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The Well
The Well is our sanctuary for considered wellness celebrating the people, brands, and businesses defining modern wellbeing, and curating the foods that nourish your skin, body, and mind.
The Interview Series
Sterling Wright: Cruz Salon
I sat with Sterling Wright to explore the heartbeat of Cruz Salon—a non-toxic haven crafted to nurture the soul. We spoke about her journey into clean beauty and her ethereal mission to awaken each client's inner glow. "I want every person to leave feeling illuminated from the inside out."
"My purpose in life is to kindle the light and fire within people.”
There are very few spaces where beauty feels genuinely restorative, and CRUZ is certainly one of them, inspiring people to embrace a more luxurious lifestyle. Nestled in Charleston, the salon carries a distinct sense of ease warm, elevated, and quietly transportive. The interiors feel curated with intention, boasting vintage textures, soft natural light, thoughtful details, and an atmosphere that immediately slows you down. There’s a sensibility to the space that feels reminiscent of Santa Barbara: relaxed yet refined, effortless yet intentional. Sitting with Sterling inside CRUZ, it became clear that her creation extends far beyond hair. For the inaugural issue of Peninsula Magazine, I wanted to speak with women shaping Charleston through beauty, wellness, design, and human connection women creating spaces people return to not only for how they look afterward but for how they feel while they are there.
Sterling embodies that beautifully. CRUZ reflects Sterling herself: warm, grounded, thoughtful, and quietly refined. Beneath the beauty of the salon lies a desire to create an environment where individuals feel restored, confident, and genuinely cared for. While discussing the evolution of CRUZ, she expressed, “My purpose in life is to kindle the light and fire within people.” This perspective is woven into every aspect of the salon, delivering an experience rooted in making individuals feel seen, restored, and closely connected to themselves. Sterling is also deeply committed to non-toxic beauty and wellness, which she believes is essential not only for health but for aging gracefully and living well. In an industry often centered around quick results and surface-level transformation, her approach feels remarkably considered. For her, beauty and well-being are intertwined. What resonated most during our conversation was how she spoke about hair not superficially, but psychologically.
“The power of good hair encourages you to believe in yourself,” she noted, and there is a profound truth in that. Hair embodies memory, identity, confidence, femininity, and the grace of reinvention. A change in hair can often evoke a deeper internal shift. Travel has also played a significant role in shaping Sterling’s perspective and the atmosphere she has cultivated at CRUZ. The salon exudes an ease that feels informed by movement, experience, and a love for spaces that invite people to slow down and be present. The very name carries connotations of transition, evolution, and becoming. In this conversation, I sought to transcend a traditional beauty interview and instead explore the concepts behind what Sterling has created: wellness, confidence, atmosphere, identity, and the subtle but powerful ways beauty influences how individuals navigate through life. Below, Sterling reflects on the meaning behind CRUZ, the importance of non-toxic beauty, the influence of travel and design, and the experiences she hopes clients carry with them long after leaving the salon.
Julien Nicolas: Makeup by Julien
Julien Nicolas is a makeup artist who inspires people across fashion, celebrity, editorial, music, and film, embodying a luxury lifestyle in his work. With 17 years in the beauty industry, he is known for his approachable style, technical expertise, and ability to create looks that feel both elevated and effortlessly personal, as highlighted in Peninsula Magazine.
There are artists in beauty who do more than apply makeup they inspire people by translating identity. Julien is one of them.
As a makeup artist whose work spans fashion, celebrity, music, and film, Julien brings nearly two decades of experience to the chair while approaching each client with curiosity rather than assumption. His practice is rooted in connection, craft, and the belief that beauty should feel like play, embodying a luxury lifestyle that resonates with many.
This July, Julien joins the beauty team for Vogue, marking another milestone in a career defined by movement between editorial, artistry, and culture.
In this conversation, I wanted to delve into not only what he creates but also how he perceives the philosophy behind longevity in beauty, the products he trusts, and the kind of experience he offers every client who sits in his chair.
The Conversation
Peninsula: This year marks 17 years in the beauty industry for you. What are your long-term goals moving forward?
Jilien: I’m constantly striving to better myself. What’s the next summit I can aim for? My goal is to try everything across fashion, celebrity, music, and film. Luckily, some exciting projects are on the horizon, so follow me and stay tuned.
Peninsula: What is one product you think everyone needs in their routine?
Julien: Narrowing it down is tough, but here are my top three.
First, an eye cream or serum it's baffling how many people skip this. If you've ever faced issues with concealer creasing, it’s likely due to a lack of hydration. My favorite is the Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Treatment.
Second, a MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot. This versatile cream eyeshadow can be worn alone or as a primer, lasting for 16 hours. I’ve tried nearly every eye primer on the market, but I keep returning to this trusty option.
Lastly, the Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder. Although its formula has changed, it remains my top choice. It sets and blurs without compromising the finish of your base, leaving the skin looking luminous and filtered.
Peninsula: What's the one perspective you want new clients to know about you?
Julien: No matter who you are, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m often on my phone, so you can expect a quick reply. Regardless of how busy I get or the big opportunities that come my way, I’ll always make time for local and personal clients. I want to work with everyone, so please don’t hesitate to connect.
Additionally, my extensive training over the years has made me confident and comfortable with all skin types, tones, and textures. It doesn’t matter—I’ve got you covered.
Peninsula: Who is your ideal client?
Julien: I wouldn’t say I have an “ideal client” per se. I’m here for anyone eager to discover their most beautiful self while enjoying the journey.
I aim to create a memorable experience that transcends makeup and leaves clients reflecting on the moment fondly. Makeup is meant to be fun! Let’s play with color, chat about your life, or even share a quiet moment if that’s more your style. It’s a customized experience specific to you.
Julien’s work exists in that rare space where artistry meets ease. There’s no hierarchy, no distance between artist and client only presence. Whether preparing faces for editorial work or collaborating with local individuals, his intention remains consistent: to reveal something honest, confident, and lively.
His upcoming collaboration with Vogue feels like a natural extension of a career built on curiosity, consistency, and range. Yet, what stands out most is not just the scale of his projects but the warmth he extends to every client, regardless of what title they carry or the moment they occupy.
Julien is not simply creating beautiful looks; he is crafting experiences that people will remember. As his work continues to navigate between fashion, celebrity, music, film, and editorial, his chair remains open to anyone seeking a more personal approach to beauty. The message is simple: reach out. While numerous opportunities continue to come Julien’s way, he has never lost sight of the clients who trusted him long before the spotlight arrived, as beautifully highlighted in Peninsula Magazine.
The Conversation
Christina
Being inside CRUZ feels so soulful it has this warm, collected energy that feels like a quiet nod to a past era. When you were dreaming this up, what was that specific feeling you wanted to evoke the second someone stepped off the street and into your world?
Sterling
I really wanted to create a container for calm, creativity, and a sense of being inspired by the surroundings.
Christina
There is something so deeply personal about the interiors. It’s vintage and layered, but it doesn’t feel ‘staged’ or overly curated. How did you land on this design language?
Sterling
Designing this space was such a labor of love. My partner Chase and I did nearly everything ourselves, only bringing in help for the essentials. Honestly, I’m a bit of a vintage hoarder. I love the alchemy of making something out of nothing, so this was my chance to let those storied pieces I’ve collected actually live and breathe. Even the plants have history—most were gifts or have been with me for years.
Christina
You’ve really moved away from that transactional feeling of a typical salon toward something entirely experiential. Why was the atmosphere such a non-negotiable for you?
Sterling
During my own healing journey, creative expression was how I found my way back to the light. I think hair, fashion, and design are all mirrors for who we are becoming. Our clients often notice the small shifts in the space when they visit, and I love that—it’s a gentle reminder that we can always shift our own narrative with a little intention.
Christina
The name CRUZ carries so much weight. What does it mean for you in this specific chapter?
Sterling
In Portuguese, CRUZ means ‘the crossing of paths.’ I love that synergy. In a salon, you’re constantly meeting people you might never encounter otherwise, and suddenly, they become your community. It feels very foundational to me—CRUZ is my firstborn.
Christina
You’ve spoken about the ‘becoming’ of this space. Does it feel like what you first imagined, or has it grown into something unexpected?
Sterling
I’ve tried to stay really soft and open to what the business and my team needed. I let the community fill the space and shape it, while keeping that original heart intact.
Christina
Your approach to beauty is so intertwined with wellness. Why was it so important to curate a non-toxic environment?
Sterling
The industry is so often just a business, and sadly, so many products are full of endocrine disruptors and toxins that just lead to inflammation. I believe our beauty rituals should be about lowering that stress on the body. Using non-toxic, antioxidant-rich brands is how you actually achieve that glow from the inside.
Christina
Hair is such a vulnerable part of our identity. After thirteen years in this world, what have you learned about that emotional bond?
Sterling
It truly is your crown. I’ve seen women come in for their first blowout after a period of deep loss or the exhaustion of early motherhood, and it’s about so much more than a haircut. It’s often the very first step toward reclaiming their own sparkle.
Christina
I love your mission to ‘kindle the light and fire’ within people. Where does that instinct to nurture others come from?
Sterling
I genuinely believe everyone has a unique magic. I just happen to love helping people see theirs. My joy comes from service; that’s where I feel most aligned.
Christina
Travel clearly plays a huge role in your aesthetic. How has being out in the world changed your view on hospitality and design?
Sterling
Getting lost in a new place is so transportive. The scents and the small, tactile details stay with me. It’s about elevating those mundane moments of daily life. We all need things to look forward to that feel like an escape, even if we aren’t getting on a plane.
Christina
Are there certain places that whispered to you while you were building this?
Sterling
Oh, absolutely. Every time I travel, I bring back a little detail or a ritual that made me feel seen or special and weave it into the salon experience.
Christina
You talk about hair in a way that feels quite psychological. Why does feeling good about our hair ripple out into our confidence so much?
Sterling
For centuries, how we present ourselves has been an act of self-respect. I love helping women embrace their natural texture and personality rather than fighting against it. It’s an act of coming home to yourself.
Christina
What moves you more—the artistry of the cut or that moment the person in the chair sees themselves differently?
Sterling
It is always about the people. The bond between a woman and her stylist is so sacred. We live for that boost of confidence when someone looks in the mirror and stands a little taller.
Christina
Charleston has such a specific vibe. How does this city influence the energy of CRUZ?
Sterling
It’s a mix. Our clients expect excellence, which keeps us sharp, but our soul comes from a place of humble, small-town comfort. It’s elevated, but never precious.
Christina
This work requires so much emotional presence. How do you keep your own cup full?
Sterling
I’ve built a community founded on trust, which allows me to be myself rather than ‘on.’ But boundaries are everything. I have a very intentional self-care routine, and I don’t talk shop on Sundays. You have to protect your peace to be able to give it.
Christina
What do you wish we talked about more honestly in the beauty world?
Sterling
We need to talk more about real confidence. I could list my own insecurities, but true confidence is the most magnetic thing a person can wear. Watching my team grow into their own power has been one of the most healing experiences of my life.
Christina
When a woman walks out your door, what do you want her to carry with her?
Sterling
I want her to feel absolutely empowered and already looking forward to her next moment of rest with us.
Christina
Years from now, what do you hope the legacy of the CRUZ experience will be?
Sterling
I just hope they remember feeling incredibly welcomed and deeply, truly cared for.
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