Fox & Doll specializes in classic hair and body products for bouffant-loving babes (and their more modern counterparts). Its creative and sophisticated stylings bring beauty to vintage and retro looks of all eras and occasions. Shana Astrachan, the woman behind Fox & Doll, currently boasts her own makeup and jewelry line in addition.
To learn more about Shana and Fox & Doll’s stylings, read on.
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Shana Astrachan and I am a San Francisco-based designer, metalsmith, makeup artist and hair stylist. Under the name Fox & Doll, I bring my beauty clients vintage-inspired hair and makeup with a focus on flawless skin, classic makeup, and amazing hair. From brides and special events, to commercials and films, I love creating unique looks for my clients that celebrate their true beauty and personal style. As a licensed esthetician and a trained metalsmith with many years in the design industry, I am passionate about creating everything from custom hair accessories, to delicate heirloom jewelry, to retro inspired makeup clutches. I am excited to share a combo of the classics from my jewelry line and my newly available Fox & Doll beauty products, bringing together my love of objects and design with my passion for vintage beauty and natural luxury products.
How did you get started?
I have been making jewelry and objects since I was a young teenager, it always came naturally to me. I went to college to study metalsmithing and have spent many years experimenting with multiple materials and creating jewelry and objects. After years of a side passion for makeup, hairstyling and skin care, I decided to get serious about and learn all I could. I received my esthetician license in early 2010 and quickly began doing hair and makeup professionally (my first exciting job was working on a horror film). My background in fine art has really spoken to my makeup and hair work, I hadn’t realized all those years of color theory and 3D design would be applied in such a way.
What’s inspiring you right now?
Recently, I started compiling my favorite style icons in a weekly feature on my Fox & Doll Facebook page called Monday Music Makeup Muses. I am a big fan of 60’s music, everything from French pop, to soul, to garage rock, to folk. The icons of this time really speak to me, not just with their music but also their amazing hair, makeup and clothes. A few all-time favorites that I started the series with are The Shangri-Las, Nancy Sinatra, Sandie Shaw, Cher, Ann Margret and Dolly Parton. Think big hair, short dresses, and lots of black liner. I am loving searching youtube for these performances and discovering footage I’ve never seen. This week I posted a Brigitte Bardot video because I am teaching my Hair Teasing 101 workshop. I was thinking about what an icon she is for the classic messy bedroom hair; I am now obsessed with the video I found. Check out my roundup here on my blog or follow along every week here.
Any advice for those starting out in the handmade or beauty industry?
Follow your own personal style and visual aesthetics. I was making more contemporary jewelry at some point but when I really embraced my love of vintage decor, clothes, hair and music, I began to see this reflect in the jewelry and products I was designing and making. My pieces started to take on the esthetic of the things that I love and have in my life, but in a new unique way. Don’t set out to make items for a specific market, your market and style will evolve from what you are passionate about.
What are you most looking forward to at BUST Craftacular’s Primped?
Since I may not get to walk around the whole event, I hope other attendees will stop by and show me their favorite finds and their DIY nails!
Can’t wait to get your hands on Fox and Doll’s glam goods? Get yourself to BUST Craftacular’s Primped, a brand-new fashion and beauty fair featuring Shana and over 85 other vintage and handmade vendors.
It’s happening THIS SUNDAY, May 4th, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Brooklyn Night Bazaar space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
In addition to the crazy shopping, don’t miss out on complimentary salon treatments and makeup applications, a bangin’ braid bar, DIY nail art, free make-and-take crafts, and much, much more. Admission is only $3. Click here for more info!
