Stage Hair & Makeup for Musicians, Performers & Models | Boulder, CO
Before the first note plays, before the curtain rises, before the camera rolls, there is a moment. Emily lives in that moment. A Boulder based stage hair and makeup artist with a gift for transformation and a deep love of the creative world, Emily brings intention, artistry, and a little bit of magic to every artist she works with, whether they are stepping onto the Red Rocks stage, walking a runway, or sitting in front of a camera for the first time.
While most hair and makeup artists in Colorado specialize in weddings, Emily has built her reputation somewhere else entirely. Backstage. On set. In the wings, right before showtime.
Built for the Stage, Not the Salon
There is a meaningful difference between a great salon artist and a great stage artist. Emily is both, but the stage is where her work comes fully alive.
A performance look has to do things an everyday look was never designed to do. It has to hold under heat, movement, and the full physicality of a performance. It has to read clearly under stage lighting that shifts, washes out, and exaggerates in ways you cannot predict without real experience. And it has to feel like the artist wearing it, not a costume, but an elevated and intentional version of who they already are.
Emily understands all of this before she ever opens her kit. She arrives prepared, works to your timeline, and brings a calm, focused energy to the hours before a show so you can stay present and ready.
Musicians and Performing Artists
Emily is deeply woven into the Colorado music world and has worked with some of the most respected names in Americana, folk, and roots music, including Sierra Ferrell, Margo Price, Dave Matthews Band, and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. Her ability to translate an artist's personal aesthetic into a stage ready look that photographs beautifully and holds through a full performance is what keeps artists coming back.
Denver Music Photographer, Glenn Ross shares “Every artist is different and every green room has its own energy. Emily and I have worked the same stage many times, and she has a really intuitive ability to read the energy of the room and adapt seamlessly.
As a photographer I notice everything the camera is going to notice, and when Emily has worked with an artist the difference is visible in every frame. The look holds, the light hits right, the details are exactly where they need to be. She never imposes, she never rushes the wrong things, and somehow she always gets it done beautifully. The artist walks out looking their absolute best and feeling ready to perform. That's her gift.”
Emily is well known within the industry for her ability to work with discretion, warmth, and a genuine appreciation for the creative energy that lives in the hours before a show. The pre-show space is sacred. Emily treats it that way.
Stage Hair & Makeup at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Red Rocks is unlike anywhere else on earth, and performing there deserves preparation that matches the magnitude of the moment. Emily has worked with artists taking that stage and understands its specific demands intimately.
The outdoor setting brings wind, shifting temperatures, and lighting that moves from golden hour warmth to full stage intensity over the course of an evening. Every look Emily creates for a Red Rocks performance is built to last, to read beautifully from every row of that amphitheater, and to feel completely, unmistakably right on the artist wearing it.
If you are performing at Red Rocks and want a stage hair and makeup artist who has been there before, Emily is the call.
Editorial & Commercial Hair and Makeup for Models
Emily's eye for shape, light, and texture translates seamlessly to editorial and commercial work. Whether you are shooting a lookbook, a brand campaign, a creative editorial, or a headshot series, she brings the same level of craft and intuition she brings to every stage.
She works regularly with photographers, creative directors, and talent in the Boulder and Denver area and adapts her approach to serve the vision of the project, whether that is clean and commercial, conceptual and high fashion, or something entirely its own.
Film, TV & Production Hair and Makeup in Denver and Boulder
Emily's work extends to film and television productions across the Colorado market. Her credits include celebrity styling for RuPaul's Drag Race, and she understands the technical requirements of camera ready hair and makeup across a range of production formats.
Colorado based production companies, casting directors, and talent coordinators are welcome to reach out. Emily takes on select projects and approaches every production booking with the same preparation and care she brings to every performance.
Stage Hair and Makeup in Colorado and Beyond
Emily is based in Boulder and available for bookings throughout the Denver metro, Colorado mountain venues, and nationally for the right projects. She works with a small and intentional roster and gives every booking her full attention regardless of scale.
For Colorado bookings, reaching out several weeks in advance is recommended. For touring and national bookings, three to six months ahead is ideal, especially during the summer festival season when her calendar fills quickly.
What It Feels Like to Work With Emily
Emily arrives prepared and works to your timeline. She does not rush, she does not cut corners, and she does not leave until you feel ready. The process begins before your booking day, with a real conversation about your venue, your vision, your aesthetic, and what the look needs to do for you.
Her clients describe the experience as calm, creative, and collaborative. Many come back season after season for tours, recurring shoots, and ongoing productions. Once you find your person, you know.
Book Your Stage Hair & Makeup Session
You pour everything into your performance, your shoot, your production. Your hair and makeup should match that energy.
Emily at Sage Studio works with musicians, stage performers, models, and film and TV talent across Boulder, Denver, and beyond. Her calendar books quickly and availability is limited, especially during peak season.
Fill out the form below and let's talk about your date, your vision, and what we can create together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is stage hair and makeup?
Stage hair and makeup is designed for performance conditions, built to hold under heat, movement, and stage lighting in a way that everyday looks simply are not. The goal is a look that lasts through your entire performance, reads clearly from every seat in the house, and photographs beautifully from every angle.
How much does it cost to book Emily for stage hair and makeup?
Rates vary depending on a number of factors including location, the nature of the project, whether you are booking hair, makeup, or both, the number of people being serviced, and the length of time Emily will be on site. Every booking is a little different and pricing reflects that.
To get a sense of investment, rates for smaller local performances can start around $400 and scale from there based on the scope of the project. Reach out with your details and Emily will put together a custom quote for your date.
Does Emily work with musicians outside of Colorado?
Yes. Boulder and Denver are home base but Emily is available for touring artists and national bookings for the right projects. Reach out well in advance to discuss travel availability.
Has Emily worked at Red Rocks Amphitheatre?
Yes. Emily has worked with many artists performing at Red Rocks and is intimately familiar with the venue. She understands the specific challenges of that outdoor environment, including wind, temperature changes, and shifting lighting throughout the evening.
Does Emily work with models and photographers?
Yes. Emily is available for editorial, commercial, and creative shoots throughout Colorado and beyond. She works with many Boulder and Denver photographers, creative directors, and talent agencies across a range of projects.
Does Emily do hair and makeup for film and TV productions?
Yes. Emily has experience with film and television work including celebrity styling for RuPaul's Drag Race, and understands the technical requirements of camera ready looks for production. Colorado based teams are welcome to reach out.
How far in advance should I book?
There are times where Emily can accommodate a last-minute booking, generally speaking, reaching out at least a few weeks ahead is a good starting point. For out of state touring and national bookings, three to six months in advance is strongly encouraged, especially for summer festival season.