Life & Work with Nina Marie Pacetti

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Marie Pacetti.

Hi Nina Marie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was raised in a northern suburban area of Wisconsin and throughout my years of school, I was bullied for my appearance. I kept trying to keep positive thoughts and staying confident, but one day I thought I needed makeup to be pretty. My mother and I went shopping and she bought me my first ever makeup products which was a set of powder foundation, mascara, and blush. After my first makeup application, I was in love. I loved putting on makeup and the feeling I had afterward. Everyday I woke up excited to get myself ready for the day. Shortly after, my family moved to an area of Wisconsin closer to the city, and that meant being closer to makeup supply stores. As I grew up and became more involved with social media, I started to discover youtube videos of popular makeup artists doing tutorials. I always dedicated time to practicing makeup and trying new techniques. The older I got, the more my allowance and soon to be paychecks started going more and more towards new palettes or lipsticks and other products. Maturing also made me realize that makeup is not about making someone beautiful, it is about expressing yourself and enhancing the beauty already there.

Entering high school, I was always the girl that did all of my friend’s hair and makeup for dances, I was also involved in the hair and makeup crew for all drama productions. Family and friends began to recommend me and see my work, and by the time I graduated high school I had done makeup for five weddings. Throughout high school, I realized that I could make a career of what I was passionate about. I was, and still am, very fortunate to have the support of my friends and family, but in the past I would receive weird looks and confused faces when I would tell people my dream is to be a cosmetologist. After graduating during the coronavirus pandemic, I was not sure whether or not to begin school in a career that is so involved with other people. However, I was determined to work and begin my dream as soon as possible. Going through online classes, multiple quarantines, and other challenges, I finally graduated from the Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness. The Institute gave me wonderful opportunities such as doing makeup for a fashion show. I was also able to participate in a fashion show with my classmates where we made a dress made entirely of recycled materials and curated a hair and makeup look to coordinate. I am now a full-time cosmetologist at Bella Lei Salon and Spa in Cedarburg Wisconsin, and I’m continuing to work hard and pursue my goals.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The path to get to where I am now, fortunately, did not have many bumps. Other than weird comments or looks from people that don’t believe being a cosmetologist is a career, I am fortunate to have the support of many family and friends. However, attending school for a career that is so involved with others during a global pandemic definitely caused challenges. I had to go through multiple quarantines and my graduation date was always changing. I also was not able to participate in a lot of the activities that the school I attended used to have before the pandemic.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work consists of all things beauty. I love enhancing the beauty I see on others before me everyday. I specialize in all things related to hair, such as cutting, coloring, and styling, and makeup. I am most proud of the editorial makeup work I have done for a fashion show featuring the incredible talent of fashion students. I also continue to practice and refine skills regarding makeup. I look forward to taking more classes and continuing in my education while keeping up with the latest trends. The beauty of the beauty industry is that it is ever-changing, and I’m ready.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The most important lesson I learned was that patience and kindness are very important. Throughout the pandemic, the care for others has never been needed more. The patience for others and what they are going through has always been important. We should always treat everyone with kindness because you can never know someone’s story or struggles simply by looking at them.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninamarie_co/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/co.ninamarie