Today we’d like to introduce you to Charis Michelsen.
Hi Charis, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
After applying to only one college, the best design school in the world, Parsons School of Design/The New School, and thankfully getting in, as I didn’t have a backup plan, I moved to New York City from a small town in Oregon. My goal was to become a fashion designer.
While standing on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fourteenth Street in NYC, a photographer for Harper’s BAZAAR magazine scouted me to model. This led to modeling for renowned brands such as Levi’s, Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Dell, and Conair, top magazines such as Mademoiselle, Paper, Glamour, Redbook, People, Hamptons, Seventeen, Surface, and Psychology Today, and starring in music videos for bands such as Type O Negative.
When my modeling agent sent me to audition for a supporting role in a movie, I booked it, and the project’s producers offered me the lead in their next film, which launched my professional acting career.
While at a rock concert, actress Liv Tyler and her singer/model/manager mother, Bebe Buell, spotted me in the crowd, and they were introduced to me. Bebe was managing the careers of both Liv and Debbie Harry of the legendary band Blondie and became my career manager. She connected me with the talent agency Innovative Artists and the Celebrity Division within the modeling agency IMG. I was invited to star in a music video with Liv for her stepfather’s band and went on to work with some of the most talented people in the entertainment industry, such as Academy Award-winning directors Martin Scorsese and Curtis Hanson and major stars such as Robert Downey Jr., Michael Douglas, Katie Holmes, Tobey Maguire, Radha Mitchell, and Nicolas Cage.
While on photoshoot and movie sets, I loved watching what makeup artists and stylists did and noticed a connection between their work and fine art. Having a natural interest in fine art from studying at Parsons School of Design/The New School, I was inspired to get my professional makeup artist certification, which I was successful in doing. I was then offered a position as a national and international spokesperson for one of the world’s top five luxury cosmetic companies, which I accepted.
During and after speaking on behalf of the luxury cosmetic company at events, attendees would ask me, “What should I do to look my best?” Not initially having all the answers, I went to work to answer this question for everyone so all could look and feel their best, and thankfully, I succeeded! I created what I call the Universal Beauty Standard System™, which is a science-based system that prescribes to each individual what they can do to maximize their physical appeal. I used my system to create the world’s most comprehensive beauty books, which I self-illustrated and which include techniques I invented, titled Hollywood Beauty: The Art of Star Makeup and Grooming for Men: Dirty to Polished. My books can be viewed from my website, charismichelsen.com. Through my books, individuals should no longer feel compelled to copy the beauty looks of their favorite stars, as they can now be their own celebrity. Former president of Universal Pictures Thom Mount, who independently produced films such as Natural Born Killers, kindly wrote that my books will “have meaning and value in society and will stand alongside the work of other authors who understand their subjects at an extraordinary cellular level; think Julia Child’s [Mastering] The Art of French Cooking.”
I met Thom while starring in a film he produced, and during one of our conversations, he discovered I had written a screenplay and asked to read it. He loved it and wanted to develop a project with me, which we did. I’m now commissioned to write feature-length screenplays, have created and developed TV projects, one of which is fashion & beauty-related, which I’ll be hosting, and which is connected to a legendary Hollywood establishment, and am producing an important movie with an A-list Executive Producer.
Feeling compelled to use the Universal Beauty Standard System™ to answer the age-old question “What should I wear?” for all, I wrote additional books so each person would know how to use fashion products to maximize their physical appeal. Realizing the need to make the information quicker to access, I created an algorithm from my fashion books to build an artificial intelligence (AI) personal stylist. My AI Stylist helps one choose personally ideal fashion and beauty products and styles one better than a celebrity stylist without making stylists obsolete, due to a Pro feature. My AI Stylist will also help fashion and beauty vendors reduce returns so they can retain more revenue.
In homage to my initial passion to be a fashion designer, I designed and patented a signature diamond-dot pattern, which is intended for use with a line of conscience fashion and accessory products I’ve designed. My pattern is expressed in twenty colors and contains a unique color technology that makes each act as a neutral, allowing each color to be more compatible with various outfits. Brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Goyard have gorgeous signature patterns, and I wanted to create my own that employs unique, beautiful, and wearable color combinations.
I was asked to be a Co-Editor and columnist for two gorgeous luxury global publications, Elle Global Woman (EGW) Magazine (egwglobalmagazine.com) and Bella Vida Magazine (bellavidamagazine.com), whose Editor-in-Chief, Erin Schmidt, honored me by putting me on the cover of Bella Vida’s first issue, and I’m in talks to be involved with other publications.
I’ve been offered several C-level positions and am currently consulting with major brands to help them build more and better business. I also consult with individuals and groups who are interested in being walked through how to use makeup and grooming to maximize their physical appeal.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The challenges I’ve faced have been with trying to figure out how to solve age-old problems, which I’ve achieved through my own process of analysis. The struggles I’ve faced have been with taking the time to do needed problem-solving and create the materials needed to elevate individuals and industries. I’ve done this work alone and have foregone spending much time socializing and pursuing leisure activities to achieve my goals. Having accomplished what I set out to do, I’m now able to spend more time going to events and connecting with others, which is something I enjoy immensely.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m so very proud and honored to have been featured in so many wonderful publications since I’ve completed much of my work. I’ve been on over twenty magazine covers within the last couple of years, interviewed regularly, included in important “top” lists, and renowned publications have given me several kind compliments. About me, Forbes wrote, “Her contributions to the beauty and fashion industry are commendable.” L.A. Weekly qualified me as one of the “Top 10 Entrepreneurs.” And World’s Leaders Magazine wrote that I am “One of the World’s Top Brands.” Other publications have kindly deemed me “A Beauty & Fashion Icon and Innovator.” “The Martha Stewart of Makeup.” and “The New Face of the Beauty Industry.” I’ve also been ranked one of the world’s top five makeup artists and awarded several awards, such as a Bemy for “Makeup Influencer of the Year 2023.”
How do you think about luck?
Roman philosopher Seneca stated that “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” I feel very blessed that I’ve been so lucky with having so many great opportunities, but I employ a severely stringent work ethic that allows me to gain success once presented with an opportunity. I’m a firm believer that how you do anything is how you do everything and have found greatness is achieved via a beautiful, deep care in attention to every detail.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://
charismichelsen.com/ - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/charismichelsen_ official
Image Credits
Daniel Weber
Mikhail Goldenberg
