Marissa Machado’s fondest memories from childhood are the many adventures (and mis-adventures) she had with her mother’s makeup kit. “It seems that I loved her red lipstick, which eventually led to my styling all my dolls’ hair,” she explains.

Even when she was young, Marissa was insistent on working in Hollywood, something many considered a longshot for the daughter of a farmer. Still, there was something different about Marissa. She remembers, “I grew up in Bakersfield, California, with my two older brothers where I raised pigs and steers, but always had a manicure with hair and makeup!”

While in high school, Marissa started offering her services to all her friends before dances or just a night out. After high school she attended Santa Barbara City College Cosmetology Academy. Upon graduating, she started her professional career at Nordstrom working for Stila, which lead to becoming the youngest member of their Pro Artist Team. She was now in LA working fashion shows, doing magazine covers, and teaching classes.

As Marissa became more comfortable in the world of fashion, she took every job that came her way. “I never said ‘no’ and knew one day it would pay off,” Marissa says. “Now here I am today traveling the world meeting amazing people and continuing to do what I love.”