Christine Fitzpatrick knew she wanted to be a hair stylist the day she got her first set of foil highlights at age 11. However, not even preteen Fitzpatrick could have imagined her love of hair would take her this far.
In the years since she first discovered her love of hair styling, Fitzpatrick has become a master artist, educator, makeup artist, and one of the most sought-after bridal stylists in her industry.
Whether she’s working out of the Beauty Collective salon in Michigan, styling brides in New Orleans, or creating flawless styles to TV and movies, Fitzpatrick is an artist you want to have on your radar.
Her Background
Fitzpatrick remembers becoming obsessed with hair at a very young age. As a matter of fact, her first memories are of cutting and coloring her doll’s hair in Birmingham, Michigan.
I was obsessed with hair, makeup, and fashion...I remember being really inspired by my hairdresser. I thought she was so cool and I ended up assisting her at 16.
Before she even graduated high school, Fitzpatrick was well on her way to becoming a master stylist. Soon after beginning to assist her stylist, she enrolled in a local beauty school but quickly decided to spread her wings and add another skill to her already-impressive arsenal.
“I found out about makeup school to do makeup for camera or TV and film in New York and California...so I did that after beauty school,” Fitzpatrick explains. “By the time I was 19, I was building clientele and assisting on TV and film stuff for makeup.”
After landing her most impressive gig at a major magazine, Fitzpatrick thought she’d made it. it would take another few years before she found her real passion.
Her Passion
Fitzpatrick is one of those lucky few who discovered her true passion entirely by accident. When one of her regular clients discovered she was a skilled makeup artist as well as a stylist, she booked Fitzpatrick to style her hair and makeup for her upcoming wedding. Fitzpatrick has never done bridal work before, but that first wedding would jumpstart the most rewarding part of her career.
“It wasn’t something that I sought, it really just happened,” she says. “I’m really grateful because now it’s half of what I do and I love my brides, and a lot of them are clients that I see in the salon.”
When Fitzpatrick is not creating stunning haircuts and spectacular bridal looks, she spends her time educating the future master stylists of the industry. Fitzpatrick has been a fan of the L’Oréal Professionnel brand her entire career, so she was overjoyed to get the chance to head to the brand's professional academy for her balayage certification.
“When I got certified at the academy, I couldn’t believe how amazing the brand and education was,” she remembers. “That was when I knew I needed to be an educator...That’s how it all started. Within a year or two I was balayage certified and teaching it.”
While teaching and weddings only allow her to work out of her home base in Birmingham, Michigan one week out of each month, Fitzpatrick dreams of one day opening up her own salon.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own salon, so I think I will end up going back to that and I would love to have one in New Orleans because doing cut and color is probably my favorite,” she says. “There’s like nothing like the energy of the salon.”
Her Advice
After more than a decade in the industry, Fitzpatrick is full of advice for stylists and clients alike. If you’re looking to make it in the beauty industry, her advice is simple: Say yes to every opportunity.“If you’ve never done platinum hair, you’ll figure it out as you go. ay yes to that client...People told me to do that too even in classes as an educator, that’s how I’ve been making it as an educator. Just putting myself out there and saying yes to every single thing.”
If you’re just looking for great hair advice from a master stylist, Fitzpatrick’s got you covered as well.
“The advice I give to clients to achieve their healthiest hair—it starts with how often you shampoo, what kind of shampoo and conditioner you’re using,” she says. “Obviously L’Oréal Professionnel products, shampoo, and heat defense I recommend to everybody.”
Ultimately, Fitzpatrick will do whatever it takes to make sure her clients are pleased with her services.
“There is no better feeling than your clients being happy with your work.”
If you’re looking for a stylist to make your feel like a star on your special day, Fitzpatrick is the stylist you’ve been searching for.
Follow Christine Fitzpatrick on Instagram @hairandmakeupbytine. Book an appointment with her by calling 586-216-4239 or visiting www.christinefitzpatrick.com.
