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Meet Taylor Chang-Babaian of Kre-At Beauty
By Tammy | June 8, 2009
Your Name: Taylor Chang-Babaian
How many children do you have? 2 teenagers. Lord help me.
Your Business Name:
Kre-At Beauty (Taylor is also a successful makeup artist and published author!)
Tell us about your Business:
Kre-At Beauty is a unique line of false eyelashes that gives you the appearance of full lashes while still looking natural. We launched the line for the Awards Shows this year and got an incredible response from celebrities and celebrity makeup artists (which can be more important). All which is amazing validation.
What was your motivation for starting Kre-At Beauty?
I have been really wanting to do a lashline product line for years! Eyelash companies were still following the 1960’s model of eyelashes and I would have to cut them up all the time to make them look decent and I still wasn’t completely happy. I I have an eye book coming out next year and thought it would be a great opportunity to incorporate the lashes into the book and vice versa even though now is probably not the ideal time. It’s something I needed to do.
Its personal for me because I literally have four or six lashes, which you can’t even see because they grow straight down! lol. When I wear kre-at beauty eyelashes, my eyes change completely. Its like instant youth, instant sexy, instantly awake eyes. False eyelashes are used all the time for magazines, red carpet, runway, commercials.. even when trying to achieve a “natural look”, but no one talks about them, until now!
I think most moms find false lashes a luxury and only wear them on special occasion. Do you agree with that or do you find use for them in your daily beauty routine?
Well, I use them pretty much daily, but you have to do what’s comfortable for you. I have small eyes, so it makes me feel good to look awake. Without them I can look really tired or masculine. We have a pair called lash extensions and they mimic the look of the salon lash treatment that can cost up to $400. Our false pair costs $12 and I actually love that you can take them off at night and don’t have to use special eye makeup like you do with salon treatments. And, they look really natural!
Any tips for lash application?
Don’t be scared and practice. Its really easy. Curl lashes first (if your lashes are straight), apply mascara and put on the lashes last. (Check out instructions at www.kreatbeauty.com)
If its hard for you to get on a full strip. Cut them in thirds and put them on piece by piece (like connect the dots). Start from the inner corner and work your way out. Its makeup. If you make a mistake just start over. Its not permanent. Use duo eyelash glue. It come out white, but it dries clear so glue mistakes become invisible.
You wrote a book, Asian Faces: The Essential Beauty and Makeup Guide for Asian Women
First, I want to say that my clients are actually mostly non-Asian. I wrote the book because it was personal. When I was a kid, I thought I was ugly, I was told that I needed to have surgery to look prettier (a lot of Asians are told this by their mothers). Then I discovered makeup and discovered that I can look pretty or professional or sexy. I learned the power of makeup and the impact it can make on a woman and how she feels about herself. As one of the very few Asian celebrity makeup artists in Hollywood, I found it my duty to empower other Asian women who had similar upbringings and while touring I discovered there were a lot. I believe my book has really made women accept their beauty and stopped many from wanting eyelid surgery to make their eyes more westernized.
Now that I’ve done that I can move on to other books 
but you would be surprised how many non-Aasian women have bought the book because they have similar issues: Straight eyelashes, small eyes, thin lids, smearing mascara.
What is your favorite beauty tip?
Sunscreen. I’m a bit mean about it. Its super important for wrinkles and spotting. I can’t say enough about it.
Try Shiseido SPF 55. You can swim with it on and its really light.
You travel a lot. Can you give us some packing advice?
My makeup bag seems to have permanently turned into a quart size ziploc bag. Its embarrassing. Ask for sample sizes when you make your skincare purchases and refill them. It saves so much space and they don’t explode moisturizer as much as the big sizes.
What items are absolutely essential in your carry-on?
Moisturizer, lipgloss or lipbalm. I always buy the largest size water I can find at the airport and take it on the plane with me. The little half cups won’t do. Planes are actually drier than the desert.
What is your favorite outfit in your closet and why?
My black Yves Saint Laurent dress I bought for the NY launch party of Asian Faces. It was a splurge but I wear it a lot. Its makes me feel like a million dollars and yes, I got it on sale.
What motivates you to look your best?
If I meet someone and tell them I’m a makeup expert and I don’t look good, it makes me feel like a fraud. I think its important to walk the talk. When I do have my off days, I don’t make eye contact and definitely feel it.
As a mom, “Me Time” is limited… what are your time saving beauty tips?
Keep everything together. Make it accessible. I keep my night creams and vitamins next to my bed so that I do it. When I get my nails done I try to take my daughter with me to make it a girls day. My makeup is together in one spot for easy access. I sometimes even put on my makeup when the car is warming up. The more you do it, the faster you get. I can put on a whole face in 5 minutes or less.
What has been your worst fashion faux pas?
Ooh. The 80’s for sure. My mother owned a little place in the swap meet and sold fluorescent lace. So I took advantage and would work for neon lace headbands and neon pink lipgloss.
Any additional comments on beauty and style you’d like to share:
Remember beauty is for you. Do what makes you feel good and comfortable. Try to go beyond your comfort zone once in a while so you don’t stay stuck in one decade. And remember its makeup- if you don’t like it you can wash it off.
Enjoy. play. kre-at beauty!
Editor’s Note: Taylor is an absolute beauty and one of the most talented makeup artists around! She is a busy mom just like you and I, who has the ability to help other women see their inner beauty, as well as their outer beauty! She’s a lot of fun and I absolutely CAN NOT wait for her book on eye makeup applications to come out! I’ll be the first in line to buy it! Thanks for sharing with us, Taylor!
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