Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Cruz.
Kimberly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My passion first started at a very young age I come from a very long line of hairdressers and I was very fortunate to learn from the best of my mother. I was around seven years old when my mom first purchased a mannequin head for me and I remember practicing every single day. I would watch closely and try to emulate my mother and her style of doing hair. From a young, I was always clear in where I wanted to end up career-wise, I knew I wanted to be like my mom. I started to really think about my career path my first year in college. I was taking a public speaking class and one of our assignments was to create a how-to video on anything of our choosing. I chose to do a how-to daytime to nighttime makeup look. I asked one of my cousins to my model for me and I presented my video to my class. After my presentation, I received so many compliments and questions, even my first booking ever.
From there, I decided I wanted to do both makeup and hairstyling and I was determined to be very good at both. After my second semester, I spoke to my parents, looked for a makeup school and found one in my hometown of NYC. I attended Makeup- Designory (MUD). MUD gave me the tools to develop my own technique and I graduated top of my class it was four months of extensive training. I made great connections and experiences that would last a lifetime. I then moved back to Atlanta after I completed the course. Being a makeup and hairstylist has taken me places I always dreamt of but didn’t know how I was exactly going to get there. I have lived and worked in cities like NYC, Atlanta and Los Angeles. Working with well-known salons on fashion brands, film sets, red carpet events and TV, to creating looks for Vogue Italia, the Red Bulletin, The Washington Post, and TIME. The family business LD Beauty salon has been passed down to me and with the help of my mother and family, we are figuring out ways to stay on top in the middle of a pandemic. I have also started a cosmetic line that will be launching this Winter, KCruz Cosmetics, which can be found on IG @kcruzcosmetics, @ldb_salon, @kcruzbeautyofficial and FB at kcruzcosmetics.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have been chasing my passion professionally for almost ten years and no, it is not easy. I would say the biggest struggle is doubting yourself and waiting for the pivotal moment in your career that will change everything. Getting to that moment takes a lot of hard work and dedication and staying focused even when you might want to give up. Whenever someone asks me for real advice, I always say find what you’re really good at and market that fully. Be the best at something even if it’s not the popular thing because there is a market for you somewhere. “It comes down to finding something you love to do and then just trying to be great at it” Marc Cuban.
Whether it’s eyeliner, eyeshadow, brows, skin, whatever you feel, you are good at run with that. It can be easy to get discouraged in this industry but you have to create a lane for yourself and stay true to that. Be confident in your work and most importantly, master your skills and never stop learning. When it comes to running a salon, especially during a pandemic, it can be stressful but it’s about being innovative and it makes me work harder to make sure things stay running as smoothly as they can. Not to mention being a single mom of an extremely busy and adorable two-year-old. Shout out to all the beautiful moms there what we have the capability to do is incredible.
We’d love to hear more about KCruz Beauty.
When it comes to the salon business gaining and keeping our clientele is everything. So customer service is my number one priority. The second is making sure we are keeping the client’s hair healthy and beautiful. Most importantly, making our clients feel like the best version of themselves. With the new threat of Covid-19, making sure everything is as clean and safe as possible for both my staff and clients is my focus. Clients and staff need to feel safe so that they can continue to choose us. The same rules apply to the salon business, find what your clientele comes to you for and really capitalize on it. As for my freelance makeup business, I stick to my individuality. I stay true to my craft and myself. My clients love that I’m always positive, on time, and professionalism is key. I could sit here and talk makeup all day but your artistry and professionalism are what will set you apart from everyone. I would say I specialize in making people feel themselves. I never want to make a client look like a completely different person. I think of it as polishing taking your already beautiful features and amplifying them.
Skin is my main focus making it look flawless but natural is a true skill that I have acquired. I’m most proud of my Team and when I say team I’m speaking of my family, clients and true supporters that have supported me throughout my whole career. I’m proud of being a Hispanic woman and being an entrepreneur, I’m proud of my mother for bringing it this far and being able to pass the torch onto me so that we can continue a family beauty legacy. KCruzCosmetics we will be a cruelty-free, vegan, paragon free cosmetic line has been my life long dream for a long time, It’s my baby and my newest entrepreneurial venture. We will be dropping our very first lipgloss. When it comes to the salon business, gaining and keeping our clientele is everything. So customer service is my number one priority. Second is making sure we are keeping the client’s hair healthy and beautiful. Most importantly making our clients feel like the best version of themselves. With the new threat of Covid-19, making sure everything is as clean and safe as possible for both my staff and clients is my focus. Clients and staff need to feel safe so that they can continue to choose us.
The same rules apply, to a salon, find what your clientele comes to you for and really capitalize on it. As for my freelance makeup business, I stick to my individuality. I stay true to my craft and myself. My clients love that I’m always positive, on time, and professionalism is key. I could sit here and talk makeup all day but your artistry and professionalism are what will set you apart from everyone. I would say I specialize in making people feel themselves. I never want to make a client look like a completely different person. I think of it as polishing taking your already beautiful features and amplifying them. Skin is my main focus making it look flawless but natural is a true skill that I have acquired. I’m most proud of my Team and when I say team I’m speaking of my family, clients and true supporters that have supported me throughout my whole career.
I’m proud of being a Hispanic woman and being an entrepreneur, I’m proud of my mother for bringing it this far and being able to pass the torch onto me so that we can continue a family beauty legacy. KCruzCosmetics we will be a cruelty-free, vegan, paragon free cosmetic line has been my life long dream for a long time, It’s my baby and my newest entrepreneurial venture. We will be dropping our very first lipgloss collection this Winter. My team and I are super busy and getting ready for our launch. The main thing that sets me apart from others is my drive and dedication my willingness to keep building and staying on track. I’m also unapologetically me. I’m authentic to myself and my brand and people truly love that. Be yourself someone will love it. Build your brand around you and your morals and people will support you.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Although I don’t have any regrets and I believe that all my decisions, even the not-so-great ones, truly led to me where I am today, I would tell myself to be more patient and not worry so much and just enjoy the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: kcruzbeauty.com
- Email: bookingskcruz@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kcruzbeautyofficial, @kcruzcosmetics, @ldb_salon
- Facebook: kcruzcosmetics, ldb_salon
Image Credit:
Photo taken by Sirena Grace
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