Artist Moment

Sheri Stroh

July 14, 2010, by Chelsea Coyle

Sheri Stroh is one of Canada's busiest makeup and hair artists. From a tender age where she locked herself in her Grandmother's bathroom, applying and reapplying her makeup, to teaching us beauty mistakes we should never commit again, Sheri has a talent for reflecting light in the most beautful ways and performs magic with a simple brush.

Agency

www.plutinogroup.com

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Tegan Dearing (Elmer Olsen), by Koby (www.koby-inc.com)
makeup & hair: Sheri Stroh
When did you first realize you were destined for a career in makeup and hair?
For as long as I can remember, I've had an obsession with make-up, hair, and skin care; I used to lock myself in my Grandmothers' bathrooms and use all of their products, then take them all off when I was done thinking that no one knew what I was up to. I was wrong, ha!

I think I finally realized that I would love a career in make-up in high school when I discovered a line of make-up called ULTIMA II. Kevyn Aucoin was consulting for them to develop a series of what became the "no make-up make-up look" called "The Nakeds" and I was totally hooked on that aesthetic . Back then, you piled on all these nude colours and contoured everything to look like you weren't wearing any make-up, but I'm pretty sure I looked liked I was wearing every single product I owned.

I received tons of compliments though and ended up doing make-up for weddings and being promoted at Shopper's Drug Mart to Beauty Advisor, which was a huge deal to me at the time, being 16 and just wanting to hang with my friends and try out make-up, lol.

What is your most memorable ad campaign?
One of my first ad's was for the "One of a Kind" show here in Toronto and the main poster was a beauty shot. Our model was wearing a big hat and chunky wool scarf. I did braids in her hair and the make-up was really pretty (I wonder if I would think that if I saw it now???). I was shocked and so excited when I discovered that they were plastered all over the subway stations and because I didn't have a car back then, I got to see those posters all of the time for the duration that they were up. I thought it was the coolest thing ever and was insanely proud at the time.

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Sterling (Next), for BROSE, by Maja Hajduk (www.majahajduk.com)
makeup & hair: Sheri Stroh
Can you tell us about a few clients you have worked with?
I work all over the map with regards to clients, everything from fashion and beauty to advertising and personal appearances so it's hard to list just a few. I will say that lately I've been loving working with musicians as they have their own personalities and bring their vision to the table along with open-mindness as to what I see for them as well. Collaborating is so much fun this way!

What Canadian models have you performed your magic on?
I've worked with girls such as Taryn Davidson and Tara Gill, but I think my favourite shoot was with Daria and it was actually about a month before she landed her very first Prada campaign. I can't even remember where we drove to, it seemed so far, but we finally found this great farm with sheep and huge bales of hay and just shot there all day. Not only did we get some beautiful shots, but it was so much fun.

What is your signature scent?
I'm a mixer and have more bottles of perfume than I can count (I'm also a collector), but my all-time favourite mix is Moschino I Love Love with Lanvin E'clat Arpege. Sounds strange, but it just works and I've been using it on and off for years. My latest scent goal is to find some really great organic ones (that don't smell organic, lol) that I can mix together as I'm trying to get away from all of the chemicals. But I will always be loyal to this mix and I'm pretty sure I will always be a sucker for beautiful perfume bottles as well.

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Andrea Pearl (Ford) by Felix Wong (www.felixwongphoto.com)
makeup & hair: Sheri Stroh
Which rock star would you be for a day?
The life of a true rockstar is way too hectic for me, it's sooooo not me lol.

What is your fashion vice?
I have a few, haha, I am a shopper. It was handbags up until a few years ago, with Balenciaga as one of my main obsessions, and I'm glad that has passed as it tends to get expensive, lol. I'm not saying I don't purchase them anymore, but the frequency has dropped to a way more acceptable level. Now I feel like I have a great collection of basic ones so not as many actually appeal to me anymore.

My main vice now is when I find great basic pieces that I wear all of the time (cargo pants, jeans, wedges, "jeggings", t-shirts, scarves etc.), I buy multiples and other colours and since I don't live downtown anymore, I am a great internet shopper and find about half of my purchases online. That's a huge vice and it can be dangerous, especially if you're like me and you think of it as always getting "presents" in the mail!

What is your most treasured fashion possession?
Again, I have a few. One of my main ones is a grey quilted Chanel 2.55 bag that I got about 5 years ago when they reissued them, so it's functional and a collectors item. I also have this nude silk dress that I have honestly had for about 7 years that I love (and it still fits!!!). No clue who it's by as the tag has since fallen out and I don't have many occasions to wear it, but when I do I feel like a million bucks in it and it's such an interesting cut and so flattering that I will never ever get rid of it.

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Christina The (Elmer Olsen), by Geneviève Caron (www.genevievecaron.com); makeup & hair: Sheri Stroh
What is your favourite makeup / hair trick?
Make-up-wise I love perfect, beautiful, glowing skin and will use a mixture of products according to a models/clients skin to achieve it. Highlighters, liquids and creams are my favourite, and essential for this so I'll usually add little dabs of it on the bridge of the nose and cupid's bow of the lips, and use a fan brush to apply it to the cheekbones. If I find that's it too shiny, I'll dust the smallest amount of powder over top so that the glow comes from underneath. I also love a defined eye, but even for myself I can't be bothered using brushes so I just use my fingers to swipe on some cream or powder shadow or a really soft liner and use a few coats of mascara.

Make-up is fun, but most women get too intimidated, especially with a "smokey eye," so it's good to break it down for them and make it really easy. And blending is KEY! That goes for ALL make-up that you're applying.

For the hair, I am a big fan of dry shampoo, but mostly in a loose powder form as I find aerosols tend to eventually turn hair greasier. I have wavy, but fine, hair that always looks best on the 2nd day and also with commuting I'm sometimes in a rush, so dry shampoo is a definite must for me. I also found "Good Hair Days" plastic pins at a beauty supply store that make putting your hair in a bun or twist so easy and effortless; every woman should own them!