Meet Shana Astrachan | Makeup Artist, Hairstylist, Jewelry Maker and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shana Astrachan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shana, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued an artistic creative career because I love making and creating things. I love working with my hands. I love color, texture, patterns, shapes and am inspired by so many different things including fashion, music and architecture. I couldn’t imagine a world in which I was not doing something creative daily. I find that I am balancing between being a craftsperson who is driven by technique and skill along with my artistic side that is driven by expressing my unique vision.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My creative career has evolved in so many different ways over the years and will continue to. I started as a studio jeweler, then through working in product design my desire grew to develop cosmetics and cosmetic packaging which led me to turn to actually working in cosmetics as a makeup artist and hairstylist. This evolution to working with makeup and hair was a way to have what felt like a more practical career. It also allowed me to combine many of my passions for vintage inspiration into a creative outlet, as some of the projects I work on draw from many of the vintage eras that inspire me. I still desire to do more design work with hopes to collaborate with some brands that I am passionate about. I trust that this will come when the time is right. I’d love to be designing cosmetic packaging and developing products, I have so many wonderful ideas and am incredibly opinionated about product formulations. My personal brand of lipsticks just didn’t have enough money behind it to create the beautiful custom packing I would love to see out in the world, it is hard to run a small business without some financial backing.

I would say the biggest challenges are financial. Early in my career making jewelry there was simply the challenge of purchasing materials. Which is something that brought me to working with alternative materials, plastics and fibers. Finances also have played a big part in the evolution of my makeup and hair career, this portion of my creative career developed out of a need to use my creative skills to create a new career path, something more practical than making artistic pieces in the studio not knowing if and when something might sell. It was a great change for me in my creative endeavors. But still the financial aspect can often drive decisions as a freelance creative. I do often wonder what it would be like to be a creative person in a world where not so many decisions were financially based. Cheers to all the patrons of the arts and those who see value in supporting artists and creatives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a week with a visitor I would do a roadtrip to Palm Springs. There would be a stop for at least one night at the Madonna Inn along the way. I’d make sure we were in Palm Springs for the first Sunday vintage market. We would eat at least one dinner at Birba and brunch at Farm, plus ice cream at Kreem. And lots of vintage shopping all around town. Plus driving round and looking at midcentury architecture, particularly at night. I would coordinate it with a show at Pappy and Harriet’s. And at least one day up in Joshua Tree. I already have a whole long list of places I love in the Palm Springs area, people ask me about it so often that I made a whole blog post just to send them the link. I’m pretty obsessed with that whole area. I dream of having a home there at some point.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many that deserve recognition in how I have come to and maintained a creative lifestyle for so many years, and I know that list will continue to grow. I’ve been lucky to have some incredible instructors along the way, starting at elementary school age, through collage (at a 4 year art program) and through various continuing education and mentors as my career has grown. I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have a small group of likeminded artists that I have been in a critique group with for over 25 years. Having a close group of trusted fellow artists that you can run ideas by and understand your struggles and growth is of great value. And everyone who has hired me for makeup and hair, purchased jewelry from me and referred me to other clients is some of the best encouragement and support I could ask for. The validation and continued support is a true motivator. It serves as a reminder that if you appreciate someones creativity, even if its not something you are financially contributing to, do let them know you get enjoyment or inspiration or whatever it is from their endeavors.

Website: www.shanamakeup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxanddoll

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanaastrachan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foxanddoll

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fox-and-doll-makeup-and-hair-san-francisco-2

Other: www.foxanddoll.com

Image Credits
All images by Kristin Cofer Mod Shoot Credits Photographer: Kristin Cofer Model/ Models: Megan Lius, Meredith Edgar, Tatiana Bookbinder Wardrobe Stylist: Nichole Racek Kreglow Makeup, hair and art direction: Shana Astrachan Earrings: Fox & Doll Shop Clothing & Accessories: A combo of Vintage, Nooworks and Gimmick Clothing