Summary:
Nina LaRose is a rare kind of creative. She is a professional makeup artist and photographer with a story rooted in mastery, mentorship, global teaching, celebrity work, special effects, fashion design, and a deep passion for elevating women. In this post I share who she is, why I admire her, and what makes her one of the most talented artists I have ever known.
Key Takeaways
• She was handpicked and trained by the late AJ Crimson, a legendary figure in beauty for women of color.
• She taught sold out makeup classes around the world.
• She worked with celebrity clients and was trained in beauty and special effects makeup.
• She built an alternative swimsuit brand with a cult following.
• She transitioned into photography and developed a unique visual voice.
• Her work centers confidence, representation, and authenticity.
• She is available for makeup and photography bookings through Missfit Studios.
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A Personal Tribute to the Artist Who Inspires Me Daily
I want to take a moment to celebrate someone who deserves it more than she ever asks for. Someone whose talent hits you immediately, but whose heart and passion stay with you long after the work is done. Someone I am blessed to share my life with. That person is my wife, Nina, known to many of you as the makeup artist and photographer, Nina LaRose.
Before we ever met, Nina was already building something special. She was an accomplished makeup artist in Los Angeles with a reputation for her clean technique, her deep respect for skin, and her ability to make anyone feel seen.
Her journey started with a level of mentorship most artists only dream of.
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Nina’s Foundation in Greatness
Nina trained under the late AJ Crimson in his LA Atelier. Anyone in the beauty world knows how significant that is. AJ pioneered makeup for women of color long before the mainstream recognized the need. Out of hundreds of artists, he personally chose Nina to join his inner circle. He trusted her to help carry his philosophy forward.
It was not just training. It was a passing of the torch.
And she ran with it.
Working beside AJ gave Nina exposure to the highest levels of the industry. She learned the craft from a master, and she honored it by pouring herself into the work with everything she had.
Makeup Art Done by Nina LaRose | Missfit Studios
Teaching Around the World and Earning Respect Everywhere She Went
After establishing her career in LA, Nina began traveling internationally teaching makeup for women of color. Her classes sold out everywhere she went. Whatever city she landed in, students packed the room.
People trusted her.
People came back for her.
People felt seen by her.
And she carried that responsibility with grace.
She taught technique with precision and clarity, but more importantly she taught representation. She taught confidence. She taught women how to celebrate themselves.
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Celebrity Work and Special Effects Mastery
Her expertise led her to work with celebrities including Eva Marcille, AJ Johnson, LeToya Luckett and many others. She handled beauty makeup, editorial looks, and even transitioned into special effects makeup because she loves horror and wanted to learn the craft from the inside.
When Nina decides to study something, she goes all in.
Beauty. Film. Television. Special effects.
She mastered each lane with the same discipline and passion.
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The Birth of Bikini Missfits and a Community Built on Bold Women
But Nina’s creativity does not stop at makeup. She taught herself how to sew and created Bikini Missfits, a swimsuit line centered around heavily tattooed women. She built the brand because she noticed the women she loved and admired were never represented.
So she represented them herself.
Her designs were featured internationally in alternative and cannabis magazines. She managed models. She built campaigns. She uplifted an entire group of women who still remain close with her years later. That circle is strong because Nina pours her heart into the people she believes in.
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The Evolution into Photography
Photography came next, almost like it had been waiting for her the entire time. After years of building beauty looks, designing fashion, and shaping visual identities, she realized she could create the images she saw in her mind.
She picked up a camera and immediately found her voice.
Her work has texture. Emotion. Confidence. Humanity. She photographs women in a way that makes them feel powerful, elegant, grounded and fully themselves.
That was the exact moment our paths finally crossed.
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How Our Story Began
We followed each other online for years through mutual friends, but lived in different cities. She was in Las Vegas. I was in Atlanta. Then one summer she posted that she would be in Atlanta. I reached out immediately. We met for food and talked like we had known each other forever. Everything clicked.
That was the beginning of us.
The beginning of our story.
And the beginning of the life we share today.
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Why I Admire Her as an Artist and a Human
Nina is one of the most talented people I have ever known. She paints. She sews. She is a professional makeup artist with a passion for healthy skincare. She is a beauty and portrait photographer who can capture your entire energy in a single frame.
Her creativity is limitless.
Her heart is genuine.
Her presence makes people feel seen.
And I am proud to stand beside her, support her, and celebrate her.
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Nina LaRose Shooting ANTM Tocarra Jones
Book Makeup or Photography Work with Nina LaRose
If you want to feel seen in a photograph
If you want makeup that makes you feel like a celebrity in your own skin
If you want an artist who takes your confidence personally
Reach out to Nina at hello@missfitstudios.com or visit missfitstudios.com to book your session.
She is special. And I want more people to experience her art.
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FAQ SECTION
How do I book Nina LaRose for makeup or photography?
Email hello@missfitstudios.com or visit missfitstudios.com and fill out the booking form.
Does Nina work with all skin tones?
Yes, she is professionally trained to work with all skin tones and specializes in makeup for women of color.
Where is she located?
She is based in Los Angeles and available for travel depending on project needs.
Does she offer both beauty and creative photography?
Yes, she shoots beauty, portrait, editorial, and brand photography.
Can she handle both makeup and photos for the same project?
Absolutely. She is a dual creative who offers both services for a full one stop experience.
Photography by Nina LaRose | Missfit Studios
