Latisha Nicole Rankin is the extraordinary artist behind many of singer and actress Jordin Sparks’ beautiful beauty looks. Below, Latisha Nicole shares her five steps and expert tips on how all women can achieve Sparks’ everyday glam.
“Working with clients like Jordin Sparks keeps me continuously inspired. Jordin truly understands the essence of beauty in the most sophisticated way. Beauty is an enhancement to what we naturally have; it’s like wearing a piece of jewelry to compliment your outfit.Trust is very important. Jordin has to trust and believe that I cannot only make her look beautiful, but feel beautiful too. Feeling beautiful will radiate past the makeup and translate as pure confidence. When Jordin and I discuss looks for the day, we collectively create something that we hope in turn inspires other women everywhere.”
~ LATISHA NICOLE
1. PREP
I always prepare Jordin’s skin with Murad Oil Control Mattifier moisturizer, Dior Airflash CC Primer and Urban Decay Setting Spray. I begin by applying the moisturizer first, followed by the primer, which I apply using a Beauty Blender that is damp with Urban Decay Setting Spray. Jordin does not like make up to be applied onto her face with hands, so I only use brush applicators and place the product on a makeup dish or mixer.
2. EYES
After her skin is prepped, I “base” or prime her eyes. I use Bobbi Brown Longwear Shadow in Smokey Topaz or Mac Cosmetics Paint Pots. Next, I focus on her eyebrows. I love using Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Brown brow shadow to lightly fill in any holes and to also define the shape of her brows. For eye shadow, I use the Keyvn Aucoin “The Essential Eye Shadow” palette #3. With an eye shadow blending brush, I gently apply into the crease of her eye. Using a black, thin liquid liner, she covers her waterline. Lastly, she pops on her favorite false lashes, the Ardrell 113’s and, voila, her eyes are complete.
3. FOUNDATION
After finishing the eye make up, I clean up any excess shadow that may have fallen onto the under eye area and prepare to apply foundation. When it comes to foundation, Jordin and I are both OBSESSED with the Nars Radiant Sheer Glow! Jordin’s color match for this foundation is Syracuse, but if she has a little more color than usual, I like to use the Cadiz hue to warm her skin tone. I apply her foundation using the same Beauty Blender used for her skin preparation in step 1.
4. BLUSH
Unlike most celebrities, Jordin is not a big fan of adding much highlight or glow to the cheek, as she prefers a very, very natural look. I usually convince her that adding just a slight glow gives her a perfect amount of radiance for a final touch. After a little back and forth, I manage to brush it on and she, of course, loves it. I use Nars Orgasm and Bobbi Brown Brightening Blush; I slightly contour the cheek for a little definition and she automatically has a refreshed look, it adds a perfect natural glow against her natural color. The combination of the blush and glow that both of the products offer, are always captured beautifully on camera.
5. LIPS
Last but not least, I line her lips with a Nars Velvet Lip Liner and add The LipBar Tiramisu Toffee lacquer. For her simple and chic daytime looks, I focus on glowy skin with a nice full eyebrow and nude lips. For her evening looks, I like to keep everything very neutral and clean, much like her daytime looks, but add dimension with lip color. I add depth using deep wines, reds and berry color lips. I also like to infuse pop colors such as vibrant oranges, fuchsia pinks and purples.
Latisha Nicole’s 5 Fun Facts
about Working with Jordin Sparks
1. I work in slow steps with her because Jordin likes learning different techniques along the way to use when applying her own make up.
2. Jordins’s favorite false lashes are the Ardrell 113’s, as mentioned above, and the Ardell Wispies.
3. Jordin applies her own eyeliner, top and bottom; lashes too!
4. Jordin is not a fan of concealer, so I use Nars’ Radiant Creamy Concealer.
5. I set Jordin’s skin and make up using the Ben Nye Banana powder and spray, in addition to a final mist of Urban Decay Setting spray, before she’s out the door!
Brooklyn-based celebrity makeup artist Latisha Nicole Rankin’s journey began when she discovered her passion for beauty after attending Christine Valmy. She quickly became an intricate part of major cosmetic companies, which allowed her to hone in and fine-tune her skills. Armed with her invaluable experience, Rankin decided to try her hand in freelancing. Today, she continues to nurture her craft and work with some of the best wardrobe stylists, hair stylist, photographers and models to date. Latisha has built an impressive celebrity client base which includes singer/actress Jordin Sparks, in addition to Extra’s Tracey Edmonds, Angela Simmons, TV personality Jamie Krell, musician Swiss Beatz and Paula Abdul to name a few.
