Recently, I joined a virtual event called “Beauty School”, where I uncovered insider beauty secrets, tips, and trends. Too Faced Cosmetics partnered with Her Campus Magazine, guest starring Too Faced Global Beauty Director, Elyse Reneau and Too Faced Co-Founder, Jerrod Blandino, as well as other Pro Makeup Artists. Windsor Western, the Co-Founder of Her Campus Magazine, represented our HC Mag community by interviewing Jerrod Blandino.
In 1995, Blandino shook the beauty community, when his invention of glitter eyeshadow erupted. Three years later, he launched his brand with his husband, Jeremy (goals af!). At first, they only had 10 eyeshadows, 10 lipsticks, and 8 nail polishes. The late 90s had a few big traditional companies, but Too Faced did the impossible.
It all started when he was just a teen, as he worked behind the counter at Estée Lauder at Saks Fifth Avenue. With his employee discount, he dripped in style each day.
Blandino went from eating peanut butter sandwiches every night to becoming who he was meant to be. If he could go back in time and give advice to himself at 18, he would say, “Relax, it’s gonna be okay. Not everything is make or break, do or die. These are the good times. You’re in them, enjoy them.”
From this moment forward, Blandino’s career took off like never before. He had a passion for instilling self esteem in others and promoting women’s empowerment. Connecting with clients and bringing forth their unique beauty is what brought worth to his brand. Yet, Blandino had such a wild imagination that it was hard for his ideas to be approved at first.
“When I created Better Than Sex Mascara, no one would take a mascara called “Better Than Sex,” says Blandino. It is now the #1 mascara across the world. Initially, they would not sell pink mascara; everything had to be black. Blandino knew his customer has style and personality, however, and trusted his heart. On top of this, the name is not vulgar. He explained that it came from Marylin Monroe on Broadway, when they asked her how her performance felt and she said that it felt “better than sex”. That is what this mascara is about.
