In the ever-changing and cutthroat world of beauty and glamor, very few names shine as brightly as Jigs Mayuga's. On Sunday, March 31st, the widely acclaimed celebrity makeup artist celebrated his 20th year in the beauty industry. "2024 is definitely a milestone year. Inspired and excited for what’s to come," he wrote on Instagram.
Jigs' two decades' worth of experience has yielded a prolific portfolio, encompassing countless magazine covers, editorials, billboards, and international beauty campaigns. His work stands as a testament not only to his exceptional skill but also to his unwavering dedication to the craft.
In this Preview exclusive, Jigs Mayuga reflects on his career thus far and shares some practical tips for aspiring makeup artists. Read ahead!
Preview Exclusive: Jigs Mayuga on His 20-Year Career as a Celebrity MakeUp Artist
1. Congratulations on celebrating your 20th year in the industry, Jigs! What does it feel like to celebrate this milestone?
"Thanks, Preview! It feels surreal to be celebrating two decades as a makeup artist in the industry. I feel an immense sense of gratitude for all my experiences and to everyone I've collaborated with throughout this 20-year journey."
2. How would you describe your growth over the last two decades? What was the industry like then compared to now?
"I still feel like the past 20 years have been a blur! It’s gone by so fast and to this day I still feel like I'm constantly learning with the changing times. The industry has grown and evolved so much since I started, from the age of print and traditional media to the current era of social media and streaming content. One thing has remained the same. Work ethic will always trump talent. That’s the winning formula for longevity."
3. You’ve worked on several Preview covers and editorials in the past! What would you say was your most memorable project with us and why?
"My most memorable project with Preview was the annual “Girls Of Summer” feature in 2006. Back in the day, I did both hair and makeup. It featured women from different towns in Mindanao. Audrey Tan-Zubiri from Bukidnon, Cecile Dominguez-Yujuico from Saranggani, Darlene Antonino from Cotabato, and Marga Nograles from Davao. We shot this in February of 2006, and I traveled around the region by car for an entire week with photographer Bahaghari De Guzman and then Preview editorial assistant Kissa Castaneda, now a top global editor and former EIC of Tatler Singapore."
4. What are some of the most memorable highlights in your career?
"Definitely my stint at New York Fashion Week in 2017. I created makeup looks led by Maybelline global makeup artists Erin Parsons, Yadim, and Grace Lee for the shows of Jason Wu, Kith, Self-Portrait, Philip Plein, and Public School."
5. What is something about being a celebrity makeup artist that most people don’t know?
"That it’s not all glitz and glamor. It’s a lot of physical labor and long hours. But if you work hard, it can actually be very rewarding."
6. What is something you wish you knew while you were starting out?
"Beauty trends come and go. Have a solid knowledge of makeup and fashion (yes, including fashion) looks from different decades and eras. That way, it’s easy for you to reference a certain period in history while giving your own fresh take on these looks."
7. Looking into the future, what is something that you still want to achieve?
"Funny that you asked. I’ve been working on something that’s still in the pipeline but I will let you know once it’s out."
8. Lastly, could you share some advice for people starting out in the beauty industry?
"Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there while staying true to your identity as an artist. And always be ON TIME."
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