Meet the Hartlepool mum transforming herself into festive characters with make-up

A Hartlepool mum has been keeping busy during lockdown by creating a series of incredible festive make-up looks ranging from Elf on the Shelf to The Grinch.
By Sophie Brownson
Published 18th Dec 2020, 16:30 BST
Updated 18th Dec 2020, 19:21 BST
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Carla Neville isn’t a professional make-up artist but you wouldn’t know it from looking at her amazing creations.

The 34-year-old from Rift House fell in love with make-up after discovering eyeliner aged 11 and since then her obsession with it has grown and now creating unique looks is one of her favourite hobbies.

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A useful friend to have, Carla enjoys doing make-up for pals before a night out and even does face painting for their children’s parties – all for free.

Hartlepool mum Carla Neville enjoys creating different make up looks in her spare time. Her range of festive faces include Elf of the Shelf, The Grinch and The Snowman.Hartlepool mum Carla Neville enjoys creating different make up looks in her spare time. Her range of festive faces include Elf of the Shelf, The Grinch and The Snowman.
Hartlepool mum Carla Neville enjoys creating different make up looks in her spare time. Her range of festive faces include Elf of the Shelf, The Grinch and The Snowman.

But Carla actually works full-time at NM MONEY in Hartlepool town centre and has no plans to make a career for her amazing talent.

Instead she enjoys creating make-up looks to share on social media, with her most recent range of festive-inspired make-up looks which include The Snowman, Elf on the Shelf and even a Christmas present earning her heaps of praise.

But her biggest fan is her seven-year-old son, Spencer Neville who ‘loves’ to see his mum’s make-up creations and show his friends at school.

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Carla Neville transformed herself in to Elf on the Shelf.Carla Neville transformed herself in to Elf on the Shelf.
Carla Neville transformed herself in to Elf on the Shelf.

Carla said: "My family are very artistic but the make-up is something that has been self-taught since the age of 11. I put on a bit of eyeliner and that was it!

"I do it all in my spare time. A lot of people say that I should do it as a job but there are that many people doing make-up professionally already and it's not a nine to five job or something with a regular wage.

"It is something I do on the side and I enjoy doing it.”

Using a mix of face paints and make-up pallets, the talented mum can create one of her striking designs in just over an hour.

Carla Neville transformed herself into a wrapped present and also created the flying scene from film The Snowman.Carla Neville transformed herself into a wrapped present and also created the flying scene from film The Snowman.
Carla Neville transformed herself into a wrapped present and also created the flying scene from film The Snowman.

Although she has no desire to make money from her skill, Carla has set up a make-up page on Instagram called @colours_bycarla which she hopes may reach influencer status and attract the attention of brands so she can try out more products to fuel her hobby.

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Cleveland College of Art and Design graduate Carla, added: "I’m not doing it for money, I would rather people just see that I am talented at doing it.”

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