KJ's BLOG

Meet
KJ Bennett

When he wasn't training, assisting or testing, he was clocking thousands of hours doing retail makeup applications to sharpen his techniques and increase his speed.  He freelanced for Dior, YSL and Givenchy and eventually landed at Chanel (the makeup icon of the late 80's).  He was promoted to Promotional Coordinator for Chanel's National Accounts and began planning and running the events he had previously only worked on.  But after 2 years, Kevin decided that that he had much more to prove before settling into a corporate groove.
He left Chanel and went back to freelancing.  When Bergdorf's, Barney's or Bendel's couldn't keep enough "faces" in his chair, Kevin expanded his network to include NYC's luxury salons.

He eventually managed to get his foot in the door at the famous Peter Coppola Salon on Madison Ave., home of celebrity stylists Kevin Mancuso and Oscar Blandi (Mr. Blandi now owns this location). Thanks to a combination of talent and a gracious, professional manner with society and celebrity clientele, Kevin was booked often and eventually became Resident Makeup Artist.  He worked closely with the salon’s top stylists and participated in talk show "make-over" segments that featured the salon.  Noting his speed and technical expertise under pressure, the television studios began to book him directly to work on a variety of shows.

In the early 90's, Kevin's professional makeup career gained speed and he left retail makeup behind.  Fashion runway, print and television bookings filled his schedule.   Thanks to his skill and a few great connections, he landed in the world of Daytime Drama (better known as “soaps”).  He was fortunate to spend the next 9 years employed as Key Makeup Artist for two network shows ("Another World" and "As The World Turns"). During that time he received Five Nominations and Two Emmy Awards for his work. He is also credited as being the first artist to introduce "airbrush makeup" to daytime dramas. A skill he now uses extensively for HD (High Definition) Video projects.

In late 2003, Kevin returned to freelance makeup artistry, ready to explore new outlets for his talent and to diversify his makeup experience.  He began working on primetime shows like "Law & Order", national commercials and lifestyle shows for Discovery, "E" and Scripps networks.  He designed "the look" of a number of series pilots, and worked consistently on independent and feature films.

TODAY:
An admitted "Product Junkie" and considered an industry expert on all things makeup, Kevin is happiest when working with, designing, buying, talking or writing about his passion.  In 2004 he took his addiction public and launched his own business, MADE NYC (Makeup Art & Design Enterprises LLC) and developed the very popular "IN MY KIT" website.
Kevin is an accomplished educator, teaching intermediate to advanced make-up techniques both here and abroad and is a frequent guest speaker at workshops and seminars concerning the makeup industry and how to achieve success in it.
His editorials and advise on beauty can be found online and in such diverse magazines as Glamour, Town & Country, and Health.  You can also read his weekly fashion critique and monthly beauty column in Soap Opera Digest.

*For inquiries, resume or rate card, please see the CONTACT page of this website

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