doing a bride’s makeup different than prepping women for other special occasions?
A: Bridal makeup is more refined; attention to detail is crucial. Bridal clients want to feel comfortable with their artist, so you have to leave your ego and attitude elsewhere.
Q: Any major bridal makeup disasters you’ve seen?
A: I’ve lucked out with some pretty cool brides—so far, so good!
Q: What was your own wedding like?
A: A destination wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico with 50 of my closest friends and family.
Q: If you could do the makeup for any celebrity, who would it be?
A: Mila Kunis. She has the most beautiful eyes—the endless possibilities of eyeshadow shades I could use on her overwhelms me with excitement!
Q: What’s your current obsession (beauty or not)?
A: A new show on SciFi called Face Off. Special effects make up artists compete against each other.
Q: Wow. Would you ever do that?
A: To me, learning how to do special effects make up seems way more challenging than traditional makeup—I really respect artists who specialize in that field.
Q: Finally, was the best beauty tip you ever received?
A: Always curl your lashes. You’ll look more awake, even if you aren’t wearing any mascara.
WANT MORE? JO TRANSLATES KEY TRENDS FOR THE PERFECT BRIDAL BEAUTY LOOK ON THE G&F BLOG.