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LOS ANGELES, USA — Early on, Elmer Laron Catungal knew that his hair and makeup artistry was of international caliber. Though he had a thriving career in Manila’s Tinseltown and the local fashion circuit, he dreamed that someday soon he will also be in demand in Hollywood.
So, even with the uncertain climate in the US at the moment, he relocated to California in search of the American Dream.
Catungal has worked for Star Cinema (Love Me Again, One More Chance), ABS-CBN (Lobo) and GMA (Station ID 2008 and Sa Kamay ng Diyos). He counts Kristine Hermosa, whom he worked with in Enteng Kabisote part 2, 3 and 4, as the most beautiful Filipina.
He counts among his influences and inspirations the celebrity makeup artists Jomel Razon, Edwin Aguilar and Alex “Bo” Vicencio. He also admired Gilbert Soliz of Marc Jacobs Beauty, Make Up For Ever founder Dany Sanz and the late great Kevin Aucoin.
Mid-East Memories
“Mahirap ang buhay sa Pilipinas. As a makeup artist, hindi sapat ang kinikita ko para sa pamilya. At para matupad ang pangarap ko na makapunta sa Hollywood, I went to Manama, Bahrain and worked with Sephora,” the breadwinner said.
Part of the LVMH family, the world's leading luxury goods group, Sephora “is a powerful presence in markets around the world, constantly transforming and elevating the beauty shopping experience.”
Catungal worked for the prestige brand from March 2009 to April 2022 as the territory's brand senior makeup artist.
“I was responsible for giving professional beauty-consultation advice that will secure the client's loyalty and delivering the highest standard of customer service that ensures guaranteed customer satisfaction,” recalled the Mandaluyong City-born and Makati-raised Catungal.
“My period of time working with Sephora was so hard in the beginning as it was my first time working in retail. I began learning new things with makeup, skincare and fragrances.”
In between was a stint at Marc Jacobs Beauty in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from June 2014 to February 2016, assisting clients achieve their desired looks for everyday wear and special occasions by creating ideal makeup strategies.
“I also generated additional revenue by up-selling complementary products using friendly sales tactics and product knowledge and held consultation with clients to learn about their desired outcome and to assess their skin type and facial structure,” the Jose Rizal University computer science graduate said.
Paris is Always a Good Idea
To further improve his makeup skills, Catungal joined competitions. In 2012, he was a finalist at the Sephora/Dior Makeup Master for the Middle East. He placed second at the Sephora/Chanel Makeup Master for the Middle East in 2013. He was the champion in the Sephora Beauty Masters for the Middle East in 2016.
In 2017, he was awarded a Sephora One Year Development Program in Paris, France, and given a senior makeup artist certification.
“While in Paris, I learned that to become a strong communicator, I need to be self-confident and trust myself, and that I have to be a good listener and be like a ‘sponge’ to absorb all the information whether it is good or bad,” he shared.
