Rising Stars: Meet Jen Malavé of Upper West Side

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

Hi Jen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I initially went to beauty school out in Denver Colorado when I was 18 years old but decided after a couple of years in the industry it was too inconsistent so I left and went into the medical field for about 10 years. Right before I turned 30 I took some time to really think about what really made me happy and decided that creating art was something I still had a lot of passion for. I attended The Paul Mitchell School in 2009. After graduating from there my first job was at an eco friendly salon in Midtown where I was trained on color formulation for non toxic hair color and that started my journey into healthy beauty. I opened my own business in 2013 with the intention to serve my community using natural and organic ingredients in all that I do from plant based hair color to cruelty free makeup as well as water based body paint. I have continued to keep a clean kit rather I’m working in my studio or on set working in television and film.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every one’s journey is different and mine has not been without obstacles and set backs. Walking in your purpose is no easy task especially when you are trying to do something completely different from the norm. Back in 2013 prior to the popularity of non toxic environments and organic products people were not so interested or necessarily concerned about harsh chemicals that were traditionally used in a salon setting so building my clientele wasn’t easy either. Over time it became more important to people what they were putting into their bodies from food to products and at that point my business began to thrive but for the first few years it was a bit of a struggle.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a 2021 Emmy Nominated Hair + Makeup Artist with a specialty in Special Effects Makeup. I’m also a Visual Artist and Muralist. I started out in a salon setting working as a Master Colorist and Stylist. My artistry shifted a bit after opening my first salon in Midtown and I ended up moving into Makeup Artistry which landed me an opportunity to work in theater. I was the Assistant Makeup Supervisor at the Phantom of the Opera in New York for a couple of years. When I returned back to Atlanta I started working in television and film as Department Head Hair + Makeup where I spend most of my time when I’m not working at my studio. I have a real passion for the art of story telling and the ability to shift an appearance using special effects makeup and prosthetics. I think I am most proud of my work in film because it allows me the opportunity to showcase my skill set on a higher level.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in Europe. My parents were military and it’s where I spent my formative years. Being exposed to different cultures and artistry forever changed my scope of life’s possibilities and the limitations we put on ourselves. Imagination and dedication can take you to a lot of unexpected places.

Contact Info:

• Website: Genisisfresh.com
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/genisisfresh
• Facebook: Jen Malavé