THOUGH he had a thriving career in Manila’s Tinseltown, Elmer Laron Catungal knew that his makeup artistry was of international caliber. So early on, he set his sights on the showbiz capital of the world.
“Ever since I worked with models for editorials and runways, and actors for films and TV productions in the Philippines, I dreamed that someday I would work in Hollywood as a hair and makeup artist,” says the Mandaluyong City-born but Makati-raised Catungal, 42. “I first became interested in makeup when I was a child. I remember watching my mom powder her face and putting lipstick on. I remember her using Avon and Johnson & Johnson compact powder. Pag may pagkakataong maaabutan kong naglalagay ng makeup ’yung auntie ko, nanonood din ako lalo na sa paglalagay ng eyeshadow,” he recalled. “Sa mga pangyayaring ito, naging curious ako at interesado sa makeup. Nabighani ako na kung ano ang nagagawa ng makeup para pagandahin ang isang tao.”
The first makeup products he ever bought were compact powder (Johnson & Johnson) for everyday use, cake foundation (Kokuryu) and liquid foundation (Hazel Bishop) when he joined gay beauty pageants.
Among his influences and inspirations are celebrity makeup artists Jomel Razon, Edwin Aguilar and Alex “Bo” Vicencio. He also admires Gilbert Soliz of Marc Jacobs Beauty, Make Up For Ever founder Dany Sanz, and the legendary Kevin Aucoin.
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 Gretchen Barretto and Kristine Hermosa, whom he worked with in Enteng Kabisote (parts 2, 3 and 4), as the most beautiful Filipinas. He also finds Whitney Houston stunning. But the one he dreams of painting her face is Madonna:
“I’m so in love with her character and personality. When it comes to her appearances and music videos, her looks are always one of a kind. I would love to do her makeup someday, in music videos, concerts and even films.”
Manila to Manama
AS the breadwinner, it was Catungal’s responsibility to take care of the financial and medical needs of his family. “Mahirap ang buhay sa Pinas. As a makeup artist, hindi sapat ang kinikita ko para sa pamilya. At para matupad ang pangarap ko na makapunta sa Hollywood, I started working with Sephora Bahrain,” the Jose Rizal University computer science graduate 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 would secure the client’s loyalty and deliver the highest standard of customer service that guaranteed customer satisfaction,” he shared. “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, skin care and fragrances.”
In between was a stint at Marc Jacobs Beauty in Dubai from June 2014 to February 2016. “I assisted clients in achieving 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 assess their skin type and facial structure,” he added.
Elmer in Paris
TO test and improve his makeup skills, Catungal joined competitions. In 2012, he was a finalist at the Sephora/DIOR Makeup Master for the Middle East and placed second at the Sephora/Chanel Makeup Master for the Middle East in 2013.
He finally won in the Sephora Beauty Masters for 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.
“I love to compete to gain more knowledge, wisdom and meet professionals in the industry. It was an amazing journey. I’m blessed, grateful and overwhelmed with these experiences,” he related. “While in Paris, I learned that to become a strong communicator. I needed to be self-confident and trust myself. I have to be a good listener and be like a ‘sponge’ to absorb all the information whether it is good or bad.”
California Dreamin’
Catungal admitted that he flew to the US just to do the hair and makeup for his cousin’s wedding. As it turn out, her reconnected with a friend, former Viva Hotbabe Ella V, who now owns Esthemax Philippines, and Vglow Beauty Bar and Vglow Skincare based in California.
“I visited Ella in California and she’s the one who is helping me and pushing me to extend my makeup career in the US,” he shared. “But since I am still a tourist here in the US, I am not allowed to work doing paid jobs. So I’m doing free makeup for editorials just to again practice and explore my makeup creativity.”
Catungal also receives support from Los Angeles-based celebrity photographer Filbert Kung and Pinay publicist Tash Greizen, who is the creative director of NOWPRLA, an agency based in Beverly Hills.
Now that he is steadily realizing his Hollywood dreams, Catungal is excited to expand his beauty horizons further:
“I love all the areas of makeup categories—bridal and debuts, events, editorials and runways, cinema and TV. That’s because I’m really excited and very much interested in creating different looks. It is always nice to meet and talk with different kinds of people and personalities. The more connections, the better path for me to explore the world of makeup. Kahit saan ako isabak, laban ako!”