In CafeMom's monthly series, Work It, Mama, powerful moms detail how they navigate their professions and home life.
Working as a makeup artist for nearly 20 years sounds like a dream gig, right? Well, take it from MAC Cosmetics' Senior National Artist and Brand Ambassador, Gisel Calvillo, when she says — it is! Throughout her career, the New York-based artist has worked backstage during countless fashion shows and she played a key role in globalizing the brand. She's also traveled the world, all while showing us how to look and feel our best.
After launching her career behind the MAC counter in San Francisco at 19 years old, Gisel, who was born in Mexico, made a name for herself at the brand by grinding — and by adding a signature Latin flavor to her looks. "Pre-babies or pre having a family or a partner, you can really give yourself because you really have to be the 'yes' person," Gisel tells CafeMom. "You're saying 'How high?' when you want to jump."
Now the mom of two, who recently gave birth to her second daughter, admits her globe-trotting career has shifted a bit. "Keeping it realistic, I'm just way more practical now," she says. "When you have a family, you have to be home at a certain time. You have to feed the kids, put them down, you have little time for yourself. I think that change in the balance is everything. But as a makeup artist still working in the industry, I'm so grateful to be able to be an artist and live from my art."
Here, Gisel details how she strikes a solid personal and professional balance — and offers insight into the best makeup tips and must-haves for fall!
What is an average day like as a makeup artist and brand ambassador for MAC?
"We’ve been working a lot, shooting for the brand, doing all of the stuff online that you see," says Gisel. "So, when you look at a new collection and you look through an eyeshadow and then you see different skin tones, we shoot that on set in the city. Sometimes we're booked out two, three weeks at a time. I would say at least 50 to 60% of my job is on set. Sometimes it goes up to 80%.
"Then, we also do lives for the brand. So usually we do weekly lives and that's more to engage the average consumer so they can identify. People have that question, 'If I want a foundation, which one do I go for?' It's something as simple as that. There's seven of us [ambassadors] in the country and we basically each break down very simple steps on how to do great skin, how to do a smokey eye — all the things that still matter, no matter what's trending."
It's incredible that MAC only has seven ambassadors and that you are one of them! How did you become an ambassador for the brand?
"I've been here for almost 20 years, but a lot of my colleagues, they've been here for longer — 25 years, 30," says Gisel. "We all started at the counter actually, working at the MAC counter in different states. And then eventually we started getting certifications as an artist. If you got fashion show certified, it would mean that you would get to attend New York Fashion Week. Then we would go to Milan, Paris — you're talking about every single major designer like Moschino, Elie Saab."
How has your career changed shape as you've become a mom?
"Family for me is definitely No. 1, but I feel like I got there because I lived my career," Gisel explains. "I was able to do everything on the bucket list that I wanted and I feel that's so important. Especially women, I feel like we're already thrown in so many directions of physically carrying the child and then you're supposed to still be a career woman and then you want to be a good wife or good with your partner. I think if you can have that opportunity to make it all about yourself when you're young and in the beginning, and then eventually you can wait to have a family. I feel like I can be present because I had that.
"But I do find that the pressure is on that much more because now I have to take a red eye. During the last Fashion Week in London, I flew my mom in because I love my husband, but I was like, 'No. I don't trust you that long for a whole week with this kid.' So I flew my mom in just to make sure because there's so many details that you want to keep consistent. But I shortened the trip, whereas before I would stay for the weekend or I would hop to another city if I'm in Europe. Now it's kind of in and out. You want to get home as soon as possible."
As a busy mom, what are some of your go-to daily makeup products?
"I think blush makes you look alive," says Gisel. "So, to me, blush is everything. Blush, curl lashes. And then I brush my eyebrows up and that's me dropping me off my kid and having a minute before [my daughter] comes and finds me. Then me feeling a little bit more glam is adding mascara and concealer. You can keep it to five products that make you feel super put together and then you can be out the door.
"It's not just giving yourself that time, but I feel like it's presenting yourself to the world in the best form that you can so that you feel good. And some people, they don't want to wear makeup and I'm like, 'You don't have to!' If you want to wear no makeup, put some cream on your skin and brush up your brows. It can just be skin care."
When it comes to staying inspired creatively, what’s your motto?
“I try to teach my daughter to be present," Gisel explains. "‘As we walk, what do you notice?’ I think that's the artist side of me to just stay inspired, because if I didn't do that, then every face would be the same. I also think, 'What can I leave people with?' If I could sum it up, I would say connect — stay connected.
"It's funny because you can have the most beautiful person in your chair and they are still in question of their own beauty. The power that you have [as a makeup artist] of touching that person — you give them confidence. When the people get out of your chair, they feel like they go on to do their job and now be the most beautiful person for that five minutes of their performance or whatever they're doing. That little magic is what makes you extremely successful."
OK, fall is almost here! What are some makeup and skin care essentials we need this season?
"In fall the skin gets drier, so this is the time definitely to really invest in your moisturizer," details Gisel. "I think prepping the skin with a little bit of Prep + Prime Fix+ is always No. 1. You would need to then moisturize your skin with something a bit richer, then set it with Fix+, and then start your foundation. I use it a lot to set my hydration on my skin. So, I'll put my moisturizer on and then I spray four or five spritzes on my skin, and then I let that dry. Then I avoid having to put on more foundation. To me, that's so important than just going straight in with your base or foundation or concealer because it's not going to stick and your skin's going to be dry. So when your skin is dry in the fall, winter, your makeup isn't going to look as beautiful as if it's naturally glowy, hydrated.
"It's also a good transition to touch your makeup up. So you would spray that again and then you can add a little bit more concealer or some more blush or whatever you want to add. That way, it makes your skin look hydrated and healthy.
"In the fall, as long as you stick with earth-toned palettes like ochres, oranges, and terracotta colors, it always looks so beautiful and flattering. Also deep and dark lip colors in the fall and winter. That trend never goes away."
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