MY INSPIRATION STORY
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I've been drawn to a creative lifestyle for as long as I can remember. As a product of being a native New Yorker, I was raised in an incredibly artistic and open-minded community led by an ever changing world of music, fashion, and culture.
At the age of eighteen I found my passion while working for a small off-broadway theatre. I got hired as a bartender. It was a small, seemingly insignificant gig. What I didn’t realize was that I was part of the creative beginning of productions by Diane and Randy Weiner, who would soon become award winning writers and directors of some of New York City’s best, most characteristic Broadway shows and musicals. Some of their best works include Hair, The Donkey Show, Sleep No More, The Box and so many more.
As a young adult, I got to witness these directors’ artistic processes almost every day for over a year. To me, their work was the most fascinating craftsmanship of the arts. The way a story was woven together, then directed, then brought to life for nightly shows with vivid voices, props, wigs, costumes, makeup, and hair to bring out the individuality of each character was extraordinary. I was in love!
Although I was originally a bartender, I began to assist in the show’s hair and makeup artistry more and more. Despite the time-constraints of putting together a show and fulfilling my server duties, I loved the job. There was so much heart, character, and creativity poured into the process, and I enjoyed more than anything getting to be a part of it all.
What inspired me most through this job wasn’t just the hair and makeup. It was the ability to creatively direct; that is, tell a story.
Out of this, came my love for hair and beauty, and I made the decision that I was going to work for New York City’s top hair and makeup brands: Bumble and Bumble & Make Up Forever.
In addition, outside of work I've always had a personal interest in combining wellness and beauty, which led me to study a lifelong routine of raw and clean beauty techniques, many of which make their way into my makeup applications and hairstyling/cutting services. I took this interest one step further, and built a private clean beauty salon Clean By Crystal located in Nomad, NYC.
I enjoy educating those interested in blending healthy clean beauty skincare, makeup and haircare.
MY CAREER PATH
I began my journey into the world of beauty by studying, working, and eventually teaching for the famed Bumble and Bumble. I stayed with them for over ten years, learning everything there is to know about the unique craft of razor and scissor haircuts, and hairstyling techniques from the industry’s best. I had the unique experience of working backstage during NYC fashion week for 8 straight years learning different skills and techniques from some of the best hairstylist in the world such as, Laurent Philippon, Dennis Lanni, Amy Farid, James Pecis, Jimmy Paul, Rolando Beauchamp, Sabrina Michaels and many other talented artist.
After completing and mastering the art of haircutting and styling at Bumble & Bumble, I moved on to focus on mastering makeup art. I started off my makeup career journey at Make Up Forever Academy in Soho, NYC. Once again luckily, I started off right away learning from the industries best celebrity makeup artist Jen Evans. Shortly after I was mentored and privately trained by Diane Solomon a local 798 union worker on set for SNL (Saturday Night Live) for over 20 years.
In 2017 I set off to start working with some of NYC's top talent agencies and production teams as a combination artist. My services have been rendered by major fashion agencies such as Honey Artist, Art Department, The Streeters, and many more. Some of my work and collaborations include illustrious brands such as DKNY, ABC Studios, Teen Nickelodeon, Jameson, Rado Watch, Akin Army, Wing Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Best Buy, T-mobile as well as many other small start-up brands looking for a creative hair and makeup art director.
My personal mission, dedication, and passion to connect to my subject, team and work has brought me great success in the industry. I have always considered myself to be an adventurous stylist, I enjoy taking calculated risks, and experimenting with new ideas.
