The 4th Edition, of The Hair, Makeup & Styling Career Guide is a 400 page comprehensive text and workbook filled with practical advice, step-by-step instructions and rare insights that will help you to launch and sustain a career behind-the-scenes as a freelance Makeup, Hair or Fashion Stylist.

Even people who don't like to read, love this book. It's like having Crystal right there as your own personal agent, walking you through the process of:

––getting jobs,
––finding an agent,
––testing with photographers,
––building a book,
––setting a day rate for your services,
––creating a comp card
––negotiating with art directors, editors, producers,
––formulating a resume
––assisting, and much much more!

We are honored to announce that the 4th Edition of The Hair, Makeup & Styling Career Guide has been chosen as the OFFICIAL text book for the fashion styling courses at the following prestigious colleges:

The Fashion Institute of Technology - New York
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles & San Francisco
Bauder College - Atlanta, and
The International Academy of Design - Orlando

Don't miss out. Stop floundering around wondering what to do to get started. When you order "The Guide" from us, you also get a FREE back issue of 1stHOLD. A $6.95 value.

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Read MORE of what others have to say about
the "Career Guide" and the Author!

Hey Crystal:

I just finished reading the styling guide last night and I must
say WOW. I had no idea that a career in fashion styling took that much dedication. Thanks for the enormous amount of useful and helpful information. Now that I have your book, I now know what I need to do in order to get my career started.
Thanks Much,

––Daphina J

By the way-did I mention that the book was awesome!
Crystal you rock!

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Dear Crystal:
If there was ever a better tool to purchase other than my makeup supplies it is, “The Hair, Makeup, Stylist Career Guide”, however it took me some time to realize that.

At one point I was so disgusted trying to pursue my career I was ready to throw in the towel. I was talking to a friend that referred me to your agency, and thought maybe you could give me some insight on the business and getting started.

When I first called your office looking for assistance, Maleeza told me how helpful the “Guide” is and how it would answer all of my questions.

All the time I was saying to myself, “I don’t want to buy the book, I just want information on how to start my career as a makeup artist. A few days later and still discouraged, I called your office again and this time I spoke to you. You took the time and encouraged me to continue on with the aid of the “Guide”.

Relishing on our conversation, I decided, “What the hell, and I purchased the book”.
Was I stuck on stupid or what? What took me so long to see the light? From the moment I purchased the “Guide” and began to read I could not put the book down until’ I finished it. I finished it within a few hours and I still read it over and over.

The Guide is a gold mine. I highly recommend it to anyone pursuing a career in makeup, hair, and fashion styling. I have made progress in leaps and hurdles as far as testing with photographers, networking with other artists, and working with film and photography students. I am currently working towards finding an assistant makeup artist position to start my new career.

Crystal, you and your staff can be sure that you will be hearing from me soon. I am currently working on building up my portfolio. Because of you and the “Guide” I am going to be one hell of a makeup artist, and who knows, I might be fortunate enough to be represented by your agency.

Thanks again, and I will keep in touch.

Sincerely,


Debra Van Kallen
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Dear Crystal,

I just saw your book at Beate's office and wanted to tell you how nice I think it looks. I really like the format and also the on-going dialog with the professions. That is what separates it from any6thing else. It's a confidence builder I think,and what a positive thing to put forth for the people trying to make it here!!

I wish you a lot of success with this venture and enjoy seeing someone focus and achieve.

Sincerely,

Maura P. McCarthy
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Dear Ms. Wright,

I ran into you several years ago while attending Riverside Community College’s Cosmetology Instructor Trainee Program. you were promoting you book, “The Hair, makeup & Styling Career Guide”. I bought it and I can honestly say it inspired me to explore the possibilities of working as a hair and makeup artist in print and video. What I’ve discovered was a whole new venue for my career and I LOVE IT! Thank you for providing the detailed insight into the lives of those working in the business. They helped me as a freelancer to focus my interest and talent.
Also, the “Guide” gave me a clear “How To” approach for finding and negotiating jobs while building a portfolio. It also taught me the importance of securing jobs in a professional and businesslike manner.

The “Guide” continues to serve me as a reference when I need help in unfamiliar situations.
Thanks for lighting the way.

Sincerely,

Newman Glenn Millhollon
San Bernadino, CA
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Hello Crystal,

I hope this message reaches you in good spirits. I am writing for two reasons. I hope that you received the thank-you card that I sent to you. I believe that God gives us the ablity to attain knowledge for a reason, so that we can go out into the world to teach others, and I thank him for you.

Secondly, I wanted you to know that I have read The Hair, Makeup & Styling Career Guide 2nd Edition that you let me use until I received the newer edition in the mail. I have read the 2nd edition from cover to cover and I love it. I would appreciate if you would send my new edition of The Career Guide to my college address: T.K. Vauss, Slowe Hall, Washington D.C. 20001
I will keep my promise to give the old book to my school library, so others will benefit from your knowledge.

Hope to hear from you soon,

T.K. Vauss

1stHOLD magazine is the brainchild of agent Crystal Wright, whose company, The Crystal Agency, is a well known and respected firm used by art directors; photographers; fashion, beauty, and photo editors; and producers throughout the country, when they need a makeup or hair stylist, fashion stylist or nail tech for a CD, music video, ad campaign or television commercial.

1stHOLD was born out of Crystal's belief that the styling industry deserved a magazine that could meet the needs of aspiring and working, freelance makeup, hair and fashion stylists.

Now, through the power of the Internet, 1stHOLD is going ONLINE with the Fall 2003 issue. Our last print issue will be Summer 2003. If you want it, order online or call NOW, we're almost completely sold out of this COLLECTOR'S EDITION.

Let us introduce you to some of the industry's top Makeup, Hair and Fashion Stylists. Meet them and see their work in the Summer 2003 Collectors Edition Issue of 1stHOLD.

Don't be disappointed, with the ONLINE version,, we can offer you a more STEADY FLOW of INFORMATION. When we know it, you'll get it, and you won't have to wait til' next quarter either!

If you work behind-the-scenes in print, video, film, TV and fashion, then 1stHOLD Online is for you. It is the vehicle that stylists use to keep themselves informed of breaking news and tips to stay at the top of their game.

We address issues that affect your life as a freelancer by providing advice on career planning, self-promotion, product information and news.

1stHOLD ONLINE's feature stories will continue give recognition to freelance artists for the work they do "behind-the-scenes". Set The Pace enables artists to keep their creative juices flowing by providing information and guidance on the subjects they care about most.

Come to us to learn about business opportunities, trends, events, and the changing world of freelance styling.Topics covered include application, techniques, trends, new websites, hot products, services, stores, industry discounts, expert advice from insiders, agency openings & closings and more.

Turn to 1stHOLD ONLINE with your questions about work, the market, change and flux. If we don't have the answers, we'll get them. Let us be your main source of information and connection to the industry.1stHOLD Online reports on the products and services needed to successfully compete and complete your work in the entertainment, fashion, advertising and editorial industries. Your success is our business. Subscribe online or call us at (323) 913-0500.