Q&A with glo Senior Makeup Artist Janeena Billera

Janeena Billera, Glo Skin Beauty Senior Makeup Artist & Educator, has worked on musicians, actors, brides and models for more than a decade as a professional makeup artist, and her work has been featured in print, digital and video. When she’s not educating at Glo Skin Beauty workshops around the world, she’s collaborating with Glo’s product development team, working behind the scenes of Glo Expert Studio, researching the latest trends and creating new makeup looks for the Glo Beauty Blog.

From brides to celebrities, from print to video, you've done it all. What's your favorite?

They are all so very different, but if I had to choose one it would have to be print. In this one category alone there are various makeup avenues that can be taken, from high-end editorial work and lifestyle campaigns to portrait and beauty.

Every shoot requires different lighting, composition, storyboard planning, inspiration, mood and feel. I am the most free and in my own element while on set shooting with a great crew filled with high energy. There’s something to be said about shooting with a crew that shares the same vision, and then it just clicks. Models are on their game, lighting is perfect, great music, stylists/ artists and photographers bring the overall vision to life.

It’s definitely a collaborative effort. If you think about it, there are so many different ways to express total creative freedom in your own little way, and I think that’s what I love most about it.

What's the best part about using mineral cosmetics?

Amidst the 12 years of my professional makeup career, I’ve used, tested and filled my kit with a multitude of product from different cosmetics lines. I found that mineral cosmetics are in a class of their own.

The colors are truer and provide impeccable payoff. The coverage lasts which means less touch up time and maintenance. Also, I’ve noticed the pigments blend with ease, and of course mineral cosmetics are beneficial to the skin, especially if the line includes antioxidants and vitamins to promote skin health. I think skin in general should look good with and without makeup. Plus, the better the skin looks, the better the makeup looks.

Favorite makeup trend at the moment?

Simplicity is key with me. There is nothing worse than makeup looking overworked no matter how dramatic you want to take the look. I like to create effortless looking skin with rich moisturizers, primers and lightweight liquid foundation and concealer.

Tinted Primer SPF 30, Luminous Liquid Foundation SPF 18 and Liquid Bright Concealer are my go-to products. I’m a big fan of highlighting the high points of the face with luminescent creams or silky powder highlighters like Shimmer Brick.

Depending on the skin type I’m working on, I like to add a few drops of face oil like Cyto-luxe Face Essence to bring a natural glow back to the skin. Cream Blush that creates a natural, dewy flush on the cheeks and a natural lip that can easily transition into a statement lip are two of my favorites. Working with quality brushes and tools, along with my fingertips and hands to manipulate and warm up product are important to me as well.

Read Janeena’s beauty predictions for 2017 on American Spa.

What recent glo launch has been your favorite?

There have been a multitude of product launches throughout my glo journey, but I especially love Suede Matte Crayon, Tinted Primer SPF 30, Cream Stay Shadow Stick and Precise Micro Browliner. It’s a tossup, but I would have to go with Tinted Primer SPF 30 because of its versatility, the look it gives to the skin and how it prolongs the wear of foundation. Plus, by applying the primer prior to foundation, I’ve noticed it cuts down on my application time and blending.

If you could only use three Glo Skin Beauty products for the rest of your life, what would you pick and why?

Only three, are you kidding me? I would have to say Liquid Bright Concealer, Cream Blush and last but not least, Hydration Mist. Besides the fact that I’m obsessed with all three products, these are my top picks because I can use Cream Blush for eye, cheek and lip color since it’s the ultimate multitasker.

Hydration Mist is travel friendly which means it goes with me everywhere. Anyone who knows me has probably seen me give my face a good spritz on multiple occasions throughout the day (being that my skin is drier than a desert). Once I spritz, my skin feels rejuvenated and a dewy glow is added.

Lastly, Liquid Bright Concealer simultaneously color corrects, conceals and highlights at the same time so who wouldn’t want this? It’s pretty much a given.

Share your skincare must-haves.

Barrier Balm for me, this is a godsend. I use it on lips, to tame stray hairs, for dry cuticle relief, to condition the backs of chapped hands, on sensitive areas when applying a peel, for eye-gloss and believe it or not, I use it for highlighting on the face!

Daily Hydration+ and Phyto-Active Light Moisture are the perfect blend for my sensitive, dry skin. Both products are ultra hydrating as well as lightweight and wear great under makeup.

Also, Moisturizing Tint SPF 30+ is a must for me on a daily basis. I love the fact that this product instantly evens skin tone, provides sun protection and moisturizes all at the same time.

Do you have any tips for up and coming makeup artists?

Work hard, very, very hard. Be confident in everything you do because it shows through your work. Don’t be afraid to speak up, but always remember that timing is everything.