Life & Work with Marc D. Matteo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc D. Matteo.

Hi Marc, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.

I started off my professional career when I graduated from college in June of 2014. I received my bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles with a major in Communications and an emphasis in Public Relations and Organizational Communications. My time in the industry was short-lived.

I was laid off in December 2015 and spent nearly two years trying to make my way back into the industry. I moved to San Diego, Chicago, and back, trying my best to be seen. But due to a lack of experience and connections, I found myself let down by an industry I once loved and robbed of the one thing I was most passionate about.

When I finally sat down to decide my next steps, I realized I didn’t want to go back to living the corporate 9-5. I wanted to start fresh. I knew whatever I chose as my next career, there were three points of interest I had to meet.

1. Allow me to remain creative.
2. Allow me to remain outgoing.
3. Allow me to still work with people

After making a list and narrowing it down, I found that after all these years, hair and makeup was my calling. I attended Paul Mitchell The School San Diego in December 2017. Completed the program in December 2018 and became licensed hairstylist in January 2019. I also gained employment with MAC Cosmetics and began working as an artist for the brand.

The first year was bumpy as I was navigating salons and working for MAC, but during this time I began realizing the kind of stylist and makeup artist I wanted to be, As I was finally coming to a point of finding where I belonged, the pandemic hit. My entire career was placed on hold. The struggle was real.

The beauty industry in California took a HUGE hit. We were shut down on and off for 7 months and I was forced to move home to Northern California because I couldn’t afford to live on my own. I spent 8 months back home with my family.

During that time, I worked for a man who would change my life in hair. Adam Federico, VP of Technical Education at R&Co, hired me and took me under his wing. I assisted him at his salon and production studio, where I accompanied him on clients and for education about the brand. All while maintaining employment and freelance status with MAC Cosmetics.

California grew more and more expensive and I decided it was time to leave the nest and, hopefully, make my last big move. In June 2021, I packed up my things, and moved to Arizona. I have never looked back.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Like I said in the previous question, the road hasn’t been a smooth one. I had been through a number of disappointing experiences in the industry.

To the point where someone in my junior level would have given up. One would have thought that the challenges I have had up until now, would have scared someone away from wanting to continue. Thinking maybe this is how the industry is and with the pandemic on top of it all, most would have given up from feeling so let down.

Some salon owners I worked for would promise me one thing but never delivered. Trying to find someone who cares about the industry just as much as I do, that was a struggle in itself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am a hairstylist and makeup artist.

When it comes to hair, I am currently training to become a cutting and color specialist while also beginning the process of becoming a product educator. Currently, I am known for my dimensional and platinum blondes as well as my big, sexy, 90’s inspired blowouts. My guilty pleasures are creating bodacious brunettes, ravishing redheads, and sexy salt and pepper hair colors.

As for makeup, I am heavily influenced by the 90s supermodel era. Editorial skin, warm nudes, bronzed tones, smokey eyes, and a 90’s style lip are a signature. My proudest moment to date was being hired as a makeup artist with ESPN as an artist for their documentary on the USA Women’s Basketball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

What sets me apart is my manifesto toward hair and makeup: Beauty should be Effortlessly Transformative.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?

Three people who deserve the most credit are my mentors and teachers, Clinton Norris, Adam Federico, and Debra Dietrich.

Clinton Norris, co-owner of Varsity Education and cutting specialist for the advanced cutting team with Paul Mitchell, was my cutting teacher in a school and throughout my career, has remained a constant in my life, becoming a mentor to me, helping me navigate this industry. From education to employment, Clinton has been supporting and believing in me every step of the way, I don’t know what I would have done without him.

Adam Federico, VP of Technical Education for R&Co, is the man that saved me from giving up. I believe he saw my drive and determination. He recognized my love for the R&Co brand and taught me invaluable lessons while refining my experience and skill in the industry.

He IS the reason I have remained in love with hair and why I find myself returning to R&Co wanting to educate. He pushed me. Made me try, try again. Every time I picked up a brush or comb, I think… What would Adam say? What would Adam do? Don’t be lazy. Cut hair, not corners.

And finally, Debra Dietrich, co-owner and co-founder of Muse Beauty, is my rock in the makeup community. She is always there. Supporting my artistry, and helping me grow my professional career. Always there when I need help. In many ways, she has trained me, mentored me, and educated me.

Still does. She is the reason for an opportunity in my career. Put me on the map with ESPN. Supports my desire to educate. Welcomed me as a part of the Muse Beauty Team. She never lets me down. I owe so much of my career to her.

Contact Info:

• Email: MarcDMatteo@gmail.com
• Instagram: @marcdmatteo

Image Credits
Lyssa Lara @lyssalaraphoto and @eijiphoto2.0