Michael Brown is truly an expert in his field with over ten years experience and a reputation in the beauty industry that speaks for itself. He’s gotten up close and personal with the likes of supermodel Gisele Bündchen as well as homegrown beauties like Miranda Kerr, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) and Ashley Hart, been appointed as St Tropez’ Skin Finishing Expert and lead the David Jones’ Beauty Tribe campaign.
I was thrilled to be able to have him as the first in my series of interviews of people who I admire. Michael has such a warm presence and whenever I find myself lucky enough to be within his orbit, I find it hard not to be drawn into his vortex of positive energy.
Ten Minutes with Celebrity Make Up Artist: Michael Brown
If you hadn’t become a make up artist and beauty expert, where do you think you’d be right now? 
I actually was a dancer for most of my life, which is how I got into makeup from doing lots of performances growing up. I did all styles and started around 4 years old and stopped when I was transferred to Sydney in 2006 for a National position at L’Oreal Luxe. I would hope I would be dancing in some type of stage show!
What are the products that you always have in your make up arsenal?
- A Hydrating Face Mist – I have used so many, but I love it as my first step to cool the skin.
- YSL Touche Eclat – I seriously always use them to highlight the skin in a realistic way, not metallic.
- A Matte Bronzer – Everyone needs this for a little face shaping, contour and eye shadow base.
- Elizabeth Arden 8hr Cream – I mainly use it on the lips and sometimes as a glow for the body – great as an eye gloss too.
What is the one make up faux pas that you see and can’t stand?
The wrong shade and/or too much foundation. As a country, we really wear way too much foundation and right to the hair line too… It’s unnecessary and looks fake.
What was your favorite and most exciting job of all time? There has been so many! But I guess working with Gisele Bündchen back in 2007, her first and only trip to Australia. It was a big deal back then and so much fun with her doing makeup.
Do you prefer to be behind the scenes or in the spotlight? I like both for different reasons and I am so lucky I have a great balance. But I do like the rush of adrenaline if I am about to do live TV or any sort of presentation in front of a crowd.
You are always oozing with positive energy – how do you stay inspired and where do you find your inspiration?
Its easy to stay inspired and positive when you love what you do… I never feel like I am going to work and it’s a very social job, which is so me. I am grateful for the unique people I meet and experiences I have that it inspires me to keep growng, do more and really get amongst the industry.
If you were given one opportunity to travel back in time to one point in your life to relive – what moment would you choose?
I can think of a few good holidays haha. But in terms of life experiences, I would go back to year 12 at high school. I had a very fun school life and I was dancing 30 hours a week, I was in peak condition, winning a lot of competitions, getting excited to becoming an adult, but I also got my first boyfriend that year and slacked off a tad, especially in school and my mum was still alive then and was my biggest supporter… So, I’d do it all again, but live in the moment more.
Describe yourself in three words. Social, fun and determined.
What is your spirit animal and why? I would say Tiger… Can be playful and look innocent, but very determined and driven when the need is there – especially when hungry! Haha!
If you could pack your things and move anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why? Probably NYC! It’s a place I want to explore and have so many friends and connections there, it could work out very well!
If you were stranded on an island – name five things you’d bring and who would you want to be stuck on the island with?
I can go without a lot of things, but I need coffee, eye drops, lip balm, wine and music to survive! Literally! A really hot guy would take my mind off things, but my best mate Alan of 20+ years would make it fun and we would just talk our way through it as we do any situation.
Quick Fire: 
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- Pizza or Pasta? Pizza
- Dogs or Cats? Dogs
- Rome or Paris? Paris
- Summer or Winter? Summer
- Chris or Liam Hemsworth? Liam
- Taylor Swift or Beyonce? Beyonce
- Gucci or Chanel? Chanel
- Favourite fragrance? Tom Ford
- Best concert you’ve attended? Well now, ADELE!
- Most interesting read? I don’t read books … I know….
- Favourite city in the world? SYDNEY!!!!!!
- Best Disney film? Beauty and The Beast
- Do you watch The Bachelor? Of course… Privately.
- What super power would you like to have? To fly, I am over traffic.
Follow Michael:
Instagram: @mbrown_beauty
Facebook: Michael Brown Beauty
Website: http://michaelbrownbeauty.com.au
