Storytelling Through Makeup
Karen Lynn’s thoughtful approach and proven mastery keeps her in demand for film, tv, editorial, and commercial work, from her home base in Chicago to the studios of LA and beyond. Her easygoing manner makes her a calming presence on any set or shoot, but it’s her ability to connect with whoever’s in the chair that has solidified her reputation. For her, makeup is a creative collaboration, and she works intimately with celebrities, actors, showrunners, athletes, and creative clients to interpret story through skin. More than what you apply, it’s what you bring forth, and her touch is natural and intuitive.
From Playmates to the President
Her three decades in the makeup world have been as much an adventure as a calling and the range of clients who’ve called on her is remarkable. After putting in her “10,000 faces” for Playboy Enterprises at home and abroad, she mastered the nuances of multiethnic makeup under department head Beverly Jo Pryor. Now, she’s come into her own as a department head known for her skill and sensitivity with all skin types and stories, including the transgendered community and underrepresented charities.
Called the “queen of HD” by Elle, studios like Netflix, Amazon, and Showtime have come to depend on her to run the department for new hit shows. She’s added her touch to shows like the Chi, Empire, and the Patriot, as well as films Native Son, Nightmare on Elm Street, the Ice Harvest, and more. She’s collaborated with leading ladies like Debra Messing, Gillian Anderson, Gina Torres, and Rooney Mara, leading men like Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hanks, Terrence Howard, and Conan O’Brien. From cover shoots with Ninja or Chance the Rapper, to boardroom shoots with a who’s who of the corporate world, plus commercial work for leading agencies like Leo Burnett, there isn’t much she hasn’t done.
And though she’s no stranger to the back lots of Hollywood, Karen has always been Chicago at heart, working regularly with the Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls. And when President Obama was on the rise, he called on “his girl” Karen to apply her touch and straighten his tie before he stepped in front of the lights. From print to motion pictures, leading ladies to athletes, editorial to executive, playmates to the president, there’s no one she can’t connect with and no persona she can’t help them create.
Nurturing Collaboration
These days, Karen spends time giving back to the communities that have given her so much. She loves now being in a position to nurture new talent and donate her time to CURE Epilepsy Research and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights. With each new collaborator, client, and charity outing, she continues to deepen just what the art of appearances can mean for those it touches, one face, one story, one soul at a time.
Storytelling Through Makeup
Karen Lynn’s thoughtful approach and proven mastery keeps her in demand for film, tv, editorial, and commercial work, from her home base in Chicago to the studios of LA and beyond. Her easygoing manner makes her a calming presence on any set or shoot, but it’s her ability to connect with whoever’s in the chair that has solidified her reputation. For her, makeup is a creative collaboration, and she works intimately with celebrities, actors, showrunners, athletes, and creative clients to interpret story through skin. More than what you apply, it’s what you bring forth, and her touch is natural and intuitive.
From Playmates to the President
Her three decades in the makeup world have been as much an adventure as a calling and the range of clients who’ve called on her is remarkable. After putting in her “10,000 faces” for Playboy Enterprises at home and abroad, she mastered the nuances of multiethnic makeup under department head Beverly Jo Pryor. Now, she’s come into her own as a department head known for her skill and sensitivity with all skin types and stories, including the transgendered community and underrepresented charities.
Called the “queen of HD” by Elle, studios like Netflix, Amazon, and Showtime have come to depend on her to run the department for new hit shows. She’s added her touch to shows like the Chi, Empire, and the Patriot, as well as films Native Son, Nightmare on Elm Street, the Ice Harvest, and more. She’s collaborated with leading ladies like Debra Messing, Gillian Anderson, Gina Torres, and Rooney Mara, leading men like Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hanks, Terrence Howard, and Conan O’Brien. From cover shoots with Ninja or Chance the Rapper, to boardroom shoots with a who’s who of the corporate world, plus commercial work for leading agencies like Leo Burnett, there isn’t much she hasn’t done.
And though she’s no stranger to the back lots of Hollywood, Karen has always been Chicago at heart, working regularly with the Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls. And when President Obama was on the rise, he called on “his girl” Karen to apply her touch and straighten his tie before he stepped in front of the lights. From print to motion pictures, leading ladies to athletes, editorial to executive, playmates to the president, there’s no one she can’t connect with and no persona she can’t help them create.
Nurturing Collaboration
These days, Karen spends time giving back to the communities that have given her so much. She loves now being in a position to nurture new talent and donate her time to CURE Epilepsy Research and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights. With each new collaborator, client, and charity outing, she continues to deepen just what the art of appearances can mean for those it touches, one face, one story, one soul at a time.
As a self-taught artist, her journey into the world of makeup began as a painter. Inspired by
both avant-garde and minimalist painters, j.'s love for the juxtaposition of clean beauty and the
oddities of balance are present in her work. Making the transition from canvas to skin not only
expanded her range of skill but her aesthetic as well.
j.’s rigor has garnered her the ability to collaborate with such leading brands as Nike, Atlantic
Records, Converse, Verizon, Kohler, Dillard’s, Adidas, MSNBC, AT&T, Hurley and others. Her
complete body of work includes television, theater, editorials, fashion/trade shows, bridal, and
brand campaigns.
She is the most complete when creating; planning makeup looks, on set shooting a TV show,
grooming corporate execs, or taking behind-the-scenes shots. With her innovative, kind, and
resourceful approach to beauty, j. hopes to inspire others to live freely while pursuing the best
version of themselves...unapologetically.
As a self-taught artist, her journey into the world of makeup began as a painter. Inspired by
both avant-garde and minimalist painters, j.'s love for the juxtaposition of clean beauty and the
oddities of balance are present in her work. Making the transition from canvas to skin not only
expanded her range of skill but her aesthetic as well.
j.’s rigor has garnered her the ability to collaborate with such leading brands as Nike, Atlantic
Records, Converse, Verizon, Kohler, Dillard’s, Adidas, MSNBC, AT&T, Hurley and others. Her
complete body of work includes television, theater, editorials, fashion/trade shows, bridal, and
brand campaigns.
She is the most complete when creating; planning makeup looks, on set shooting a TV show,
grooming corporate execs, or taking behind-the-scenes shots. With her innovative, kind, and
resourceful approach to beauty, j. hopes to inspire others to live freely while pursuing the best
version of themselves...unapologetically.
Patrick Ollie, makeup extraordinaire is fondly known for his amazing makeup skill set and verbal acumen. Patrick is beloved by celebrities and personalities for his innate ability to bring natural beauty and attentiveness on and off set.
Patrick hails from the Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts in Los Angeles and Pivot Point Institute of Chicago.
His career has taken him from Los Angeles, to Miami, NYC, and now Chicago. Patrick is most noted for working with high end modeling agencies, the famed Anastasia of Beverly Hills, CA and network television studios including FOX, NBC, and Showtime Networks.
His clients include Chanel, Hermes and Yves Saint Laurent.
Patrick Ollie, makeup extraordinaire is fondly known for his amazing makeup skill set and verbal acumen. Patrick is beloved by celebrities and personalities for his innate ability to bring natural beauty and attentiveness on and off set.
Patrick hails from the Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts in Los Angeles and Pivot Point Institute of Chicago.
His career has taken him from Los Angeles, to Miami, NYC, and now Chicago. Patrick is most noted for working with high end modeling agencies, the famed Anastasia of Beverly Hills, CA and network television studios. FOX NBC and Showtime Networks.
His clients include Chanel, Hermes and Yves Saint Laurent.
As far back as Bryin can remember he’s been drawing women’s faces. His passion for art and beauty eventually led him to New York City in 1990. Before starting his rewarding career as a hair and makeup artist, Bryin got his degree in Advertising and worked as an art director for powerhouse agencies McCann Erickson in Los Angeles and Grey Advertising in New York. Having an art director's eye helped Bryin quickly transition into the beauty industry. Bryin found himself assisting top makeup artists Kevyn Aucoin, Pat McGrath, and Francois Nars each season for New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park. Learning from these talented artists helped Bryin establish his own distinctive style of makeup.
For more than twenty years Bryin’s signature style of hair and makeup has graced the runways of top designers, national and international commercials, major fashion magazines, and many celebrities; including Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, Reese Witherspoon and Brooke Shields. In 2001, Bryin was awarded makeup artist of the year by NAHA, and in 2005 Bryin made WWD BEAUTY BIZ magazine’s prestigious the IT LIST, as one of Hollywood’s Glam Squad artists.
As far back as Bryin can remember he’s been drawing women’s faces. His passion for art and beauty eventually led him to New York City in 1990. Before starting his rewarding career as a hair and makeup artist, Bryin got his degree in Advertising and worked as an art director for powerhouse agencies McCann Erickson in Los Angeles and Grey Advertising in New York. Having an art director's eye helped Bryin quickly transition into the beauty industry. Bryin found himself assisting top makeup artists Kevyn Aucoin, Pat McGrath, and Francois Nars each season for New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park. Learning from these talented artists helped Bryin establish his own distinctive style of makeup.
For more than twenty years Bryin’s signature style of hair and makeup has graced the runways of top designers, national and international commercials, major fashion magazines, and many celebrities; including Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, Reese Witherspoon and Brooke Shields. In 2001, Bryin was awarded makeup artist of the year by NAHA, and in 2005 Bryin made WWD BEAUTY BIZ magazine’s prestigious the IT LIST, as one of Hollywood’s Glam Squad artists.
Chicago native Earl Nicholson, a highly acclaimed professional in the television/film and entertainment industries, has built his impressive career through hard work, dedication and a true love for deeply listening to his clients’ needs. Known nationally as a top creative talent, Earl credits his rise in the entertainment field – from make-up artist and wardrobe supervisor to creative director - on his ability to establish trust and the ability to translate ideals and aspirations with accessible beauty choices that clients enjoy on the set and in their daily life.
His innate taste and fashion expertise led Earl to establish distinctive looks for national television programs with celebrity hosts Kelly Clarkson, Steve Harvey, Tyra Banks and Jenny Jones, to name a few, and to work for major networks including DISNEY/ABC Productions, Fox/ Twentieth Television, Warner Bros., CBS/ SONY, NBC/Paramount and others in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
Chicago native Earl Nicholson, a highly acclaimed professional in the television/film and entertainment industries, has built his impressive career through hard work, dedication and a true love for deeply listening to his clients’ needs. Known nationally as a top creative talent, Earl credits his rise in the entertainment field – from make-up artist and wardrobe supervisor to creative director - on his ability to establish trust and the ability to translate ideals and aspirations with accessible beauty choices that clients enjoy on the set and in their daily life.
His innate taste and fashion expertise led Earl to establish distinctive looks for national television programs with celebrity hosts Kelly Clarkson, Steve Harvey, Tyra Banks and Jenny Jones, to name a few, and to work for major networks including DISNEY/ABC Productions, Fox/ Twentieth Television, Warner Bros., CBS/ SONY, NBC/Paramount and others in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Eric Pagdin is a naturally gifted and a highly sought after artist, renowned for his hair styling work on Oscar Nominated Hidden Figures, What Men Want and for his key contemporary makeup artistry work on the Emmy nominated hip hop show Empire.
Eric is Vidal Sassoon trained and began his hairstyling career in Beverly Hills working for the famous celebrity hairdresser Jose Eber. He began styling socialites and celebrities in the Beverly Hills circuit. Eric soon worked his way up to Artistic Director for both the Palm Springs and Dallas salons. While in Dallas, Eric was famous for styling the Dallas Cowboys and the infamous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, ESPN and the celebrated Neiman Marcus catalog.
Eric continued his artistry in South Beach Miami, FL. on the Orlando Pita styling team, working on numerous photo campaigns including Ralph Lauren’s Lingerie Collection photographed by the famous Herb Ritts.
Eric moved to Chicago and soon rose to be a top artist with Karen Lynn + Associates, working with Playboy Magazine, countless celebrities, advertising campaigns, TV commercials and TV shows. Eric is best known for his fierce artistic instinct and abilities and his infectious humor.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Eric Pagdin is a naturally gifted and a highly sought after artist, renowned for his hair styling work on Oscar Nominated Hidden Figures, What Men Want and for his key contemporary makeup artistry work on the Emmy nominated hip hop show Empire.
Eric is Vidal Sassoon trained and began his hairstyling career in Beverly Hills working for the famous celebrity hairdresser Jose Eber. He began styling socialites and celebrities in the Beverly Hills circuit. Eric soon worked his way up to Artistic Director for both the Palm Springs and Dallas salons. While in Dallas, Eric was famous for styling the Dallas Cowboys and the infamous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, ESPN and the celebrated Neiman Marcus catalog.
Eric continued his artistry in South Beach Miami, FL. on the Orlando Pita styling team, working on numerous photo campaigns including Ralph Lauren’s Lingerie Collection photographed by the famous Herb Ritts.
Eric moved to Chicago and soon rose to be a top artist with Karen Lynn + Associates, working with Playboy Magazine, countless celebrities, advertising campaigns, TV commercials and TV shows. Eric is best known for his fierce artistic instinct and abilities and his infectious humor.