Is Chicago Ready for Austin? ::: dbabetta.com

Is Chicago Ready for Austin?

June 9, 2012

Chicagolicious and Chicago better get ready for Austin Elizabeth Maxfield. The young ambitious, MUA (Makeup Artist) is making her mark this summer in the Style Network’s new show Chicagolicious. I recently had a chance to catch up with this brown-haired beauty. Where we dished on how she went from a sneaker freak tomboy to a bona fide barbie,
and what people can expect from her on the show.

Dbabetta: Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. First, let me say I am tremendously excited to see a Chicago show about Chicago beauty and hair professionals.

Austin Elizabeth (AE): Thank you. I think we do a fantastic job of holding Chicago up in a good light! This will truly highlight our city. We want to show the world we have what it takes.

Dbabetta: Where are you from? Are you a Chicago girl?

AE: Yes, I am a Chicago girl all the way.

Dbabetta: So tell me, how did you get started as an MUA?

AE: I haven’t been doing makeup that long. I have the least experience in the salon [AJ'S Salon]. I wear make-up every day. Especially when I am going to an event or going out. I will always have on makeup. I have only been doing make up for a few years, but I love it.

I was not always this girly. I grew up with 6 brothers and was a real tomboy. I wore ripped jeans and sneakers all the time. I used to work at Succezz, a Sneaker Boutique in the South Loop. Then I started seeing other girls my age wearing make up, and I would ask my mom to buy it for me. She would go to Walgreens and get my makeup. It was nice, but I had to learn to apply it.

Then, I started watching YouTube tutorials on techniques. It helped me get better. Once my friends started to see how good my makeup looked they wanted me to do theirs. So that is how I got started.

Dbabetta: That’s awesome. So how did you connect with AJ?

AE: I met him at an event, during the time I was networking like crazy to help my business. He complimented me on my makeup, and I told him I was a make up artist. He asked me to come work for him at the salon. So I did.

We see she’s made quite a change from the t-shirt and sneaker crowd.

Dbabetta: Who is your favorite face right now? Who would you love to do makeup for?

Austin Elizabeth: Kim Kardashian!!! I love her makeup style. I love her fashion style. I do my makeup in that same style so I love how her’s looks. If I ever got to do her face, I would be starstruck. I know a lot of people hate her, but I think she is great.

Dbabetta: I love the Kardashians. I think they are funny. If I had sisters that close in age that is how we would be.

AE: Right. I love them [Kardashians], but I love doing all women’s faces though not just celebrities. I think makeup can make you feel better about yourself, and I want to help women do that.

Dbabetta: That’s an incredible reason. Did you know that the Kardashian sisters are coming out with their own makeup line called Khroma Beauty?

AE: No, I hadn’t heard about that!

Dbabetta: Well now that you know, will you try their makeup?

AE: When it comes out I will have to check that out.

Dbabetta: What is the one makeup item you can’t go without in your purse?

AE: I can’t pick just one. I actually have two, no three items.

1. Nude lip gloss. My favorite right now is Mac Cosmetics’ Richer Lusher ($19.50)

2. Black eyeliner (no brand mentioned).

3. Lash glue (no brand mentioned).

I find that during the day my lashes start to come loose then I have to run and go buy more lash glue. Then I ended up with so much it just made more sense to keep it with me at all time for fast fixes on the go.

Dbabetta: Everyone hates a wayward lash! What can we expect to see from you this season on Chicagolicious?

Austin Elizabeth: You can expect to see my transition. You will see me transition from a sneaker girl to enjoying more high fashion and being chic. Like my other cast mates in the salon, they are stylish. You will see me, working hard on my profession. I am passionate about what I do and even though I don’t have much experience I want people to know that I am good. In my personal life, you see me getting into a good relationship. After dating bad boys for so long. In the beginning, I struggled to fit in at the salon. So a lot of things will happen for me.

Dbabetta: We see you find love on the show, but are you still in a relationship?

AE: Yes. I am still in a relationship.

Dbabetta: Great! What is one thing you want people to know about you that they may not see on the show?

AE: I am a jokester. I love having fun. I am that way with all of my brothers. I don’t even think I would know how to be serious with them. Even though, people will see me struggle, I want them to know that I am not all serious. If you read my tweets you will see how fun I am. Twitter is where I get to let loose.

Dbabetta: I read some of your timeline, and I felt like I walked in on a lot of inside jokes.

AE: Exactly! I am just fun.

Austin’s such a sweet girl. I cannot wait to see how the season of Chicagolicious turns out. You can find out more about Austin and the rest of the cast on the Style Network. Be sure to check out sneak peek footage from the show. And watch it each Monday this summer on Style. Please check your local listings for the channel and times.

You can follow Austin on Twitter @AustinEMaxfield

You can also follow me each Monday live tweeting with the #Chicagolicious hashtag via @TerezBaskin

Leave a comment below if you are excited to see Chicagolicious or Tell me why you think it might just be another hot mess!

Photos c/o: Style Network

Photographer Credit: Matt Dinerstein/Style

Interview by Terez Baskin.

terez

I am a lover of fashion and life. I am a Mom, Writer, Stylist, PR pro, and Event Leader. For more about me check out my bio page.

Editors