Candace Christen - Biography

For years it had been a dream of mine to make people beautiful, to help people feel excited and positive about themselves. I remember watching my mother apply her makeup when I was a little girl, and after she was killed when I was 9 years old, those remain some of my fondest memories of her. I credit my family – especially my beloved grandmother – with providing the support, which has helped me attain the achievements I’ve accomplished in my education and profession. I particularly appreciate my Grandmother’s passion in selflessly encouraging me to learn perpetually, and to always follow my dreams.

Deep down inside, I really felt an affinity for nontraditional business endeavors. I recognized that with my creative personality, my soul needed a challenging professional outlet in order for me to excel and be content. I always felt an innate sense of destiny – which I was born to do something greater, something bigger, something more. Makeup, as it turned out, was my calling.

It began in my childhood; buying little things from the drug store and making my friends sit for hours while I creatively applied their makeup. This pastime continued in a traditional vein until I picked up my first Kevyn Aucoin book. It was so beautiful, almost as if I could feel his work! I related to his history and his professional art – his passion – and I wanted to cry with a newly discovered sense of purpose and direction!

From that time on there was no turning back; I knew what I wanted from life and vowed to strive to be the best and do something great with my life, as he had done.

I began my education the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota and took Cosmetology (Incorporating hair cutting, color and texture services, business development, retail knowledge, aromaology, wellness, make-up and nail technology.) After receiving my license I knew my future involved “more than hair.” Ultimately reminding myself that my original dreams – my passion – had not ceased. Furthing me on to more extensive learning and classes in Esthiology at the Aveda Institute (Learning more in-depth about skin disorders, study of the skin, facials, waxing and sugaring, makeup application, business development, wellness and retail knowledge.)

While this had STILL not been enough for me in learning in makeup aspect of it, I attended Joe Blasco's Make-up center in Orlando Florida. I learned all types of makeup application, from beauty to old age make-up. I have done makeup for motion pictures, television, and theatrical (stage). I specialize in special effects: Bald Cap making, applying, and removing. Hairwork (Beard, Facial Hair) Character Make-up Injury Simulation to include: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns, cuts, scratches, bruises, black eyes, broken noses, sunburns, raised scars, discolored and rotten teeth, tattoos, bullet holes, compound fractures, and menthol blower technique (tearing effect). Since taking the full course at Joe Blasco, I also learned Monster Make-up as well as: Prosthetic Make-up taking the facial impression, making the positive cast, sculpting techniques, making the negative mold, preparing the closed mold for foaming, foaming techniques, pouring techniques and curing, application of foam, and gel appliance.

Before leaving Florida I took a few short classes on airbrush at Marvaldi hair and make-up studio. I felt I was set and made the choice to move to California and break into the movie and television scene. Once I moved there I decided to take a few more makeup classes to network with other Makeup artist and learn different techniques from different people. I then attended MUD (Make-Up Designery) in Burbank, CA. to brush up on some character makeup and airbrush classes. While landing jobs here and there I also gained a position at M.A.C. cosmetics as a free-lance artist.

Which leads me to where I am today. I am VERY well rounded in pretty much everything make-up related, and various aspects of wardrobe. I am a strong, dedicated, successful woman, eager to share my personal excitement for life! Having survived many trials and tribulations, I’ve gained compassion for others along with a self-renewing determination to succeed – not only for myself, but also to honor my mother, grandmother, and family, all of whom helped me become the positive goal-oriented person I am today.

I know who I am, and I am serious about my professional expertise because I am doing – creating –what I love. And from that passion arises excellence, and the joy of seeing others’ dreams fulfilled as I share the benefits of my art with them, helping them prepare to experience achieving their own personal hopes-and-dreams-come-true, as they create personal memories to last them a lifetime as well.