Rising Stars: Meet Melissa Ramella of San Diego, Ca

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Ramella.

Hi Melissa , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been a girly girl- Lisa Frank folders, stars and hearts on my overalls, always drawn to the color, texture, and shimmer of lip gloss.Not to cover anything up, but because beauty moved me, excites me. It still does.

I was born in Italy, with roots in El Salvador and Mexico three rich, expressive cultures that shaped how I see the world. From a young age, I was drawn to aesthetics elegant, loud, soft, avant-garde, and everything in between. Beauty, for me, was never shallow. It was identity. Power. Connection.

I started my makeup journey in Washington state, where I was scouted in 2010 as a M·A·C freelance artist, then began assisting on commercial-style shoots and infomercials. It was my first glimpse into the creative world behind the camera fast-paced, collaborative, electric. I was hooked. Makeup made sense to me. It was intuitive. It was home always humming in the background, a steady pulse I never really let go of. But life zigzags. In late 2012, I moved to San Diego. I kept working at counters, but eventually found myself in the bar world a different kind of artistry. High-energy, fast-paced, and deeply rooted in community. And I realized: that was the thread. Whether doing makeup or running a packed room, I thrive in spaces that bring people together.

A few years ago, I found myself collaborating with other creatives again photographers, stylists, and something shifted. I didn’t have a roadmap, but I knew I wanted to follow that feeling. One shoot turned into another, and I fell back in love with the rhythm of it all. The energy, the people, the way each project pulled something new out of me it reminded me why I started in the first place. These days, my focus is on beauty, editorial, and commercial work. I love collaborating with people not just models, actors, or musicians, but anyone stepping into a moment where they need to be seen. I think of myself as the calm before the storm. Whether someone’s about to be on camera, on stage, or just in the spotlight in some way, I want to create a space where they feel grounded, confident, and creatively charged. It’s not just about making people look great it’s about helping them feel powerful, and present. This chapter has been about momentum, intention, and leaning into the creative community around me. While I’m based in San Diego, I travel to LA regularly for work from editorial shoots to commercial projects. It’s become a natural extension of my creative circle, and I love the energy of working between both cities. I feel lucky to be doing work that’s creative, connective, and ever-evolving.

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?
Of course it hasn’t been a smooth road but I don’t think any creative path is supposed to be. There have been seasons of doubt, times I stepped away from makeup to survive, to pay bills, to get grounded. Life zigzags. And for a while, bartending took the lead. It was a different kind of performance long nights, fast thinking, navigating people and energy. And I learned a lot in those rooms. There’s also the quiet struggle of starting again. Re-entering the creative space after time away, rebuilding momentum, investing in yourself without knowing exactly where it’ll land. That takes something. But the love I have for this work never left. It just waited until I was ready to return with more clarity, more confidence, and more to say.
I wouldn’t trade the detours. They gave me grit, perspective, and a deeper understanding of the kind of artist and human I want to be.

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?
I’m a makeup artist specializing in beauty, editorial, and commercial work. My approach is rooted in storytelling, clean execution, and intentional collaboration. While my current portfolio leans into natural, elevated glam I bring a strong point of view and am always expanding creatively. What sets me apart is my ability to connect. I’m calm under pressure, intuitive with people, and deeply collaborative. Whether I’m getting someone camera-ready or supporting a creative vision behind the scenes, I understand that makeup is never just makeup it’s part of the mood, the message, and the moment.
I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built both with my clients and within the creative community. This chapter of my career has been about momentum, integrity, and stepping into the version of artistry that feels most aligned with who I am. I’m still growing, still evolving, and excited about what’s ahead.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Honestly? Maybe that there’s nothing surprising at all. I don’t really do mystery, I’m not one for facades if you’ve met me, you’ve probably already clocked the full spectrum: intensity, tenderness, chaos, care. I show up with my whole self, every time. It’s not calculated or curated. I feel things fully, I say what I mean, and I let people in. So in a way, the lack of mystery is the surprise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://melissaramella.format.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrpaint/

Image Credits
Celina Kenyon @celinakenyon
Erica Joan @ericajoanphoto