Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Copling.
Hi Jordan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in the southern part of Arkansas, from a town that, till this day, still isn’t on a map, Hampton, AR. A small country town that reminds you of one of those Hallmark movies, but a little rougher. A place where creativity blossoms out of boredom. I was a performer and cheerleader for most of my adolescent, so naturally makeup became an obsession of mine from an early age. I never grew up around Ulta’s or Sephora’s, all I had was my grandmother’s Avon makeup, maybe some Maybelline, and those sample cosmetics that use to come in those Beauty magazines, but never the less, I didn’t care about brand names or hell, maybe not even the quality, but I was so intrigued in the world of Beauty.
By the time I got to Highschool, I lived in Tennessee, close to Nashville, and you could say I was pretty social. From the captain of the cheer team, to being on homecoming court multiple times, I was that girl back then just like I am that girl now, and constantly in the spotlight. I went to school around 2016, and if you know anything about that time, you know it was all about the cut creases, colorful eyeshadow, and bold beautiful make up! I can still see me doing my cheer mates makeup on the way to games. I was just a girl with dirty brushes and a dream. I remember being so mesmerized by the makeup gurus at that time like: Jackie Aina, Patrick Starr, and so many others, and I would sit up late and watch makeup tutorials for hours and hours just studying their techniques. By the age of 16, I finally got my first Morphe palette, and I feel like THAT was the moment me playing in makeup transformed into artistry.
I didn’t decided to be an artist though until during the pandemic. I had just dropped out of college, fed up with the virtual classes, and I like most people in the world at that time. I was bored out of my mind! I remember a being in a state of feeling…lost, and hopeless with myself, freshly 19, just dropped out of college and ended right back at home with no plans of how I could elevate myself out of that situation. I prayed and prayed for God to give me a talent, a purpose that I could profit off of and actually enjoy. And then I got into esthetician school. Which was a very eye opening experience on how makeup is perceived by different people. How my instructors would ignore the darker skinned girl’s complexion and undertone completely and leave them looking gray and claim “It’s just the lighting” those type of statements and blatant disregard for ALL skin tones just pushed me to learn everything and anything I needed to know about true artistry, so I could pass my knowledge down to other people that looked like me and anybody that was interested. And if I do say so myself, I even taught the teacher a thing or two about makeup.
So after I had graduated from esthetician school, I followed my parents to Texas, where I landed a job Mac at Nordstrom, Stonebriar location, which is one of the busier Macs in DFW, and that changed my life for the better. To be around real trained and skilled artist for the first time ever was amazing. Getting one-on-one training from professional artist who worked on big projects like New York Fashion week, movies, and concerts. It was truly a blessing to be surrounded by that many talented artist. I got the opportunity to work on so many different beautiful women, that ranged from different ages, different textures, and different colors, and by 2022 I finally got the courage to branch out and start freelancing. I started my business with a cheap kabuki, 10 brushes, and old makeup that I had gotten from when I was in Esthi. school . And I don’t take for granted the feeling to get my first paying client, how nervous/ proud I felt. That feeling of anxiousness yet excitement that somebody choose to trust ME to make them feel a little more empowered that day. And as my experiences with working with Mac and freelancing increased, so did my confidence and my clientele. After 4years of being a professional makeup artist, I have learned that it was never about what I had, or what I didn’t have, it was my ability to turn nothing into something and make it beautiful. All it took was for me to be myself and pour love and care into my business and clientele is to why God continues to bless me in this career path.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It wasn’t a smooth road for me to be where I am today, there was so much self doubt that it almost stopped me from pursuing my passion of artistry. You know when people say haters are your biggest motivators, it’s true. I never truly felt tested until I got into Esthi. school, and I had a classmate that did makeup phenomenally and one day in front of everyone, I asked her if she could teach me a few of her techniques, and to my surprise…in front of everyone…she told me “no” and “if I had to figure it out myself, you can too” I felt embarrassed, and helpless. But, little did I know she was right. I took a vow from that day forward to learn everything that I could about makeup application, different techniques, and sure ways I could better myself, and surrounded myself with people who wanted to see me grow. Of course, I still had struggles along the way. My first ever makeup job was in a city where I knew no one. I had zero credibility, and I was doing makeup at a rate I had never done before, which was trilling, but also very terrifying. I worked so hard to perfect what I do, I am still perfecting somethings as I grow but I know for a fact I’ve put my self in a position where I never had to feel that sort of embarrassment again from someone I looked up too. and to put myself in a position of when it was my time to be asked that question of “Can you teach me how you do makeup?” I can respond back with confidence, “Of course!”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a professional makeup artist that specializes in natural / HD Glam, I like to enhance on people’s natural beauty, and make them look like a real life walking filter. I love doing looks for photoshoots, video shoots, podcast, and even birthday glams, but weddings are my happy place to do makeup. I’m most proud of the bridal party I had the honor of doing for my father’s wedding. Having the privilege to be trusted with such a intimate day was amazing and it lasted all day and night which was the highlight for me . I think what sets me apart from other artist isn’t my skill, it’s my passion for perfection and really feeling pride in the fact that somebody choose me, out of so many other artist, to help them feel more confident on their special day!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My childhood was spent mostly Arkansas, as the only child at the time, the lack of something to do always sparked a creativity in me, either it was making mud pies, planting in my grandmother’s back yard, fishing with my grandpa, having the privilege to be bored and creative was amazing. My favorite memory, however, had to have been when I was 10 years old, and I was no longer an only child, I was finally a big sister. I will always remember that day because it was so special, I had prayed to have a sister for a long time, and I had finally gotten my wish, till this day my sister is still my very best friend, even with the 10 year age gap.
Pricing:
- For Travel Glams: Start- $125
- Glam (In house): $90
- Video shoots: $150
- Weddings: Start-$150
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jordancopling
- Facebook: Jordancopling
- Other: tiktok: @bigjc2000
