Meet Marina Alves Pereira

We recently connected with Marina Alves Pereira and have shared our conversation below.

Marina, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I’d say my work ethic comes from both experience and influence. Early on, I was inspired by my mother’s example, she’s always been very focused and committed to giving her best in everything she does. Over time, working in different environments gave me new perspectives and taught me the value of adapting while maintaining high standards. I’ve built my own work ethic around that balance: staying focused and giving my best, but also being open-minded, collaborative, and aware that in the beauty industry, success often comes from strong communication and genuine connections with others.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a certified makeup artist and graduated cosmetologist based in Los Angeles, with over five years of experience in beauty, special effects makeup, and hairstyling. I graduated with High Honors from Santa Monica College with an Associate of Science in Cosmetology, and I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from Brazil, a combination that has deeply shaped the way I approach beauty as both a craft and an art form.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work across a wide range of creative settings, from film productions to fashion shows. I love the versatility of bringing art to both worlds, the storytelling and transformation that happen behind the camera, and the expressive, fast-paced creativity of the runway. Whether I’m creating a character through prosthetics or enhancing natural beauty for a live event, my goal is always to make people feel seen, confident, and inspired.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding my freelance career in Los Angeles, continuing to collaborate with brands, artists, and production teams that value creativity, artistry, and authenticity in beauty.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say three key things have really shaped my journey. First, my Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts gave me a strong artistic foundation and taught me how to see beauty and creativity from a broader perspective. It helped me understand color, balance, and expression; skills that translate directly into makeup artistry and design.

Second, my first job as a salesperson was just as impactful, because it taught me how to communicate and connect with people. In beauty, technique matters, but so does making someone feel comfortable and understood. That early experience helped me develop confidence and empathy when working with clients.

And third, one of the most important skills I’ve learned is to really listen. Clients will tell you what they want sometimes in words, sometimes through how they carry themselves, but if you’re not actively listening and observing, you can’t truly deliver what they’re looking for.

My advice for anyone starting out is to never stop learning. Ask questions, talk to people from all areas of the industry, and stay curious. The more you learn and engage, the more you become the person everyone wants on their team, someone who brings value, skill, and understanding to every project.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve been facing recently is navigating my career as a foreign professional in the U.S. Since graduating, I’ve had to go through the process of applying for a new work visa, which took several months. During that waiting period, I wasn’t allowed to work, and that gap was extremely difficult.

Even after receiving my visa, it’s been challenging to rebuild momentum and re-enter the fast-paced beauty industry. Hollywood can seem glamorous from the outside, but behind the scenes, there are moments when things slow down, and time becomes your biggest obstacle. In such a competitive field, people want to see constant progress, but sometimes circumstances are simply beyond your control.

Overcoming this hasn’t been easy, but having the support of my family and loved ones has made a huge difference. They remind me to stay hopeful and patient, even during uncertain times. I’ve learned that all you can really do is keep your faith, stay prepared, and trust that every challenge is just a step toward something better.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mapereira.arts
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm15565370/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits

Anton Sinitsyn