Maddie Aberman
When it comes to red carpet glam, Ash K Holm isn’t just behind the scenes—she’s setting the standard. From Ariana Grande’s sculpted glow to Kim Kardashian’s viral sultry, smoky eye, Ash has spent the past decade helping some of the most photographed women in the world look and feel like their most iconic selves.
Now, the in-demand makeup artist is taking on her next role: your personal beauty coach. This August, Ash is curating the latest Icon Box by IPSY—and it’s packed with the pro tools, glow-inducing formulas, and confidence-boosting favorites she swears by to unlock your own makeup mastery.
“I’ve spent years refining my technique, working with women who know what they like but also want to evolve,” says Ash. “This box is my love letter to anyone who’s ever wanted to feel powerful through beauty, whether you’re just starting out or already a pro.”
It's about glam time you treated yourself.
Ash’s path to beauty icon status wasn’t exactly linear. She grew up outside of Houston, Texas, where she dreamed of makeup long before YouTube tutorials were even a thing. After cosmetology school in San Antonio, she finally landed her dream gig at Houston’s Galleria MAC store—one of the busiest in the country. “I worked with every skin tone, every personality, every look,” she says. “It was a masterclass in real-world artistry.”
But Ash wanted more. So, with a packed freelance schedule, support from her then-boyfriend (now-husband), and 7,000 Instagram followers (and counting), she quit MAC and took a leap of faith—moving to Los Angeles with nothing but her kit, her skills, and a bold belief that she had something to say through glam.
The risk paid off. A couple lucrative DMs, a few dream clients, and one iconic makeup look after the other, Ash was one of the most in-demand artists in the business.
So what does makeup mastery mean to Ash? “It’s not about heavy makeup or trending techniques. It’s about intention, knowing what enhances your features, and making it look effortless.” In curating her Icon Box, Ash focused on products that deliver maximum impact with minimum effort, no matter your skill level.
A few standouts from her must-have lineup?
PATRICK TA BEAUTY Major Dimension II Rose Eyeshadow Palette (MSRP $70): “These shades flatter literally everyone. Use the creams as a base, and let the powders do the rest.”
MAKEUP BY MARIO Soft Glow Highlighter (MSRP $34): “I tap it on with my finger after setting spray. It melts right into the skin.”
HAUS LABORATORIES B Structural Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara (MSRP $29): “Length and lift? This one’s always in my kit.”
FENTY BEAUTY Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick (MSRP $26): “A juicy lip instantly pulls the whole look together.”
KEVYN AUCOIN The Neo-Blush (MSRP $40): “Swipe this from cheek to temple and boom—instant snatchural sculpt.”
And of course, this wouldn’t be an Ash K Holm edit without a few pro tricks. In your Icon Box by Ash K Holm, expect a mini-magazine full of her signature tips, like her now-viral lip flip technique, glowlighting, and her unexpected hacks to help your makeup last all day (and night). “I want you to feel like I’m right there getting you ready,” she says. “Because every icon starts somewhere—and now it’s your turn.”
Ash’s Icon Box includes 8 full-size products (worth up to $350!) handpicked by the artist herself—four she picked just for you and three you get to pick for yourself. “At the end of the day, makeup should make you feel like you, but on your best day. That’s always the goal,” says Ash. Whether you’re a makeup minimalist, a full-glam devotee, or someone who’s just figuring it all out, this collection was built to make your beauty journey a little more elevated.
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