Mr Armand Beasley certainly has a CV that anyone craving to get a foot into the glamorous beauty industry would die for.
Armand has been trained extensively in all areas of skincare, makeup and fragrance, which is why he’s given his outstanding expertise on some of our favourite publications like; Vogue, Marie Claire, Harpers Bazaar and OK Magazine.
This man is amazing! We caught up with him for a quick fire Q&A...
Q. Describe your typical working day.
I don't have a typical working - it can change very quickly. But for example today, I got up at 7am, reached for my iPad and answered any emails or tweets.
Then: gym, followed by a live radio interview on location in a town centre to talk 'Glamour on the Go'. Later, I'm off to a jewellery launch in Manchester before returning some diamonds to Boodles, which they loaned to me for an actress at a red carpet event last night. Then I need to sort a visa for India... I’ll be finishing with a dinner party in the middle of nowhere with friends!
Q. What's your go-to fragrance?
For me it has to be Kiton... Although the new Fendi and Gentlemen Only by Givenchy are stunning (launched May 2013). For women it really depends on their personality and whether they like fresh, floral or oriental.
Q. Which beauty product do you love the smell of?
PalmersCocoBody Lotion... I don't know one model who doesn't love this smell. Also Herra, Hair Perfume. It’s a gorgeous product that not only deodorises your hair but protects it from the environment and nourishes. I give this to all my celeb clients and they love it!
Q. What perfume could you just not live without?
Kiton! It's the most incredible men's fragrance and I've worn it for over 10 years now and every time I do, there is ALWAYS someone who comments on it! I love it. It's distributed Lauder so can usually be found in selected department stores near Aramis fragrances...
Q. Favourite Fragrance Tip?
Ladies: If you're wearing a skirt or dress, spray the backs of your knees so as you walk you will leave a subtle trail of your sexy scent!
Q. How many perfumes do you own?
I did have about 15 but I was never wearing them so I have only 3 now.
Q. What's the biggest mistake someone could make with perfume?
Once you have sprayed the fragrance onto your pulse points, NEVER rub your wrists together as you'll 'crush' the fragrance!
Q. Who's your beauty idol?
Hmmm difficult one as my beauty idols aren’t conventionally beautiful but they either push boundaries, are artistic or are incredibly creative with colour etc. I’d choose Grace Jones and Annie Lennox for pushing androgyny.
Pete Burns: whether you love or hate his surgically 'enhanced' features, his artistry with makeup and style is quite stunning.
Joan Crawford was the pioneer of the shoulder pads and bold brows and she really created her own brand of glamour.
Honour Blackman still exudes natural, yet sexy, glamour.
Q. Where would you love to go on holiday but haven't yet?
I would love to do a Nile Cruise or South Africa.
Q. Is there a perfume that takes you to a special memory?
Poison and Opium remind me of my Mum as she used to wear them. Now she wears Sisley Eau De Soir... Also Amen and Check and Speak remind me of my best friend who sadly passed away last year...
Q. If you could invent your own perfume to describe you - what would it be called?
Personal...
Armand Beasley is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty columnist. He is a regular contributor to beauty magazines and publications, and appears on TV, radio and podcasts.