PORTRAIT

In Claire Marie Astruc's makeup bag

With Claire Marie Astruc, beauty is something to be listened to attentively, harmonized, and felt... A DJ and music curator with a keen ear, she creates unique atmospheres using sounds that transport you to another dimension. After putting her turntables and playlists to work for Oh My Cream in our stores, she’s now setting her vinyl aside to open the doors to her bathroom and makeup bag.

Tell us all about yourself

“My name is Claire Marie. I’m a DJ and the founder of the Listen To agency, based between Paris and New York. I grew up in a very musical environment: my father was a classical pianist and my brother is a DJ. Music became a part of my daily life from a very early age. I started DJing alongside my studies, then picked it up again out of passion in New York, and eventually—without meaning to—made it my full-time job. My work then expanded into music curation for brands, venues, and experiences, particularly in fashion, luxury, and hospitality.”

Did you always know you'd have a career in music?

“My passion clearly stems from my childhood. Music was everywhere at home, in all sorts of forms. I didn’t always know this would be my career, but I always knew I couldn’t live without music. Curation came with learning, knowledge, curiosity, and experience. I quickly realized that I loved telling stories and creating atmospheres just as much as I loved playing behind the turntables.”

How do you put together a playlist based on the location, event, or mood?

“I always start by immersing myself in the essence and atmosphere of a space: its architecture, the light, the rhythm of foot traffic and customers, but also the purpose of the venue or event. A boutique, a fashion show, a spa treatment, or a hotel each have their own unique vibe. My goal is to evoke the right emotion—never intrusive, but always memorable. I draw a lot of inspiration from cinema, fashion, and travel, but also from print media like The New Yorker or M Le Monde.”

How does beauty influence your work as a curator and DJ?

“Beauty is essential to my work. Not just aesthetic beauty, but harmony, balance, and attention to detail. Just like in music, subtle beauty is often more powerful than an overly obvious effect. I try to create elegant, sensitive moments that leave an emotional impression. I also have to balance short nights and jet lag with taking care of my body and my skin.”

Tell us about your vision of beauty.

“Beauty is an attitude. It comes from self-confidence, from feeling comfortable in one’s own skin, from a sense of freedom. It is an imperfect, living beauty that evolves over time and through experience.”

How does your work influence the way you do your make-up?

“There really is a difference between day and night, night and day. During the day, it’s a ‘makeup/no makeup’ look: concealer, corrector, eyebrow brush, lip balm, and blush for a healthy glow. At night, when I’m performing, my makeup depends on the outfit, but generally speaking, it’s either bold eye makeup with a nude lip, or the other way around.”

It’s not uncommon to see you with a glowing complexion and well-defined (red) lips… Would you say that’s your signature look?

“It’s a balance I really love: something very natural, almost effortless, with a more bold detail. And then… red lips evoke that certain French je ne sais quoi that New Yorkers love! But always for the evening—never during the day for red lips.”

Do you collect makeup the way you collect those musical relics?

“Not really. With vinyl records, I love the physical object, the history, and the way they stand the test of time. When it comes to makeup, I’m much more of a minimalist. I like to have just a few products—but ones that I love and actually use. As a new mom with sensitive skin, I like to keep it simple.”

By the way… What’s in your makeup bag?

“A good concealer, a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer, blush, mascara, lip balm, and a lip pencil. But there’s always a ton of lipstick lying around in my bags: shades of bright red or powdery pink.”

“Creating emotions through music in a wide variety of settings and feeling that it touches people—that’s what motivates me every day.”

“A good concealer, a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer, blush, mascara, lip balm, and a lip pencil. But there’s always a ton of lipstick lying around in my bags: shades of bright red or powdery pink.”

How has your relationship with makeup changed over the years?

“Over time and through motherhood, I’ve learned to be more forgiving of myself. Makeup has become a pleasure, not a chore. I love quick, effective routines even more—ones that make me feel good without overdoing it. It’s also important to let your skin breathe. I tend to wear makeup in the evening when I’m performing or going to events, so during the day, I sometimes embrace that no-makeup/tired look and own it completely.”

What's your secret to feeling good about yourself even on bad days?

“During the day, I crank up the music and play 80s hits. In the evening, I take a nice bath.”

And here’s a tip to keep your makeup looking fresh all night long?

“Proper skin preparation and a spray!”

Follow Claire Marie Astruc on Instagram @clairemaa