The Make Up Maestro: Ilde Goncalves
- Rachel Huss
- Jun 22
- 5 min read
What makes something beautiful? Is it its proportions or use of color? The ability to make you stop and stare? Or is it how it makes you feel?
Beauty is both an ideal and a reflection of our perception of the world. For a makeup artist (MUA), beauty isn’t just an ideal—it’s a livelihood. And Ildefonso (Ilde) Goncalves understands the power of beauty.
When Ilde picks up a brush, it’s almost Chopin-like: each swish of the wrist composes work that is graceful and precise. He doesn’t just apply makeup—he orchestrates a visual symphony. When you watch him work, you realize a simple truth: you’re in the presence of a creative genius. I saw this genius first hand. I saw how Ilde blends geometry and anatomy to craft a version of you that feels authentically elevated.
I met Ilde on my first project in a new role—an internal communications campaign for Father’s Day. While I was focused on strategy, Ilde was backstage, quietly and confidently building confidence in others. He made everyone feel at ease before stepping on set. His kindness was magnetic. Right then, I knew I wanted to feature him on my blog.
What inspired you to become a MUA?
I’ve always loved makeup and beauty. As a teen, I secretly experimented with my mom’s beauty products—especially facials and makeup—though I had to hide it. As a gay man living in Caracas, Venezuela in the ’80s and ’90s, wasn’t easy, and expressing myself openly wasn’t an option.
My early interests were in dance and fashion. I trained in Taekwon-Do and later joined a modern dance company, which led to a scholarship as an apprentice dancer. Around the same time, I began studying fashion design, splitting my time between the studio and the classroom.
At fashion school, I was drawn to detail and precision—especially when sketching faces on mannequins. While others skipped that step, I loved painting the expressions. I knew all the supermodels of the era and spent what I could on fashion magazines, as there was no internet or Instagram back then.
As dancers, we had to apply our makeup for performances. I finally had a reason to apply makeup—and a community that embraced it. With the right tools and tips from other dancers, I got better. Eventually, friends started asking me to do their brows or lips. Still, I hadn’t yet realized that makeup artistry could be a real profession.
How does makeup improve a person’s confidence?
Good makeup can shift someone’s mood almost instantly. A strong application is an art—you need to understand skin, how to treat and prep it, and how to work with the canvas in front of you. You also need to understand color theory and select the right products to enhance a person’s features and elevate their overall appearance.
Beautiful makeup can make someone feel fresh and younger as if they just came back from a great vacation. I love being part of people’s special days and using my “magic” to help them feel good about themselves. It’s not just about makeup—being a good makeup artist means being part doctor, part therapist, part painter. You have to ask the right questions, really listen, and read between the lines to understand what the client wants, even if they don’t fully know how to express it.
I once had a client during my time at Sephora (I worked there for over 15 years) who was struggling with skin concerns. She had acne scars that made her feel insecure. I provided her with tips on how to care for her skin, offered samples for her to try, and found the perfect foundation shade and texture for her skin type. After I applied it and handed her the mirror, she started crying—tears of joy. She was thrilled to see a version of herself that she felt proud of. Moments like that are priceless to me.
So it’s not just the makeup—it’s the way you speak, listen, touch, and personalize the entire experience. That combination of care and craft can make someone feel instantly more confident and ready to face whatever event lies ahead. Makeup can be a kind of armor—soft, beautiful, and powerful.
What are some products everyone should have?
Everyone should start with a good face cleanser, a quality face and eye moisturizer, and a few targeted treatments to keep the skin balanced—and to treat themselves to some pampering. It’s vital to build beauty rituals when needed and to care for your face and body—they’re your vehicle through life. I love using exfoliating peels, SPF, and face masks, whether it’s a purifying mud mask or a deeply hydrating one.
I also think it’s helpful to have a tinted moisturizer or foundation, depending on your preference, to even out skin tone when needed. A good setting powder can help keep the skin looking matte, and from there, it’s about choosing what makes you feel your best—whether that’s blush, highlighter, bronzer, or just a clean, natural look.
I focus on keeping my skin fresh, and I love enhancing my brows and lashes. When done correctly, it creates a youthful, polished effect that makes a significant difference with minimal effort.
What advice would you give to students or young professionals who want to enter this realm?
To succeed in this field, study a lot. Learn how to draw and understand fashion, makeup styles, and trends. Assist experienced artists to learn different techniques. I knew from magazines and by asking friends in makeup to teach me their methods. Working at a beauty retailer allowed me to learn from various makeup brands and expand my kit.
Practice a lot and learn from your mistakes.- Ildefonso Goncalves
I started with theater and drag makeup, then learned to create natural looks for all skin tones. I enjoy designing makeup for celebrity clients, photo shoots, and fashion campaigns.
Images courtesy of Ilde Goncalves's website.
What is your next chapter?
I want to keep having fun with makeup. About seven years ago, I began exploring photography and Photoshop, as being a makeup artist today requires knowledge of creating content for social media.
I now work as a freelance artist, collaborating with brands, celebrities, fashion shows, beauty campaigns, and commercials.
Every day is different and exciting. I also create mood boards and collaborate with photographers, stylists, and other artists on beauty and fashion editorials, which may be published in magazines or featured in portfolios.
After years in makeup, hair styling, and fashion, including designing a Miami-based swimwear brand (@ildeswimwear), I want to focus more on photography. I aim to create beautiful images and stories that inspire confidence and happiness, making the world a more fun and attractive place—not just for vanity but to uplift others.
Beauty, as Ilde demonstrates, is more than skin deep. It’s a blend of artistry, empathy, and transformation, I's a way to help people see the best versions of themselves and feel empowered in their own skin. Through his brushes and beyond, Ildefonso Goncalves not only enhances appearances but also uplifts spirits.
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