all-rounder. Inspiring. Shining star. Really. These are just some of the words used to describe the late makeup artist AJ Crimson. News of his untimely death began circulating on March 30, when friends and others took to Instagram to express their love for him.
In a statement his family shared with People, they praised the young artist’s influence on the beauty industry and in their own lives. “AJ Crimson was a makeup industry leader that set a standard of beauty that was sublime, beautiful and accessible to people of all races,” they wrote. “We as a family are heartbroken and devastated by his death, but grateful for the lessons he taught each of us with his truth, directness and guidance.”
The Detroit-raised makeup artist’s career took off in the early 2000s. Crimson began working in the costume department for the film 8 Mile, and while he was on set, his boss, Oscar-winning costume designer Mark Bridges, noticed his talent and opened his Los Angeles guest room to help him grow his career begin . From there, Crimson got chances to work with Will.I.Am and then Fergie, eventually developing a long list of clients including Christina Milan, Hilary Duff, Angela Bassett, Raven Symone and Estelle.
Working with Estelle inspired him to launch his eponymous beauty brand, he previously told Allure in a 2017 interview. Back then, it was virtually impossible for the British singer to find a contour that was dark enough, and that’s what he wanted to change. The result led to the launch of the Dual Skin Creme Foundation with the darkest shade, called #8, a hickory shade. “AJ Crimson Beauty is about the end of girls who have to fit into other people’s boxes,” he shared. “I wanted to build a box around this girl.”
He worked hard to ensure that women of color, especially black women, of all shades could feel represented in a beauty industry that often didn’t do them justice. But his influence extends even further than his makeup artistry and beauty brand, as many reported in their tributes on social media. It’s hard to summarize someone’s memory in a single Instagram post, but many who knew AJ Crimson did a great job showing their love and admiration for him.
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