From Brain Tumor To Beauty Icon

With over 1.2 million followers on Instagram, Jazmina Daniel has the most famous pout on social media by a long shot. Born in Australia and discovered in Los Angeles, Daniel has quickly become a household name in the world of Instagram makeup. However, there’s far more to this influencer than meets the eye. At the age of 14, Daniel was diagnosed with a brain tumor and put her life as a normal teenager on pause. But instead of letting her condition get the best of her, she took the time at home to develop her work as an artist and soon develop a fierce love for beauty. Today, her work has been seen by millions online and she’s lent her lips to major cosmetics companies such as Jeffree Star, Gerard, Ofra and Coloured Raine Cosmetics. We had the opportunity to sit down with the makeup maven to learn where her love for art began, which lip art put her on the map and what fans can expect in the New Year.

- Devon Preston

When did you first develop an interest in art and makeup?

I always loved art—drawing and painting was something I did every day. And then I developed a love for makeup in my early teens.

What inspired you to start creating lip art?

I first started doing lip art after I was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 14 (which was removed at 16). I had to leave school and spent every day at home. I focused on art to help me through it all. Slowly I started experimenting with makeup in a more artistic way by painting scenes on my face. That turned into trying to paint on a smaller canvas—my lips.

What piece do you consider to be your big break and put you on the map as a makeup artist?

I definitely feel like it was The Little Mermaid lip art piece, with a few others that followed. I had also posted a Titanic-inspired lip art around the same time, which became controversial as people were sensitive toward the tragedy. Those first few intricate pieces definitely were my big break.

What is your process for creating a piece and how long do they typically take?