Make-up artist Laney Chantal died of an accidental drug overdose on October 31, 2022 in the city of Milford, Michigan. 

She rose to prominence across the US for her role in the SyFy Network’s Face Off makeup competition series back in 2013. Since then, she went on to work in multiple films and has also been the makeup artist for celebrities like Lil Nas X, Bella Thorne and Marilyn Manson. 

Her family have planned a tentative memorial on November 12. 

Shortly after news of her death broke, outpourings of condolences appeared on social media from industry insiders as well as family and friends who knew the artist in her personal life. 

Chantal’s friend and makeup artist Gabriella Accarino took to Instagram to share photographs of the two of them together in happier times, calling her “irreplaceable” and that she made the world a “better place.”

Accarino ended her tribute to her friend with the words, “You were a gift in my life, and I will cherish every moment I spent with you. I will carry you in my heart forever, Laney. I know that we will meet again.”

Who was Laney Chantal?

Laney Chantal was born Alaina Chantal Parkhurst to her parents, Thomas and Linda Parkhurst. She was born on February 20, 1989 in Adrian, Michigan.

Chantal was raised in Manitou Beach in Michigan and attended the Saint Josephs academy for her elementary and junior high years before transferring to the Hudson High School, graduating from there in 2007. 

After finishing high school, Chantal moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to attend the Cinema Makeup School where she received her certification to become a special effects makeup artist. 

In 2013, she was on the SyFy network’s Face Off makeup competition show and was known for her gothic makeup that she incorporated into her work. Chantal ended up working on three films in her entire career, marking her first major project as a special effects makeup artist in the 2016 film, Range 15. She then went on to work on another film in 2018 called The Quiet Room. The final film she worked on is called Observers, shot in 2022.  

Last year, Chantal was the lead makeup artist for the video that won Video of the Year on the MTV Music Awards 2021.