Krystal Hardy, founder of Age of Aquarius Artistry, Make-up Artist, Beauty Editor for IKon Magazine, and Cosmetic Consultant is making flames down in Miami. Originally from Wisconsin, Krystal moved to Miami to pursue her career as a make-up artist.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Krystal as a Make-up Artist extraordinaire! I must say outside of her amazing make-up skills, she has a great personality and is really down to earth. A true artist at heart.
As you can image when 2 make-up artists combined it was a little hard to stay on track, but I was able to stay focused for a hot second to complete the interview.
Model: Juliette Black /Photography: davidbenolielphtography.com
LYB: So Krystal when and how did you start doing make-up?
Krystal: It was completely by accident. I grew up as a tom-boy and was never into make-up really. I was working for a magazine after college, but that did not work out, so I started working for Marshal Fields for a while in the cosmetics department. I fell in love with it! First with facial care, because you can’t enjoy make-up unless your skin is in good condition and then I started experimenting with colors and duplicating looks I saw in magazines in my spare time.
LYB: How would you describe your art if you could categorize it?
Krystal: Make-up is an art and usually people in the industry understand that. Uhm, I never really thought about that. I would say innovative because I don’t do a lot of conventional things or use the conventional colors. I’m always striving to be different. I usually do what comes to my head. I never really sit down and design a look.
LYB: What music genre emulates your makeup style?
Krystal: Classical as a smooth edge, timeless and is still very different and unique. I grew up on Classical music. I used to play the violin and mom loved it as well.
Model: Juliette Black /Photography: davidbenolielphtography.com
LYB: What motivates you?
Krystal: Family, I do this for my family. It was really hard for me to move out here because we are a really close-net family. And for young artists, when I see that they love my work, it motivates me and inspires me to work harder. I moved to Miami with the company that I work for part-time and plus Miami is bigger in the fashion realm.
LYB: What are your favorite products?
Krystal: Mascara Iam so picky with mascara - MAC false lashes; Lip Color I jump around as long as it has a nice pigment and is blendable; Foundation MAC face & bodyas “ I use that probably 75% of the time. It’s natural, easy to work with it. IMAN foundations and powders are also good for women of color.
LYB: What are your top 3 Must Haves for your own makeup kit?
Krystal: I have to have a really nice concealer, you can do so much with that, you can use as a base for eye shadow or for eye brow shape, a neutral lip gloss, and a nice mascara (MAC false lashes).
Model: Juliette Black /Photography: davidbenolielphtography.com
LYB: What is your favorite makeup look?
Krystal: Everyday beauty I love to 3 colors on the eye. It’s about taking the time in separating the eye into 3. As long as you keep it separate you can create so many looks. I like to keep it simple. Light shadow on the lid,  mid tone on the lid, dark in the crease, and a soft foundation powder (colors are subject to their skin tone); a little bit of blush; and a neutral lipstick or a bright lipstick; and sometimes fake lashes, not the drag queenishâ ones!
LYB: Give us some healthy skin tips.
Krystal: Making sure that you use a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type, moisturizing, having a good scrub and a good mask. My best line is Origin. It’s all natural. They use a lot of white tea in their products and a lot of aromatherapy.
Model: Juliette Black /Photography: davidbenolielphtography.com
LYB: And just for fun, what is your New Year’s resolution?
Krystal: I really didn’t make on this year. 2010 was a great year for me and I want to keep that going for 2011.
You can learn more about Krystal at her blog:Â www.krystalhardy.blogspot.com
Model: Leidy J / Makeup: Krystal Hardy /Hair: Jasmin Lisboa /Styling: Ace Stylista /Photography: Maksimilian Dikarev
