Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet Latina Entrepreneur Krystal Fernandez
Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder, Krystal Fernandez, has launched her own Full-Service Mini Spa and Glam Luxury Mobile Experience. After having worked with luxury beauty brands for over 20 years, she decided to start her own business and created her very own skincare and beauty line called Manni, in partnership with her boyfriend, Manuel. Krystal came up with the name to highlight the unisex use of the beauty products. In her work she focuses on building self-confidence and recognizing inner and outer beauty.
To celebrate the launch, Krystal hosted a Beauty Night Out at her new store location in Roslyn Heights, where she did a makeover on each of her guests.
Start by sharing with our audience how you got started in the beauty industry and turned your passion for makeup into a profession.
I have always had a passion for glamour, makeup, jewelry, and fashion. As a little girl, I always used to play in my mother closet, with her make up and jewelry. I was that cousin, that all the cousins would come to have their hair and makeup done for all occasions.
What was your journey like, making the change from working with luxury brands like Dior and YSL, for over 20 years, to starting your own business?
After my divorce, I knew I had to find a job and make a career out of it. I wanted a career that I knew I was going to love. As well as look forward to going to work every day. One of the things that I love about working in the cosmetic industry is that I can meet a lot of different ladies, from different countries, and learn about different cultures. Having the opportunity to talk with many clients felt very rewarding and fun. While looking at different faces, I see all the opportunities to enhance a little bit - whether it was the eyebrow, the eyeliner, mascara, concealer under the eyes, or even just minimal foundation to cover a face. Enhancing my clients’ beauty and confidence felt very rewarding and I would look forward to it every day.
What has your experience been like as a Latina entrepreneur and how does your culture factor into your business?
Opening my boutique Royal24, in Roslyn Heights, New York, has been very interesting and challenging at the same time. Opening my business while in the middle of a pandemic, was one of my greatest achievements in my life. One thing I do is stay positive and know that anything and everything is possible once you put your mind to it and set your goals to making it happen. I am very proud to be Latina - our culture, our beauty, the glamour, it all plays a big part in my life.
You just launched your very own clean skincare/ makeup line calledManni Cosmetics. Why was it important for you to create your own products?
Having worked in the cosmetics industry for so many years, I have listened to ladies and gentlemen sit in my chair and share their needs, what they desire, and what they look for in a skincare regiment. I took all of that into consideration and decided to create my own skincare line called Manni Cosmetics. As a Latina, I would like to have the opportunity to give back to the world with a skincare line, that is both clean and simple to use. Anyone can use this unisex line.
Since Halloween is just around the corner, please share some of your makeup and glam trends for the upcoming season.
Always start on fresh exfoliated skin, because it is important to hydrate and moisturize your skin before putting any makeup on. This will allow your makeup to go on smoothly and stay on longer. One trick to maintaining your Halloween makeup is to layer setting products as you go, especially if you'll be layering shades of face paint or pigments. After getting down one layer, set it with a setting powder, like my Manni setting powder. After adding the next layer, set the face once again with the Manni setting powder. Lastly, make sure you set all the makeup with a Manni setting spray to allow your makeup to stay on all day, whether you’re trick-or-treating or at a Halloween party.