RALEIGH, NC. Krista paints more than just hair. This stylist, educator, and content creator is reworking the paradigms in both artistry and entrepreneurship for the beauty industry. Out of her studio at Lux Salon in Raleigh, North Carolina, she has built a platform that melds technical skills with digital knowledge-enabling stylists to improve both their craft and their brand.
The big switch that changed everything
Krista’s beauty journey was not unidirectional: “I loved makeup and brows growing up, but I had serious concerns about financial stability in the beauty industry,” she remembers. Initially, Krista pursued dental hygiene. Until one day, a dear friend’s visit changed her mind. “It is jumping in blind, but knowing that someone would be doing it with you makes it much easier,” she says. “Once I toured the Aveda Institute of Chapel Hill, I knew cosmetology school was for me.“
Immediately after entering the industry in 2018, Krista found her passion for blonding and balayage. “I have always had a love for teaching, sparked by my childhood memories of seeing my mother teach dance classes,” she says. She was able to break down complex technique into understandable steps, which naturally made her an educator. “Other hairstylists would say, ‘You’re really good at explaining that.’ And over time, it just became something I enjoyed more than ever.“
Under her commitment to education, Krista then began creating a series of classes aimed at helping stylists sharpen the skills and build their online meaning with each other. “I’m just so thrilled to help stylists not only create beautiful work but also share it confidently with the world,” she says. Her next workshops will be held in Sarasota, Florida, Eugene, Oregon, and Raleigh, North Carolina; more will be announced.
Having had a great past in in-person training, Krista has also established a large online presence through her Instagram account @colorbykriss. She explains, “I started my social media in cosmetology school with the intent to attract future clients in my chair. The growth of my social media began when I started posting educational content.” This type of change attracted more clients and put her squarely in the role of industry thought leader.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Growth
Krista acknowledges this much at least, that burnouts do exist in the beauty industry. “Burnout is one of those things in this industry we’re taught to prevent. But I think no matter how hard you try to prevent it, you’re going to reach a point of burnout.” She emphasized embracing those moments to grow from them: “I think that we just need to embrace it and know that it’s not going to last forever.”
Looking Ahead
Her mission remains for her to empower stylists whilst expanding her empire. According to Krista, “Motivation comes from within. I am passionate about the work I do. I find myself constantly driven to learn more, do better, and push myself.” Her plans to teach at Hairbrained Sessions in Minneapolis and appear at Hb Fest in Palm Springs will allow her to make even greater changes in the industry.
