I was thrilled to get a call-back to do Gary Valenciano’s makeup (twitter: @GaryValenciano1) for a second shoot, though the photos of him in this post are my shots from the first one. I knew through and through that even though I was given the opportunity to do his makeup that I might not get a second chance unless I did the job noticeably well and to his liking. We’re only talking about one of the biggest celebrity perfectionists I’ve ever known and if Gary V. doesn’t approve of something even in the slightest manner you will know it and begin muttering your full name back to yourself. To make matters worse his newly engaged son, Paolo, my BFF cousin, scared me the night before and said “Yea, you’d better do it good, he knows how to do his own makeup and he has his own way of doing it, so he’ll really be watching how you do it.” The day came and I tried not to think too much, the main man began having his hair done by his staple hair expert, Tony & Guy senior, Nelson. I began swatching shades I planned to use on Mr. Pure Energy who was brooding over his music downloads. I approached him to swipe a shade of foundation across his jawline and as I made contact he let out a sudden “ARAY! (ouch)…”. As I left the planet for a nanosecond he let out a healthy snigger “HEHEHEHE! Sorry, just keeding…”. Totally mean and advantageous I tell you, LOL. I faked stabbing him in the eye afterwards for revenge. Ay, caramba! Here he is, folks, made-up and unharmed.
To my delight I found out from his road manager that shortly after our first shoot they were being instructed by him to purchase the exact base color products I used (MUD products) so he could use the same shades when he does his own makeup on international tours. Then I got called back for the second shoot which is such an encouraging thing because I enjoy and love working with him. On board the second project I took the opportunity to ask what this well-loved tube was among his things and he spilled the beans, that it was his favorite moisturizer…obviously. You can like totally tell because it’s just…always there.
KIEHL’S Centella Recovery Skin-Salve
KEY INGREDIENTS: Honey, Aloe, and Tiger Herb (Centella) which contains alkaloids and minerals that are beneficial in the treatment of a host of ailments. It has antibacterial, anti-psoriatic, and wound-healing properties. The Tiger Herb plant is sought out by wounded tigers in the wild who rub against it for its healing properties. (Yeahhh, Tito Gary yerr a tigerr…)
- Alcohol Free for Sensitive Skin
- PH balanced and lightweight
- Leaves skin feeling comforted and gently moisturised
I actually handed him a small container of my own moisturizer first, he began applying a bit of that but then he had to have a look around his stuff for what was familiar and well-loved, which was exactly this. Kiehl’s Derma Solutions Centella Recovery Skin Salve, with Tiger Herb and Aloe Vera. It’s got no-frills packaging which guys certainly would prefer and that neutral simplicity just shouts “THIS WORKS”. More than anything it’s really soothing and comforting. I asked GV about the tube and he goes “Ohh yeahh, I like this,” he says, “I actually use it BEFORE shaving not after just so it feels better, and I always have it.” Guys normally never elaborate more than that about skincare unless it was something that raised them or their dog from the dead, so the fact that he said it actually already says a lot. He added “You gave me your moisturizer first, I started using it, but I was really looking for mine because I like it. You wanna what? Take a picture of it? Huh? (LOL) Okay, why??” Because, Mr. Pure Energy, that’s just how I roll. 
