A Legacy of Beauty, Confidence, and Timeless Elegance

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Kimara Ahnert on July 9, 2025, following a brave fight against ovarian cancer. She was 56 years old. Kimara's warmth, artistry, and extraordinary gift for helping every woman look and feel her most radiant live on through her studio, her team, and the countless lives she touched.

The Studio

For nearly three decades, the Kimara Ahnert Makeup and Skincare Studio has been a beloved sanctuary on Madison Avenue — a world away from the impersonal bustle of department store beauty counters. Founded in 1997, the studio was built on a simple but powerful belief: every woman deserves a customized, one-on-one experience with the tools and guidance to look her very best and feel truly confident.

The studio has welcomed a devoted clientele among the city's most sophisticated women, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Julianna Margulies, and Christine Baranski — yet celebrity status was never a prerequisite for receiving star treatment. Kimara built a team and a culture grounded in the belief that every woman deserves to feel seen, beautiful, and entirely herself. Women trusted the studio and its artists on the most important days of their lives: brides on their wedding days, actresses on the red carpet, professionals accepting prestigious awards.

Wedding makeup became one of the studio's defining specialties. From Catherine Zeta-Jones to Kimara's own sister, countless brides entrusted her team with crafting looks that were flawless in person and photographed beautifully. Makeup trends come and go, but Kimara's philosophy was timeless: confidence comes from knowing you look like the best version of yourself.

The Makeup Line

Kimara's personally curated makeup line embodies her belief that beauty should enhance natural features rather than conceal them. Each season, she selected fresh, sophisticated color palettes designed to bring out the individual beauty of every woman. The line is about choices — allowing clients to be as bold and daring or as soft and natural as they choose, but always their most beautiful selves.

At Kimara Ahnert, trends are edited to accommodate the multi-dimensional woman — offering tips, tools, and color palettes that move away from the predictable and capture the true essence of being "made-up."

Her Story

Kimara grew up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, the eldest of four children, where she lived and worked on the property of her family's Fernwood Resort. From an early age she demonstrated natural leadership and an entrepreneurial spirit. She attended Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, earning a BA in Business Management.

After graduation, Kimara set her sights on a corporate career in New York City — but first, she decided to fulfill a childhood dream. A summer course in makeup artistry changed everything, revealing that her true passion lay in the transformative power of beauty. She accepted a position as assistant to a New York makeup artist, quickly learning the craft from the inside out.

That experience crystallized her vision: to create a studio whose ambiance was the polar opposite of the department store cosmetic counter, and a high-quality makeup line that would meet her exacting standards and the needs of her clients. She had always envisioned herself on Madison Avenue — and in 1997, that dream became a reality. Today, her studio remains exactly what she imagined: a place of beauty, confidence, and genuine personal connection.

Recognition & Community

Kimara's artistry graced the pages of The New York Times, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Town & Country, and numerous bridal publications. She was a frequent guest on national television programs and beauty panels, generously sharing her expertise with broader audiences.

Beyond her professional life, Kimara was deeply committed to her community. She served on the boards of Goucher College, the Mount Sinai Children's Health and Development Institute, the Princess Grace Foundation, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Foundation, and Gilda's Club New York City. And yet, she often said her most fulfilling volunteer role was as a senior team mom for her son Jonathan's football team.

Her Legacy Continues

Kimara's family and her devoted team of makeup artists and estheticians — among the most highly sought beauty experts in the industry — continue to carry forward her legacy of timeless beauty, individualized attention, and the belief that every woman deserves to feel extraordinary.

Contact

Kimara and her team would love to hear from you! Visit the store, give us a call, or email your beauty questions and comments.

Kimara Ahnert

FAQs

I’ve never had my makeup done in your studio. How do I book an appointment and choose an artist?

Please call 212.452.4252 to book your appointment. We recommend calling at least a week before your event to ensure that you receive the appointment time you want. All of our artists are trained professionals with years of experience that can do any type of look that you wish, but if you have specific concerns we are happy to recommend an artist to suit your particular needs.

I’ve never had a facial before. How do I decide which one is best for me?

Everyone’s skin is different and unique, and our variety of facial offerings are designed to meet every individual’s needs. We suggest scheduling a facial with one of our expert aestheticians and then discussing your skin issues in person with them when you arrive for your facial. They are your best skincare resource for both treatments and products.

I bought a product in your studio and loved it, but I can’t remember the shade. How can I find it again?

We keep a record of every client’s past purchases in our system. Please give us a call at 212.452.4252 and we can look up the products you’ve purchased.

What ingredients are in your products – are they paraben free, gluten free, oil free, etc?

Our products are manufactured with your skin and health in mind. Most of our products are hypoallergenic, fragrance free, sensitivity tested, non comedogenic, mineral based, oil free, paraben free, gluten free and no animal testing. Please contact us at [email protected] with questions on individual products or if you need us to recommend products from our line best suited for your needs.

I’m interested in having my wedding makeup done by Kimara or a member of her team. Who should I contact?

Please contact our wedding coordinator at [email protected] or call 212.452.4252 to find out more information about booking Kimara or one of our artists.

I don’t like a product I purchased. What can I do?

Please contact us immediately by calling 212.452.4252 or emailing [email protected] and a member of our team would be happy to assist you in finding the product or shade that is right for you. We accept returns of items for store credit.