In an industry perpetually focused on what’s new and what’s next, longevity is increasingly rare. For more than 24 years, Exclusive Artists has represented leading hair, makeup and grooming talent behind some of Hollywood’s most recognizable magazine covers, red carpets and pop-culture moments, including well-respected artists like Marc Mena, Elaine Offers and Nick Barose.
But the agency’s longevity isn’t just measured in years. Claire Frajnd Kanda and Andy Marun—both of whom started as interns and worked their way up—have spent their entire professional careers at Exclusive Artists alongside founder Darin Barnes. Together, the three have had a front-row seat to more than two decades of Hollywood beauty, from Friends promo shoots and the first Twilight cast covers to Vanity Fair, Lupita Nyong’o and Bruce Springsteen.
For Barnes, it started with a week away. “I spent about a year at Fred Segal running hair and makeup, but I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to make a career of it,” he says. “I took a week off and went to my grandfather’s farm to think about what I actually wanted. By the end of the week, I knew. This was it.”
Kanda didn’t plan on becoming an agent at all. “I started as an intern at Exclusive Artists 21 years ago, intending to eventually work full time at a fashion magazine, since I had previously interned for Robb Report,” she says. “Darin quickly realized I would be a great agent, before I even saw it in myself. I went from intern to receptionist, and worked my way up from there.”
Marun’s path started even earlier. “My version of ‘camp’ was Boca Beauty Academy, and sadly I dropped out, but I’ve always been fascinated by beauty,” he says. “Growing up, movies were one of the ways I learned about American culture (love you, Mary-Kate and Ashley!), and the glam and fashion were such a big part of that for me.” He once thought he’d be a publicist, inspired by Billy Crystal in America’s Sweethearts, before landing at the agency as an intern and then Barnes’ assistant. “I thought I would do this for only a few months, but 14 years later, here I am!”
Two decades of bookings have produced plenty of pinch-me moments. For Kanda, it was the Teen Magazine cover with the entire cast of Twilight. “Our artist did the styling, and I was already such a fan of the books,” she says. “It was incredible getting that first look at the cast before anyone knew quite how huge they would all become.” As a huge electronic music fan, she also counts booking a groomer for Kaskade’s music video, the first in which he sang vocals, as “manifest destiny.”
Marun’s favorite was Nyong’o on Sesame Street, one of her earlier press appearances. “She came up to me and started speaking Spanish. I had no idea she was fluent!” he says. “Nick [Barose] must have mentioned to her that I was from Colombia, and she went out of her way to make me feel comfortable.” He also has a simpler answer: Bruce Springsteen at the Toronto International Film Festival. “I mean, it’s The Boss!”
For Barnes, the proudest moments are the ones where a phone call changes everything, like Shia LaBeouf’s first Vanity Fair cover. “I remember calling Katherine at Vanity Fair and advocating for our artist,” he says. “Those are the moments you remember, when you make the call, and something big comes from it.”
After spending their careers surrounded by some of the best hair and makeup artists in the business, all three have strong opinions about the beauty products that work—both under the lights and back in the bathroom at home. Kanda’s holy grail is Crème de la Mer ($200) and her daily lineup is Dior concealer, YSL mascara, a Kosas brow pencil and MAC brown lip liner, finished with Byredo M/Mink ($330). “And a little Botox never hurts,” she adds. Her longtime curl cream is Cheribe, a tip from publicist Marie-Laure Fournier. “She introduced me to it years ago, and I still use it today.”
Marun’s must-have is his simplehuman magnifying mirror ($350). “Absolutely essential,” he says. These days, he’s obsessed with Merit (“I love the entire line”) and reaches for Lisa Eldridge foundation, Hourglass for brows, Merit blush and IGK for hair. He’s also a laser hair removal convert. “I could never go back.”
Barnes keeps it simple. “I love a hydrating mist. At any given time, I probably have two or three different ones sitting on my desk,” he says. His current favorite is Caudalie Grape Water Moisturizing Face Mist ($20). Beyond that, it’s “a really good face wash” (right now, Eve Hansen Vitamin C) and Rogaine. “I have more hair now than I did at 40.”
As for what they’d tell their younger selves? “Don’t be intimidated by the appearance of the industry or the misconceptions around it,” Kanda says. “Follow your gut and trust your instincts.” Barnes keeps it to four words: “Don’t take things personally.” And Marun has the last word: “Don’t rush growing up. You’ll be a grown-up for much longer than you’ll ever be a kid. Enjoy the ride of life, baby!”
