Makeup artist ‘transforms’ celebrities and becomes famous on the internet

Anyone who sees makeup artist Letícia Gomes, 29, ‘become’ Luan Santana can’t imagine how much work it takes. The professional, who has become the favorite of celebrities on the internet, says that the entire characterization process, from the beginning of painting to editing the final video, takes about a full day.

On her Instagram profile, the São Paulo native already has almost 5 million followers and hundreds of compliments for her celebrity facial transformations.

“I study the character, watch videos, separate audio, create a script, do dubbing, add lines and even show the entire makeup process until I have a face like the person honored. All of this without help”, she tells F5.

The result is often impressive — so much so that names like Ana Castela, Ivete Sangalo and Maraisa surrendered to the makeup artist’s talent, sharing the results of the characterizations on their networks. “I didn’t expect people I admire so much to feel honored by me. It even seems like a lie,” she celebrates.

It was in 2015 that Letícia decided to make a living from makeup. It was her passion since she was a child, but when it came to choosing which course to take, she opted for Fashion Management and Design. She didn’t complete either college, and after some research, she discovered an Italian makeup artist who could transform herself into whoever she wanted. Touché.

“My first transformation was into Jack Sparrow [do filme ‘Piratas do Caribe’]. But at that time I only posted the photo. In 2017, I decided to start creating content based on this work and it worked. Today I live on that alone and I also make money from advertising”, says the professional.

She says that uncertainty is part of her routine at work: the result can be great or, after hours and hours, be a fiasco. If this happens, it’s time to wash your face and move on to the next thing. “If it gets bad, I lose a whole day.”

Most of the time, everything works out. “The products I use are everyday, social makeup, because the idea is to bring this illusion of light and shadow. I use a lot of exaggerated contouring and lighting to bring the feeling of a transformed face”, he explains.

According to Leticia, it is possible to transform into anyone, even men, as she already proved by “becoming” Leonardo DiCaprio and Luan Santana. But there are more difficult celebrities, like Anitta, who she reveals has already tried four times. In vain.

“I feel like I need to be inspired, put on a wig, lenses, accessories, and the icing on the cake is to embody the character”, she says. “I take into account what the fans ask me”, adds the professional, who posts a new familiar face every week on her Instagram.

She says she avoids transforming herself into black celebrities due to concerns about “blackface” — that is, the act of painting one’s face with dark paint, which can be considered offensive and racist.

“I’m very worried about this issue. A lot of people ask me why I don’t do it. It’s already happened that Hugo Gloss and Cafú ‘turned around’, but now I avoid it. My intention is to pay homage, far from getting into controversy”, states.