Michael Ashton

Michael Ashton
Born
Michael Owen Ashton

(1982-03-23) 23 March 1982 (age 42)
OccupationCelebrity Makeup Artist
Years active2006-present
Known forAdele's former makeup artist [1][2][3][4] [5]
Family

Michael Owen Ashton (born 23 March 1982) is a New Zealand makeup artist, hairstylist, beauty expert, and brand founder.[6] He is most notable for being the former makeup artist of recording artist Adele and for his former affiliation with the cosmetic house of Marc Jacobs Beauty, owned by Kendo group – LVMH.[7] He is currently CEO and Creative Director of his eponymous cosmetics brand, Michael Ashton Beauty.[8]

Early life[edit]

Ashton was born in Hamilton, New Zealand. At the age of nine, he discovered his mother’s Nutrimetics case, wet/dry eyeshadow, and hot rollers. He then talked his grandmother into letting him do her makeup backstage when she performed with his uncle Sir Howard Morrison.[9]

Ashton went to Katikati Primary School, Waimata Primary School, and Bethlehem College. He taught himself how to use makeup from Keyvn Aucoin’s book ‘Making Faces'.[10]

He later trained at Servilles Academy of Hairdressing before working at a high-profile salon in Auckland and moving into session styling. He also spent time in New York working alongside the MAC Cosmetics Pro Team and doing the show circuits around Europe.[11]

Career[edit]

Ashton first started working with celebrities when Girls Aloud and Jamelia came to New Zealand on promotional trips. He then started traveling to New York working alongside the M.A.C. Pro team with Gordon Espinet. When he first moved to London in 2006, he assisted Dick Page on the show circuit both in the U.K. and Europe. Through a friend in PR, he was connected to and worked with Bianca Jagger and Elle McPherson and subsequently began to focus on the red carpet.[12]

In 2007, Ashton was introduced to Adele through a mutual friend in the lead-up to the release of her first album, 19. Later, Ashton became Adele's personal makeup artist for 12 years.[13][14]

Clients[edit]

Ashton's past clientele have included Alessandra Ambrosio,[15] Adele,[16] Nicole Scherzinger,[17] Jing Lusi from Crazy Rich Asians,[18] Penelope Cruz [19] and Rosie Huntington Whiteley.

Brand Collaborations[edit]

Ashton was a "Global Artistry Ambassador" for Marc Jacobs Beauty from 2017 to 2019. This group also included [clarification needed] Sarah Tanno (who did Lady Gaga's Super Bowl makeup) and Hung Vanngo, who were joining the same time.[20]

Awards[edit]

Winner of the Wella Young Protege Scholarship 2000.[21]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "How to Recreate Adele's Signature Eyeliner". British Vogue. 29 June 2017.
  2. ^ march, Bridget (8 September 2017). "Adele's make-up artist has the easiest tips to prevent eye make-up ageing you". Harper's BAZAAR.
  3. ^ "Adele's Makeup Artist Explains How To Get The Perfect Winged Eyeliner". Headlines & Global News. 24 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Adele's Makeup Artist Has the Most Genius Hack for Your Under Eye Concealer". InStyle.com.
  5. ^ Lebsack, Lexy. "THIS Is Why Adele Has Had The Best Glow-Up In Hollywood". www.refinery29.com.
  6. ^ "WWD Digital Beauty Forum: Celeb Makeup Artist Michael Ashton on the Evolution of Influence". US: WWD. WWD. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  7. ^ WHITNEY BAUCK (10 February 2017). "MARC JACOBS BEAUTY TAPS CELEB MAKEUP ARTISTS, SIMONE ROCHA TALKS FINDING SUCCESS". Fashionista. US.
  8. ^ Fine, Jenny B. (26 February 2019). "WWD Digital Beauty Forum: Celeb Makeup Artist Michael Ashton on the Evolution of Influence". WWD.
  9. ^ "Michael Ashton is Adele's Right-Hand Man". NZEDGE. 2 March 2016.
  10. ^ Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin.
  11. ^ Fine, Jenny B. (26 February 2019). "WWD Digital Beauty Forum: Celeb Makeup Artist Michael Ashton on the Evolution of Influence". WWD.
  12. ^ "Michael Ashton is Adele's Right-Hand Man". NZEDGE. 2 March 2016.
  13. ^ "ADELE s Make Up & Hair Artist MICHAEL ASHTON talks about her iconic look & the Beauty Business". YouTube.
  14. ^ "Adele's Makeup Artist Just Revealed ALL OF HER SECRETS".
  15. ^ Lupica, Lilith Hardie (29 March 2018). "Victoria's Secret Angel make-up made easy from the man in charge of Alessandra Ambrosio and Behati Prinsloo's glow". Vogue.com.au.
  16. ^ Lebsack, Lexy. "THIS Is Why Adele Has Had The Best Glow-Up In Hollywood". www.refinery29.com.
  17. ^ "In the Press - Udo's Choice Beauty Blog". Archived from the original on 18 March 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  18. ^ "The Crazy Rich Asians Premiere Had 13 of the Best Beauty Looks Maybe Ever". Byrdie.
  19. ^ "10 of the best Christmas make-up ideas". Harperbazaar. 11 December 2019.
  20. ^ Brown, Rachel (10 February 2017). "Marc Jacobs Beauty Taps Celebrity Makeup Artists as Brand Ambassadors". WWD.
  21. ^ "Wella YPS Backgrounder | Scoop News".