Kennedy (@kalikennedy) became fascinated with the art of makeup at an early age. Encouraged by her artist grandmother, she spent her childhood drawing, painting, sculpting, and absorbing the principles of color theory and formal composition. As her interest in fashion and image-making grew, she quickly adapted to the pace and demands of the industry in Los Angeles. Working across fashion editorials, runway, fine art, and advertising, she refined her technique while developing a distinct perspective.

Courtesy of Streeters Agency

V spoke to her below!

V Magazine: If you had to pick, what would be your favorite (or two favorite) shoots you’ve ever worked on?

KENNEDY: My two favorite shoots I’ve ever worked on, hmmm. Well, my new, and very first V Cover, of course!  I think I really cherish this book I made with Petra Collins and Alexa Demie called Fairy Tales—we made it as a fun project during COVID-19, and it felt like summer camp with all of my best friends!  I have some really exciting work coming out soon too!

V: Who is a legendary makeup artist you think more people should know? 

K: I think a legendary makeup artist more people should know about is Allan “Whitey” Snyder, who was Marilyn Monroe’s personal makeup artist.  He worked with her on her very first screen test and was one of the first makeup artists documented to use a cut strip lash in the inner corners—which is one of my favorite tricks to this day!

V: What’s the best makeup tip to give the average person (as in, for day-to-day life)?

K: I think a great makeup tip to give the average person would be to invest in a really good set of brushes and brush cleanser.  It’s something that can really change the game and last your whole life if you treat them right!

V: Can you remember any specific images that inspired you to be a makeup artist? 

K: Some specific images that inspired me to be a makeup artist were the photos Sante D’Orazio took of Pamela Anderson at the Sheats Goldstein house.  They are actually my favorite of all time!

V: What’s a dream makeup style you’ve yet to try but would love to? 

K: I think a dream makeup style I would like to try on myself is something really tan and glowy. I’ve always been really fair, and I think working with Tate McRae so much recently has me thinking about leaning into this!

V: What is a makeup trend you want to return? What’s one you hope to never see again? 

K: A makeup trend I would love to return is the really defined pouty lips from the 1920s, and I’m not going to lie, I wouldn’t be mad if I never saw 1980s makeup again.

V: How has makeup as a product changed in the past ten years given all the new brands popping up constantly? How has it stayed the same?

Courtesy of Streeters Agency

K: I think the number of makeup brands that have been released in the past 10 years has been overwhelming, but my biggest takeaway is how clean and cruelty-free products are becoming.  For so long, people have been using products that have so many wild ingredients—I’m happy there are now brands that cater to the opposite of this.

V: If you weren’t doing makeup, what would you be doing? 

K: If I weren’t doing makeup, I would 100% be making music.  I don’t think I would survive in an industry that isn’t creative.