Meet Kristie Lu | Beauty and Makeup

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristie Lu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always believed that success comes from having passion before focusing on making money. When I was younger, I struggled to find my career path. I tried many different jobs, hoping to discover what I truly enjoyed. At one point, I pursued a nursing degree because I heard it paid well, but I quickly realized it wasn’t for me—I’m afraid of blood!

Later, I got a job as an assistant in a beauty salon. At first, it was just a job to pay the bills, but I soon fell in love with the beauty industry. Helping people look and feel their best became something I was truly passionate about. To move forward, I went back to school and earned my cosmetology degree and license.

After nearly a decade of experience, I had the opportunity to open my own salon in the city. It did well, and eventually, I expanded into a bigger salon to better serve my clients. I didn’t initially plan to build a successful business, but my passion for making people feel beautiful has always pushed me forward. As my clientele grew, I realized the need to become more efficient, which led to building a team of makeup assistants for larger jobs.

Passion has always been at the heart of everything I do, and it’s what keeps me going in this business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is all about helping people feel their best through personalized hair styling and makeup. What sets me apart is the connection I build with my clients—I tailor every look to highlight their unique beauty. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built and the growing success of my makeup team, allowing us to take on bigger events and projects.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Balancing creativity with the business side was challenging, but with hard work, support from family and mentors, and a lot of perseverance, I made it through. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay passionate and trust myself.

My brand is built on passion, personal connection, and the goal of making every client feel confident and beautiful. That’s what drives me, and it’s the heart of my story.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and encouragement of so many people. First and foremost, I have to give credit to my family. They stood by me through all the ups and downs, especially when I was uncertain about my career path. A special shoutout goes to my uncle, who played a huge role in helping with the remodeling and construction of my new salon. His hard work and support made a big difference in getting my business to where it is today.

I’d also like to recognize the mentors I’ve had throughout my journey in the beauty industry. From the salon where I started as an assistant to the professionals I’ve learned from along the way, their guidance has been invaluable. They taught me not just the technical skills but also the business side of the industry, which was just as important for my growth.

A special shoutout also goes to my loyal clients. Their trust and appreciation for my work are what motivate me every day. I’ve built lasting relationships with many of them, and they’ve played a big role in helping my business grow through their referrals and positive feedback.

Finally, I want to give credit to myself and my belief in what I’m capable of. Navigating different jobs, going back to school, and starting a business required a lot of perseverance and self-belief. Trusting my passion and pushing through challenges has been key to my success. Without that inner drive, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today.

I’m truly grateful for everyone, including myself, who’s been part of this journey.

Website: https://kristiebeaute.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristie.beaute/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinalu318

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kristie-beaute-temple-city-3

Image Credits
Nicholas Tam, Carissa Woo