Everyday Extraordinary: Jessica deBen

I’ve been a makeup artist for twenty years and I’ve worked on some pretty big shows in Los Angeles and some big movies in New Orleans. Recently, you may have seen my work on The Walking Dead, Euphoria, or the Idol. 

One thing I’ve learned from my years of makeup artistry is how much making an effort on your appearance can impact how you feel inside. So often things like hair and makeup get brushed aside as superficial, but taking care of yourself is really an expression of self-love. It gives you energy. Often, people come into the hair and makeup trailer looking and feeling super tired. Then, when they get their makeup on, their hair is done, and they’ve put on their wardrobe that they love, they have energy and a desire to be on camera. It definitely transforms. 

I started doing makeovers on YouTube about four years ago. It all started when I found out my next door neighbor wouldn’t FaceTime with her grandkids because she didn’t like how she looked. Because of my career, I know so many amazing hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, and colorists, so we assembled a team and rented out a salon. We gave her a full, old-school makeover, and by the end she came to life and was FaceTiming her grandkids. 

After we put the makeover on YouTube, the messages began flooding in. A woman reached out on behalf of her mother who had survived the Oklahoma City bombing and had half of her body burned. Now, I’m working with Hope Mission, which has 17 homeless shelters in LA, and they’ve asked me to makeover two of their residents. 

The best part of the makeover process is watching someone see themselves in a new light. They look in the mirror and think, “Wow, if this is possible, what else is possible in my life?” With the makeovers, people are saying yes to living outside of the plan. They’re not doing what they’re “supposed” to be doing, they’re not doing the run-of-the-mill, everyday grind that we all get stuck in. There’s no better way to make a big life change than saying yes to something outside your comfort zone.

Before I started doing these makeovers, I would often think that somebody else should do it. I knew it was a great idea, but it took me a minute to realize that I could be that “somebody.” Once I made that mental shift and began to bring the idea to life, my life changed for the better. If you’re one of those people who has an idea and you’re waiting to see it happen in the world, trust that the reason you have that idea is because you’re supposed to do it. Take the first steps, and I promise you, the road will rise to meet you.

This job has given me so much compassion. When you touch someone’s face, it’s almost like a truth serum — they really tell you what’s going on inside. It doesn’t matter if I’m working on politicians, movie stars, or residents of homeless shelters — nobody has it all together. Always be delicate with people, even if you think someone’s bullet-proof.