Advice from the Experts

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Mimi Talks to Chase Aston

Chase Aston is an international, celebrity make up artist and the beauty representative for The Body Shop. His career is something to admire having worked as a make up stylist on more than 200 magazine covers and fashion stories. He has also worked with some of the most famous women of our age including Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Cameron Diaz, Britney Spears and Kate Moss.

About You

Background – academic/geographic
I was born in Bow, East London so this makes me a true cockney through and through, helping me to keep it real, and stay grounded in the crazy world of fashion & beauty.

How did you get started as a make-up artist?
I was fortunate to be around make up artistry and the film industry growing up, and when I realised that I could combine my two passions, Art & Fashion into a career, I pursued my dream as a make up artist. I assisted a leading make up artist for 5 years to develop my talent and skills.

What do you feel was your big break into high calibre beauty shoots?
An agent and beauty director of a leading glossy magazine, who took me under their wing and nurtured and developed me, placing me with edgy, photographers and hairdressers on photo-shoots, creating timeless beauty images, and from this my first big break was my first Vogue cover on Yasmin Le Bon. This was followed shortly after by a Harper's Bazaar cover with Cindy Crawford, as this was the beginning of the supermodel era, this exposure took me to the next level within the beauty industry. Over the years I have worked on over 200 magazine covers globally, 70 of them being Cosmopolitan Magazine covers alone, which has established me as a leading International beauty make up artist.

Who’s been your favourite celebrity to work with?
Cameron Diaz and Cindy Crawford, both hold special memories for me over the years.

What’s your number one beauty tip?
Blend, Blend, Blend! The only line you should see when applying make up is your eyeliner!

Key beauty trend for this season?
Blue, green, yellow and gold bold hues smudged around the eyes. Wear shades alone or together to add contrast! (remember to keep the rest of your face, neutral and sheer or you could look like Coco The Clown!)

Tell us about your work with The Body Shop. Any plans to develop a ‘Chase Aston’ brand?
I have been The International Make Up artist & Spokesperson for The Body Shop Make Up, and The Body Shop International for 10 years now. My role as spokesperson is to liase with product development to help create both the Limited Edition trend led make up palettes, and also new formulations, shades, and innovative products for the brands core range. I also travel globally to all our regions, to liaise with our Global Learning & Development teams, holding master-class training forums to train both our store and Body Shop @ Home staff, in make up application and trend directions. I also travel to our 5 key regions globally, to hold press events, TV and radio appearances, with the International Beauty Media, to promote and demonstrate our leading make up brand.

At the moment there are no plans to develop a “Chase Aston” brand, as I am still having lots of fun being a global spokesperson, and this enables me to still pursue my editorial career which is still going strong. I am 2/3rds of the way through writing my own make up beauty book, (it’s hard work!!) so hopefully some time next year you will see this project come to fruition.

Career highlight to date
There have been so many!! But definitely securing a spokesperson contract with a leading global and ethical beauty brand, The Body Shop.

What’s next for you?
Try to finish my make up book. I have been working on it for nearly 2 years! Just when you think it’s almost finished, its not? You discover ANOTHER top make up tip that you want to share with everyone, just when you think you know everything there is to know! Finally, to keep working and travelling to amazing countries and cultures, with all the weird and wonderful fabulous people in fashion who make up my work-force.

Inspirations

Favourite discovery
The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain. A make up must have! I use this wonder product on every beauty shoot, fabulous!!

Who inspires you
Art, art galleries, colour and nature, passionate fashion & beauty creative teams, of which I am always honoured, when I am included.

Daily extravagance
The Congestion charge!

Favourite place on earth
Port Douglas, Australia.

Favourite song
‘And I am telling you, I’m not going!’ by Jennifer Holiday

Happiest when…
I am on the open ocean on a catamaran, heading for the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Fashion

Underwear
Banana Republic boxer (button front) shorts

Shoes
Prada (casual wear), Patrick Cox for everything else!

Watch
Rolex (Oyster Perpetual)

Bag
Prada

T-shirt/shirt
Banana Republic – classic white T.

Favourite accessory
Blackberry!

Favourite designer
Hugo Boss (casual day wear) YSL Homme (suits)

Beauty/Grooming

In your professional capacity, what are your favourite;

Lipstick/lip gloss
YSL teint pure matte lipstick, The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain, Lancome Juicy tubes Gloss

Eye liner
Lancome Art Liner Liquid eyeliner.

Foundation
MAC Face & Body Liquid Foundation. ( fantastic shade options to suit all skin tones)

Concealer
Christian Dior Skin Flash.

Mascara
Christian Dior “ Blackout” Runway Mascara.

Blusher
MAC powder blushes (so many shades to suit all skin tones)

Make-up Brushes
The Body Shop Make Up Brushes – Fabulous Synthetic Brushes that last forever!

For personal use;

Hair product
Pantene Mousse Wax – gives my fine, wavy hair fantastic, light, texture and shine.

Fragrance/cologne
Versace L’Homme

Shaving Gel
Clinique Shaving Cream – always!!

Shower Gel
The Body Shop Moringa shower gel. The fragrance always makes me think of the beach!

Treatment
SK11 Intensive Moisturising Mask – to re-hydrate and moisturise my face from all the travelling and flying, constant different time zones and climates, weekly.

Face Moisturiser
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion

Desert island product
Hawaiian Tropic “coconut” sun oil…..Classic!

Home

Where do you live?
Greenwich, London.

Pets
Lola and Hamilton…my cats.

Favourite restaurant
Pie & Mash…Hoxton Market, London.

Favourite food
Spaghetti Bolognaise

Favourite drink
Grey Goose Vodka & Tonic, with a twist of Lime.

Favourite snack
Toasted Cream Cheese Bagel.

Can’t live without…
The Body Shop “ Coconut” Body Butter… Delicious for after-sun moisturising!!