Daily Inspiration: Meet Gilbert Soliz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gilbert Soliz.

Hi Gilbert, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a small hometown where creativity was instinctive and self-expression felt like a language of its own. Even before I understood what a career in beauty could look like, I was drawn to color, texture, and the transformative power of makeup. I’d watch my family get ready for special occasions and found myself mesmerized by how a simple brush stroke or pop of color could elevate someone’s entire presence. That early curiosity became the spark that set everything into motion.

As I got older, makeup became more than a hobby—it became my way of connecting with people. I loved how makeup made others feel: confident, seen, and celebrated. That feeling fueled me to take a leap and pursue professional training. I enrolled in beauty school, worked my way through the basics, and said “yes” to every opportunity, whether it was a photoshoot, a last-minute gig, or assisting an artist I admired. Every step taught me something: how to build a kit, how to be adaptable, how to read a room, and most importantly, how to bring out someone’s natural beauty without ever overpowering who they are.

My career truly took shape when I entered the world of artistry at the corporate and professional level. From joining Sephora Pro, to becoming the Global Makeup Artist for Marc Jacobs Beauty, to securing my new chapter as a Global Senior Artist for MAC, I’ve had the privilege of working with legendary brands and incredible talent. These roles allowed me to travel, teach, collaborate with world-class creatives, and help develop products that now live in the kits of artists around the world. Every experience reinforced one thing: artistry is more than makeup—it’s storytelling, problem-solving, connection, and passion.

Today, with over two decades in the industry, I still approach every face with the same excitement I had as a kid discovering makeup for the first time. I’m proud of where I came from, and I’m equally proud that my journey inspires others—especially young artists from hometowns like mine. My mission now is not just to create beauty, but to teach it, share it, and show the next generation that there is room for them in this industry. Makeup changed my life, and I hope my story helps others believe in what’s possible for their own.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many artists, my journey wasn’t a straight line. In the early days, one of my biggest struggles was simply access—access to education, to mentors, to opportunities. Growing up in a smaller hometown, the beauty industry felt like a world away. I didn’t have immediate connections in fashion or makeup, so I had to build everything from scratch. There were moments where I questioned whether someone like me could make it in an industry that often felt so exclusive and distant. But that distance became my motivation; it pushed me to dream bigger, work harder, and open doors that didn’t exist yet.

Breaking into the professional world came with its own challenges. I worked long hours, often for little to no pay, just to gain the experience I needed. There were times when my kit wasn’t fully built, when I didn’t have the “right” products, and I had to make magic with whatever I had. I had to learn quickly how to navigate rejection, jobs that fell through, opportunities I wasn’t chosen for, or moments where I felt overlooked. Instead of letting those moments discourage me, I learned to take them as lessons in resilience, professionalism, and patience.

As my career started taking off, the next struggle became balance. Working in beauty at a high level requires you to constantly juggle travel, clients, brand expectations, and personal life. There were sacrifices, missed birthdays, long nights, early call times, and the nonstop pressure to perform at your best even when you’re exhausted. Imposter syndrome would creep in at times, especially as I stepped into rooms with major artists, editors, and executives. I had to learn to trust my voice, trust my artistry, and remind myself that I earned my seat at the table.

Another challenge was evolving with the industry itself. Beauty changes fast. Trends shift overnight. Social media created a whole new dimension of visibility, pressure, and competition. I had to grow not just as an artist, but as a storyteller, educator, content creator, and brand partner. Reinvention became part of the job, and sometimes that growth required me to step out of my comfort zone again and again.

Yet every struggle, every hard moment, ultimately strengthened my artistry and my point of view. Those experiences taught me grit, adaptability, humility, and compassion, qualities that truly define a great makeup artist. And they’re the same qualities I now pass on to emerging artists so they know that the challenges don’t mean they’re not meant for this… they mean they’re growing into who they’re destined to be

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What do you do? What do you specialize in? What are you known for?

I am a makeup artist, educator, and creative consultant with over two decades of experience in the beauty and fashion industry. My work spans celebrity, editorial, runway, brand development, and education. I specialize in modern, elevated beauty—looks that feel clean, dimensional, and thoughtfully constructed. I’m known for my ability to create fresh, glowing skin, seamless complexion work, and statement details that feel both innovative and refined.

Beyond application, I’m also recognized for my artistry from a brand perspective: product expertise, storytelling, and the ability to translate trends into wearable techniques. My background on Sephora Pro, my role as the Global Makeup Artist for Marc Jacobs Beauty, and now as the Global Senior Artist for MAC have shaped me into an artist who understands both the creative and strategic sides of beauty. Whether I’m keying a runway show, working on a celebrity, or teaching a masterclass, my work is grounded in technique, intention, and a genuine passion for the craft.

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the journey itself—coming from a small hometown with big dreams and building a career that has taken me around the world. I’m proud of the trust I’ve built with brands, the relationships I’ve developed with clients, and the mentorship I’ve been able to offer newer artists.

Key moments stand out: joining Sephora Pro, stepping into my role as Global Makeup Artist for Marc Jacobs Beauty, keying major shows, and watching my work appear in magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, and L’Officiel. But the pride isn’t just in the milestones—it’s in the evolution. I’m proud that I never stopped growing, learning, and finding new ways to express my artistry. And I’m proud that the work I do now inspires the next generation the same way the artists before me inspired me.

What sets you apart from others?

What sets me apart is the balance I bring between artistry, intention, and connection. I don’t just apply makeup—I craft a mood, a story, and an experience. My approach is rooted in precision and technique, but also in intuition. I understand how to amplify someone’s features without losing their essence. I know how to bridge the worlds of fashion, beauty, product development, and education, creating an artistry style that feels both aspirational and attainable.

My years working within major brands have also shaped my perspective. I’m fluent in product knowledge, artistry development, trend forecasting, and the bigger picture of what beauty means culturally. I’m able to move seamlessly between celebrity glam, editorial concepts, runway narratives, and commercial beauty—and still maintain a signature that feels unmistakably mine: modern, clean, dimensional, and elevated.

Most importantly, I lead with heart. I value collaboration, I treat my clients with care, and I show up with the same enthusiasm—whether I’m painting a global pop star or teaching a room full of students. That mix of skill, passion, and humanity is what truly sets me apart.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that artistry is as much about people as it is about makeup. Techniques evolve, trends shift, and products come and go—but the way you make someone feel stays with them. I’ve learned that listening, staying grounded, and treating every client with genuine care is what creates lasting relationships and meaningful work. The human connection is the real artistry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Gilbertsoliz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gilbert_soliz?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Sequoia Emmanuel
Mike Ruiz
Enrique Vega