1) My basics…

Hi, angels! I’m Jackel. I am a model, makeup artist and burlesque / drag artist living in Sydney. I was born in New Zealand and came to Sydney when I was 19 with $50 and a dream honey. I am pansexual and my pronouns are she/her. 

2) You’d know me for…

I am a fabulous makeup artist who services the queer community by giving lessons to baby drag queens, creating looks for queer musicians and helping those who want to explore their sexuality through makeup.

I have clients of all ages & genders, as well as celebrity clients. I was interviewed this year by The SMH for Mardi Gras, who also labelled me Sydney’s ‘go-to’ makeup artist – which was super exciting! I also dabble in the Drag and the Burlesque world as a dancer & lip-sync assassin from time to time, see you on Oxford Street babes! xo 

3) Something you might not guess about me…

I have only been doing makeup professionally for 18 months! During my diploma, I was asked to do research on companies who would be my direct competition and, while I was researching, I was a little shocked to find there isn’t a lot of queer-owned and operated beauty companies that solely service the LGBTQ+ community.

I think that is why I have done so well in such a short amount of time, and why I have been able to help others, who are like me, explore themselves through the art of makeup. It’s very rewarding, especially working with the trans community – many clints end up in happy tears, seeing themselves as the beautiful woman they were born to be. 

4) My biggest slay is…

I have done Sydney Fashion Week two times and was scouted by a designer there to do their newest campaign as the head makeup artist. The same designer is letting me borrow one of the dresses from the collection to wear at the grand final of Mx Burlesque NSW (it’s valued at nearly $6,000!).

My makeup work from Sydney Fashion Week was published online for Vogue, Elle Magazine and The New York Daily Times.

5) My inspiration…

Honestly, I have to say all the beautiful drag queens of the world inspire me heavily. I draw a lot of inspiration from them when it comes to my makeup work as well as putting together my burlesque / drag shows. Drag queens invented contouring and I borrow from that a lot when doing glam makeup (even my ‘natural’ makeup beats.) I have a huge painting of RuPaul in my makeup room at home to look to for inspo. 

6) Social media pet peeve…

I don’t have a lot of pet peeves when it comes to social media because it’s the owner’s art, so there are no rules right? Haha, but if I absolutely had to says something, I would say when people upload a story of them doing something cool and I get massive FOMO – haha! Like if they’re at a really cool show, I wish I could jump through the phone!

7) If my life was a movie, it would be…

‘The Lion King’, for sure. Simba can’t wait to be king but then he gets older but then goes through his trauma, runs away and tries to ignore it. Then his trauma catches up with him and he has to face his shit in order to heal and get to the next stage of being king. “Ah Yes, the past can hurt, but the way I see it, we either run from it, or learn from it”.

8) I knew I was LGBTQ+ when…

Oh darling, my first kiss & sexual experience was with a girl. I was naturally drawn to women as soon as I stepped out of the womb, but later in my teenage years discovered men (then I was confused because I liked both). I didn’t know the term ‘bisexual’ until I was taught it at high school by some friends – I thought ‘that sounds like me’. Growing up in Christchurch, I felt alienated a little because there is no queer events or community that I knew of, especially at that age. 

9) How I came out…

I remember a specific time where I was hanging out with my best friend and we would talk EVERY DAY. She lived in Christchurch and I was in Sydney at this point. She had flown over to Sydney to hang out with me and we were in a club one night.

We were dancing and I remember looking over and seeing her kissing a guy. I instantly got upset and then was shocked at my reaction because, WHY WAS I UPSET? I realised at that moment, holy shit, I am in love with her.

I pulled her aside and explained that I was upset. We both felt the same about each other and it was kind of a “oh shit” moment for both of us. We dated for around 2 years after that. I think that was the first time it was more than just me kissing or being sexual with girls, like actually having feelings. So, for me, that was a game changer. 

10) The piece of advice I would give my younger LGBTQ+ self…

I was in a small, judgemental town unfortunately and there weren’t many kids like me around (I felt) at the time. I would tell younger self that one day you will find somewhere where you will fit in and will be loved for being the full version of yourself. Don’t water yourself down to make yourself easier for others to digest. You are enough and you will be more than enough for others who love you. 

For more from Jackel, find her on Instagram or Twitter.