In this landmark 800th episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with one of the most iconic figures in modern beauty — Anastasia Soare, founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills (ABH). Known globally as the Queen of Brows, Soare not only transformed faces but redefined the beauty industry itself. Now, with the release of her highly anticipated new book, Raising Brows: My Story of Building a Billion-Dollar Beauty Empire — available now — she joins Dr. Ekta to reflect on her immigrant beginnings, her revolutionary approach to artistry, and the mindset that built one of the world’s most influential beauty brands.
From Immigrant Beginnings to Industry Pioneer
When Soare arrived in the United States from Romania at age 31, she didn’t speak English and had no community to rely on. “The first six months, I cried every day,” she admits. Yet she approached each challenge with determination and humility. While working as an esthetician, she noticed that the beauty industry overlooked one critical feature: eyebrows. Drawing from Leonardo da Vinci’s studies on facial proportion, she developed what would become her signature Golden Ratio technique — creating balance and harmony in the face through precise brow shaping. In doing so, she quietly invented a category that would forever change beauty.
Creating a Category — and a Global Brand
What began as a passion project soon grew into a movement. “I never had a business plan,” Soare says. “I just wanted to make people feel beautiful.” Her mastery drew celebrity clients, and Anastasia Beverly Hills quickly became synonymous with artistry, precision, and empowerment. When her daughter Claudia suggested taking the brand to Instagram, ABH became one of the first beauty brands to embrace social media marketing — setting the stage for a new digital era in beauty.
The Discipline Behind the Dream
For Soare, success has never been about luck — it’s about discipline. “The only time I’m not working is when I sleep,” she says with a laugh. She credits her mother for teaching her the value of service and consistency: “Whether you’re in fashion or beauty, it’s about making your client feel their best.”
She also shares that fear is the greatest barrier to success. “You have to try everything. What do you have to lose?” she says. And when the world doesn’t offer you a seat at the table? “Then you build your own.”
Mentorship, Motherhood, and Money Lessons
Soare’s journey is also one of observation and mentorship. She credits Oprah Winfrey as a major influence — not through direct advice, but through example. “I learned from watching how she treats people — with respect, with time. That’s mentorship too.”
As both a founder and mother, she emphasizes discipline over comfort. “Discipline will make you successful,” she says. “Not talent alone.” She also reveals her financial philosophy — living modestly and reinvesting every dollar into her business. “I drove a beat-up car in Beverly Hills because my goal was bigger than the car,” she recalls. “Everything went back into growing the brand.”
The Future of Beauty
After decades of transforming the industry, Soare still views herself as a student of her craft. “Every culture, every climate teaches me something new,” she says. “When a client looks in the mirror and feels beautiful, that’s the reward.”
Looking ahead, she believes authenticity and artistry will always prevail. “Legacy brands will endure because they’re built on integrity,” she notes. And with Raising Brows, she’s opening the next chapter of her legacy — one built on resilience, precision, and purpose.
Episode 800 of Skin Anarchy is more than a milestone — it’s a celebration of courage, craft, and conviction.
✨ Raising Brows: My Story of Building a Billion-Dollar Beauty Empire by Anastasia Soare, out now.
Listen to the full episode of Skin Anarchy to hear Anastasia’s extraordinary story — from her first days as an immigrant to her reign as one of beauty’s greatest innovators.