Charis Michelsen’s journey to success is one marked by determination, creativity, and an unwavering desire to uplift others. A small-town girl from Oregon, Charis moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design/The New School, dreaming of becoming a fashion designer. Little did she know that her life would take a thrilling turn when she was discovered by a photographer for Harper’s BAZAAR magazine. This serendipitous encounter led to a successful modeling career, followed by a leap into acting.
Charis Michelsen
Charis landed a supporting role in a film from her very first audition, and soon after, the same producers offered her a lead role in their next project. At EliteX, we are proud to have Charis Michelsen as part of the edition: 10 Elite Women in Business, 2025.
Over the years, Charis had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented people in the industry, including award-winning director Martin Scorsese and legendary actors like Nicolas Cage, Michael Douglas, Katie Holmes, Tobey Maguire, and Robert Downey Jr. She also collaborated with the top makeup artists and stylists, further honing her craft. Despite the success in front of the camera, Charis felt a pull to return to her roots in fine arts, leading her to pursue a professional makeup artist certification. This newfound skill led to an exciting opportunity as a spokesperson for one of the world’s top five luxury cosmetics brands.
“When the focus is on helping others, opportunities will naturally follow.”
Throughout her travels, Charis observed a universal truth: people everywhere wanted to look their best but often lacked the knowledge to achieve their desired appearance. This realization spurred her to dive deeper into the subject, reading every book she could find. However, she soon discovered that many of the answers she sought were either insufficient or nonexistent. Motivated to fill this gap, Charis created the first science-based Universal Beauty Standard System™. This system laid the foundation for her creation of Hollywood Beauty: The Art of Star Makeup and Grooming for Men: Dirty to Polished, comprehensive beauty books that she also illustrated herself. These works, available on her website, have been praised for their depth and insight.
Charis also used her system to create the first AI-powered personal stylist, a groundbreaking innovation in the beauty and fashion industries. Her work aims to help people embrace their unique beauty, encouraging them to feel confident without the need to replicate someone else’s look. Charis firmly believes that everyone’s individuality should be celebrated and that true beauty comes from within.
Reflecting on the challenges she faced early in her career, Charis recalls how she once believed that the available options were the only ones she could pursue. It wasn’t until she realized she had the power to carve her own path that she found true empowerment. As an actress, Charis once hoped to land meaningful roles with well-written scripts that conveyed depth and inspiration. However, after finding that many scripts fell short of her expectations, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She studied screenwriting and received mentorship from a former president of Universal Pictures, known for his mastery in storytelling. This mentorship led Charis to write screenplays professionally, work on several of her own projects, and take on roles both on and off camera.
Her journey has taught her that determination and hard work, coupled with attention to detail, can change the world around you and help bring your vision to life. For Charis, success is about more than just personal achievements—it’s about creating opportunities where none seemed to exist and empowering others to do the same.
When it comes to leadership, Charis believes that a great leader is one who works tirelessly without complaint, is always focused on serving others, and leads by example. A leader should demonstrate humility, patience, and a commitment to educating those around them. In today’s business world, Charis finds that a few qualities stand out as essential for success: empathy, integrity, and a clear focus on serving others. She emphasizes the importance of genuinely caring about others’ interests and helping them achieve their goals. Building strong, authentic relationships and maintaining transparency are cornerstones of her philosophy. Charis also stresses the importance of never letting the pursuit of money cloud your judgment. She believes that when the focus is on helping others, opportunities will naturally follow, often leading to greater success and larger deals.
“A great leader works tirelessly without complaint, is focused on serving others, and leads by example.”
For young women looking to follow in Charis’ footsteps, her advice is simple yet powerful: never see being a woman as a hindrance. She encourages young women to reject the notion that they are at a disadvantage because of their gender. “We have the power to change our worlds and others’ worlds for the better,” she says, “and nothing can stop us unless we allow it.” Charis emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong boundaries, never dimming one’s light for others, and persisting in the face of obstacles. Her message is clear: don’t let anyone or anything hold you back from achieving your dreams.
Charis also believes that women in business can support one another by helping each other achieve their goals. She encourages women to take the time to understand the aspirations of other women and actively work to support them. This mutual support fosters an environment where everyone can thrive. Charis is a firm believer in the power of women supporting women and finds that only insecure, unempowered women seek to tear others down. On the other hand, empowered women lift each other up, creating a stronger, more supportive community.
For Charis, her greatest source of inspiration comes from her faith in God. The wisdom found in scripture, particularly the passage, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you,” guides her actions and decisions. Charis credits her success and the unexpected blessings that have come her way to her unwavering focus on serving others and aligning her life with the teachings of her faith. When thinking about the legacy she hopes to leave, Charis is passionate about inspiring future generations of women in business. She aims to leave the business world better than she found it by encouraging women to be fearless, pursue their dreams, and pave the way for others to surpass them. For Charis, success isn’t just about personal achievements; it’s about lifting others up, creating opportunities, and leaving a lasting impact that empowers future generations of women to do even greater things.
Charis Michelsen’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and empowerment. She has proven that with determination and a willingness to break the mold, anyone can overcome challenges and create a path to success. Through her work, she continues to inspire women to embrace their unique beauty, support one another, and lead with integrity.
“We have the power to change our worlds and others’ worlds for the better, and nothing can stop us unless we allow it.”