Melissa began her henna artistry at the young age of 12 when she saw one of her schoolmates adorned in henna designs upon her return from India. She would mix her own paste and practice on her classmates during and after school.Melissa was gifted in the arts from a young age as well to which she describes as "a burning curiosity that she has carried her entire life."She began oil painting at the age of 10, and continued doing so into her formative years. She graduated high school from the National Arts Honor Society program.After high school, she attended Miami International University to pursue a career in fashion design. Her time in university was cut short when she used actual henna paste to design a wardrobe on paper, and disapproved by her professor (who urged her to use only the basic materials required). She dropped out of university to pursue her passion in Henna body art.Melissa has instructed at at the 2015 Henna Intensive and Retreat in California, and at Henna Chai (by Henna Sooq) in Maryland. Today, Melissa continues her creative career at 'Henna Mystic', her Miami studio where she takes private appointments and walk-ins.She is a free spirit with love of nature, creation, and knowledge