Colorist for the Modern Woman
Kristen Linares is a hair & makeup artist to St. Louis’ aspiring talent, downtown dwellers, and business moguls. She is a 3rd generation stylist born and raised on the east coast who strives to perfect images, inform the misunderstood, and teach all a thing or two about their beauty regimen.
Raised in Tampa Bay, Kristen’s career began in 2005 and took off on the east coast. She began her professional training with global artists Patrick McIvor and Jayson Morgan in Bethlehem, PA. Her mentors exposed her to the world of high fashion, helping develop her taste for classic looks to avant garde. New York Fashion week has been one of Kristen’s greatest experiences as an artist. "“There’s certain energy when you are a creative person in New York. It’s as if you know you’re going to be a person who will accomplish great things for having been there!"” she says.
In 2010, Kristen moved to St. Louis and began working as Creative Director in a beautiful West county salon. Her position allowed her to work behind the chair while developing the salon’s image through photo shoots and Fashion Shows. Within a few months of accepting her position as Creative Director she was hired by Product Club Color Accessories as a hair color educator. Product Club enables her to travel the country and teach other stylist all the current trends in hair color and equip them with professional tools to make your hair color experience a great one.
In her free time while working in the salon and traveling nationally Kristen began styling hair and makeup for commercial and editorial photoshoots. Developing a solid portfolio of her work and promoting her brand was one of her favorite hobbies. Starting her blog, "Beauty and the Brain" motivated Kristen and led to a successful You Tube channel of “How To” tutorials. Kristen soon realized her dream of becoming an beauty mogul was within reach.
In June of 2012, with a vision of her dream workspace clear in her mind and a very small personal loan she opened Thirteenth and Washington, Salon. The space accommodates St. Louis' top independent beauty professionals. With a love & natural knack for interior design, Kristen has created a Modern meets Vintage atmosphere to inspire and liberate creative professionals. Kristen is an artist at heart who truly loves and is inspired by the world surrounding her. "“Fashion is simple, when you understand it. Finding it within is a little harder. I want to guide everyone I can to feel great about themselves and to feel confident knowing how to make themselves look their personal best".” says the artist.
Kristen strives to improve her surroundings, teach others, learn from others, & make an impact on how the world views beauty and wellness.