Even after decades, Gretchen Barretto’s ageless beauty shines on. Discover how makeup artist Mark Qua keeps her looking more snatched and youthful than ever
Star power, prowess in film and television, and a career spanning decades—Gretchen Barretto has taken all this to carve her irrevocable place in the industry. Beyond her portrayals of memorable characters, she continues to be revered for one more thing—her timeless beauty. Her decision to step back from acting and embrace a quiet digital presence didn’t bar her from being the talk of the town, as fans and beauty aficionados alike remain entranced by her youthful glow, which defies the passage of time.
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MEGA delved into the artistry behind a stunningly snatched look that Gretchen recently donned care of her trusted makeup artist Mark Qua. In an exclusive interview, Qua revealed that it’s all about balance, the right set of techniques, and a skilled artist to achieve the same effect.
Come As You Are
Gretchen prefers the no-makeup makeup look—and for good reason. Radiant as she is, beauty professional Mark Qua reveals that she usually doesn’t ask for much makeup work when getting glammed up. “We always stick to a fresh, youthful, no-makeup makeup vibe,” he shares. “It starts with the brows, followed by skincare, then eyes, minimal coverage, and a splash of color. That’s it.” A constant request, however, is keeping the socialite’s eyes more awake and sculpting her already-prominent features, which Qua impeccably nailed and shared in a recent Instagram post.
Embracing the “come as you are” philosophy, Gretchen’s beauty routine is rooted in skill and practicality. The personality has curated her own set-up, complete with a mirror, chair, and lighting, and stocked with carefully selected products that work on her skin. “You need to be a skilled artist because there’s a lot of product on the table to choose from,” Qua playfully quips. “In short, I only need to bring myself whenever she’s the client.” After all, with Gretchen’s inherent beauty and a few strategic touches, it’s only about enhancement from here—because when you start with a canvas as radiant as hers, less truly is more.
Chiseled to Perfection
Another key to this makeup look is honing in on sculpting and definition. Mark reveals that Gretchen “loves contour,” which quite frankly explains why the 54-year-old looks snatched from every angle.
This results in nicely bronzed, sculpted skin that looks as good in person as it does on camera. In the makeup artist’s post, Gretchen’s base boasted such a luminous quality that it seemed to radiate beyond the screen. She sported a healthy pout reminiscent of vintage Elizabeth Taylor and brushed-up brows that provided that perfectly polished finish. Interestingly, even with a modern approach to makeup, they still embrace her timeless beauty.
Back to the Basics—and Balance
Before all this jazz on makeup, a beauty sine qua non will perpetually be skincare—and this transcends what one lathers on the face. Mark Qua highlights that great skin is one’s best foundation, specifically pointing out, “You need to take care of yourself first—skin, body, and so on.” This holistic approach means prioritizing body care just as rigorously as your facial regimen. While this not be a secret, it certainly highlights the ageless radiance it brings to Gretchen.
Maintaining this allure is ultimately all about balance, too, a skill that can be a double-edged sword for any makeup artist. As Mark humorously notes, “Balance is actually the most difficult thing to achieve as a makeup artist because sometimes you don’t know when to stop.” He adds, “I think the key is to calm yourself down. Seriously, you just have to give what’s needed and what’s enough.” At the end of the day, beauty is a delicate dance between enhancement and restraint—a feat Qua so talentedly navigates and one that Gretchen embodies with grace.
Featured Image and Photos: MARK QUA (via Instagram)
