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Failing economy – schnonomy. It seems that our current national crisis has not
slowed down, but heightened the need for preservation. Just like the 9/11 attacks
spawned comedic films, comedy stand-up and national birth rates, our dwindling
national budget has put people on edge, and with stress-induced wrinkles, a cosmetic
respite must be called to duty.
Jason Ascher, the Beauty Guru of Barneys New York hails from sunny Miami, FL,
where he trained and worked as an actor. He brought his talent to the New York City
scene and soon found a calling in makeup, at first a talent picked up from working on
stage, but as time would tell, a natural gift altogether. Before calling Barneys New York
home, Jason was Resident Artist for the eponymous cosmetics line Trish McEvoy.
Soon after, with Asher’s talents, Barneys New York opened its first Bobbi Brown studio
in 2000, which quickly gained a devoted following. Since that time, Jason has leant his
gifted eye for glamour and beauty to Chanel, Vincent Longo, Nars and most recently to
Chantecaille Cosmetics, as their current Resident Artist.
In this exclusive Q&A, Jason dispenses his priceless wisdom and knowledge of all
that is beauty and warns all of us out there on our cosmetic proclivities, the season’s
must-have colors, a guide to thin-lip remedy, the incalculable necessity to ‘moisturize!’
and how our weakening economy can’t hold a woman back from looking her best.
By Alexander Patino
slowed down, but heightened the need for preservation. Just like the 9/11 attacks
spawned comedic films, comedy stand-up and national birth rates, our dwindling
national budget has put people on edge, and with stress-induced wrinkles, a cosmetic
respite must be called to duty.
Jason Ascher, the Beauty Guru of Barneys New York hails from sunny Miami, FL,
where he trained and worked as an actor. He brought his talent to the New York City
scene and soon found a calling in makeup, at first a talent picked up from working on
stage, but as time would tell, a natural gift altogether. Before calling Barneys New York
home, Jason was Resident Artist for the eponymous cosmetics line Trish McEvoy.
Soon after, with Asher’s talents, Barneys New York opened its first Bobbi Brown studio
in 2000, which quickly gained a devoted following. Since that time, Jason has leant his
gifted eye for glamour and beauty to Chanel, Vincent Longo, Nars and most recently to
Chantecaille Cosmetics, as their current Resident Artist.
In this exclusive Q&A, Jason dispenses his priceless wisdom and knowledge of all
that is beauty and warns all of us out there on our cosmetic proclivities, the season’s
must-have colors, a guide to thin-lip remedy, the incalculable necessity to ‘moisturize!’
and how our weakening economy can’t hold a woman back from looking her best.
By Alexander Patino
FASHIONQANDA.COM: Having been an expert in your field for
so many years, what would you say is that indispensable
beauty treatment women are always going to have a need for;
what is that 'miracle' task are you always having to perform?
JASON ASCHER: I can’t recall which screen legend, when asked
her secret to staying so young-looking said, “Moisturize,
moisturize, moisturize!” But that mantra still holds true. If the skin
looks supple, smooth and hydrated, many women find they need
less make up. The most frequently requested “miracle” antidote
I’m asked for is the illusion of fuller lips. The remedy for thinner
lips is selecting a soft, neutral pink and a complimentary lip liner
in a shade close her own natural lip color, adding some clear or
soft-colored gloss, avoiding bold lip colors and playing up the
eyes.
so many years, what would you say is that indispensable
beauty treatment women are always going to have a need for;
what is that 'miracle' task are you always having to perform?
JASON ASCHER: I can’t recall which screen legend, when asked
her secret to staying so young-looking said, “Moisturize,
moisturize, moisturize!” But that mantra still holds true. If the skin
looks supple, smooth and hydrated, many women find they need
less make up. The most frequently requested “miracle” antidote
I’m asked for is the illusion of fuller lips. The remedy for thinner
lips is selecting a soft, neutral pink and a complimentary lip liner
in a shade close her own natural lip color, adding some clear or
soft-colored gloss, avoiding bold lip colors and playing up the
eyes.
FQA: What are the must-have colors every woman should have in her make-
up bag for the summer to fall/winter transition?
JASON: Transitioning makeup into fall and winter is generally about warming up
the tones. Pale, shimmery shadows can be replaced with warmer tones in rose-
gold, soft browns, heathers & charcoals. Pastel lip and cheek shades and
summer bronzers are set aside for warm roses, sheer plums and soft reds.
FQA: Any advice to keep a smooth, healthy complexion during the harsh cold
months of winter?
JASON: Keeping the complexion smooth and healthy during the harsh winter
months is really about avoiding extremes. Washing with very hot water, over-
exfoliating and too much powder should all be avoided. Cleansing with non-
foaming products like Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil, leaves the skin soft and
switching from a lighter moisture cream or fluid to a more emollient one will help
protect skin from the elements.
up bag for the summer to fall/winter transition?
JASON: Transitioning makeup into fall and winter is generally about warming up
the tones. Pale, shimmery shadows can be replaced with warmer tones in rose-
gold, soft browns, heathers & charcoals. Pastel lip and cheek shades and
summer bronzers are set aside for warm roses, sheer plums and soft reds.
FQA: Any advice to keep a smooth, healthy complexion during the harsh cold
months of winter?
JASON: Keeping the complexion smooth and healthy during the harsh winter
months is really about avoiding extremes. Washing with very hot water, over-
exfoliating and too much powder should all be avoided. Cleansing with non-
foaming products like Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil, leaves the skin soft and
switching from a lighter moisture cream or fluid to a more emollient one will help
protect skin from the elements.
FQA: Going forward into a new season, people are going to be looking for beauty
tips wherever they can find them. Are there any beauty urban-legends that you
caution your Barneys clients about that you can relay to our readers?
JASON: I always advise my clients against cosmetic tattooing or permanent makeup.
There is too much room for error and I find the results to be unnatural. Also, white
eyeliner on the inner rim of the eye doesn’t make the eyes look larger unless you’re on
stage in a Fosse production.
FQA: Before you're done with a client, is there a little piece of advice you like to
dispense before they go on their way?
JASON: After a session, when my client looks great and feels confident, I like to remind
them to try and implement new application techniques we’ve tried or to incorporate a
new type of product into their regimen rather than falling back on the familiar.
FQA: What's the craziest thing you've ever had to do for a client?
JASON: The most unusual thing I’ve ever had to do was also the most challenging. I
had to apply a full face of make up without touching the client’s face with my hands.
She’s an Orthodox Jewish woman and could not be touched by any man other than her
husband.
tips wherever they can find them. Are there any beauty urban-legends that you
caution your Barneys clients about that you can relay to our readers?
JASON: I always advise my clients against cosmetic tattooing or permanent makeup.
There is too much room for error and I find the results to be unnatural. Also, white
eyeliner on the inner rim of the eye doesn’t make the eyes look larger unless you’re on
stage in a Fosse production.
FQA: Before you're done with a client, is there a little piece of advice you like to
dispense before they go on their way?
JASON: After a session, when my client looks great and feels confident, I like to remind
them to try and implement new application techniques we’ve tried or to incorporate a
new type of product into their regimen rather than falling back on the familiar.
FQA: What's the craziest thing you've ever had to do for a client?
JASON: The most unusual thing I’ve ever had to do was also the most challenging. I
had to apply a full face of make up without touching the client’s face with my hands.
She’s an Orthodox Jewish woman and could not be touched by any man other than her
husband.
A: What kind of products have you found do more damage than good?
JASON: I’m not a proponent of too much self-tanner or spray tan; orange is rarely a
flattering color on skin and “long wear” lip colors tend to suck the moisture out of lips.
FQA: When cosmetics don't do the trick, or cosmetics are not what's going to get
the job done, what would you prescribe for a little R&R?
JASON: I think everyone can benefit from a good facial and a massage.
FQA: With the failing economy on the foreground of everyone's mind, do you feel
women's beauty regimens, treatments and products are getting the backburner, or
does a crisis call for a physical and internal reboot of sorts?
JASON: I’ve actually noticed that while clients might be holding off on that new
Balenciaga bag or pair of Louboutins, they’re not likely to deprive themselves of some
new makeup and skin care just yet. On the contrary, I’m actually busier than I was at
the same time last year.
FQA: What should every woman go out and buy themselves as an New Year, new
you present?
JASON: Byredo Parfums “Gypsy Rose”; Moisturising Body Polish by Nude; Lipstick
Queen’s “medieval”, a sheer stain that emulates bitten children’s lips; NARS
Superorgasm blush, gloss or nail color. Need I say more? Chantecaille’s White Tiger
pressed powder compact. La Ligne de Chanel, a crumble-free powder liner and
smoky shadow duo.
JASON: I’m not a proponent of too much self-tanner or spray tan; orange is rarely a
flattering color on skin and “long wear” lip colors tend to suck the moisture out of lips.
FQA: When cosmetics don't do the trick, or cosmetics are not what's going to get
the job done, what would you prescribe for a little R&R?
JASON: I think everyone can benefit from a good facial and a massage.
FQA: With the failing economy on the foreground of everyone's mind, do you feel
women's beauty regimens, treatments and products are getting the backburner, or
does a crisis call for a physical and internal reboot of sorts?
JASON: I’ve actually noticed that while clients might be holding off on that new
Balenciaga bag or pair of Louboutins, they’re not likely to deprive themselves of some
new makeup and skin care just yet. On the contrary, I’m actually busier than I was at
the same time last year.
FQA: What should every woman go out and buy themselves as an New Year, new
you present?
JASON: Byredo Parfums “Gypsy Rose”; Moisturising Body Polish by Nude; Lipstick
Queen’s “medieval”, a sheer stain that emulates bitten children’s lips; NARS
Superorgasm blush, gloss or nail color. Need I say more? Chantecaille’s White Tiger
pressed powder compact. La Ligne de Chanel, a crumble-free powder liner and
smoky shadow duo.
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