Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina With A K.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have had a passion for beauty and style my whole life. I grew up in Chicago and Los Angeles and traveled all over the country in my youth for my mother’s job as a stage performer. I drew inspiration from my mother’s vivacious stage clothes and the vastly diverse fashion choices I saw in my travels to create my own unique style. I later took my passion for makeup, fashion and beauty seriously and developed my skills under a celebrity makeup artist and a celebrity hair stylist so I could share my talent with others. I now specialize in styling hair and makeup for bridal, special events and preparing clients for photoshoots. Using my innate ability to see my clients’ true beauty potential, I match hair, makeup, and wardrobe choices to create a custom look for each client. I love the look on my client’s faces as they begin to feel inside as beautiful as they look outside and step out of my chair boldly ready to take on their day. I have been a personal makeup artist/hair stylist to a best-selling author and a signed musician in my career.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Everything in life presents obstacles and challenges and being a hair & makeup artist is certainly no different. While serving in the United States Air Force in my youth, I kept my focus on the mission to get me through all hardship and weariness. I had to think of the greater purpose to get me through the intense sacrifice that my job required to always bring my best to the team. Whenever I get tired or thrown off course by what this career throws at me, I stop to realign my focus and remember my “why” like I did in the military. Helping women feel beautiful is one of the most rewarding gifts in this world which can tear down our self esteem so easily. We see women transform before our eyes, walking in seeming unsure of themselves and then walking out feeling beautiful and empowered. Knowing that we can make such a difference in others’ lives makes it worth the struggle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the proud owner of Dress You Up AZ, a licensed, certified, and published hair and makeup business specializing in weddings, special events, and photoshoot glam. Although we operate out of Phoenix, we offer luxury mobile services to couples throughout the country and abroad.
Dress You Up AZ differs from other companies as we use nothing but high-end and luxury products, and I only team up with top artists to ensure my clients look their absolute best for their special occasion. I’ve spent countless hours studying under the best artists in the industry to perfect my craft and I share that knowledge to help my team meet the highest standards.
We create custom looks per-client tailored to their wishes vs. only providing a company signature look as you will find with some other beauty teams. We also understand the absolute importance that skincare plays in giving the optimal makeup performance to withstand all wedding conditions (crying, sweating, hugging, kissing, eating, etc.) to give our clients beauty that lasts.
I work with some of the top photographers and videographers in the industry and I understand the relationship between makeup and photographs better than most artists you will find. A woman’s beauty investment usually pairs with some of the most important pictures of their life and we take that very seriously.
I also have years of experience planning events and productions for world-class organizations which helps me incorporate my own system to effortlessly collaborate with your other vendors to keep your special events as joyful as possible.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have to give credit to my wonderful husband, Michael Freeman, for playing a large role in the success of my business. He has been my number one advocate from the start providing moral support and encouragement when I had self doubts. He has accompanied me on large jobs numerous times to help me carry my equipment. He is the best photographer I’ve ever worked with and always takes photos of my clients for my website and IG if I ask him to. He has driven me to jobs over 5 hours away since I’m exhausted after working on my feet for over 6 hours. He certainly deserves recognition for all the hard work and support he has offered me over the course of my career.
I’d like to recognize Veronique Munro, owner of Infinity Sun, for teaming up to produce so many fun projects and for offering her invaluable business mentorship and expertise to help me grow my business. Her dedication to helping women entrepreneurs grow their beauty business with her sound wisdom and proven strategies is commendable. She has always been very encouraging and is a very trusted ally in the world of business.
I’d like to thank all of the many clients I’ve had the privilege to meet and work with. They have trusted me with their beauty services and made me feel so welcome and appreciated. They make me feel like I just made a new best friend in the short time we get to work together. Continuing their support through leaving such kind reviews and giving referrals has been instrumental in helping my business grow.
I’d like to thank the many artists I’ve teamed up with who have selflessly shared their best tips and tricks to help me perfect my artistry, who have helped me carry equipment and set up when they didn’t have to, who have shared referrals and offered encouragement when needed the most. You have certainly fostered community over competition and I appreciate you for it!!
They have all helped me more than words can say and I am truly grateful! I look forward to paying it back and paying it forward to keep the beauty of this creative community alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dressyouupaz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dress_you_up_az/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristina.styles.10
Image Credits
Michael Freeman Veronique Munro Ron Brewer Andrew Faulds
