As a company that embraces individuality, we love learning about each of our customers and their personal sleep journey. When we discovered that celebrity makeup artist Jill Powell was a Coop customer, we invited her to our Los Angeles headquarters to spend an afternoon getting to know her.
Accompanied by her daughter Brooklyn, Jill shared her experiences with stereotypes, work, travel, and, of course, sleep. Even with her hectic schedule that often includes international travel, she manages to maintain quality time with her family and make sleep a priority.
What are three things people would be surprised to learn about you?
People are usually surprised to learn that I have a degree in kinesiology, which is like sports medicine, but I'm a makeup artist. I have two kids, an 11-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. The third thing people might be surprised to learn about me is that I used to body paint for Playboy.
Have you ever felt stereotyped before, and if so, how did you break out of that?
There's been many times I've been stereotyped before or I felt stereotyped. I think the biggest thing when you feel stereotyped is just to be confident and to know who you are and be confident in who you are as a person and not conform to anybody else's stereotypes.
How has embracing your unique qualities helped you?
I have learned in my 36 years of life that the more I am myself and authentic to who I am and my beliefs and my values and my personal aesthetic, the more successful I am. People love you for you and not for someone you're trying to be, so if you're yourself, you'll actually be more successful in life.
Can you describe your typical work day?
A typical work day for me is different every day. That's what I love about my job. Sometimes, I'm on a plane traveling. I've been all over the world. Some days, I'm driving to LA working on set. Other days, we are just at the house getting my clients ready for whatever they have, whether it's a date or a photo shoot.
It can change, but my days I'm usually on my feet. They're really long, and I usually work anywhere from 10-20 hours a day.
What’s your favorite thing about being a makeup artist?
My favorite thing about being a makeup artist is that I get to be creative. I get to play every day, I get to play with color, new products, and I still get giddy when I try new things—so obviously, I'm doing what I love.
How was your sleep before you started sleeping on the Coop pillow?
My sleep varies because I stay at hotels a lot, so my beds are always different, and it was never consistent. I would wake up every time I turned over. I get back pain [and] neck pain just from traveling and being in different environments all the time, so my sleep was never perfect.
How did you find out about Coop?
I decided that my sleep was really important to me, so I went on a probably six-month search for the perfect pillow. There was a pillow I grew up with that was this perfect sponginess, and I was on a quest to find it. So I think I went through six different pillows before I found Coop.
What’s it like sleeping on a Coop pillow, and how has it changed your sleep?
The thing I love about Coop pillows is when you're sleeping, you feel weightless, so you don't feel the weight of your head, you don't have any tension in your neck—you're just kind of floating.
The Coop pillow has changed my sleep because I actually get a great sleep every time I sleep on it. I have no neck pain. It's so comfortable, and I literally feel like I'm sleeping on a cloud.
From a makeup artist's standpoint, why is sleep important?
Sleep is important for everybody. It's the basis of your health. You want to get your sleep so that your skin is good, so that your mind is clear, and that you just have an overall well-being.
Can you describe your nighttime routine? How do you unwind for bed?
My nighttime routine is different every night because my schedule varies every day, but I definitely unwind. I usually cuddle with my kids or my husband, and I get ready for bed. I wash my face, brush my teeth, and then I usually go on my phone one last time before sleep and then plug it in and go to bed.
What are your tips for staying well-rested while you're on the road?
Sleep on the road is hard, so I get sleep whenever I can. I try to manage my schedule, so as much as I can, I get to bed on time or at a decent time, and then I set my alarm so that I just have enough time to get ready for work the next day.
How do you balance work, kids, and travel?
Balancing work, kids, and travel can be tough, but I think the biggest thing is that I'm appreciative for everything, so I love my time that I get to spend at home with my kids and my husband. I love the time that I'm working because I love what I do, and I love the time I've traveling because I never know if I'm able to go back to that place—so I think that balance is just being present and being appreciative of what you have when you have it.
What’s the worst sleep experience you’ve ever had?
I've had some really bad sleep experiences. A lot of them were in hotel rooms, and I will say the number one reason why it's horrible is the pillow or the mattress. Sometimes if the pillow just goes flat, you feel like you're sleeping on cardboard and I just toss and turn and I can never get comfortable and then you wake up and you're not feeling great the next day, so it happens often.
What’s the best sleep you’ve ever had?
The best sleep I've ever had is when I'm tired and I come home, and I'm snuggled up in my blankets, I have my comfy pillow under my head, and I'm cuddled up with my husband and kids.
Follow Jill on Instagram at @jillpowellglam.