Holli Christensen, MSc.
Salon Owner
Certified Makeup Artist and Studio Hair Stylist from the Makeup Designory, CA Owner of Kensington Makeup Artists.
After receiving her Masters in Neuroscience from King’s College London University, UK and working as a research scientist, Holli made the switch from science to the business of beauty in 2008 starting her first company Kensington Makeup Artists – an on-location bridal makeup and hair booking company servicing over 150+ valley brides a year.
After much success, and timing with the trends, it was time to open a blow dry and beauty bar offering the same great services in an accessible location for everyday clientele. Holli and her businesses are a part of the APS AAAME mentoring program for local small business.
She was recently selected by the Phoenix Business Journal for the “Top Forty Under 40 Leaders of the Valley Class of 2011”!
Billy Rudd
Master Stylist
Billy likes long walks on the beach, big hair, and Blake Lively. As a youngster he already had a knack for the beauty industry, that lead him into attending Regency Beauty Institute. In beauty school he discovered his natural talent for styling. California left a distinct imprint of his own west coast style. out of school Billy started with Kensington, Park Avenues on location hair an makeup sister company, and from there his love evolved. And continues his love for bridal, being our Bridal Coordinator.
Q.What are three things you couldn’t live without?
A. Number one my Family, the cell phone of coarse!, and gap black V-necks. k, can i have 4?! kevin murphy angel wash! I’ve been addicted for ever.
Q.What inspires you as a person?
A. I take pull a lot from fashion and pop culture, and a mood can really make and break a look too.
Q. What are some of your specialties in the salon?
A. Cut, color, extensions, up-dos, and blow outs. I personally get most excited for creative color, and editorial styling.
Kylie Sparks
Master Stylist
Kylie fell in love with the beauty industry at eight years old when she gave her first hair cut to her childhood friend. While growing up Kylie was surrounded by a wide variety of arts, with favorites such as dance and photography but it was only natural for her pursue the art of beauty. “Nothing makes me happier than being able to do what I love as a career.”
” I love this industry because I am constantly being pushed and challenged to grow as a artist as well as a person. There is a satisfying element in making others feel great about themselves.”
Q.What are three things you couldn’t live without?
A.Number one, my handsome son, Hayden Matix! Number two, mascara. And number three has to be Mexican food!
Q.What inspires you as a person?
A. What inspires me most are the wonderful people I get to interact with and learn from daily. Over the years I have learned to grow from the most unlikely situations and circumstances.
Q.What was your favorite subject in school?
A. Art, of course and Science. I can be a bit of a geek about chemistry and formulations around the salon.
Kristin Aja
Stylist
Kristin has aspired to be a hair stylist since the day she could hold shears. Her drive to become a hair stylist lead her to graduate high school early and attend Penrose Academy, formerly known as Kohler Academy. She loves to help clients bring their visions to life and know they leave the salon looking fabulous.
Q. What is your specialty in the salon?
A.I really love styling and finishing the hair with a great blow out, and doing mens cuts.
Q. Describe your style.
A.My style is pretty corky. Im all over the board from classy to girly, country chic.
Q. Who or what inspires you as a person?
A. My coworkers constantly inspire me and help me grow as a artist. Each individual has their own unique gift. I alway learn something new from everyone I am around
Rayanna Tucker
Stylist & Makeup Artist.
Rayanna’a first client was her great grandmother on Halloween when she was only four years old. She was always practicing on her friends and herself while growing up. Some of her first face charts were on the pages of her Disney princess coloring books.Even as a child her mom would say “Rayanna was always good at makeup, that’s the only reason I let her wear it.” With the desire for change and the opportunity for a creative career Rayanna moved to Arizona and started cosmetology school. Form there she expanded her love and knowledge and has experienced so much in the beauty industry witch includes flim, editorial prints, bridal parties and fashion shows.
Q. What are some of your specialties in the salon?
A. I have learned and enjoyed doing many trades in the salon including extensions, facials, air brush makeup applications ,hair cuts and styling.
Q. What are three items you couldn’t live without?
A. Three things i couldn’t live without is my flat iron, great music, and my wonderful friends
Q. What was your favorite subject in school?
A. My favorite subject in school would defiantly be math. I love structure and the challenge of solving the equation and that math is the same in every country.
Lino Martinez
Stylist
Lino grew up with sisters who have a ton of hair and doing their hair was just a hobby of his when he was young. With other loves growing up such as singing and playing the guitar, he was in pursuit of a career that he could really express himself in all aspects of life. One day he walked by a beautiful salon full of beautiful people. He realized that he wanted to make these people beautiful himself. From that day forward he has devoted himself to the beauty industry, and is loving every minute of it. Doing what he was already naturally great at is defiantly proven to be a good match in the salon.
Q.Who or what inspires you as a person?
A.My best friend is constantly pushing me to be the best and encourages me to reach for the stars.
Q.What was your favorite subject in school?
A.I would have to say that art and music go hand in hand for me. Art has always been the curious side of me and singing and music is the soulful side.
Q.What do you love to do outside the salon environment?
A.I am also a musician, I play guitar and I sing, Im always singing everywhere I go.
Melanie Foster
Aesthetician
Melanie has always had a passion for art and creativity,everything from drawing, painting, sculpting, ceramics, acting, and dancing. Her background in art inspired her interest in makeup artistry providing her with a strong understanding of color, contouring, symmetry and balance. “As much as I love making people look beautiful I also love making them hideous!” Also specializing in special effects makeup and having experience doing makeup for a few films, theater and haunted houses.
Melanie also is a great aesthetician for the past few years.With her enthusiasm for skin care developing from personal skin issues and understanding the frustration that many people have with their skin. In order to offer the best possible treatments Melanie is active in continuing education every chance she gets. “It’s extremely rewarding to see my clients increase in confidence by helping them achieve healthier skin and put their best face forward.”
Q. Who or what inspires you as a person?
A. Inspirational quotes, deep conversations, traveling, music, art, theater and science.
Q. Name three items you couldn’t live without.
A. I don’t put much value on material things… the three most important things to me would be family, my close friends and my dog.
Q. Whats your favorite type of food?
A. I typically eat pretty healthy but buffalo wings are my biggest weakness.
