La Vida Lifestyle Vol. 4 - Marisa

Marisa

Is a dedicated hairstylist with seven years of experience in the hair industry, where her passion shines through in every cut and style. Though traditional schooling never captivated her, she has always harbored a deep interest in hair, skin, and nails. After completing high school, Marisa took a significant step by enrolling at the Artistic Academy of Hair Design. During her studies, she gained invaluable experience working as an assistant in a busy salon, collaborating with various stylists and developing essential skills that she still utilizes today.
Just as she was preparing to transition into a stylist role, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. In response, Marisa and her father creatively transformed their garage into “The Ratchet Salon,” where she offered haircuts to anyone in need. This unique setup allowed her to experiment with new techniques discovered on social media, all while learning to adapt in a challenging environment. Fortunately, she hopes that all her clients left with smiles on their faces.

Mastering the Art of hair and  lifestyle 

​After the pandemic, Marisa moved to a smaller, more intimate salon, where she began to build her clientele. Initially focusing on color, highlighting, and styling, she ultimately decided to specialize in haircutting. Marisa finds joy in how a haircut can transform a person’s face shape and enhance their individual style. Her favorite cuts to create include shags, bobs, and bangs. She embraces challenges, whether it’s addressing a cowlick, fixing uneven layers, or experimenting with fringes. Post-pandemic, she particularly enjoyed restoring those DIY haircuts that many attempted at home, appreciating the trust her clients placed in her to try new things.

Capturing the Essence of my career

​In addition to her professional dedication, Marisa values maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Having experienced burnout firsthand, she lives by the motto “work hard, play hard.” She puts in the effort at work but ensures she carves out time for leisure, whether it’s a weekend getaway, attending a concert, or enjoying a night out with friends. Last year, she even formed a band called “GRL BND” with friends, practicing weekly to enjoy some creative fun. Picking up the drums has become a refreshing outlet for her, allowing her to clear her mind and enjoy the thrill of making music.

To stay at the forefront of her craft, Marisa invests considerable time and energy into attending cutting classes and workshops. She has learned from esteemed places such as Redken’s Cut and Know Why class, Arrojo Academy in New York City, and ongoing training from her scissor company. A key aspect of her profession is the belief that there is no one-size-fits-all approach; every stylist has their unique method, and Marisa is always eager to learn new tricks and techniques.

Marisa firmly believes that looking and feeling one’s best is vital in any industry. She encourages everyone to approach their day with a positive attitude, dress the part, and embody the philosophy that “look good, feel good!”

The uplifting and enjoyable work environment, along with the trust her clients place in her skills, contributes significantly to her professional journey. In 2024, Marisa took a significant step by beginning to teach the LA VIDA stylists and assistants the techniques and knowledge she has acquired from various classes. As she continues her path toward becoming a haircut specialist, she aims to become more confident in educating fellow stylists on hair cutting techniques and is excited about the potential contributions she can make to the team.

Marisa is immensely grateful for the opportunities that LA VIDA has provided her. She appreciates her talented coworkers, whom she considers friends, and values the support of her boss, who continually encourages the team to grow.

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How to Style Bangs

step one

​Ensure the hair is completely wet to reposition it and avoid cowlicks. Start by blow-drying and brushing the hair side to side and downwards to break up the part line.

step two

​Once the hair is 90% dry, use a round brush to blow-dry the bangs down, up, or to the side, depending on the desired result.

Bonus tip

​: If pressed for time or facing a bad hair day, simply re-wash and blow-dry the front section of hair, clip or ponytail the rest, and you’ll have a fresh look in no time!