The Journey from Dreams of Pop Stardom to a Successful Career in Film and Beauty
From dreams of becoming a pop star to making a name in the acting world, Melissa Barrera’s career trajectory has been nothing short of inspiring. Growing up, Melissa was captivated by the music competition show Código F.A.M.A. in Mexico, a major platform for young talent. It was here that she first felt the call of stardom. She watched her neighbor get on the show’s first season and thought, “If he can do it, so can I.” While her path didn’t follow the musical route, Melissa’s journey took a different yet equally rewarding direction. She started taking voice lessons and acting camps, which paved the way for roles in TV series like Vida and Scream, as well as in the critically acclaimed film Your Monster, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Today, she’s not just making waves in the entertainment industry; Melissa has become a role model for self-care and beauty. Her skincare and beauty routines are proof that taking care of yourself is a key component to feeling confident in your own skin.
Melissa Barrera’s Beauty Routine: Skincare and Makeup Must-Haves
Melissa’s commitment to self-care starts with her skin. She has been seeing a dermatologist since she was 13 or 14, ensuring she’s always been vigilant about her skincare. She swears by a few products that have stood the test of time, including Dexeryl Cleansing Cream, a product she’s been using for over a decade. Whether it’s morning or night, this gentle cleanser is always part of her routine, and she never travels without it. In fact, if the brand ever stops making it, she plans to buy every bottle she can find.
For added skincare benefits, Melissa recently discovered Intuisse, a brand that incorporates NAD+ into its products. Melissa loves their face serum, eye serum, and cleansing lotion, which she stores in a small fridge in her bathroom. These products have become an essential part of her daily routine. She also enjoys using Mad Hippie’s Vitamin C Serum and RoC’s Retinol Correxion Night Cream for their anti-aging benefits.
When it comes to sunscreen, Melissa swears by Clinique’s Moisture Surge SPF 28. She was once under contract with Clinique, and she fell in love with the brand’s Moisture Surge line, which includes aloe vera—something Melissa grew up using in her household as a remedy for various skin issues. At night, she often uses Moisture Surge 100H Hydrator as a face mask to wake up with radiant skin.
For makeup, Melissa embraces a more natural look. She prefers skipping foundation and using NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard to even out her complexion. For a sun-kissed glow, she uses Benetint on her cheeks and lips. Interestingly, Benetint was created because strippers wanted to make their nipples look pinker, a fun fact that Melissa recently learned. On days when she wants a more peachy tone, she reaches for Armani’s Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in 50.5. She also loves using Armani’s Eye Tints for a quick and easy way to create depth on her eyes. The chestnut shade, 10S, is a particular favorite.
For contouring, Melissa uses Simihaze’s Skin Suede Bronze Balm in Cedar, which she swears by for creating a natural, sun-kissed contour.
Hair Care: From Fine Strands to Full Volume
While Melissa’s sisters have thick, luscious hair, she admits to struggling with fine, thin hair that lacks volume. Despite this, she takes excellent care of her strands and has found products that really work for her. She uses Chāmpo’s Pitta Shampoo, Conditioner, and Serum, all of which help her hair feel thicker and more voluminous. Before discovering Chāmpo, she used Color Wow’s Dream Cocktail Leave-In, which worked wonders for volume.
To keep her ends from splitting, Melissa also relies on Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil, which has been a staple in her routine for years. It helps keep her hair looking healthy and nourished.
Signature Scent: The Fragrance that Stays with Her
One of the signature aspects of Melissa’s beauty routine is her fragrance. She’s worn Be Delicious by DKNY since she was 15, and it’s a scent that people immediately associate with her. Melissa says that the fragrance works perfectly with her pH, which is why people often compliment her on how good she smells. Even after years without seeing her, old friends still recognize her by the scent.
For Melissa Barrera, beauty is about more than just appearance—it’s about self-care, consistency, and choosing products that work. Whether it’s skincare, makeup, haircare, or fragrance, each step in her routine contributes to her confidence and radiance, proving that self-love is the best beauty routine of all.
Photographed by Ashlee Huff in New York on November 18, 2024