Daily Inspiration: Meet Michelle Quaranta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Quaranta. 

Hi Michelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Born and raised in the countryside of northern NJ, small town Vernon. I danced and performed as a kid, where I became very comfortable doing my own hair and makeup, which then led me to doing a lot of friends’ hair and makeup. I started the first fashion show in 8th grade with a friend of mine, I knew at a young age I’d be doing something with the arts. My mom was a Mary Kay rep and would give me all her old kits to play with. This is when I started mixing foundation tubes to really understand color. As years went on, I ended up in Phoenix AZ where I attended ASU and graduated with Marketing and Business Degree. On the weekends I worked for a modeling agency doing all the hair and makeup for fashion shows, I did makeup and hair for weddings, and not long after was managing for MAC cosmetics. I had a 10-plus career with them and to this day still hold long-term friendships with my MAC peers and many I work within the industry. I moved to LA in 2010, I managed the smash box counter at Nordstrom’s at the GROVE, I then worked with Marinello Beauty schools and a year later landed my first TV show on ABC, Extreme Makeover Home Edition. When they tell you it just takes that one show or that one person to launch your career, they were 100% right. From that show, I then was referred show after show for 11 years. I’ve worked on every major network; ABC, MTV, NETFLIX, APPLE TV, BRAVO, HGTV, PEACOCK, NBC, AND MORE. MY TOP SHOWS LIKE; Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Botched, Vanderpump Rules, Shahs of Sunset, Selling Sunset, Selling the OC, The Hills New Beginnings, Rock the Block, Flip to a Million, Married at First Sight, and more. In February of 2020, I was sworn into the Local 706 Makeup Union. I am honored to have worked on so many amazing shows and have met some wonderful people on these shows, whom become part of my family. You always hear stories of entertainment and not sure to believe them or not. I’ve had an amazing career thus far and so excited to see where I go from here. I started a small boutique agency under my company Michelle Q Beauty, Inc. a few years ago, representing a few artists. I will also still do weddings when my schedule allows, something that really started my career and I love being a part of the bride’s special day, it’s magical. There are many sacrifices in this career, the advice I’d love to give to those starting out is be humble, work hard, respect those who have been doing this for years, stay true to yourself, and remember everything becomes a very small community and you will be recognized for the good you do. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This industry never feels like a job, I feel like I’m living a dream, I get to go play and be creative. With that being said I have sacrificed so much in my life. moving across the country away from family and friends to pursue my dreams and passion. I have found the peace and balance in my life, but it took over 20 years. No regrets, I’ve stayed true to what my soul is telling me, and I am finally allowing myself to care for me. It’s a liberating feeling when you get there. 

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
www.michelleqbeauty.com @michelleqbeauty 

[email protected]