The first time Kevin beat my face, we INSTANTLY clicked. It was our sagittarius flare that initially bonded us. However, he is naturally magnetic. Kevin is definitely a people person and a very organized business man. These are some of the reasons why I admire him so much. He is non stop, he works 7 days a week and it is very inspiring to watch. As sagittarius season rolled in, me and Kevin worked on a project together for my brand. With him closing out sag season I wanted to do something special for him so I invited him to THE LASH TRAP to do his lashes. After I gave him a 100% Siberian Mink Fur Masculine Set, we took a few photos and slid to Ruth's Chris in the Marina for a lil happy hour vibe! As we finished up our food I asked him a few key questions about what has aided him on his journey of success and what habits built the business man he is today. Take a look at what he had to say.
I KNOW YOU AS KEVIN BUT WHAT DO THE PEOPLE CALL YOU?
Yesss b!*@& so it's @GoldenKendoll, real name is Kevin Bennett. The girls always call me Ken cuz of my Ig name.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO MAKE UP?
My mom! She's so glam, so put together, her make up was always on, lip stick brows. I remember riding in the back seat, getting picked up from school or my grandmas house. She could always slay her face in the car and that always stuck with me. What made me dive into it was working for this stylist, Kendrick Osorio. I was assisting him. I never went to school or bought make up. I knew I wanted to be in entertainment but I didn't know how, so first I tried clothing. Every time we were on set, I used to love seeing how the girls come in with no make up and the make up artist would transform them. I used to be like DAMN! THAT LOOKS LIKE SO MUCH FUN! Seeing the transformations made it click for me. I was never studious or a straight A person I was always more of a creative. So I was like let me see if I can get a job at MAC.
DID THEY REQUIRE EXPERIENCE?
Yes.
DID YOU LIE?
Yes, I lied b!*@&. I was like I need to get my foot in the door. I told them I knew how to do make up . Girl, I was so bad. I was screenshotting photos saying they were mine just to try to get the job. But luckily, they were more so looking for people that were good with people. Like a people person! That's me so interviewed at 3 and got hired at 2 of them.
I WOULD HIRE YOU!
SO WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I'm from Inglewood. Born and raised. I'm a LA person at heart. You can't say that if you never been to Ramonas or Titos Tacos, or Astro Burger, remember the "Great Western Forum", or the Jungles (laughs).
WHAT HIGH SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO?
I went to school in Palos Verdes at this school called Chadwhick.
I went to college at LMU. Loyola Marymount University.
SO SHE'S A INGLEWOOD GIRL BUT WENT TO SCHOOL IN PALOS VERDES!
Yes! Yes! So I'm half bougie half hood.
I feel like I have a good balance and nothing overwhelms or underwhelms me.
I KNOW YOU PLAYED TENNIS, TELL US ABOUT THAT.
Before I started doing make up I wanted to be a professional Tennis Player. I wanted to be Venus and Serena. (laughs). It got me into college. I was actually really good. I had a lot of potential to play professionally. I've been playing it since I was 8. I loved it when I started, but my passion for beauty and entertainment grew stronger. I still play tennis. You gotta come to one of my tournaments!
I DO!
SO WHEN DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU EXPERIENCED YOUR HARDEST TIME?
When I was in college I was in a life threatening relationship. I was sheltered and I was getting hit. It was abusive and scary as f@!&!!! I felt like am I ever going to be happy?! Am I ever going to be myself again?! It was hard but it taught me so much. Things are hard sometimes but you will come out of it.
WHEN IT COMES TO ABUSE AND RELATIONSHIP TRAUMA HOW DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HEAL FROM THAT BEFORE MOVING INTO OTHER SITUATIONS? DO YOU HAVE A NEW SITUATION NOW?
Well I'm with someone now that I love and care about. I healed by spending time with my family, having open communication with friends that are non judgmental, having faith, and also too just having discipline. We have control over who we have in our lives. We can't put all the bad on others we have to take responsibility. Having healthy boundaries in each relationship whether it's friendship or love, you learn from each one and it gets better and better. I just keep growing.
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC GRACE PERIOD BEFORE YOU GET WITH SOMEBODY NEW AFTER ENDING THINGS WITH THE LAST PERSON?
I feel like, you know, everyone tries to take a break but then somebody else comes along. I feel like when you feel happy being by yourself and you're not craving to be around someone BOOM somebody comes around but I feel like at least 3 months. Cuz you do need time to heal.
We getting deep b!*@& (laughs)
SO WHERE DID YOU GET THE NAME "GOLDEN KENDOLL"?
Ok so when I was little I used to love barbies. I would always be into them. When I worked at MAC and was able to play around and wear make up, people used to be like Ok! you really look like a DOLL! You know how a doll is perfect and airbrushed. (laughs). That really stuck with me. I got the Golden part from skin tone because it glows and its golden.
*STOPS TO ADMIRE PHOTOS*
WHO WAS YOUR FIRST CELEB CLIENT?
The first person that gave me entertainment exposure was Love and Hip Hop Star, Althea.
WHO WAS YOUR MOST LIFE CHANGING CLIENT?
Black Eyed Peas and Keyshia Cole. Me and Keyshia instantly clicked and she loved her make up. Black Eyed Peas was very international and I appreciated that experience.
DREAM CLIENTS?
Dream client would be Beyonce because she is iconic and I feel my make up style would really pop on her face. Aside from Bey... make up icon, Kim K because she has always inspired me with her soft glam looks.
*PAYS CHECK*
DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU WERE DOWN ON YOURSELF? AND IF SO HOW DID YOU COME OUT OF THAT?
When I left MAC, and decided to work for myself and start my own business.
YES I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU WENT FROM JOB TO BUSINESS.
Yes, let's talk about that. I think NOW, when people see me doing really beautiful girls, including you and see that I'm working consistently, it can seem easy but it wasn't like that at first. Instead of waiting for stuff to come to me, I made it happen. You have to build. In our generation people want everything to come fast. *OMG THE SHRIMP THO b!*@&... My bish better have her own magazine. Dateline!*
YES I'M TRYING TO PUT YOUNG BOSSES ON, EVEN THO PEOPLE DON'T READ, BUT YOUR SUPPORTERS WILL AND IT GIVES YOU A VOICE.
I used to wake up and DM 20 girls a day. I used to practice on my cousin and I learned by watching. It just came so natural to me.
WHAT FACE DID YOU DO WHEN YOU FELT LIKE WHEW OK I AM BOMB!?
I had this dancer client and she was so bomb with a lot of followers. That's when I recognized the power of social media. Once she posted me and tagged me. I got 11 messages the next day of girls wanting to book. *I HAVE ONE MORE SHRIMP*
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE TRYING TO DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING?
I would say be yourself and find authenticity in what you do. I feel like social media makes us feel like its a competition, but what's always worked best for me was continuing to focus on myself. Don't ever be a hater if someone is getting to a job that you feel like you can do. God has a line up and a plan for you but you need to put in the work to make that happen. Save your money. Be disciplined. Don't be afraid to do discounts and deals. Remain humble and know you also need to gain experience to command higher prices in the future. Just build.
SPEAKING OF BUILDING WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON DOING NEXT FOR @GOLDENKENDOLL?
I feel like I have a great clientele. I work every day. What's next for me is a product line. I want to brand my face and my personality into my make up brand. I want to do more videos, reels and start talking more. People just see my face but they don't know me and the reason my s*%$ is poppin right now is because of ME. I love people and people love me so it's going to work. *I GOT ONE MORE SHRIMP*
WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR NYE?
I'm probably doing dinner with Bae and linking with family. It's giving chill. Ya'll can have that club shit!
(laughs)
