Meet Melissa Murphy Bedi | Hair & Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Murphy Bedi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Everything I have done in my life has been based on taking a chance. Going for it against all odds. Survival meets talent, and determination. I started at a makeup counter to supplement my income. I became the manager, and one of my employees left working for me. She was placed as an assistant to a Porn director through a temp agency. She was going out of town and he needed someone to watch his dogs. I did the job. When he returned, I told him I was a makeup artist and asked him for a job. It was before HD, and I had no idea what I was doing. There was an abundance of work available. I learned by staying after and watching the other makeup artists work. Then I bought every Kevin Aucoin book and studied them. After 10 years doing makeup and hair styling in Porn, I went viral for my work. Instead of supporting me, the adult actresses blacklisted me. I was cyber bullied.
I then went to India with an another adult actress, to work on Bollywood films. Within 6 months, she fired me over food in the most humiliating way, and left me stranded in India. I met my now husband, and after being stranded in India for an additional 5-6 months- He moved back to the states with me.
I worked in the adult industry to help us get on our feet. Once my husband got into the film union, I then began to pursue only mainstream work.
It has now been almost 10 years! I have worked extremely hard, and built a beautiful portfolio. I have celebrity clients whom I have been working with for several years. I was the department head for the film, “Saving Zoë”. I have done several music videos and red carpet events. I have worked every major award show, including the Oscars. I am very proud of my accomplishments and how far I have come.
I have now started an apprenticeship to learn to cut and color hair as well. I am always learning, growing. Trying to better myself. Sometimes you just have to believe in yourself, and put one foot in front of the other. If you don’t take the risk, you will never know.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I discovered my talent through survival. It wasn’t something I sought out, but I can not imagine my life without it. It has become part of me. I am an artist through and through. I am mostly self taught. Now, after almost 20 years, going to cosmetology school.
I have done hair and makeup on all walks of life. I love my diverse experiences. It is why I am so good at what I do. I learned through experience. Trial and error on all skin types, ages, genders.
Each one of us unique. Each one of us with our own unique potential. I love helping people find their best selves. Seeing peoples confidence improve, makes my heart sing. I coined the term, “The Power of Makeup” because I wanted everyone to know we all have the ability to find our best selves. Hair and makeup is a tool we all have to make ourselves feel good. Adding cutting and coloring hair to that mix only makes what I have to offer more powerful.
I have personally used it my whole life to overcome. When I feel good about me, I am a better person in the world. I want to share that feeling with as many people as humanly possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start at my place. Have a few people over. I love my home vibe. I have been really working on making it special. Creating beauty in your life is a full time job! Then we would go to my favorite restaurant in Malibu. Beach day, shopping at the farmers market, art exhibit… concert… hiking… Anything, nature, art or music. I’m in!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I met Dimitry Loiseau and Valerie Noble within a year of returning from India. I was broke, broken, and needed a break. We were introduced through a family friend of my husband. Dimitry and Valerie own Regard Magazine. It is a celebrity fashion magazine, with heart. Valerie is a talented hair & makeup artist. She became busy with her celebrity clients, and needed someone to fill her shoes at the magazine. I was in the right place at the right time, and I was prepared for the moment. It felt like divine timing.
It gave me a chance to slowly build, and prove myself again, in a safe environment.
Valerie was Laura Marano’s personal hair & makeup artist. She became busy with her main client, Miss Octavia Spencer, and needed someone for Laura and her sister Vanessa Marano.
I had proven myself with the magazine, so Miss Valerie did the introduction. I have now worked with the Marano family for the past 6-7 years. I feel so blessed and grateful to be in this circle with these amazing people. They have become my work family, and support system in LA.
Dimitry and Valerie have opened every door to help me be who I am today in my career. I still work with Dimitry all of the time. He is a mentor, and friend. I am so unbelievably grateful.

Website: Www.MelissaBedi.com

Instagram: @lifeofmelbe

Linkedin: Melissa Murphy Bedi

Twitter: @lifeofmelbe

Facebook: @lifeofmelbe

Youtube: @lifeofmelbe

Other: Tiktok: @lifeofmelbe

Image Credits
Selfie’s & on set photos of me working. Photo: Hair & makeup on actress Tricia Helfer (standing behind holding her hair) Photo: hair transformation on Abbey Rose (action photo of me working) I just cut all of my hair off and do not have professional photos at this time.