We recently connected with Marissa Destino and have shared our conversation below.

Marissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was a senior in High School I would skip class and cut all of my friends hair in the bathroom. At that time I was actually studying to become a Marine Biologist funny enough. There was one particular day while I was cutting my friends hair they asked me “If you like hair so much and are good at it why don’t you become a hairstylist?” My response was “ I don’t want to work at Supercuts” that’s all I knew as a kid was going to get a quick haircut, I thought that’s all there was to offer. Later that week my school had a career fair and there was group of beautiful humans tattooed from head to toe, in all black these really cool hats and I was drawn to them and they told me they were hair stylists. That day I went home and told my parents that this was what I wanted to be. It lit a fire in me. Something I never felt studying Marine Biology. I knew that in that moment it was my calling, I wanted to look at cool as they did while making others feel beautiful. 3 months later I enrolled to cosmetology school !

Marissa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Marissa Destino!

I have been in love with cosmetology since I was in the 6th grade living out my best emo kid life. I would take sharpies and color coon tails in my hair. I think that’s where it all started for me, I just fell in love with being able to express myself no matter how dramatic it was.

Fast forward a few years in highschool I was skipping class cutting my best friend’s hair in the bathroom and she told me I would be a hairstylist. I was planning on becoming a marine biologist up until that moment. It just sort of hit me that I love this. I went home that night and told my parents. They were NOT happy about this shift. They thought it wasn’t a stable industry or career path for me. Which at the time they weren’t necessarily wrong. It was that moment I didn’t budge or shift from this idea. After highschool I took some time off and about 3 years later I enrolled into Paul Mitchell The School Tampa it was in the mall I worked at.

The first week in I knew I made the right decision I could feel it everyday I was at school. I was surrounded by so much inspiration and art. I was so invested and consumed by what this world. Getting to make people feel like themselves and hearing about all walks of life. I haven’t looked back.

I am now 8 years into this industry I’m an independent stylist in a beautiful salon working next to two of the most talented humans I could ever ask for. I specialize in vivid colors and razor cuts. From rainbow hair to shags and mullets. I was told in cosmetology school I wouldn’t make a career off of these things and look at me now. I am a successful artist making a full blown career doing what I love. It’s taken blood, sweat and tears to get to this point. I worked 15 hour days at one point to make it to where I am. You know that saying “find what you love and let it kill you” it became my motto. I wouldn’t have done it any differently. The next year I plan on making some big moves in this industry so just you guys wait.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of this career is the light that comes back to people when you take the cape off and they see themselves again. We don’t talk about it enough but hair holds so much energy, it’s one of the biggest statements we make on people and what separates us. I’ve shaved heads and cried with my guest while doing so, I’ve helped heal broken hearts when someone just needs to completely change how they are seen. I’ve given people gender affirming haircuts that help them transition into the human they are. This is an Art that continues to give back and fill my cup.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think my biggest drive is being a Queer hair stylist and being able to create a safe space for people to come and be who they are. If I can help one person feel safe in their body than I did my job. We live in a scary time where we are losing a lot of our rights to be who we are and I am determined to continuously have a safe space for all humans.

Contact Info:

• Website: hausofchantelsalon.com
• Instagram: www.instagram/hair__riot.com

Image Credits
Instagram handles @Furandlacephoto @Furandlacecreative Aja is her name