Since 1999, Christian V. has been working in the luxury beauty industry. Starting his career at an Estee Lauder counter on the Central Coast of California, he began to sharpen his skills behind a brush working with real women and men of all ages and skin tones. His beauty journey has led him to work at top retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Sephora, Bluemercury and Barney's New York (R.I.P). He has worked with some of the most prestigious and well known brands in the industry, including Pat McGrath Labs,  CHANEL, Dior, Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, NARS, shu uemura, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Laura Mercier, and Benefit, and a tenure at the original M.A.C Pro store in Chicago. He worked on various projects for sites like Refinery 29 to brush lines Ominia and Moda. He was honored to have the opportunity to work along side makeup gurus Trish McEvoy, Charlotte Tilbury, and Gina Brooke (Madonna's makeup artist at the time) during their personal appearances in Chicago.  Christian has worked back stage at many runway shows featuring some of the best designs including Valentino, Yigal Azrouel and CHANEL. He created unique looks for the dancers of Chicago's acclaimed ATOM-r Collective. Some of his makeup influences come from the tried and true pros like Bobbi Brown, Pat McGrath, Way Bandy, Sam Fine, Francois Nars, and Kevyn Aucoin. Fashion and pop culture have always been a driving a force in his life. Taking further inspiration from the likes of goth and new wave bands; designers such as  Alessandro Michele, Rick Owens, Marc Jacobs, Hedi Slimane, Olivier Rousteing, Kris Van Assche, and Tom Ford. His personal beauty philosophy has always been to enhance one's natural assets while still being you. "You should never hide behind make up.  Use it to be your best self! Always have fun, but just be you. Makeup is the most versatile fashion accessory. There are NO RULES! Express yourself as you see fit. As an esthetician I do believe it all starts and ends with skincare."   With his advanced makeup skills, background, love of fashion and current trends, Christian can create a custom look for you based on modern techniques and products. Outside of his freelance, he is currently an Esthetics and Make-up Educator at the Douglas J Aveda Institute in Chicago, helping foster the next generation of beauty professionals. Christian graduated from the Aveda Institute and is a licensed Esthetician certified in Lash Extensions, Airbrush Make-up and Chemical Peels.

 

BEAUTY BRANDS

PAT McGRATH LABS

M.A.C

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Stila

Giorgio Armani

AVEDA

Smashbox

Benefit

Illamasqua

Charlotte Tilbury

MAKE

Bobbi Brown

Trish McEvoy

shu uemura

Estee Lauder

CHANEL

Dior

Anna Sui Beauty

Tony&Tina Vibrational Remedies

Kiehl's

Juice Beauty

Nars

Laura Mercier

 

FASHION SHOWS

Fleurotica 2023

Elite Model Icon Fashion Show 2021, 2023

Rookie USA Fashion Show 2020

Live Out Loud Charity Fashion Show 2019

Saks Fifth Avenue and Valentino 

Saks Fifth Avenue and Yigal Azrouel 

Latino Fashion Week 2011

Misericordia Annual Fashion Show 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Gold Coast Fashion Awards 2005

Chanel Boutique: Resort 2006

MaxMara

Giuliana Tesso/Neiman Marcus

Sole Passion

United Colors of Benetton

Sisley

Arden B.

Alteration Ego By Heather Barstow

Akira

Club Couture Fall 2002 Extravaganza

Presence

Ragstock

Teranz Boutique

Hollywood Mirror

X-French T-shirt by Enlow

Bah'Rah by Donyell Wynn

The Fashion Underground

Emanuel Zellis

Katia Dove

Marnetta's Boutique

Emer

Aga B

Celeste Turner

H&M State St.Grand Opening Soiree

Spring Fashion Week Show @ Marshall Field's

Peek-A-View

Maximillian Fur Studio/Vogue Magazine

Summer Begets Fall Fashion Benefit for Genesis House

Xcito

Barbara Bates

SMS

Titotit

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DESIGNERS

Ancrinø Luxury Ostrich Leathergoods

Bah'Rah by Donyell Wynn

ORi’EN by Cyndi Chan

MelanieMichele & Exclusives For The Bride for StylesDownTheAisle.com

 

PRINT

Anne & Stiil Magazine

Stitch Magazine, a Northwestern Publication

 

TALENT

Atom-R Kjell Theory

Tree Thirteen/OTB Records

Chicago Gay Men's Chorus

 

TELEVISION

"Lincoln Park"

“Saints”

 

COMMERCIAL

Omnia Brushes

Moda Brushes

Flexi-Strand Hair Products Informercial

StylesDownTheAisle

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EVENTS

Miss Asian Chicago Pageant 2022

Charlotte Tilbury Personal Appearance 2018

Taraji P Henson and Jussie Smollet Personal Appearance MAC Viva Glam

101.9 The Mix: Eric and Kathy Pajama Party w/Liz Phair

WNND March Madness Makeovers 2004

101.9 The Mix: Style File

Fashion Show for Genesis House 2002, 2005

Trish McEvoy Personal Appearance 2009, 2018

Gina Brooke Personal Appearance for shu uemura 2008

Bright Pink Day of Beauty with Giuliana and Bill Rancic

Julian Kynaston and Leena Andesara Personal Appearance for Illamasqua Launch Show