With over 20 years of makeup experience, I love to enhance client's natural beauty and create looks that spark joy. High School and College art classes were where I felt most at home, so it was a natural progression to go from blending chalk pastels and paints to blending eye shadow and foundation, post graduation.
I got my start doing bridal makeup in my home state of Connecticut, which taught me how to customize makeup to a client's unique features. While living in Hawaii, I worked side by side with the Chanel Global Makeup Artist to refine my skills and develop new ways to connect with clients over our shared love of beauty. I found my way to a Spa in Downtown DC, where I had the chance to work with many high-level professional women, and its where I distilled my ability to create a subtle yet powerful look in a short amount of time.
Living in Hawaii put me in contact with some extremely creative and talented people, which inspired me to pick up a camera and take my own beauty photos. Now I spend my days making up others, while also turning the camera on myself and anyone willing to let me change their look for a few hours. I'm on a mission to elevate the beauty industry, to show people it's truly an art form we can all appreciate.
Testimonials:
Patricia A.
Melissa did my makeup for our granddaughter's wedding day, September, 2019. She was very skilled and professional, calm and steady; I didn't feel too "made up" and she didn't make me look too different - just better - than what I would look like for a special occasion. I asked for false eyelashes and chose the middle size. They really popped my eyes and made me feel glamorous! They were fun and I wore them for almost a week :) Her make up application gave me self confidence as I was recovering from a horrible bout of Shingles on the left side of my head reaching into my face. I felt more "normal" as I left and got many compliments that day for how I looked!
Thanks, Melissa
Emily R., Executive Coach
I highly recommend Melissa for make-up and styling, as well as her gift for calm at managing personnel and clients. For a photography shoot, recently, for which I wasn't exactly relaxed (!), she did my make-up, helped choose my outfits, and worked seamlessly with me to create a mood and setting that fit the mood, and look, I wanted to convey as an executive & career coach as I pivot my business. I had gotten to know Melissa from her stint managing the front desk at a high-volume, downtown beauty spa/ hair salon, and was super impressed with her calm, attentive demeanor in conversations with-- well, let's just say it -- clients used to, and expecting VIP treatment. She's adaptable, takes initiative, and projects calm during a time we all could use a little extra TLC!
Nikkie H., Jewelry Designer
I've worked with Melissa multiple times since 2008 on photoshoots as well as a few make up gigs. She does wonderful work! I've hired her to take photos of for my jewelry business on more then one occasion and I couldn't be happier with the results. Her makeup artistry skills always exceed my expectations.
Bonnie A., Photographer
I have worked with Melissa on numerous occasions when I required a make up artist for my photo shoots. The first time that I met her, I was profoundly happy with not just her work, but her ability to work with with the rest of the creative team and to work above and beyond the task at hand. She has a creative mind and an eye for details that has helped make every job a success. I have throughly enjoyed pushing our ideas together to see the outcome.
Mia C., Artist
Wow, Make-up and photos with Melissa was truly a highlight of my year. She made me feel so comfortable and every minute that passed in the photo shoot, I felt more confident and more capable in my skin. Melissa was compassionate and creative in coaching me through poses. Her reassuring tone allowed space for me to voice my own ideas in some of the photos. Similarly with make up, she was extremely collaborative and knowledgeable. She allowed me to express how I preferred my eyeliner and accommodated my preferences while still maintaining her artistic vision. I felt totally heard and while i entered the make up / photo shoot session feeling a bit uncertain and a tad self-conscious, I left feeling empowered and beautiful thanks to Melissa’s gentle command and level-headed approach of the experience. I highly recommend her for both professional and creative portraits.