Made in Vancouver Awards: Meet Our Beauty Judge

Ana Allen has a superpower—she knows colour.

After more than a decade of working in the beauty industry, the thing Ana Allen loves most is helping her clients discover and enhance their natural beauty. Ana worked as a makeup artist in the TV and film industry and as a beauty consultant for many years, and launched her own company, AnaV Beauty, in 2013. Since then, her makeup classes and proprietary line of cosmetics have helped thousands of women look their best. In 2018, Ana joined Evalina Beauty cosmetics as beauty director.Ana is the head judge in the Beauty category for our 2019 Made in Vancouver Awards—from makeup and skincare, to self-care products. Read more about this beauty entrepreneur below. Beauty judge Ana Allen.

Your go-to cocktail

I don’t usually drink, but when I do it’s a Cosmo or a glass of champagne—one is just enough and I can stick to one.

Perfect Vancouver spot

The seawall with my dogs. We live in Yaletown so we have a beautiful park and seawall—it’s so peaceful. When it’s super rainy, my dogs won’t like it—I enjoy it more than they do.

Best place for a drink on a Tuesday night

Nightingale.Lately I’ve been more about sweatpants and watching Netflix on a Tuesday night—work is so busy, creating the new makeup line Evalina. But for a date night with my husband, it’s Nightingale. I love their cocktail and wine list, and it’s just casual enough for a Tuesday, but it’s nice – you get good food and good vibes.

Vancouverite you most want to meet

That’s a hard one for me. Being in the industry I’ve been able to meet a lot of people I did want to meet, by doing makeup for people. But I feel like Chip Wilson has paved the way for a local big brand, and since we’re setting up Evalina, I’d want to ask him branding questions—he’s really smart on marketing and branding. He’s also created a line that makes people feel good about themselves, and that’s what we’re doing.

A hidden gem more Vancouverites should know about

My husband and I go to this little sushi bar next to our place called Kaide sushi. It’s really simple, but the food is so good. It saves me from cooking some nights when I’m tired. And it has some of the best hamachi in town.

Perfect treat-yourself day

I’d love to start with breakfast in bed, taking my time to get up. And then I’d get a blow out—a good blow out for me is totally uplifting. Then I’d watch The Bachelor with my girlfriends, and have a girl day: get a facial, something to cleanse the skin. I’ve been doing a lot of peels lately—they’re amazing to exfoliate and get fresh skin.

Perfect hangover food

I try not to get a hangover too often! But French fries are my cheat food.

Favourite spa treatment?

The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.I love the body scrub and massage at Fairmont Willow Stream spa. It’s followed by an amazing massage—it’s a two-in-one to get both. It smells like chocolate or vanilla. And then they do these butter massages where you can choose your scent. I did that before my wedding—it was so relaxing. They have a nice lunch there, you have your tea and unwind after your treatment. It’s one of my favourite spas in Vancouver.

Where you find your new favourite lipstick

I go hunting in my drawers! Whenever I need a new lipstick, I mix and match my existing colours. I love colour! That’s the reason I got into makeup. That’s my super power, colour. When I look at somebody, I already know what colour works for them. I love creating shades, mixing and matching. You can always find 3 shades in my purse at all time. I might walk out the door with a red lipstick but come home with a nude. I can’t stay committed.

Are you a local beauty entrepreneur with something cool (and Vancouver-made!) to share? Enter our Made in Vancouver Awards by February 15!