Kristin grew up in Wisconsin. Her father was an avid horseman and her mother a housewife involved in charities. Kristin moved to Los Angeles and began acting after studying fine arts in St. Louis, Boston and New York. She still studies drawing and painting, and working to better the lives of animals and the environment. Bauer lives in L.A. with her many rescued animals and her South African husband, musician Abri Van Straten, of the band, "The Lemmings".