Meet Melissa Dupont: Makeup Artist, Mental Health Advocate & Mother

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

Hi Melissa, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
Being a parent is hard. We are continually second guessing everything we do and hoping that we are shaping future members of society. My daughters are young, 3 and 5, born into an era where change is happening and progress is now. I think educating them on current topics is the most important thing I’ve done so far to impact my children. Reading books about equality and discussing the importance of inclusion is something we do often together as a family. We also believe in transparency and honoring all feelings. I grew up in a family that had a hard time dealing with mental health issues and I’ve learned that really honoring my girls feelings, even a tantrum, helps them to feel validated and that they matter. Too often we dismiss children’s emotions which can lead to low self image.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Growing up I was constantly dressing up and pretending so it was only natural that as an adult I would find a profession where I could literally do that. As a makeup artist I love to create fun and colorful looks that celebrate pop culture, especially Disney. I also love that I can create a timeless look on a bride for her wedding day and make her feel like a princess. It hasn’t been an easy road for me to get to this point in my life where I am actually ready to put myself out there and create the business I always dreamed of but sometimes you have to take the long road to get there. I attended Makeup Designory School in Burbank and had the best of intentions to get my makeup career going but my mental health was not in the best state and for years I put pursuing makeup on the back burner. I only did makeup for friends and they always asked me why I wasn’t doing it all the time and I didn’t have a great excuse. What changed for me was seeking real help with a therapist who I continue to see and for the first time in my life I am seeing myself and telling myself that I can actually do it if I try. It took a pandemic for me to see it as clearly as I do now but here we are and I’m excited for what possibilities are out there. As a content creator I get to create looks or try new products which only feeds my soul and keeps pushing me to create. As a mother, I believe it’s important for our children to feel empowered to pursue their dreams, but also to know that it takes a lot of hard work and determination. Going to therapy changed my life in so many ways, it has shown me that while my mental illness cannot be cured, I have value in my experiences and can grow from them. I can heal and start a new chapter and how I approach mental health awareness with my girls is to be honest with them. On my bad days taking accountability for my actions and behaviors shows them that it’s not their fault.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I was going out with my best friend for a night out, we would definitely have tickets to a show but first things first, we head to Miceli’s for the best Italian dinner! Their Caprese salad is fantastic and the portions are perfect! The best part is the live entertainment, if you are a lover or classic showtunes and pasta, you’ll love it. If you haven’t guessed we are definitely Musical Theatre fans so next we would of course walk to the historical Pantages Theatre where we are seeing Hamilton, our favorite. The Pantages Theatre is hands down the best place to see a touring Broadway show in Hollywood. It has the glamour of the 1930’s Art Deco and the small quaintness of the New York City theatre’s. After the show ends and we get our Playbill signed, we walk over to Tramp Stamp Grannies for a last song and drink. This bar is my favorite because it’s a small eclectic musical theatre piano bar, and I know what you are thinking, not more showtunes! We are the friends that must end the night with a high note and they play everything from Ragtime to Queen! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As a mental health advocate, I rely on organizations such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) that provide mental health resources for all. It’s incredible to see the mental health community growing so much. I also have read the book, “How to Talk so Little Kids will Listen” by Joanna Faber and Julie King which helped me understand how to communicate with my two girls.

Website: Magicwithmelissa.squarespace.com

Instagram: Magicwithmelissa

Image Credits
All images are my own.