Daily Inspiration: Meet Jen Malavé

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Malavé.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I attended Paul Mitchell and graduated in 2010 as a Master Cosmetologist and color specialist. I went on to start my own business, Genisis Fresh in 2013 and opened a my first salon in 2016 in Midtown. A year later my artistry shifted into more makeup, specifically special effects makeup and I landed a position with The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in New York working as the Assistant Makeup Supervisor. I came back to Atlanta in 2019 and began my journey in tv and film, working as Department Head HMUA while also being a Visual Artist and Painter.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been quite the journey. I wouldn’t say it’s been smooth but it’s been worth it. Artistry shifts, time changes and opportunities do too and finding the balance of it all is always a constant challenge. Film and tv have been very slow the last couple of years and I have had to pivot quite a bit. I’m blessed to be creative enough to shift with the times and find my footing again. I’m currently freelancing with photographers, servicing clients and working on set as often as possible. I’m still doing color formulations and executing with my clientele, still taking on private project and doing special effects and glam makeup on film sets. I get the occasional opportunity to do something creative and outside the box and I’m happy to be a working Artist.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My mission has always been to provide clean services, using non toxic hair color, cruelty free makeup and water based body paint and acrylics for my mural work. So where ever I go I bring a clean kit with me. That separates me from a lot of other Artist. I’m also an Emmy Nominated Hair and Special Effects Makeup Artist which gives me another lane to thrive in. Special effects and prosthetic makeup is a very unique skill and it gives me more opportunities to work in film and tv. I guess I would say I’m most proud that I’m able to be versatile. When one lane of creativity is slow.i can lean into another. When you’re an independent artist you have to have several things you can earn income from to stay relevant and to survive in this ever changing world we live in.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t think of luck in that way. I think everything is a blessing. I believe in God first and I know everything flows from faith and constant dedication and work ethic. Where ever I’m working, I’m giving it all I got and the level of professionalism I possess has given me a lot of room to grow as an Artist and the work I do speaks for itself. All the accolades I’ve earned have come from hard work. You can manifest a certain life for yourself but you have to be willing to do the work at a high level so you’re able to continue to do it. I don’t think I’m lucky, I know I’m blessed and I’m grateful for every challenge and every opportunity I’ve ever been given. I show up as authentic as I am and try to produce the best work I can every time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genisisfresh/