Hailing all the way from the City of Angels, L.A, the Armenian-American beauty Kristine Luis lets us in on how she came to Namibia and how her beauty brand “Hott Off the Heels” all started.
So who is Kristine Luis?
My full name is Kristine Lementsyan Luis. I’m an Armenian-American, and I always tend to mention my background because coming from Los Angeles, a melting pot metropolis of so many beautiful cultures and ethnicities from around the world, we love to learn and talk about each other’s unique backgrounds.
I moved to Namibia in 2012 after completing my University degree, to be along side my now-Husband, who is Namibian himself.
Needless to say, I was homesick after making such a big move and felt a longing to bring a little bit of home to my new home. This is where “Hott Off The Heels” and “Bringing LA 2 Africa” was born.
On a more personal level about myself, I love to travel and I love to meet people from all around the world. I was a cultural dancer for 20 years and moved into a love for fitness right after. I value family, good friends, good memories and a lovely community amongst women. Life is too short for drama and I live by these values. I also passionately promote taking care of oneself on both the inside and outside. This includes keeping healthy, and putting effort in looking and feeling beautiful.
Talk to us about Hott Off The Heels and your passion for makeup?
Hott Off The Heels is a brand, more so, than just a company or shop. It is fresh and hot off the heels of the LA scene, hence the name. And this doesn’t just refer to makeup, but other trends, products and styles that are popular in Los Angeles. But it just so happens that the beauty and makeup industry are at their all-time highest level of popularity right now.
So with the idea of Bringing LA 2 Africa, and out of my love for skincare, beauty products, and makeup artistry came my passion for bringing what is so abundantly available to the ladies in Los Angeles, to us make-up-loving ladies in Namibia.
I can have a client over and talk for over 3 hours on the subject of makeup, essentials, tips, steps, importance of skincare, etc. And I never tire of it.
My passion isn’t just about painting the face, it’s so much more than that. Like I had said, taking care of ourselves as strong beautiful women, both inside and out, and embracing our femininity as a superpower, is the ultimate dream for #LA2Africa.
Where do the products come from? Do you carry specific brands?
Since I try to steer in the direction of where the beauty market is going and stay in line with the hottest products in LA, the brands I stock are always changing. All are specially from Los Angeles and/or New York. As of now though, I carry a large variety of brands that are adored by so many bloggers. This list includes ELF, ColourPop, Urban Decay, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Dose of Colors, Too Faced, NARS, Makeup Forever, Morphe, Lorac, EOS, NYX, Lumee Case, Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, Mario Badescu,….ahhh the list goes on. In addition, I accept orders of products I might not carry at the time.
3 Top Tips When Buying New Makeup
- Make sure you are being consulted by a knowledgeable person that can help you choose the best products for you and your budget. Don’t get “sold” products you won’t actually use and fall in love with using everyday, it’s a waste of hard-earned ‘boss-babe’ money.
- Start with a small collection beginning with the face and lips, and then continue to more detailing products like brows, eyes, lashes, setting, etc. Begin with a foundation you feel really good about, a contour powder (or bronzer), a highlighter for glow, and a lippie you’ll just adore taking selfies with.
- DON’T get intimidated or afraid to try something different, something bold. “Makeup Shaming” is an actual thing and we should not fall prey to this type of bullying or old-fashioned ideas. Try a dark lip, try a winged liner, the message is try it all and have fun with your beauty. That’s the point. Remember: We don’t wear makeup because we ‘have’ to, we wear it because we ‘want’ to. Enjoy your femininity.
What are your best selling items right now?
Some of the products that fly off my shelves as soon as they arrive are Dose of Colors matte lipsticks, ColourPop matte lipsticks, the Beauty Blender, highlighters, brushes and contour/highlight kits. But the top of this list is definitely Matte Lipsticks, any and all brands. What’s not to love? They last all day, don’t smudge off and have deep pigmented color. One of the best creations of the makeup industry.
Must have item to get right now?
Dark Lipsticks, Highlighters, Moisturizing Foundation, and anything metallic. Metallic is the new rage coming this season.
Please give us 5 great ways to winter-proof your makeup
- Wear lots of moisturiser, its gets dry this time of year. Otherwise, if you have very oily skin, at least make sure your foundation is moisturising more so than mattifying.
- Use highlighters and bronzers to get the glow and radiance back that winter dulls away.
- Lip Balm underneath lipsticks. Dry cracked lips are not fun.
- Don’t shy away from dark colors for lids and lips, it’s the perfect season for it!
- Incorporate exfoliations and/or masks in your beauty regimen now more than any other season in order to scrub off dead, dry skin cells. Making your skin look bright and fresh. Good skin always results in good makeup. Skincare is an essential step in having “makeup on point” results.
I am able to assist in attaining the aforementioned products. I also assist in consulting clients on the A to Z’s of makeup, skincare, and beauty.
Youtube videos are also available on my website for tips and tutorials. I try to keep a regular schedule of new videos where I showcase new products or classic essentials. I try to show the simplicity of applying the products, not just the finished product.
Find Hott Off The Heels here:
Website: http://www.hottofftheheels.com/
Instagram: @hottofftheheels
Facebook: Hott Off The Heels
Tel: +264 818026077
