Crush of the Month: Jon Hennessey, Makeup Artist

Crush of the Month is a column featuring my latest, greatest, cutest crush on a some hot babe in the beauty industry. This isn’t just about looks though; these babes happen to be extremely talented as well.

Jon Hennessey, congratulations, you are my inaugural CRUSH OF THE MONTH. Now, let’s talk about why.

J Hennessey on the left. Photo via his Instagram

I was first introduced to Jon Hennessey, makeup artist extraordinaire, at the Makeup Show LA some years ago. It was brief, hurried, and totally life-changing as ever since then, I’ve been in total crush-like state. In fact, I just saw him a bunch of times at the Makeup Show LA this past weekend, but was too much of a sissy to say hi was super busy so didn’t get the chance to say hi.

J Hennessey working his magic. Photo via his Instagram

Obviously, he’s good looking. I mean, if I had a lip gloss for every time I heard someone describe Jon Hennessey as dreamy, I’d be a beauty blogger. Oh wait…

Besides being nice to look at, he’s got an insane amount of creative talent. Back when Jon was just a teenager, doin’ things that hot teen boys do like hanging out and breaking hearts and skateboarding, he was dating a girl who took a long time doing her makeup (no, it wasn’t me, unfortch). In between waiting on her and helping her shop for colors, he was inspired to get into the industry himself. He enrolled in makeup school (where all the girls and gay boys swooned, I’m sure), and was employed with MAC soon upon graduating. They recognized his talent and boom, propelled him into the dream: moving from Canada to LA to New York, travelling over the world, keying fashion shows, prettying people up in Paris… As an artist and educator for nearly 20 years, Hennessey can pretty much be considered a living legend.

I think this might be my favorite photo ever of the Makeup Show boys. L to R: James Vincent, Orlando Santiago, and man of the moment, Jon Hennessey

As far as his artistry technique, I’m super into it. He takes a skin-focused approach, preaching maximum output with minimal product: he’s a painter, he just happens to be painting faces. Aside from that, he’s the founder/creative director of NOBASURA (“No Trash” in Spanish), a Vancouver-based talent/makeup agency, he’s one of Beauty Army’s Experts, he’s a lead educator and artist for The Makeup Show, and he’s a creative consultant for INGLOT Cosmetics. The boy keeps busy, makin’ the beauty industry a better, hotter industry to work in, every single day.

Now, obviously, I’m a big fan of any dude who is into doing makeup. But a dude with facial hair, tattoos, and a makeup collection to rival mine? I think it’s safe to say I am in love. If WordPress let me speak in emoji, I’d use the chubby yellow face with hearts for eyes to show you how I feel. Naturally, there’s a catch with Mr. Hennessey: you can only look, not touch, as he’s beyond taken by a hot woman with a super cute haircut (again, not me, I am recognizing a theme here, and it kinda sucks).

Lucky, lucky, lady. Speaking of ladies, I hope he sent that ex-girlfriend flowers for inspiring such a remarkable career. All my exes ever inspired me to do was change my damn phone number.

Show J Hennessey some love on Tumblr, Twitter (@TupacChopra), and Instagram at J_Hennessey.