Meet Jewel Biondo | Licensed Cosmetologist & SFX Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jewel Biondo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jewel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Before becoming a licensed cosmetologist, I was majoring in English while studying to become a high school teacher and working part-time as a substitute. I spent my school years working with older kids from 7th-12th grade, and my summers as a camp counselor for the little ones ages 5-12. I loved working with kids and was very passionate about education, but coming up as a first-year teacher during the height of a global pandemic came with a whole slew of new problems and not a lot of support. I started to doubt if it was going to be a career I’d truly be happy in or one that was already taking more from me than I could give.

I knew I was also passionate about makeup and art, but never thought of it as a career path until I began making online content centered around my special effects makeup skills in 2020. I probably had less than 20 followers because I was pretty late to the TikTok bandwagon, but I found it to be a fun creative outlet. I made this one video where I cut my finger off with a pair of kitchen scissors only to reveal that the finger was fake – completely made of cosmetic wax and hand-painted to look exactly like my real fingers. I posted the video and went to bed, and when I woke up my notifications were blowing up with thousands of likes, comments, and new followers. The video actually ended up getting taken down for “violent acts”, and I had to appeal it explaining that in the video and caption you could clearly see it was makeup. The video got put back up and reached almost six million views. After that, I got an email from Tiktok inviting me to be a paid content creator, and I took it as a sign to continue with my passion. I ended up leaving traditional college, quitting my teaching job, and applying to a cosmetology school, and the rest is history.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always been a creative person, but I struggled with sticking to a medium. Growing up I played the flute, I did charcoal drawings, acrylic paintings, oil pastels, chalk art, sculpting, knitting, sewing – you name it. I’d pick up a hobby, obsess over it for a few weeks, and then get bored. But the main one that has stuck with me over time has been cosmetology. When I was younger I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup, but I was in a theatre class where we started to learn about stage makeup. I remember coming home and laying out all of the logical reasons as to why I needed this ben nye makeup kit to my mom for educational purposes, and she agreed to let me get it. I was so entranced by the art of makeup and what you could do with color theory and prosthetics, and I used to take my kit to school and give my friends fake cuts and bruises on the bus or in class. I’ve always had a love for horror films and novels, and being able to watch a movie or television series and try to recreate the looks on myself was a way for me to express my creativity. As a teenager, I used to fear being teased for having a “weird” hobby, but most people thought it was really cool and I quickly became the go-to person for Halloween night.

Eventually, my love for stage and film makeup translated into beauty makeup, and I began an ever-growing collection of eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks. Once I was allowed to start wearing regular makeup, my skills quickly translated over to being able to throw on a winged eyeliner sharp enough to cut or do intricate braided hairstyles, so I then became the go-to person for homecoming and prom as well! Even though cosmetology was a hobby I was genuinely skilled in, I never regarded it as a career path for myself – whether due to self-doubt or the common misconception that you can’t make money in the creative field, or a combination of the two.

When I began to doubt the longevity of my career path in education, it was scary. I knew I had passions and talents, but I had already worked to put myself through three years of a college education – so was I really going to throw that all away for art? Ultimately I decided that I’d rather take the risk and switch careers in my twenties than spend a lifetime in a career that wasn’t bringing me joy while constantly wondering what could have been. I’m still very early in my career, but I know that I have the passion, drive, and dedication to take it to unimaginable heights. I absolutely love the fun projects I get as a hairstylist and the quirky people I attract. I want my business and my brand to be a safe space for anyone who enters, and eventually I want to give back by returning to my old passion of education so that I can pass down the torch to the next generation of industry creatives.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well I live in Denton, and as previously mentioned I have a special interest in things macabre, so all visitors are required to embark on a local paranormal tour! Everyone gets a kick out of a hike around the famous Old Alton Bridge, better known as Goatman’s bridge. There are also plenty of paranormal stories to share centered around the original town square – both personal and historical – and it’s a great stop to find craft beers, amazing food, and even better company amongst the Denton locals. I love to have a drink or two at Oak Street Drafthouse followed by dinner at Komodo Loco or Boca 31. Mellow Mushroom is also one of my go-to’s, especially if it’s during an Every Witch Way market so I can spend an unnecessary amount of funds on vegan mozzarella, plants, candles, and handmade jewelry.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am notoriously never satisfied and tend to have trouble sticking to the status quo, so I’d like to appreciate my true friends who have been unwavering in their support of my talents, my insane family that has always encouraged my creativity and speaking my mind, and the mentors who have taken me under their wing and uplifted me along the way. To name a few – Annie Teague, Wesley Lightle, Monte Feagin, Kacy Ziegler, and Jenna Pavlasek – whether it was for just a few weeks or longer, each of these people taught me something invaluable in the time we spent together. If you ever question your impact or importance, just remember that a single moment can make someone’s lifetime.

Instagram: @theconjuredbeautician for hair and @vanityvvitch for all other content

Facebook: The Conjured Beautician

Other: Tiktok – @vanityvvitch is my originial and @theconjuredbeautician is my brand new hair account