Christina Petry is an entrepreneur and the founder of Red Carpet Ready by Christina. A professional and award-winning Make-up & Hair Artist whose name has become synonymous with those seeking to elevate their style. With an eye for detail and a passion for helping clients shine, Christina offers a comprehensive range of services, including wardrobe styling and personal shopping to special event styling, ensuring each client looks and feels their best.
Christina’s expertise spans across various industries, including fashion, entertainment, and corporate sectors. Her keen sense of style and dedication to delivering impeccable service have earned her recognition in the media, with features in prominent outlets such as Chatelaine, People, InStyle, and Bustle. Christina has also been featured on various local television programs, where she has shared her knowledge on style, image transformation, and personal branding.
Her business, Red Carpet Ready by Christina, has garnered a loyal clientele that values her ability to combine the latest beauty trends with timeless elegance. Whether doing make-up and hair for a red carpet event, international film festival, or a casual wardrobe overhaul, Christina has built a reputation for delivering polished, sophisticated results. Her approach is both consultative and personalized, helping clients feel empowered and confident through their style choices.
In addition to her work with individual clients, Christina is highly regarded for her expertise in beauty services at corporate events, sharing her extensive makeup and skincare expertise to enhance professional presence. Extensive industry knowledge, artistic approach, and commitment to client satisfaction have made Red Carpet Ready by Christina a trusted name in Vancouver’s beauty and image consulting industry.
IN HER WORDS
“I do not think I recognized it as entrepreneurial spirit early on, but looking back on the patterns of how I worked, how creative I was, and the drive I have always had, it makes a lot of sense to me that I would choose to work for myself. Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked it, or did it grow naturally over time?
“When I was younger, I could never quite put my finger on what I wanted to do as a career. I knew that I had the urge to do something great, and it just did not fit within a typical nine-to-five job.
“As a teenager, I worked. From babysitting as a young girl to working at McDonald’s at 13, I developed a strong work ethic early on. I worked all through high school while also building up my modelling career (Angie’s Models) all while playing three sports throughout high school.
“Early on, we are talking 2011, I began working extremely hard and never took my foot off the gas. Starting a business is about securing clients to build and grow, but I quickly realized that true success comes from how your work makes both you and your clients feel.
“Becoming a mother was the unexpected catalyst that inspired me to start my own business – Red Carpet Ready by Christina – makeup, hair, and personal styling on the go.
“My background in wine and spirits (Maxxium Canada, Charton Hobbs), had taught me marketing strategies, sales tactics, negotiations, which all could be applied to my new venture.
“I reached out to many people with countless questions. Some took the time to speak with me on the phone or answer emails, offering advice. Others referred me to new clients, stuck their necks out for me, and helped me in so many ways. I deeply value and treasure those relationships, and many of those people remain close friends.
“You must remember that every job you have in life provides something to take away and learn from. For me, I was able to incorporate all these elements to bring my business to life. From my time in hospitality, I gained invaluable customer service skills and learned how to create memorable experiences for guests. My experience in professional sales for fine wine and spirits agencies taught me marketing, sales tactics, negotiation, product knowledge, and my favourite, the art of the cold call.
“I was very strategic about starting my business and getting my name out there. I worked hard on creating a strong website by doing many collaborations in the very beginning.
“I have been a Makeup and Hair Artist, as well as a Stylist, since 2011, working across various aspects of beauty and fashion. In 2015, I expanded my expertise by collaborating with a fellow entrepreneur to produce a lifestyle and fashion event called TREND Vancouver, held at the Roundhouse in Yaletown. Together, we sought out unique local vendors to showcase their products or services under one roof.
“A fashion show was one of the key elements of this event, featuring models who were influential, real women from the Vancouver area. I led the production of this fashion show, styling each model with renowned brands such as BCBG Max Azria and Turnabout Luxury Resale to ensure a cohesive and on-trend presentation. This experience strengthened my ability to merge creative direction with strategic brand partnerships, delivering a polished and engaging runway experience.
“When collaborating with a bride getting married, I would provide hair and makeup services in exchange for real testimonials and the opportunity to experience a wedding day firsthand. This allowed me to understand how the day was supposed to flow while also gaining more professional photos to use in my portfolio.
“I wanted to get my feet wet and truly dive in, so I collaborated with key people to build my business from the ground up. After a couple of months, I started to notice that things were taking off, and my business became busy very quickly. I also made countless cold calls, introduced myself to as many people as possible in the beauty industry, and networked extensively.
“Bookings from people all over the world began coming in, as Whistler is such an international destination. I was fortunate to start working with incredible clients. By creating memorable experiences, I was able to build a strong clientele base early on. One of my first and most memorable experiences was working with the Whistler Film Festival, where I worked on Eric McCormack, Tantoo Cardinal, Cobie Smulders, and George Stromboulopoulos.
“Working for yourself is rewarding but demanding, requiring motivation and resilience. Hearing “no” is part of the journey, and setbacks offer growth opportunities. Things may not always go as planned, but new possibilities arise. My advice is to pursue what you love with confidence, even if it is not perfect.
“When opportunities came my way, I embraced them fully, learning from each experience. I never avoided challenges, using nervous energy to grow. Connecting with other entrepreneurs provided valuable support. I relied on past lessons—time management, confidence, negotiation, and perseverance. Success comes from pushing forward and staying committed.
“Because I started my business when my son was very young, I worked on weekends often. While it was difficult being away from him, it was nice for my husband, as he was off on weekends and had the opportunity to spend quality time with our son. I also found an interesting balance between being away, doing something I was extremely passionate about, and building my new business while also starting a family. I found so much purpose in everything I was doing and was deeply invested in that pursuit.
“I was humbled by every request I received, but I learned early on to ensure I was getting a return on my time. I became very strategic about the projects I took on, always focusing on quality over quantity.
“I knew that as my business and reputation grew, the volume of opportunities would naturally increase. Along the way, there have been many incredible people who have consistently recommended me. Shout out to Fiona Forbes and Crystal Carson!
“This mindset has always served me well and has been a reliable guide. I started noticing that the attitude and energy I brought to work had a direct impact on how the day unfolded. Whether I was providing makeup and hair services for one person or a group, I recognized that I could create a positive environment. I wanted everyone who sat in my chair to feel comfortable and relaxed.
“There is something truly transformative about what I do. When a client sits in my chair and I style their hair, apply their makeup, and help them select their outfit, I see an immediate shift in their confidence.
“That boost of self-assurance is a magical moment. The trust my clients place in me is something I never take for granted.
“The fact that I get to do what I love and share my passion with so many is something I am incredibly grateful for. In many ways, I still feel like that little girl playing with my mother’s makeup and dressing up—only now, I am doing it on an international level. It is surreal, but I am extremely proud of how far I have come.
“When my clients hug me after I have provided beauty and styling services for them and then refer me to others, that is something that can only be earned, and I treasure it deeply.
“I believe in the philosophy that less is more. Every person has beautiful features, and it has always been important to me to help my clients feel beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside. I know that I was meant to do this, and anyone who grew up with me would tell you the same.
“The legacy I would love to leave is one where people remember how much I love my job and how important it was for me to make my clients look and feel like the most authentic version of themselves.
“I want to be remembered as a risk-taker and a doer—someone who learned to run before I could walk and dared to go after what I wanted.
“As I built my network, I found that my reach expanded more and more. I may have a small business, but that has never prevented me from booking high-profile jobs.I know what I bring to the table, and I have the confidence to go after the opportunities I want.
“Over the years, I kept knocking on bigger doors, and they opened at InStyle, People, Presage Magazine, The Marilyn Denis Show, EA Sports, and the iconic Cannes Film Festival.
“I have always been someone who sets goals and has my sights set on ambitious dreams. I recognized my abilities early on and understood what I could achieve with my artistry. I started to branch out into larger projects, challenging myself with additional creative outlets and during the pandemic, I pivoted and launched a sweatshirt line called Beautiful Mindset and a 13-piece vegan makeup brush line, which were promoted through self-produced beauty tutorials shared online.
“While I rely on referrals and word of mouth, even after 13 years in business, I still hit the pavement and cold call to keep growing. I love making new connections. My currency is people, and I thrive on the back-and-forth of discussing new projects, watching ideas come to life, and forming new relationships along the way.
“Mentorship has been invaluable in my journey, and I am deeply grateful for those who guided me. Early on, I was fortunate to work as a Makeup Artist for DIOR under LVMH, which exposed me to luxury brands, special events, and new store openings. These experiences were instrumental building blocks in driving my career.
“Shelly Lynn Hughes, owner of Fresh Magazine, played a key role in giving me exposure and invaluable advice. Her trust in my abilities meant so much. I am also incredibly grateful for Randene, who, during her time with CoverFX Cosmetics, took the time to answer my many questions. Even 12 years later, she remained just as supportive. Moments like these remind me of the lasting impact of mentorship and the importance of paying it forward.
“Recently I was invited to be a judge, speaker, and awards presenter at the IMTA: International Modeling & Talent Association in Los Angeles. A full circle moment having been an IMTA contestant at 16 years old in NYC.
“I know my business will thrive because I am still hustling, and even after years in this industry, I have so much more to achieve. My passion drives me forward, and as long as I pursue the projects I dream of and set the bar high, I will keep contributing to my success.
“My vision for 2025 and beyond is the same every year—to keep setting goals and crossing them off. I write down ambitious goals that seem impossible alongside smaller, achievable ones, knowing each step brings me closer to my ever-expanding vision.
“I believe it is better to grow old with the peace of knowing I pursued every desire and dream, rather than face life’s final moments burdened by unanswered questions of what might have been.”
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
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