Meet Marina Alves Pereira | Special Effects Makeup Artist & Hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marina Alves Pereira and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I believe taking risks is often the only way to truly grow personally and professionally. To me, risk isn’t about being reckless, but about believing in your potential enough to step outside of your comfort zone. Some of the most important moments in my life came from taking bold steps without having all the answers in advance.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving from Brazil to the U.S. to pursue my dream of working in the beauty and entertainment industry. I left behind a stable career and everything familiar to start over in a new country, facing a new language, culture, and industry standards. It was a leap of faith, but one that has opened incredible doors for me, from expanding my skillset to building connections in a global market.

That risk taught me resilience and gave me a deeper sense of purpose. It also showed me that sometimes the biggest risks come with the biggest rewards. Now, I approach challenges with the mindset that uncertainty is part of progress, and I trust my ability to adapt and thrive.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I didn’t always know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to be an artist. After high school, I started studying visual arts and dreamed of becoming a wall painting restoration artist. I spent three years in college pursuing that path, but when I couldn’t find a job in the field, I took a chance and enrolled in a makeup course. That decision changed everything.
I quickly started working for a beauty company in Brazil, and it was there that I really grew professionally. One day, they asked me to teach a Halloween makeup workshop. That’s when I discovered creature design, and I instantly knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. From that moment, I focused all my energy on saving money to study abroad and eventually come to Los Angeles to pursue that dream.
I had everything ready to go, plane ticket, apartment, school, when two weeks before my flight, the world shut down due to COVID. What was supposed to be a fresh start turned into nearly two years of waiting. I was unemployed, stuck at home, and trying to stretch every bit of savings while navigating a world where artistic jobs were no longer in demand. It was a time that tested every part of me. I had to learn patience, which is still something I’m working on today.
But once I finally made it to LA and stepped into the classroom, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. I fell in love with learning again and knew I was on the right path. After graduating from Make-Up Designory, I had to return to Brazil due to visa limitations. That was another test of patience, but I stayed focused and eventually came back to pursue a second degree in cosmetology.
This new chapter brought its own challenges: long hours, complex coursework, and juggling work with school. But I never stopped. I volunteered, networked, and said yes to every opportunity that allowed me to grow and improve.
What I want the world to know about me and my story is this: I never give up. No matter how difficult things get, I keep moving forward. I am passionate, dedicated, and constantly evolving. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s made me stronger, and I’m just getting started.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My family is actually coming to visit me soon, and I’ve planned a trip that mixes all the best parts of LA with a couple of exciting getaways.

Since they’re excited about the entertainment industry, we’ll definitely be doing a couple of studio tours. It’s the perfect way to experience a bit of Hollywood magic, especially since I work in the field, they’ll finally get to see a bit of the world I’m a part of.

Of course, Disneyland and Universal Studios are on the list too, one full day at each, right at the end of their first week here. It’s the best way to mix fun, nostalgia, and movie magic all in one.

They also love shopping, so I’ve made sure there’s plenty of time for that, whether it’s outlets, shopping centers, or trendy neighborhoods like Melrose or The Grove.

We’ll also be exploring some of the more classic tourist spots: Hollywood Blvd, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory, and maybe a beach day in Malibu. I want them to leave feeling like they really saw LA.

And finally, we’ll wrap the whole trip with something really special, my graduation! It’s at the end of their second week here, and I’m so happy they’ll be here to celebrate that milestone with me after everything it took to get to this point.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely. My journey has been filled with challenges, long days on set followed by early mornings in class, moments of uncertainty when I was between jobs, and times when I questioned whether it would all work out. But giving up was never an option, and that’s largely because of the strength and example of my mother.
She grew up in a small town in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and went on to become a highly successful woman despite the odds. Her resilience and determination have always been my guiding light, and everything I do is with the hope of making her proud.
Beyond her, I have an incredibly supportive family back in Brazil, my brother, sister-in-law, stepfather, father, stepmother… the list is long, and each of them has been a pillar for me in their own way. Their constant encouragement, even from afar, has kept me going.
When I moved to the U.S. alone, my friends became my chosen family. They not only supported me emotionally but also volunteered as my first clients during cosmetology school and beyond. You know who you are, and I’ll always be grateful.
And now, I’m fortunate to have a partner by my side, someone I met while working on a film project. His love, support, and belief in me have been a beautiful part of this journey, and I’m deeply thankful for his presence and love in my life.

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