Meet The Team
Kristyn
Smith
FOUNDER &
ESTHETICIAN
Don’t be fooled by Kristyn Smith’s soft-spoken voice and Southern California mellowness as she has been a powerhouse in the wellness and beauty industry for over 20 years. Beginning her career in beauty in London, Kristyn’s focus quickly shifted from using make up as a bandaid to creating radiant skin.
Upon moving back to Los Angeles, Kristyn’s experience grew as she worked with plastic surgeons as a medical esthetician and developed her own innovative techniques that approach skincare through a holistic lens. From consulting and launching luxury wellness spaces to curating diverse skincare products, Kristyn’s enthusiasm for creating and maintaining healthy skin has only grown throughout her career.
Her latest venture, Practise, specializes in treatments that both renew and restore the skin from the inside/out. Kristyn begins every facial with a consultation that factors in her client’s lifestyle. She then customizes a bespoke facial and treatment plan which replenishes, detoxifies, and balances the skin long after leaving the studio.
Mariel
Kennedy
ESTHETICIAN
Beauty has been a recurring theme throughout Mariel's life at all stages: lifestyle, educational pursuits, and profession. Before graduating with honors from the Christine Valmy International School, Mariel earned a BA in Honors English and Art History from Skidmore College and spent many years working in the fashion industry as an assistant stylist in luxury ecommerce departments and celebrity styling. Esthetics is Mariel's medium and artform--your face is her canvas to uncover your natural radiance.
Mariel aims to use her education and experience in European-style facials to assist her clients in looking and feeling their best. She grounds her practice in education, patience, routine, and full-body health. Mariel pursued aesthetics having seen and experienced the effects skin and appearance can have on mental health. While she strives to use stimulating massage to lull her clients into a restful state of relaxation, her focus is always on foregrounding skin health and ensuring her clients understand the how's and why's of their in-studio treatments and home regimen recommendations. Mariel self-identifies as a perpetual student and is always reading, researching, and testing new techniques, ingredients, and products in order to answer questions, make suggestions, and stay current.
To Mariel, skincare is a daily practice of self-care and upkeeping one's overall health as opposed to a luxury experience, and she prides herself in her ability to curate a hyper-individualized plan for each client's lifestyle, budget, and goals.
Kiana
Cruz-Hart
ESTHETICIAN
Kiana is a dedicated esthetician who graduated from Christine Valmy in 2019 and has been working diligently ever since to perfect her craft. She found her way into the skincare world shortly after earning her bachelors of science degree in Health and Nutrition Science in 2018. During her college career, she faced some skin health issues that she, at the time, had no idea how to treat or manage. Instead, she tried several skin irritating regimens, which led to further skin barrier disruption. When she took the time to research what her skin was in need of, she realized that a gentle and nourishing regimen was all her skin needed. This sparked interest in that of her colleagues, family and friends leading her into the skincare space; ultimately, allowing her to find her true passion—healing skin! Kiana took the step forward following her degree and started her journey as an esthetician.
Specializing in facial massage for the last five years, Kiana focuses on lifting and sculpting techniques to enhance her clients' natural beauty. More recently, she has embraced the Dr. Vodder Manual Lymphatic drainage (MLD) method to further support skin health, and overall health and wellness. Kiana believes that skin is situational, and her bespoke approach ensures that every client receives the individualized care their skin deserves; allowing for optimal results and overall radiance.
Education is a cornerstone of Kiana's work as an esthetician. She believes that continuous learning and investing in her skills are invaluable to what she can offer her clients. With a strong focus on product knowledge, understanding the body's functions, and how specific techniques influence results, Kiana ensures that her treatments are both effective and personalized. Beyond technical expertise, she is passionate about providing an experience that fosters healing and helps clients refocus; creating a collaboration between holistic, eastern and western approaches to skincare and wellness.
Kiana is a born-and-raised New Yorker, but currently lives in Jersey City, NJ with her husband, two children and their dog.
Kailey
Boland
LEAD ESTHETICIAN
Kailey has worked as an esthetician since graduating with honors from Christine Valmy in 2021. Before rising to Lead Esthetician at Practise, Kailey trained with veteran Joanna Czech.
Kailey worked in Fashion PR at Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs prior to pursuing a career in skincare. During lockdown she followed her passion for esthetics born from her own struggles with a range of skin conditions and having experienced firsthand the effects of stress and hormones on our largest organ.
Kailey has a love for product knowledge and continued education and training to best serve her clients' individual needs. She lives in The Heights in Jersey City with her husband and two cats.
Jolie
De Feis
ESTHETICIAN
Jolie graduated with honors from Christine Valmy International School in 2021, but her passion for skincare started many years earlier. Using her background in product + ux, education and community engagement, her goal is to make taking care of your skin accessible, approachable and most importantly, enjoyable.
After developing adult onset acne at 22, Jolie became obsessed with the science of skin. Being a teacher, she started writing about what she was learning, eventually launching her top-rated newsletter, Hotline Skin, which has served as a platform for her career as a practicing esthetician. She is also a contributor to New York and InStyle magazines.
Jolie lives in Brooklyn with her fiancé Alex and their dog, Goose.
Charlene
Almarvez
ESTHETICIAN
My path led me to the bustling streets of New York City, where I initially pursued a career in the modeling industry. Through the years of modelling I found my next career. Authentic beauty isn't about concealing, but rather celebrating the natural radiance of our skin.
This realization inspire me my passion for skincare, where I uncovered my true passion. I take immense pleasure in the art of sculpting and massaging the face, imparting a radiant and hydrated glow that promotes healing.
My gentle approach ensures your skin is nurtured and cherished, leaving you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and confident in your unique beauty. As a proud graduate of Christine Valmy, I've meticulously fine-tuned my skills, emphasizing minimal extractions for acne and reducing skin congestion. My philosophy revolves around enhancing your skin's inherent beauty, empowering you to face the world with confidence and glow.