fern
@yourfriendfern

Meet the Queen of Halloween: Elissa Bruce, aka Fern, shares her self-taught passion

We can’t get over how incredible Fern’s transformations are!

Elissa Bruce, known to her family, friends, and fans as Fern, is a makeup artist whose talent is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Her transformations are so mesmerizing that even Instagram struggles to keep up.

Beneath the layers of makeup and creativity lies an individual who brings her characters to life with a sparkle that is uniquely her own.

 

The Origin of Fern

Elissa’s nickname, Fern, has been with her since childhood. “It’s been my nickname forever,” she explained. “When I was really little, my sister’s called me friend, and then it morphed into Fern, but it’s been Fern since before I can remember.” This nickname has stuck with her through the years, becoming a part of her identity both online and in real life.

The Journey to Instagram Stardom

Fern’s journey to becoming an Instagram celebrity began without any formal training. “Actually, I have no formal training. I’m all self-taught,” she revealed. Despite her casual personal style, she found a passion for makeup, especially around Halloween. About five or six years ago, she noticed the trend of 31 days of Halloween and decided to give it a try. “I thought, ‘That is a skill I think that I can develop that looks really fun to me,’” she said.

The Creative Process

Creating her stunning looks is no small feat. Fern dedicates a significant amount of time to each transformation. “Some of the more involved looks take a long time because I’m stopping to film,” she explained. Each night, after her four kids go to bed, she sits down in her office to plan and execute her looks. “That whole process can often take like six hours or more,” she admitted.

Choosing the Characters

Fern keeps a running list of characters throughout the year to prepare for her 31 days of Halloween. “31 is so many. It’s so many looks,” she said. While recreating actual characters can be easier, she enjoys the challenge of creating unique looks like mermaids or aliens. “When I’m trying to recreate a character, that is actually a lot easier,” she noted.


Follow along with Fern’s incredible transformations on Instagram, @yourfriendfern.

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