Jessica Dupont, (formerly Jessica Ann Michaels – JAM), has loved two things her whole life – Dance and Makeup! She moved to NYC and worked successfully as a dancer/model/actress for 10 years. While performing from NYC to Tokyo to London, she supplemented her income by becoming a professional makeup artist.

Jessica’s makeup artist training began with AVEDA on Spring Street in NYC. The concept of using products that are healthier options for the skin was so enlightening! As the Cosmetic Director at the AVEDA SoHo Institute she taught makeup workshops and one-on-one makeup lessons as well as trained new makeup artists. To expand her knowledge and experience, Jessica also mentored under and worked for Tobi Britton - one of the top makeup artists and educators in the industry. Tobi’s makeup artist school, salon, and store “The Makeup Shop” on 21st Street in NYC, provided amazing opportunities for training, teaching, and freelance work. Jessica has had the opportunity to work for such notables as Vera Wang, Giorgio Armani, VH-1, and The History Channel. Her vast freelance work experience includes all mediums: theatre, fashion shows, TV, as well as headshot, catalog, and fashion photography.

In June of 2000, upon retiring from her performing career, Jessica became owner and director of a performing arts academy. With this experience, she realized that dancers have never been taught HOW to apply proper and appropriate stage makeup. Stage makeup education has always been passed down by word of mouth from dancer to dancer. This information is often outdated and inaccurate. Jessica sold her studio to her partner and started putting her two loves together – Dance and Makeup!

Jessica created JAM cosmetics in 2007 to offer a healthier alternative to heavy, out-dated makeup formulas and ineffective street makeup lines. She designed a cutting-edge website with how-to videos, face charts and printable instructions that keeps every dancer “in the know” about performance makeup. With this new blog, Jessica’s goal is to answer every question every dancer has ever had about makeup…and more!

Now, dancers can get their performance makeup information from a dancer…who also happens to be a makeup artist!