Jeremy Renner is one of the most dedicated actors in the film industry. He has maintained his star power since his film debut in 1995 with National Lampoon’s Senior Trip. However, his journey to A-list stardom wasn’t without its ups and downs.
Renner recently appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show and reminisced about his pre-fame job at a department store’s cosmetic counter. Before becoming a Hollywood star, Renner worked weekends at the Lancome beauty counter while auditioning for roles during the week.
Barrymore, intrigued by his past, asked him about his experience teaching women how to apply lipstick. Renner revealed that he got the job through a connection from his time modeling fragrances at a mall. At that time, he was also playing the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz and did his own makeup for the role.
Renner shared his unique perspective on beauty, explaining that he was interested in understanding what makes a woman feel beautiful even without makeup. He wanted to use makeup tools to highlight a woman’s inner beauty. “I had a different principle of what beauty is… a different connective tissue to red lipstick or whatever it is. I wanted to know what made a woman feel beautiful without it and how to express her beauty inside with these tools,” he said.
During the episode, Barrymore asked Renner for lipstick advice. Renner suggested, “If it’s a lipliner, I’d put it all over your lips so it’s lasting because it’s more matte and less oily. I probably wouldn’t even use a lipstick personally; I’d use a lip gloss to give it a little shine.”
Renner reminisced about his eight-year stint in makeup, noting that he started in Modesto and moved to Los Angeles with the job. He balanced his weekend work at department stores with auditions during the week. “It was a great gig,” he reflected. “I used to work at department stores on weekends, audition for film and TV roles all week, and then do makeup for women on weekends. It was awesome.”
Renner’s hard work and dedication paid off, leading to a successful acting career. His journey from the beauty counter to the big screen is a testament to his perseverance and passion. As he continues to thrive in Hollywood, his early experiences remain a unique and integral part of his story.
