Erin Carpenter Make-Up Artist

New Site!

2010-08-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

It has only taken me 10 years in the business to get a website up and running. I promise this does not have a thing to do with my work ethic, but directly relates to my relationship with technology. Thanks to Richard Smallbone for my posh new location.

Visit me now at www.erincarpentermakeup.com

Veronica & Ines Di Santo

2010-03-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

Famed bridal and evening wear duo - and a couple of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Photo by Andreas Avdoulos, www.andreasphoto.ca

green beauty shoot

2010-02-25T10:19:00.000-08:00

photo by Mario Miotti

The Red Carpet Room

2010-01-31T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Red Carpet Room is the brain-child of Amanda Brugel (8th from left). She gathered her fantastic Canadian celeb friends on a rainy afternoon for a glamourous shoot featuring everything gorgeous.

The Style Box

2009-08-18T11:54:00.001-07:00

This shot is for The Style Box - the fashion-baby of agent, Gail McInnis (4th from left) and actress, Amanda Brugel (5th from left). For more information on their innovative and stylish venture visit http://www.thestylebox.ca/.

The shoot was very cool. I had the honour of working with Alice Kilpatrick, esteemed makeup artist. The clothes were extraordinary and the style team got to pull inspiration from classic beauties such as Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Elizabeth Taylor.

Photographer: David Wile
Models:
Kerry LaiFatt, actress
Kristin Booth, actress
Ivanna Santilli, musician
Gail McInnis, agent
Amanda Brugel, actress
Arissa Cox, TV host
Ainsley Kerr, socialite/model
Charlotte Sullivan, actress

Recent and upcoming

2009-08-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that a few weeks ago I worked with the picture, Adam, starring Hugh Dancy. Rose Byrne, and directed by Max Mayer. I did the grooming for the men. The day was similar to most press days - tv interviews in the morning, and print in the afternoon.

It was an early start, but done by 1...just enough time to get home and do a hair and makeup trial for this Saturday's bride, Karen.

I will post photos of both Hugh and Max, and Karen too soon!

More wedding make-up!

2009-05-14T13:55:00.001-07:00

A few beautiful brides from 2008. Here, Alicia, Sarah, Lindsey, and Melissa work it for barebonephoto photographer, Emma Smallbone.

More Fox Searchlight

2009-03-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

Last month I worked with Chucky Klapow, the choreographer for all three High School Musical movies. He had a few television interviews at a dance studio downtown. He taught the hosts of SunTV and the Family Channel moves from HSM3, with me in the wings trying to learn some new party moves!

In early March I accompanied Bob Baker (master puppeteer) and his assistant on the 70th Anniversary of Pinnochio tour. Bob's stories were insane - from working with Judy Garland and Walt Disney, to performing in front of Bette Davis when he was young. Plus, I think this 85 year old found the fountain of youth - he didn't look a day over 65!

Canadian Film Centre

2009-03-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

For the past 4 years I have done make-up & hair for the annual CFC Gala. This year Eugene Levy hosted the event and Jasmine Richards (singer/actress) performed.

The event was beautiful and raised money to support the arts!

Miss March

2009-02-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

Zach Cregger & Trevor Moore were in town promoting their movie, Miss March, which is in theatres in .....March. I did their hair and make-up for the day. If I gave out awards to the people who's make-up I have done they would get the "Tallest Actors" award!

Fashion Group International, Toronto Chapter

2009-02-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

This is one of the shots from the FGI 2009 campaign. Credits are listed in a previous blog with behind-the-scenes photos.

Green Gala 08

2008-11-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

November 8th brought Fashion Takes Action to agencyVert (formerly Green Beauty). Our full crew was assembled and yours truly was Key Hair. Since this was a very eco-friendly event we weren't allowed using hot tools (electricity!). This was a bit of a shock to the celebs who were walking in the show but we made it work beautifully. For the models I designed the hair around the fish-tail braid. I also roped front sections and intertwined them with the long fish-tail. The direction was more sleek since the models wore cool headpieces designed by Lori-Anne Krausewitz (LA Krause Headwear).

Celebrity Models

Co-Host of Take Three Christine Diakos

City TV’s Liz West

Cosmo TV’s Jacqui Skeete

SUN TV’s Tara Slone

The Hills After Party host Jessi Cruikshank

Fashion Television’s Mary Kitchen

Jazz artist Larra Skye

Recording artist Lily Frost

Rogers TV's A Greener Toronto’s Host Candice Batista

Fashion expert Moe Kelso of CBC's Steve and Chris Show

Designers

Thien Le

Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell

Zoran Dobric

Nada Yousif

Carrie Hayes

Eugenia Leavitt

Jason Meyers

Aime Luxury

Damzels in this Dress

Thieves

Photos (taken by make-up artist/shutterbug, Holly Kurmis):

Fashion Group International

2008-10-10T07:55:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of behind-the-scenes photos from the FGI photoshoot.

Photographer: Jordan

Model: Dani

Creative Directors: Brad & Phenixx

Manicure: Holly

Sugarbeads Jewellery

2008-09-22T19:49:00.001-07:00

This pic is from the Sugarbeads shoot. The bugs were just some of the amazing creations - colourful crowns, huge cuffs, layers and layers of necklaces...I love accessories. Can you tell?

Model: Myra, Gemini
Photographer: Emma Smallbone

A few '08 Brides

2008-09-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

First photo courtesy of Ralph Heinz
Other photos courtesy of barebonephoto

Simon Pegg

2008-09-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

At the end of August I worked with Simon Pegg (famous for cult-classic, Shaun of the Dead, as well as Hot Fuzz, and Run Fat Boy, Run). He was in Toronto to promote the October '08 release of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People. The day brought a first for me - first autograph I have ever asked for. It was for a dear friend of mine who is a big fan. Of course Simon was completely gracious and I didn't have to be anxious to ask!

Green Beauty Sneak Peek

2008-08-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple photos from the recent Green Beauty Photo Shoot:

Models: Kate M & Leanne from Elmer Olsen

Photographer: Jen Aaron

Creative Director: Donna Bishop

Canadian Business Magazine

2008-08-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

Today as I was driving up the 400 to Bradford to do a photoshoot I got a flat tire. On my list of "Things To Do Before 30" was 'learn how to change a flat'. Ooops. Well now I know thanks to a good samaritan named Brian!

I was on my way to do make-up and hair for the fall spread of Harry Rosen clothing for Canadian Business Magazine (on stands September 22, 2008). We shot in a hayfield while enjoying the sun....now that is work!

I'll post some pics when the mag comes out!

George Whiteside, Photographer
Jimmy Moorhouse, stylist, Plutino Group
Kris, model, Elmer Olsen
Kurt, model, Elmer Olsen
Dave Lee, Creative Director

Camp Rock

2008-08-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

The CNE is one of Toronto's hottest summer attractions, and I've never been! Well, until this week that is. I did make-up for Giovanni Spinna and Jasmine Richards, two of the stars from Disney's Camp Rock.

There was a great corner of Bandshell Park dedicated to the Miley Cyrus tour bus, a Camp Rock Karaoke stage, crazy hair styling, and the stars signing autographs. This movie is a tremendous hit for the tweens, that's for sure - they lined up 300-deep for the meet & greet!

Thanks to the karaoke stage, I'm still singing "The best of both worlds...". Ha!

And a cool little side-note, the movie was shot at Camp Wanakita in Haliburton...where I went to camp as a kid!

American Teen

2008-07-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

This week I worked with Megan, Hannah, Colin, Jake, and Mitch from American Teen, in theatres at the beginning of August. The documentary follows these five people through their senior year of high school (can you imagine!?).

I've said it before and I hope to say it again, but they were incredibly nice!

As for make-up, the guys were fairly straight forward. Hannah was minimalistic, using liner to bring out the green in her eyes, and keeping her rock-n-roll edge by giving her a red-stained lip. Megan loved the make-up process and I got to play with her beautiful face a few times, changing it between a soft, glowing make-up for the Canada AM interview to a sultry, smokey look for MTV live.

I hope to work with this group again when they are in town for the Toronto Film Fest.

Movie poster - love the nod to The Breakfast Club!

Step Up 2

2008-07-16T13:54:00.001-07:00

Last week I worked with Jon Chu (director), Harry, Black, and Flea Rock, all of the ACDC crew. They were in town promoting the DVD release of Step Up 2, The Streets. They had two interview destinations, E2, and E!, where they taught hosts to dance and Flea did some great graffiti art.

As a major fan of dancing (oh how I wish I did not look so ridiculous "poppin") I was so happy to hang out with this gang of b-boys and breakers. They were incredibly talented and kind. Check out their youtube videos under "chu pictures" to see them dance battle Miley Cyrus. There are some mighty cool moves!

Adele

2008-04-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

In March I had the great pleasure of working with Adele, a British singer, who was in town to play the Rivoli and do some interviews. She is a really phenomenal singer! Check out her website at http://www.adele.tv/.

I am happy to report that her also-British band left Canada knowing the cultural importance of Tim Hortons.

*photo courtesy of MTV Canada

Emma Smallbone's Photo Shoot

2008-01-22T13:28:00.000-08:00

I met Emma Smallbone (barebonephoto.com) about 5 years ago when she did the cover photography and art for my CD, Simply Put...that's right, in my "other life" I was a singer/songwriter. Since then we have worked together on numerous weddings and photo shoots. It was my pleasure to do her make-up for the article written for the Kitchener Record.

*for the full article on Emma please visit: http://news.therecord.com/article/297960

Photo courtesy of Mathew McCarthy, Record Staff

Juno Press Day

2007-11-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

This past Monday I had the pleasure of touring around with actress Ellen Page, and writer Diablo Cody as their make-up artist and hair stylist. They were promoting their movie, Juno. They were great people - very relaxed and uber-cool. The girls were on tour as themselves so I kept Ellen's make-up minimal, rimming her eyes with a brown liner and keeping her cheeks flushed peach. Diablo is rock and roll so I kept her liner as sharp as her wit.

I was also very happy to see my new friends at Fox Searchlight, Zai and Maria, for another full day of interviews and Toronto traffic!

Photo courtesy of Muchmusic.ca

Busy bee

2007-10-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

As most careers go, if you work hard you can be rewarded. The great thing about this job is the diversity and these past few weeks I have had my fingers in quite a few pots!

October brought on a Press Day tour for the Darjeeling Limited. I accompanied actor Jason Schwartzman and director Wes Anderson all over Toronto for the promotion of this wonderful movie. We started in radio at Mix 99.9 and AM 1010. Then it was north to Canada AM, back downtown for Entertainment Tonight Canada, ETalk, MTV live, Much Music, and, my personal favourite, The Hour. The two were wonderful and kind, as were the women of Fox Searchlight.

The following day I did a shoot for Canadian Business Magazine and Harry Rosen. The issue will be out in November. I did it last winter as well. I'm crossing my fingers that I can do a spring/summer issue...for no other reason than shooting in an ice rink and a curling rink is COLD!!

Last Monday I met Caroline McCann, a chef in Montreal. She was in the city doing an internet film promotion for Canadian Dairy Farmers and Cheese (you know the cheese is love campaign?). I did her hair and make-up for the job. She was a lovely woman!

Now I am in the middle of doing make-up for the Lise Watier cross-canada tour.

What I love most about these various jobs are the people. It is so great getting to know new people! From PR to Talent, everyone has been so wonderful!

Kelly

2007-09-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of photos of Kelly. I did her hair and make-up in June and she was such a joy to work with!

2007 Bridal Photos

2007-09-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

The official "bridal season" is coming to an end and I'm busy collecting photos of my 2007 brides. I feel so honoured to have been a part of the weddings of these absolutely lovely women.

Penny, Cathy and Megan's hair and make-up done by yours truly. Photos courtesy of Emma Smallbone of barebonephoto.

Trend Watch

2007-09-05T13:58:00.001-07:00

April?! I have not posted since APRIL?! Well, the summer has been a busy one for me. I moved to Toronto, had weekends full of wedding make-up, and threw in a couple of fashion shows as well.

The most notable fashion show was for the House of Dereon, Beyonce Knowles' clothing line. The look was indicative of the summer-into-fall trend. Peach ruled the runway. A vibrant peach lip, and bronzed skin with a kick of peach on the apples of the cheeks provided a very fresh look. The eye shadow was subdued but the drama resided in the lash-line.

Picks to update your make-up kit for the fall with this trend in mind:

NARS multiple in Palm Beach
Make-up Forever peach blush
M.A.C gel liner
M.A.C lipglass in Prrrr

Now that fall is almost here (warm blankets and hot cocoa are calling!) I am sure to write more. Stay tuned!

Hygiene

2007-04-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

This topic is not about the basics of smelling good and being clean. Rather it is a mini-education on a practice that is important to look for when hiring a make-up artist.

You want a fabulous fresh look, but that isn't going to happen if your artist is using tools that aren't cleaned properly and make-up that is past expiry.

Watch for:

*a make-up artist should sanitize their brushes between each client. Using 99% alcohol will do the job quickly
*individual mascara wands will ward against bacteria (and there should be no "double-dipping" with the individual wand)
*cream make-up will house bacteria while powder make-up will not. A make-up artist who sprays the 99% alcohol solution on products like lipstick and cream blushes or one who uses a spatula to extract concealer or foundation shows they respect your face

For your own personal make-up hygiene, wash your brushes (especially ones used for cream make-ups) once a week. You can wash brushes with a mild cleanser and luke warm water or with 99% alcohol (now found beside the other alcohols and peroxides in the pharmacy). If you choose to wash with soap and water make sure the water does not get inside the ferrule (the metal part of the brush that holds the hairs).

Do not be afraid to ask your make-up artist questions relating to hygiene. After all, it is your face, and your dollar!

Model Make-up

2007-04-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

This photo was part of a calendar shoot. It is one of my favourite shots. I love the focus on Anousheh (the model), given the all black backdrop and clothing.

When working with models I treat them the same as my beauty clients. I look at their features and adapt the make-up to make them look their best. A lot of people in the industry see models as a blank canvas but in the business of beauty I still think it is my responsibility to make the look work for the model.

*photo courtesy of Maja Hadjuk

Dino Dilio

2007-04-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

I studied Make-up and Hairstyling at Complections International in Toronto. I was so lucky to have two of the most talented and recognized make-up artists in the business teaching me the craft. One of those teachers was Dino Dilio. Since I graduated from the program I have worked with Dino on fashion shows, and he has referred me to corporate and personal clients.

I am so excited to now be working as a make-up consultant for his own make-up line. His brushes are so luxe! I really believe in endorsing products that sell themselves. I know that these top of the line products made by this fabulous Canadian entrepreneur will put joy back in the morning ritual of putting on your make-up!

I don't mean to gush, but it's so easy to do when talking about Dino and his new brush line!

Wedding Make-up

2007-04-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Doing wedding make-up is such a pleasure. I get to see women on one of the most exciting days of their lives. As I offer on-location make-up application, the atmosphere is always relaxed and fun.

I pride myself on my ability to communitcate with each of my clients to ensure their make-up is an extension of their personality. I work with each woman to create a unique look that is truly their most beautiful self.

Erin Carpenter Make-up Artist

2007-04-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog!
This will be a place for me to connect with my clients.
I'll be posting about new beauty products, techniques and trends.
Also keep an eye out for my past and present work.

Erin
* above photo courtesy of Ralph Heinze Photography