Meet Jessica Portillo | Luxury Hair & Makeup Artist | Master Stylist & Colorist | Bridal, Editorial & Film Expert

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

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
For me, risk has been the foundation of every major leap in my career and life. I bet on myself in the early 2000s when I left a lucrative career in San Francisco to move back to Los Angeles for beauty school—working full-time while studying full-time. Fresh out of school, I took another big gamble by heading straight to Beverly Hills with my brand-new résumé, determined to work in high-end beauty. That risk paid off, leading to over a decade of working in 90210 alongside some of the best in the industry.

In 2014, I bet on myself again—moving to Miami, knowing only a couple of people, and starting from scratch. And in January 2020, I took the biggest leap yet, going 100% on my own just before the pandemic hit.

I’ve learned that risk isn’t about being reckless—it’s about having faith in your resilience and betting on the work ethic, skills, and adaptability you’ve built. Every leap I’ve taken has made me a stronger artist and businesswoman.

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.
My art is built on the belief that beauty should be timeless, personal, and transformative. As a Master Hair Stylist, Master Colorist, Extension Specialist, and Luxury Makeup & Bridal Artist, I merge technical mastery with an editorial eye, creating looks that are both elevated and deeply customized to each client.

What sets me apart is not just the end result, but the journey my clients experience from the moment they book to the moment they leave my chair. I draw from decades in the high-end beauty world—Beverly Hills salons, luxury spas like the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons, destination weddings, editorial shoots, and television—to bring an uncompromising standard of artistry and service.

Getting here was not easy. I started my career in the late ’90s, when social media didn’t dictate trends and success was built purely on skill, reputation, and relationships. I worked my way up from assisting in prestigious salons to managing businesses, all while taking risks that required starting over in new cities—most recently moving to Miami in 2014 with just a few connections and building my brand from the ground up.

I am most proud of my consistency, my dedication to education, and my ability to evolve without losing my signature style. The lesson I’ve learned is simple: talent opens doors, but humility, professionalism, and respect for your craft keep them open.

I want the world to know that Jessica Portillo Beauty is not just a service—it’s an experience rooted in trust, luxury, and the kind of artistry that makes someone look in the mirror and feel like the most confident version of themselves

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Miami is a city that has it all—sun, culture, energy, and pure magic. If my best friend was visiting for a week, we’d start with the essentials: a beach day or a boat ride to a sandbar for that perfect Miami sun-and-sea moment. Breakfast would be at a ventanita for strong Cuban coffee, and dinner in Little Havana for the music, flavors, and energy that only Calle Ocho delivers.

We’d slip in a quick exclusive getaway to Fisher Island—invite-only and a rare gem—just to experience its private beaches and unmatched tranquility. After the ferry ride back, we’d bike and stroll up Ocean Drive as far as we felt like going, soaking in the ocean breeze and the colorful energy of South Beach.

Food would be an adventure of its own: Peruvian cuisine at CVI.CHE 105 is a must, crab rolls at Joe’s Take Away before heading to Nikki Beach, and lunch with an espresso martini at Contessa in Brickell City Centre after some luxe shopping.

Evenings would be for rooftops like Rosa Sky or Sugar at EAST Hotel, with cocktails and city views, followed by dancing in Wynwood, hopping from spot to spot, and ending with a tiki lounge experience at Gramps Hideaway—colorful cocktails, relaxed vibes, and a touch of retro fun. We’d get dressed to the nines for Sexy Fish one night, catch the sunset at South Pointe Park another, and slip in live music nights at Truluck’s in Brickell or the cozy, romantic Bunbury for wine and great vibes.

For that wild Miami energy, we’d hit E11even for one unforgettable night, balanced with a spa day at the Fontainebleau and poolside drinks. And of course, we’d end it all with a nightcap at the 1 Hotel rooftop, toasting to a week of luxury, fun, and Miami magic

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?
My journey is one of resilience, artistry, and the unwavering belief that I could reinvent myself at every stage of life. It’s also a story shaped by the extraordinary people who saw my potential—often before I could see it myself.

My earliest mentors were my parents, who instilled in me a relentless work ethic and the courage to dream, even during my rebellious teenage years. But the true spark came when Josefina Jacquin, a Colombian artist I babysat for in San Francisco, took me to Haight-Ashbury for my first high-end haircut. That moment introduced me to the late Santos Cuellar—a visionary hair artist whose influence on my life and career would be immeasurable.

Santos welcomed me into the world of luxury beauty at David & Friends, a high-energy, impeccably stylish salon. For months, I assisted both Santos and the salon’s owner, David, learning how to thrive under pressure, master the art of multitasking, and balance patience with precision. It was the late ’90s—a time before social media, when the industry was built purely on luxury, quality, and reputation. It was an era of fearless creativity: bold colors, trend-defining styles, and unapologetic originality. To have lived and worked in that environment was extraordinary—a vibrant, daring moment in beauty history that, I believe, we’ll never quite replicate. That spirit still inspires me today.

Life took me on an unexpected detour into the fitness industry, where I began as a receptionist and rose to become the general manager of my own Marin Corte Madera location. For five years, I built a thriving career in sales and leadership—skills that would later prove invaluable in running my own beauty business. Yet, despite my success, my heart never strayed from my true calling.

At 24, I made the bold decision to return to Los Angeles, attend cosmetology school full-time while working full-time, and step into the fiercely competitive world of Beverly Hills salons. Those years in school were demanding, but I was never alone. I will forever be grateful to my family—especially my cousins and aunt—who opened their homes to me, gave me places to stay, and offered unwavering support that I could not have made it through without. And of course, my parents, who stood by me through every challenge, were always there when I needed them most.

I went on to work alongside some of the most elite stylists and colorists in the country during a time when the standards were sky-high and the pace unrelenting. The 2008 financial crash tested my resolve, but Santos reminded me to stay the course—a piece of advice that led to one of my most transformative roles at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Spa. There, I mastered the art of delivering an impeccable luxury client experience, from the first conversation to the final flourish.

In 2010, I experienced one of my greatest personal losses when Santos passed away. His mentorship remains woven into every decision I make behind the chair, every stroke of color, and every cut of my shears. His voice still guides me.

In 2014, I took another leap—relocating to Miami with only a handful of connections, determined to build a clientele from the ground up. My family, lifelong friends, and especially my husband—my partner in life and business—were my unwavering foundation. From building out salon suites to designing my private studio, he helped turn visions into reality.

Today, as a Master Hair Stylist, Master Colorist, Extension Specialist, and Luxury Makeup & Bridal Artist—with credits in television, photoshoots, and film—I bring every chapter of my story to my work. My craft is more than beauty; it is service, trust, and the quiet luxury of knowing my clients leave my chair not only looking their best, but feeling it.

Every risk I’ve taken—every leap, every reinvention—has been met with a network of people who stood behind me. And because of them, I’ve built not just a career, but a life I am profoundly grateful for.

Website: https://www.jessicaportillohair.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaportillobeauty?igsh=czRiNzBvMWd2MTIx

Image Credits
Kinda Arzon photography
Amy Schneider Beauty+Content
Mile Larson