Growing up in the forests of rural Northern Ontario is not something you would consider influential in making Toronto hair and makeup artist Candace French who she is today. Even though she didn't lead a city life, she had two very creative parents who instilled both a creative spark and a strong work-ethic in her.
Her mother painted, made paper-mache, gardened, knitted sweaters, made stained glass, pickled foods, and made her own jams and jellies, while her father painted, built furniture, and made a living constructing log homes and cottages in the North for some of Toronto's elite.
In her teenage years, the family moved from the home her father built to Southern Ontario, which made Candace very excited because that meant being closer to Toronto.
Even from a young age, she had been training her eye to see the way things were composed and presented.
As most girls do, she had a love for makeup. Even though she wasn't allowed to wear makeup until she was in her teens, at the tender age of ten she took coloured pencils and dipped them in water to moisten them and make them soft and then...you can imagine what happened next. The results were 'startling', and the photos have somehow disappeared.
Since then, she has learned quite a bit after receiving training at Seneca College and Aveda for makeup and hair, as well as long hours of practice, which often involved using a mannequin head that scared both the cat and her husband!
She has been fortunate enough to work with some of the top people in the industry from Toronto and Los Angeles, including photographers, fashion stylists, hair stylists and makeup artists.
Earlier in her career, she was elated to be invited to the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week to assist a celebrity artist. This experience taught her a great deal about the industry, as well as fulfilled a lifelong dream to attend the fashion shows in New York City.
Her experience ranges from runway shows, fashion editorial shoots, films, head shots, advertising and commercial photography to boudoir and weddings. She has worked with celebrities such as Lisa Ray, known for her work in Water, and Shay Mitchell, known for her work in Pretty Little Liars, among others.
Candace is a people person, and enjoys listening to what her clients' needs are. She pays close attention to detail, and is a quick thinker and creative problem solver.
She is driven to seek out the best in herself and others, and would be honoured to enhance your natural beauty for any and all special occasions.
She looks forward to working with you on your wedding, event or photo session!