Tastemakers and Trendsetters: Trendee King
Celebrity makeup artist Trendee King.
In Tastemakers and Trendsetters, we talk to inspirational leaders in the world of spa, beauty and wellness. This week we chatted with celebrity makeup artist Trendee King.
How long have you been working as a makeup artist and what inspired you to get into the industry?
I have been working as a makeup artist for 20 years! Sounds so crazy to say, but I started at 17. I love it just as much today as the day I moved to Los Angeles as a starry-eyed teenager. I was actually first inspired by horror films and was shocked to learn at a young age that all that gore was just makeup!
I moved from Oregon to Burbank as soon as I graduated from high school to attend MUD Makeup Designory, and quickly learned that I was much better with beauty makeup than special FX, so I decided to stick with beautifying instead of blood.
Is there a signature technique you are known for?
My makeup aesthetic is all about glowing skin, shimmery diffused shadows, glossy lips, and I have never met a winged liner I didn't like. I love making people look like they are lit from within and like they barely made an effort.
Are there any projects you are most proud of?
The project as of late that I'm proud of working on is Super Bowl LIV with some of my best friends. It's so incredible to do what you love—and getting to work with people you love makes it even sweeter.
What are some of your favorite products?
I have so many favorite products and my number one criteria for deciding on a brand is that it is cruelty-free. There are so many brands that are cruelty-free now that there is absolutely no reason to use products that are tested on animals. Some of my favorites are:
Urban Decay's 24/7 eye pencils that come in a huge variety of shades
Bare Minerals loose shimmer shadows
Mineral Fusion Skin Balancing Moisturizer
Kaja Air Heart Lipsticks
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Milani XL Bronzer
Ardell Splash Party Mascara
Lime Crime Velveteen Liquid Lips
Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
Cosmakery Lip Glosses and 3 Pan Eyeshadow Palettes
Nudestix Creme Blush
Skin Authority Skinsuit Sunblock
Who inspires you?
I'm most inspired by other artists—I love watching makeup artists work. I have learned so much from artists that have been doing makeup way longer than I have, and to the contrary, artists that have just started in their craft. That is why I love art so much. There is no compass or grid. There are so many different forms of art and I love that so much.
Secret to success?
I think the secret to success is loving what you do. It may be cliché, but it’s so true.
Do you have any beauty secrets that you can share?
The beauty secret that should not be a beauty secret and every woman should know is where to put your under eye concealer. Do not put tons of concealer in the hollow of your under eye bag! Your concealer should be in a diamond or a sun ray shape under the eye. You don't need as much concealer as you think you do and if you prefer it to be lighter than your skin, a half shade lighter than your skin color will do the trick to brighten up the area. Anything lighter will make you look way older and way too made up.
Concealer Tip: Your concealer should be in a diamond or a sun ray shape under the eye.
Wellness tip?
For me there is no better wellness tip than enough sleep, but I do know that’s not always possible. When I'm looking extra tired, I pop my under eye roller in the freezer and slowly roll under my eyes to take down puffiness. Also, a good nude or white pencil in the inner rim of your eye will give you a great pick-me-up and make you at least look like you got some sleep.
Best advice?
The best makeup advice I can give you is to do your eye makeup first! All of the shadow falls under the eyes as you are applying and sits in your concealer, either making your under eyes darker or causing you to wipe off your concealer and having to start again. Do your eyes first and then use a makeup wipe to clean up the fall-out, then do your skin. My favorite makeup remover wipes are Joah, which you can find at your local pharmacy.
Follow Trendee on Instagram: @thetrendeemakeup
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy