What happens you get two kiwi honeys, a bunch of beautiful blue clothes and the cutest Coach bag in the southern hemisphere together? Pure, unadulterated magic is what. Case in point: this sunny collab between old CPC favey Imogen Wilson and new favey Crystal in Auckland, New Zealand.
You might remember Crystal from the front row of Stolen Girlfriends Club, where Ana Scotney asked her some hard hitting questions her for our IGTV. And now she’s back at it, dishing up truths on the transformative powers of makeup and self-help books and recommendations on the best hiking spots and premo kai (food) to be found in Auckland, among other things.
Find out what puts a spring in her step below, and then check out the very palatable shoot above!
I hear you ~flipping~ love doing makeup. Has that always been the case?
Makeup is quite a new form of expression for me. It happened all very naturally—I had taken a mental health break from fashion school and had ceased from doing anything creative (or anything at all). I found it difficult to design and make garments, though I still desperately needed a creative outlet. Makeup slowly emerged from a difficult mundane routine to become an art form. It transformed from being a way to disguise the face of a shattered being, to a way of enhancing her and allowing self-expression when speechless. It's a fun hobby of mine! Now that I've been resurrected, I can't wait to marry my makeup with my garments.
What’s your earliest beauty memory?
I was a pre-teen with a side fringe and going through an emo phase. I would blast 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge' and darken my eyes with black eyeliner, and with the same pencil I would draw on black lips and take webcam pics.
What does beauty mean to you?
Anything that evokes happiness and plasters a massive goddamn smile on your face!
Best book you’ve read recently?
I read Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto over and over again—it is my favourite book of all-time and had been recommended by a very dear friend who knew with absolute certainty that I would love it.
What book(/s) have had the biggest impact on you, and why?
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. Feels so strange and corny to appoint a 'self-help' book as one of the most impactful, however it is written with such eloquence that it actually makes sense and is very digestible. Again, recommended by the same angel that recommended Kitchen to me.
What are you most curious about in life?
Love and sex.
Favourite spot to hike?
Well my favourite walk is the Karangahake Gorge tracks. I love a summer hike sans a large backpack!
Go-to restaurant in Auckland?
Big Js Takeaway does premium kai.
What’s your signature dish (bonus points for the recipe)?
Soggy-arse weetbix!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to sell ancient precious clothes out of the back of my car, maybe a few of my own creations, too. Possibly paint faces by the beach in the summer (I loved having my face painted at fun fairs as a child). And hopefully I could sweet talk my best pal who bakes heavenly desserts to come along and have bake sales alongside!
Words: Maddy Woon Photos & Fashion: Imogen Wilson
Crystal is represented by The Others
Shot on location in Auckland, New Zealand
