Beauty, for me, has always been therapeutic; I bring out my eyeshadow palettes and clay masks when I feel low. When I took my mental health time last month, I was prepared to put my phone in airplane mode for the rest of the day. I got an early morning message from the MAC team with a call link, it was for the interview I had with Jennings which we had planned a week in advance. The peril of long therapy hours and mental exhaustion is you forget things often! I hopped on to the call because I knew the conversation would put me in a good mood instantly. 

Jennings, for one, is inspiring; at 60, his energy is infectious and his passion about his art is inspiring. Therefore, I was intrigued to know his thoughts on the taboo of men wearing makeup. For someone who has spent over three decades in the industry, his thoughts and opinions on the subject are insightful, to say the least. What followed was a freewheeling chat about the changing scenario of beauty across the world, men bashing stereotypes, and how empowering is the idea of self-care. 

You’ve been with MAC for over three decades and the brand now completes 40 years, how does it feel to be a part of it? 

Yes, MAC turned 40 this year and I have been with the brand for 32 years, I just turned 60. I always talk about how MAC embraces inclusivity, and they've always had from the beginning. Many brands are speaking about inclusivity now, but MAC did it back then when they hired somebody that looked like me. Being at the brand and knowing that I'm at this age, but I'm also working with a colleague who’s in his 20s and just came out of college. The brand has a rich history at 40 that I believe other brands don't have and it helps us to move forward.  

A big part of it is that MAC has its finger on the pulse of pop culture, technology with product innovation. We are always thinking about innovating and that kept me young. I'm embracing change and that’s how I got on social media and now have a decent following. All of this happened because I work at this brand that has their pulse on ‘what's next’. Working at MAC has now become a way of life; I don’t have to make an effort to get up and go to work because I love what I do and that’s the kind of bond I have with MAC. 

Some of the most celebrated makeup artists in the industry are men, and then still there is this taboo around men wearing makeup. What do you have to say about it? 

Well, it's changing little by little because secretly many men are understanding the power of beauty, makeup and transformation. I grew up watching my mother applying makeup and leaving the house feeling empowered. Men are now seeing the transformation of their girlfriends or partners. So, they want to leave the house with a bit of elevation; whether it's brushing up their brows, beard, and putting on some skincare at night some treatment. I feel like men are starting to understand the power behind taking care of themselves and they're starting to invest in their beauty. 
  

Another thing I want to mention here is that people are now aware that makeup and skincare has evolved with advanced technology in it. They know that it can help the skin, and they don't need to go for procedures because the makeup is performing. Men now want to cover a pimple or spot, and they are getting comfortable with minimal things. I sit in the barbershop and watch many men getting beard treatments. They now understand that self-care is empowering. 

For all the young talent who want to pursue a career in makeup artistry but fear being stereotyped, what would be that one piece of advice you'd like to give them? 

In the late 80s or early 90s, when I was in college and thought about what I wanted to do, I remember telling my parents that I wanted to be a fashion designer. They were surprised and didn’t understand how I would earn money out of it. Eventually, they said to me, ‘if you do what you love, you're going to not feel like you're working.’ That was the best advice I got. They gave me that power to pursue my passion. What I want to say is that if you do what you love, it means you can work hard and also enjoy yourself. Go with your passion and do what your heart says. Of course, you have to know that you're going to be criticised, but learn how to get thicker skin. The only thing that's going to help you is experience. 

My advice to young males wanting to get into this industry is to find out who you are as a person. Be your own advocate, put in the hard work, and learn to deal with disappointment as it will make you stronger and better. 

Especially for men, how do you think fashion and makeup come together? What inspiration can they draw from it? 

Today, men are able to experiment with fashion and that’s also the standard of beauty for men. I look up to someone like Coleman Domingo who wore an opulent suit with trail at the Met Gala red carpet. It goes on to show that the next generation of men no longer have to show up in a traditional tuxedo. Also, interestingly, men are now wearing jewellery, diamonds, pins, rings, and chains. I believe it’s the renaissance time for men and they are starting to embrace beauty in a different way, much like fashion.  

What are the three products you never travel without? 

The first thing is the Hyper Real Serumizer which is a must-have. It is undetectable, lightweight and non-greasy. It’s great for men because it's colourless, not ashy and leaves no cast behind. It’s suitable for all skin types, all skin colours and age ranges. Another thing I always recommend for men is MAC’s Studio Radiance Concealer because everybody has a little bit of coverage. It’s lightweight, long-wearing, creamy, and you can blend it out really lightly if you need it for coverage. But if you want to have an all over tint, I recommend MAC’s Strobe Dewy Tint. I like using it as a highlighter, but if you want a light glow, this one works great. It’s sheer, undetectable, and easier to blend.  

What next? 

It is the beginning of the male beauty revolution. I'm going to run with this for the next couple of years because honestly, men are taking charge of their personal beauty. Men are now thinking about themselves, they want to look good and live their best life. Like I said, it’s the renaissance time for men.