Kristen Bousquet, a twenty something writer for StyleCaster and Brit+Co, an entrepreneur, a make-up artist and photographer has charmed us with more than just the engaging content she shares. Her way of encapsulating the right values with stunning 70s style vibes and translating them into an enticing visual content was reason enough for us to want to cover her story. So we wrote her an email to which she kindly replied and the rest as they say is history. For the latest edition of Bastet Noir, she shares what it took to create her playful and polished Instagram aesthetic and how despite her growing popularity, she managed to keep that sparkle of joy that makes her so appealing.
Who is Kristen Bousquet ?
I am a Massachusetts-based entrepreneur and creative soul. It’s hard to nail down exactly what I’d consider my job title, but I am a writer with bylines at Brit + Co, StyleCaster, and TotalBeauty, owner of The Beauty Studio, a salon, spa, boutique, and photography studio all-in-one where I am a makeup artist and photographer, and a content creator on Instagram @kbousq.
Apart from being a beauty and fashion writer for magazines like Brit + Co and Stylecaster, you’re also a make-up artist. Could you tell us how the two jobs are different and how you manage to juggle between the two?
Yes, I am a makeup artist as well. I mostly specialize in bridal, but also do a bit of editorial on the side for fun. The two jobs are very different, but also have so many similarities. They both allow me to put my creativity on the forefront and make women feel beautiful. Whether it’s airbrushing a bride for her wedding day or writing an article on how to be more self-confident in skinny jeans, I am a relatable women sharing my tips and tricks with those that are just like me. Juggling all my hats is one of my biggest struggles that I am still working on today, but having a routine is what helps me most. I wake up, write my articles, head into the studio for the day, post on Instagram and engage, and then spend about 1–2 hours cuddled with my boyfriend and two Boston Terriers watching Law & Order: SVU. If I didn’t have somewhat of a routine, I don’t know how I’d properly manage.
Your Instagram account documents how you navigate through life, work and all the things in between while showing off your creative side. It’s our daily go-to source of inspiration and dare we say an obsession. It seems like you’ve mastered a certain type of style, sort of like a vintage-y Boho and made it your own. How difficult was it finding your style?
To be honest, this is something I’ve also struggled with. I’ve worked on creating many different presets and looks for my images in Lightroom, trying to perfectly portray my style with a filter. It’s been a process (as you can tell from scrolling through my page), but I think I’ve finally managed to get it right. I’ve always been a lover of vintage shopping and unique pieces from different eras — like the 60s and 70s especially — and love working them into my looks in a modern way. My style is definitely very different from what many people in my town wear, but I’ve just gotten to a point where I wear whatever I want regardless of what’s happening in the fashion scene.
Tell us a bit about your morning ritual
Normally, I wake up around 6:45am (or earlier), and I make my boyfriend breakfast before he heads into work. After he leaves, I spend some time looking through social media, my emails, etc. Then, I head to the computer and start my writing work for the sites I contribute to.
What’s your secret to staying focused?
Three things you wish you knew before starting out…
When it comes to writing, I wish I knew how unstable the industry is. Magazines are constantly folding — especially in today’s day, unfortunately — , editors are leaving for new positions, sites are turning over their freelance writers constantly. I love the industry, but I have to be ready to find a new gig at the drop of a dime.
When it comes to being a business owner, I wish I knew that I would be working 24/7. Gone are the days where I can clock out of work and not have to think about the business anymore. I love my job, so I’m lucky in that way, but there are absolutely times when I don’t want to think about work, but am forced to so that the business keeps running as usual.
When it comes to being an influencer/content creator, I wish I knew how much fun it would be and that it can actually be considered a career earlier on. I really started pushing my social media last summer, and it’s grown so much since then, but I wish I started earlier, to be honest. Social media is my outlet when I want to get creative and can’t in my other jobs. It’s almost been like therapy for me!
Strong female figure who has had a tremendous influence on your personal growth
My mother, of course, is one of the most influential females in my life. She is incredibly strong, supportive, and always willing to lend a helping hand. I’ve prided myself on being more like her everyday in my business.
Best female empowerment motivational speech.
I’m not a huge motivational speech listener, but I do tune into podcasts almost daily. I’m listening to GIRLBOSS Radio and The Skinny Confidential. I love listening to inspirational females talk about their careers, how they got into the current gigs, and the things that they’ve learned along the way. That’s been one of the best ways for me to gain insight, to be honest.
Biggest failure in life and what you’ve learnt from it?
I hope this doesn’t come off as cocky, but I haven’t had any large failures in my life. I’m the type of person where when I set out to do something, I will do it 100% to the best of my ability. Because of that, I’ve completed just about everything I’ve ever set out to do. There have been plenty of times where I’ve gone down a road that seemed to be right for me, but didn’t end up working out for me, and I’ve learned that that’s okay. As long as I keep on trucking, things will work out.
What’s in your Bastet Noir cart?
The Red Silk Jumpsuit and the Sophia Dress.
In today’s overcrowded space of self-proclaimed influencers, few people can honestly transcend their personality and build a platform that will impact people’s lives for the better. These rare gems are exactly the ones we admire the most and not just because of their integrity but also because of their ability to tell a story that will be a source of inspiration for years to come. So thank you Kristen for creating amazing content we simply can’t get enough of and for all of your kind support.
We love strong, confident and self reliant women, so if you think you got what it takes, send us an email with your Instagram account and the story you’d like to share and you might just become Bastet Noir’s next cool face.
If you liked Kristen’s story, there’s plenty more to come, just hit that sign up button to get in our inner circle of coolness and never ever miss a thang.