US-based Pinoy makeup artist Roi Santos thanks local celebrities for changes in his career
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Roi Santos collects words of wisdom from celebrities who sit on his makeup chair, "I really appreciate it and it keeps me humble as my career grows."
Filipino makeup artist Roi Santos is becoming the go-to person of local celebrities in the US.
The 34-year-old makeup artist never thought his life would change when he met comedy actress Rufa Mae Quinto last year at Sephora in Burlingame, California, where he has worked for about five years already.
In a virtual interview with select media, including GMANetwork.com, Roi fondly recalled the day that brought changes in his career.
He related, "She was actually shopping for makeup and then, nilapitan ko siya. I said, 'Are you the famous comedienne in the Philippines? Are you Rufa Mae Quinto?' She said, 'Yes!' It started there, I introduced myself and we started talking.
"I think our foundation for our friendship is the love of makeup. Talagang she was really nice, we started talking about makeup and it started our friendship. The week after, she invited me to L.A. so I could do her makeup, that's where it started."
Through Rufa Mae, Roi has also met local female celebrities who are now based in the U.S. like Donita Rose, LJ Moreno-Alapag, Beth Tamayo, Bunny Paras, and Carla Humpries. He also had Cherie Gil, Maria Isabel Lopez, and Jinkee Pacquiao on his makeup chair when they did a magazine cover; and Rabiya Mateo for a meet-and-greet event after her Miss Universe stint.
Roi just feels grateful that local celebrities think of him first whenever they need a makeup artist. Not only did he gain popular clients, he also considers them as friends.
"There so many makeup artist here. I feel so fortunate that until this day they actually refer me to their friends or they would ask me from time to time to do their makeup," he said.
When asked who among them is his favorite, Roi answered, "I would say that many celebrities have given me the chance to glam them up. Each of them is my favorite for different reasons. They gave me advice on how to stay relevant in the public eye and how to keep my reputation respectable. Some have also shown me makeup tricks. I really appreciate it and it keeps me humble as my career grows."
Aside from the experience of doing the celebrities' makeup, Roi also treasures the wisdom he gets from them.
Roi remembered Donita telling him, "Always be humble. Huwag lalaki ang ulo. Always know your worth."
He added, "With all the celebrities that I've met, they had good insights because most of them are veterans in showbiz, lalo na si Ms. Cherie Gil. When I had the privilege to do her makeup, I was asking her advice 'cause I looked up to her. When she was sitting on my chair, she would say, 'Just make me glamorous, darling.'
"I was asking for her tips. I said, 'As a makeup artist, I'm sure so many have touched your face. What advice would you give to me? Like, it's my first time.' She said, 'Just be yourself. I'm sure the photographer or whoever stationed you to me trusted you so much. Just keep calm and take a deep breath.'"
His celebrity clients-turned-friends, Donita and Bunny, also advised him, "Just be yourself and enjoy the ride."
Indeed, Roi is enjoying these changes in his career as a makeup artist. Aside from getting celebrity makeup gigs, the Filipino makeup artist has also been recognized by Sephora. Soon, he will soon be part of the brand's commercial.
"I froze when I got that email. Like I mentioned, there's 2,000 plus Sephora stores. It was really cool. It was really fun because my voice is heard all over Sephora for them to contact me on Instagram.
"It was very overwhelming at first but I felt really honored because not a lot of Filipino were given this chance. Like what you said, iwagayway ang bandera [ng Pilipinas]. For all the Asian hate that is happening, I wanna make sure that I use my voice, I use my story to make a difference. I have a story within myself and I wanna make sure that if I can inspire other people, I would use it," he concluded.
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