NEWS

New York Magazine - Critics Pick

10/3/07

Beauty artists and business partners Gabriel Trujillo and Jeffrey Fernandez opened Sparkle Beauty Studio in late 2003, after rising through the ranks of the backstage beauty world in the 1990s. Their two-chair parlor pays homage to the venerable Max Factor salon of yore via a lustrous dose of vintage Hollywood glamour. Tinted plate-glass windows grant privacy for the often high-profile clientele, while simultaneously allowing plenty of natural light which, as these pros know, flatters most skin tones. In addition to Sparkle’s own VIP hair-care line, Trujillo and Fernandez use a variety of products—depending on each client’s needs and also in support of the larger beauty industry—so everyone gets their own personalized product recommendation list. All services begin with a pre-wash oil treatment and scalp and hand massage, and seldom do clients depart without being polished to the hilt: Cut, color, brows, and expertly applied makeup literally leave everyone looking ready for their tiaras. — Sarah Walker