Why We’re Crushing On Fashion and Beauty Influencer Austen Tosone

#WomanCrushWednesday celebrates our favorite influencers and cool girls who work in the fashion and beauty space.

Here, Austen Tosone, a former magazine editor, current beauty and fashion writer and blogger shares what a typical day looks like for her, her holy grail makeup product of the moment and the best piece of career advice she’s ever gotten.

How did you get started in your career as a beauty and fashion writer and influencer?

I originally wanted to work at a magazine so I spent college doing as many internships as I could in both the fashion and editorial departments. When I was working as an editor at NYLON, I got to oversee the fashion news section and was also writing some beauty pieces too. Having access to all of those skin care and makeup products and playing around with them definitely ignited my love of beauty. I’ve had my blog, Keep Calm and Chiffon, for six years and launched my YouTube channel a little over a year ago — that’s where I really got deep into the beauty community.  

What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day is a little different, but generally you can find me at my laptop — working on freelance assignments, answering emails, composing blog posts, or editing videos. Whenever I schedule meetings or press previews I try to stack those all together on one day so I’m not constantly back and forth between work and events, since I find I focus better that way.

Tell us a little bit about how your beauty and fashion routines go hand in hand.

I used to play it pretty safe in terms of both fashion and beauty (lots of black clothing and neutral makeup looks) but in the last two years I feel like I’ve really stepped outside of my comfort zone when it comes to both. I think when there’s a new fashion trend, generally I’ll buy something cheap from the high street to see if I like it and will end up wearing it for more than one season, and I can test beauty trends the same way by purchasing a drugstore products before dropping tons of money at Sephora. Sometimes I’ll let my makeup dictate my outfit and sometimes I’ll wear a more daring look and keep the makeup simple.

What's your holy grail makeup product and why?

I’m torn between choosing Fenty Beauty by Rihanna’s Pro Filt’r Semi-Matte Foundation in the shade 170, which is my go-to winter foundation, or Glossier Lash Slick that gives me the long, separated lashes of my dreams.

What's your favorite makeup trend of the moment? 

I’ve never been that big into blush, but lately it’s the first thing I notice about someone’s makeup look. I particularly liked how Mary Katrantzou and House of Holland used blush on the runway this past season — I think that flushed look is really gorgeous.  

 

 

 

 

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Autumnal makeup 🍂🍁 I learned the reverse effect which was really exciting 😂 Let me know what kind of makeup tutorials or other videos you want to see next and follow along with the hashtag #beautybyausten 💋 - Products used: @glossier Priming Moisturizer @fentybeauty Pro Filt’r Foundation in 170 @fentybeauty Match Stix in Mocha @lauramercier Translucent Powder @nyxcosmetics Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe @glossier Boy Brow in Brown @urbandecaycosmetics Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original @kyliecosmetics Burgundy Palette in Naked, Beach, and Burgundy @beccacosmetics Pressed Highlighter in Prosecco Pop @lorealmakeup Lash Paradise Mascara in Blackest Black @pixibeauty Lipstick

A post shared by Austen Tosone | NYC (@austentosone) on Nov 24, 2018 at 12:43pm PST

If you weren't in fashion and beauty, what would you be doing?

I’d love to have a job that involves helping other women start their own businesses, maybe like a career consultant. Otherwise I think it’d be so fun to have a job that involves travel, because I love getting to visit new places.  

What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten?

Be flexible! The fashion, beauty and media industries change so quickly every day and if you’re doing something that isn’t working anymore, don’t be afraid to change it up. If your Instagram posts aren’t getting the likes you want, try shooting in a totally different style or if your blog isn’t getting the readership it used to, upload a video to YouTube and see how people react.

What does makeup and beauty mean to you?

To me, beauty and makeup is a creative expression. If I’m feeling a little bit daring I’ll try out a more challenging eyeshadow look or if my skin is on its best behavior I’ll skip the foundation and just do some highlighter and mascara. It’s all about being inventive and enhancing your best self — never feeling like you have to cover something up.

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