Meet Maria Price of Get Primped

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Price.

Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Pasadena, and I’ve been in the beauty industry since 2002. I started as a licensed cosmetologist. Early on I knew I wanted to keep learning, so I went to The Studio Make-Up Academy in Hollywood and later earned my Eyelash Extension Certification from The Sinful Lash Academy in Studio City. I’ve always believed that staying current with your education is what keeps you growing in this business.

On October 16, 2016, I opened Get Primped in Pasadena, CA, and I just celebrated our 10-year anniversary. I’ve been working for myself in the beauty industry ever since, building a full-service salon where clients can get hair, lashes, and makeup done with a personal, high-end experience. Being independent has taught me so much about running a business, but the heart of it has always been the same: I love doing hair and makeup, and I love the way people light up when they see themselves at their best.

Alongside the salon, I’m an educator for Keratin Complex. I travel to salons, cosmetology schools, and beauty events teaching Keratin Complex Color Therapy and their Signature Smoothing Treatments. Teaching is one of my greatest passions. Giving back to young stylists and to experienced stylists who want to sharpen their skills is incredibly rewarding.

On weekends you’ll usually find me styling weddings, which is one of my favorite parts of the job. Being part of someone’s biggest day is an honor. Through all of it, I’m also a mom to my 16-year-old son, Ethan, and balancing motherhood with running my own business has made me stronger and more intentional about how I spend my time.

I always say, “Making people look good just feels good.” After more than 20 years, that’s still what drives me every day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge made me stronger. To get the salon up and running, I had to work a second job, and eventually a third. For five years I worked for the City of Pasadena in the Fire & Police Retirement System while building Get Primped.

In 2016, the same year I opened the salon, I also started teaching for Keratin Complex. I usually taught classes on Mondays, and sometimes I traveled anywhere from Seattle to Arizona to Northern and Southern California. So technically, I was juggling three jobs at once.

On top of that, I was a single mom raising my son and keeping our home running. He played baseball, so between clients, my city job, classes, travel, practices, and games, there were a lot of long days and late nights. There were times I didn’t know how I was going to keep it all together, but I knew I had to show up for him and for my dream. In 2024, I was finally able to let go of my city job and focus fully on beauty, and that’s when my dream truly came true.

The hardest struggle came in 2025, when my older brother and best friend, Anthony, got sick. Alongside my family, I spent much of that year caring for him, sitting with him in the hospital, and helping him keep up his health, all while trying to keep my career going. That same year, I did a full remodel of the salon. Family and friends pitched in, but it was mainly my boyfriend, Edwin, and me working night and day to design and build it. Just two weeks after we finished, in September 2025, Anthony passed away. Through that heartbreak, I realized that beauty isn’t just what I do — it’s what I live for. My clients supported me and held me up in ways I never could have imagined, and I’ll always be grateful to them for that.

Looking back, every one of these challenges taught me something about discipline, resilience, and how much I can carry when I’m surrounded by love and doing work that matters to me. I’m proud that my son got to see that hard work and heart really do pay off.

As you know, we’re big fans of Get Primped. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Get Primped is a hidden, speakeasy-style salon in Old Town Pasadena, open by appointment only. Inside, we have five hair stations, a nail station, and an eyelash station, and every chair is held to the same standard of care. Clients don’t just walk in. They’re booked, expected, and welcomed into a private space where they have their stylist’s full attention. It’s not a one-woman show, but it’s always personal: there’s no rush and no crowded waiting area, just a one-on-one experience from start to finish. Our tagline says it all: “Because Primpin’ Ain’t Easy.” We make it easy, fun, and luxurious.

We specialize in keratin smoothing treatments, color, and cuts. Because I train other stylists on keratin smoothing and color techniques, clients get the same expertise in the chair that I bring to the classroom. We also do wedding and event makeup and hairstyling, and we’ve taken our artistry beyond the salon to community events like Día de los Muertos celebrations at Dodger Stadium.

What sets us apart is how personal everything is. Because we’re an independent salon, every detail reflects my standards, from the professional-grade products we use to the way each client is cared for. As a stylist, my signature is using keratin smoothing treatments to achieve my results. Keratin treatments lock in color and keep hair healthy, so I can push hair to its limits while protecting it as I color or lighten it. Because I maintain my clients’ hair health and integrity, many have been with me for years, and it feels more like family than a business.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Get Primped has become a recognized name in Pasadena with a registered trademark and a loyal following, all built from the ground up. Ten years in, it still feels like my dream come to life.

We’re located at 30 N. Raymond Ave, Suite 100, Pasadena, CA 91103. Appointments can be booked at www.getprimped.com or by calling or texting 626.665.9329, and you can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook at @getprimped.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Pasadena is in my blood. My grandparents moved here from Texas when my mom was just seven years old. They chose this city and loved it so much that they rooted our entire family here. My grandmother made gift baskets for Jurgensen’s, and my grandfather laid the tile on the two tall buildings off the 210 at Lake Avenue. My dad came from Colombia at nine, and my parents met at Pasadena High School. I was born and raised here, and I even wear the city on my skin, with the Colorado Street Bridge, the iconic light poles, and our city’s rose tattooed on my arm.

To me, Pasadena is the most beautiful city. I love that it has everything you need: the Rose Bowl, the Pasadena Playhouse, and so much history on every corner. We also host the Rose Parade, which is especially close to my heart. My dad built and drove the floats, and I grew up decorating them with my mom and siblings. The city is well cared for, and the people are a mix of every culture, which makes it feel like home to everyone.

What I like least is watching the city struggle through hard times. I went through the waves of COVID shutdowns as a business owner, and it was painful to see local businesses close and our streets go quiet. But Pasadena has bounced back and is thriving again, and that makes me so happy and proud. This city is resilient, and I think that’s where I get it from. Like Pasadena, I’ve been through hard seasons, and I’ve always found my way back stronger.

Pricing:

• Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment $350
• Partial Balayage $195
• Hair Cuts $95
• Root Touch Ups $95
• Bridal makeup & hair $400

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.getprimped.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getprimped
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getprimped
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/cD7YwhVpY8