AJ Crimson is a makeup artist with a style all his own. With many years of experience in the industry, he has become known for making Black women look absolutely stunning on the red carpet and beyond. And his work has been recognized by some of the biggest names in fashion and entertainment, including Missy Elliot, Regina King, and Bresha Webb.

Not only was AJ Crimson a talented artist, but he was also an outspoken advocate for diversity in fashion and makeup. He believed that all women deserved to feel beautiful and confident, regardless of their skin color or cultural background. So in 2012, he founded AJ Crimson Beauty, a luxury cosmetics line “with Black women in mind first.” His beauty product line started with just lipsticks and glosses but has now expanded to include powder and cream foundations, available at Nordstrom and Amazon.

AJ Crimson also used his platform to speak out against racism and discrimination, creating makeup tutorials that show women how they can achieve a wide range of looks without needing to use heavy foundations or unnatural-looking hair dyes.

AJ Crimson Dead at 27

On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, AJ Crimson passed away at the age of 27. His cause of death has yet to be reported, however a rep for AJ Crimson Beauty confirmed his passing in a statement to People.

“Our entire team mourns this tragic loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with AJ’s family,” the representative said. “Our deepest sympathies go out to them. We absolutely loved AJ, truly one of the sweetest, most humble people we have ever had the pleasure of working with. We are all devastated.”

And they aren’t the only ones. His death left the entire beauty industry reeling, especially impacting his long list of famous clients. Many celebrities took to social media to mourn the loss, including Keyshia Cole and Christina Milian.

Those who were lucky enough to know AJ Crimson personally remember him as a kind-hearted and talented artist whose work touched the lives of countless women around the globe. Here are five lucky celebrities who got the AJ Crimson treatment:

1.

Brandy

 

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Brandy is an incredibly talented singer, actress, and songwriter who has had a stunning music career. She first rose to fame with the hit single “I Wanna Be Down” in 1994, and she hasn’t slowed down since then.

Throughout her career, Brandy has released numerous albums and won awards for her music. For example, in 2012, she released Two Eleven, which became her first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200.

Brandy is also known for her acting career. She started out as a child star, appearing in shows like “Thea” and “Moesha,” and she continues to act today. And more recently, she appeared in the hit show “Empire.”

Brandy is the darling of the Black community. So it’s no surprise that she would only hire the best of the best (see: AJ Crimson) as part of her glam squad.

2.

LeToya Luckett

 

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LeToya Luckett is a singer and songwriter who rose to fame after becoming a member of the popular music group Destiny’s Child. She left the group in 2000, but has since gone on to make a name for herself as both a solo artist and as part of the duo Ladylike. Her latest album, “Back 2 Life,” was released in 2013 and was met with critical acclaim.

 

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Aside from her talent, Luckett is also known for her beauty. And for a beat face, Luckett knew just who to call: AJ Crimson. The two worked together many times and even formed a friendship.

He even did makeup for her, Toya Johnson, and Monique Rodriguez as part of their campaign with Mielle Organics!

3.

Lauren London

 

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Lauren London is an American actress, known for her role as “New New” in the 2006 movie “ATL.” She has since appeared in a number of hit TV shows and movies over the years, including “This Christmas,” “90210,” and “The Game.”

Lauren is also known for her philanthropic work, as she uses her platform to raise awareness about important issues in and out of the community.

 

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In 2021, London partnered with the footwear brand Puma to create a line of apparel and footwear called “Forever Stronger,” inspired by her hometown and personal story.

To help promote the line, London teamed up with AJ Crimson, who did her makeup in a series of editorial ads.

4.

Estelle

 

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Estelle is a British singer with a number of popular songs under her belt. She started her career in the music industry as a songwriter, writing and collaborating with artists like John Legend and Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.

In 2008, Estelle released her hit song “American Boy” featuring rapper ‘Ye. The song became an international success, ranking at number 1 on the UK music charts.

However, Estelle was not only a singer and songwriter, but she was also the inspiration behind AJ Crimson Beauty. He dished on how it all happened in an interview with Allure.

“I was traveling with Estelle, we didn’t have a great contour color for her,” he explains. “I believe Estelle inspired the movement of what AJ Crimson would be and what the brand is becoming. There are a lot of brands that I’ve used for years that I love, but everybody’s missing a shade — that deepest color.”

Thanks to Estelle, AJ Crimson Beauty would go on to receive critical acclaim, having been featured in many notable publications, TV shows, and on top runways.

5.

Naturi Naughton

 

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Naturi Naughton began her career as a singer in the girl group 3LW, but she eventually branched out into acting. She landed her first major role as Tasha St. Patrick on the hit TV show “Power,” which has since become one of the most popular Black series on television.

As a beautiful actress, Naughton has worked with some of the most talented individuals in the industry. This includes AJ Crimson, the brains behind a number of her best glam looks.

 

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The two formed a friendship that would later turn into a partnership when AJ Crimson Beauty announced its launch of “Celebrate You,” a three-piece lip collection featuring Naughton herself.