As I was recently swishing and rolling down the ski slopes in Queenstown at the annual Gay Ski Week, I found myself alongside a delightful young man, and, as you do, we began to discuss what we did back in our home cities.
As it turns out Nathan Snare just happened to work for a West Australian company that is going global faster than you can say ‘Happy PRIDE’. As we sat down for some lunch, in between learning how to turn our skis so we did not look like complete fools, I wanted to get to know more about him and the company that he is the national sales and operation manager for, BECCA.
While I managed to discover that Nathan grew up in Tasmania, went to University in Melbourne to study business management and at present is single (although I think there were fireworks happening between him and one of the other Gay Ski Week attendees on the slopes that Friday!) further details had to wait until after an afternoon on the slopes.
After returning from skiing it was time to hunker down with a dry martini in front of an open fire and get some more detailed information about Nathan and BECCA.
Mark Reid: How long have you been working in the make up area and have you worked with other brands?
Nathan Snare: This is my fourth year with BECCA but before that I was with MAC for three and bit years and in fact worked as a makeup artist with Carol Mackie and Hendra at STYLEAID.
MR: What attracted you to BECCA?
NS: I was attracted by the fact that it was Australian and privately owned by Australians, which is quite rare in the make up industry. Plus the look of the models is very much the style of make up that I like doing – clean, fresh and youthful, but still for everyone.
MR: How did you get involved with BECCA?
NS: I was asked to join BECCA to help grow the department store business for them here in Australia.
MR: What is your current position with BECCA and what does that entail?
NS: I am the National Sales and Operational manager for Australia and New Zealand, so I oversee all aspects of retailing BECCA both through our department stores as well as our independent retailers – there’s a lot of them in Perth, hence my regular travel to the west.
MR: As one of the great success stories to come out of Perth in terms of make up, can you tell me some background about Rebecca Morrice Williams and BECCA the brand, and how it is now evolving into an international success story?
NS: Rebecca was on a mission to find the perfect foundation to achieve flawless looking skin and once she had achieved that she expanded the range through creative thinking and innovation. Rebecca, who was a make up artist, could not find the miracle product and so she created a range of skin perfecting products that make flawless skin possible. BECCA can now be found in US, UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Malaysia, Kuwait, Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia and throughout Asia, as well of course right here in Australia.
MR: What colour trends do you see for spring/summer this year?
NS: This summer we have a lot more focus on great looking skin, protecting it and enhancing it. Colour-wise there is a lot of peachy tones for lip and cheeks. I personally don’t think you can go past a good bronzer for summer.
MR: Are there any particular looks that you think will work in our Perth climate?
NS: Glowing skin – if it isn’t already. Perth has such beautiful people that are less over primped like some of their eastern states friends. I think there is nothing hotter then a little crème blush in the apple of the cheek and a very soft natural smoky eye that can be vamped up for night with a little eye liner.
MR: More and more men are taking to make up, are there any plans to do a men’s range by Becca?
NS: At this stage there isn’t, but we have loads of unisex products in our range. Mineral SPF Primer is something I wear every day as it protects the skin with SPF 30 and helps with a mixture of antioxidants and q10 for skin renewal, plus we have 34 different concealer shades to hide all types of indiscretions. The most exciting thing for men is the new skincare that BECCA is launching called BAKEL, look out for my favourite products – Jaluronic for moisture, malic for lightening and brightening the skin as well as getting rid of sun spots and I love the collagen product (who doesn’t want to look more pumped!).
As the sun set over the snow capped mountains in Queenstown, it was time to say good night to the wonderful Nathan Snare as he prepared to head off to open a slew of new BECCA stores in New Zealand and Asia. This is one of those great success stories that began here in Perth and has now evolved into a truly global brand!
Mark Reid
BECCA Stockists in Perth:
Baies
45C Breakwater Pde
Mandurah WA 3188
Telephone: (08) 9535 4805
Cision
17 Avion Way
Times Square Arcade
Claremont WA 6010
Telephone: 08 9284 6789
Elle
56 Weld Street
Nedlands WA 6009
Telephone: 08 9386 6868
Harri and Gretel
133 Oxford St
Leederville WA 6007
Telephone: 08 9443 7233
Lee Preston
155 Angelo Street
South Perth WA 6151
Telephone: 08 9367 3668
Mariposa
Shop 5 Astor Arcade,
655 Beufort St
MT Lawley, WA 6050
Telephone: 08 9272 6867
Milc
Shop 1 DVSC Naturalist Terrace
Dunsborough WA 6281
Telephone: 08 9759 1186
MYER Perth
200 Murray St
Perth, WA 6000
Telephone: 08 9265 5742
Platinum Studio
Shop 5, 30-32 Ardross St
Applecross, Perth WA 6153
Telephone: 08 9315 3555
Summaglo
Shop 2/30 Jarrad Street
Cottesloe WA 6011
Telephone: 1300 363 144
Tuo Capelli
Shop 3/22 Parry Ave
Bateman Bay WA 6150
Telephone: 08 9332 6775
Wasteland
1/44 King St
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: +61 8 9481 8487
