Macy Mungcal is Busy Beautifying the Valley
By Kelli Luu | 07 Jun, 2025

Find out how Macy Mungcal turned her beauty side hustle into a booked business as one of the San Fernando Valley’s most beloved brow and lash artists.

Kelli Luu (00:00)

today we get to sit down with talented lash and brow artist in the San Fernando Valley who has turned her side hustle into a fully booked business. Maci Mungcal helps clients feel confident with her services and she has her own personal way of representing Asian American beauty. Hi, Maci, welcome

Macy (00:17)

Hello!

Kelli Luu (00:18)

to start, can you tell us how you first got into lash and brow artistry?

Macy (00:22)

I got into it when I was 18 years old. So I was kind of trying to figure out what I wanted to do after graduating. It was the year of the pandemic. So I was just figuring things out, you know, like initially I went to community college and then I just wanted some sort of part-time income, right? But I knew I was always into beauty, girly stuff growing up. And when I saw that it was possible for somebody to do it starting at their house,

I was like, you know what? Like I think I could do that.

Kelli Luu (00:52)

Yeah,

and do you feel like COVID kind of helped with it?

Macy (00:58)

would say so because since we were just spending so much time alone, know, I feel like it kind of pushed you to get creative in some way. I know that a lot of people were starting ⁓ little side hustles or even a full-time business ⁓ back then too.

Kelli Luu (01:07)

Mm-hmm.

Yeah,

for sure. Was there ever a certain moment where you kind of sat and thought like, this is something that I could do for real?

Macy (01:23)

I, it took a little bit of time, you know, I think there was a lot of self-doubt behind it at first, just because I grew up Filipino and a lot of like Filipino American dreams are to become a nurse, like.

Kelli Luu (01:26)

Yeah.

Macy (01:40)

Not traditional, you know? And I think I grew up in a way where that was a safety net for a lot of our culture, but I knew that it was something that I was passionate about, and I feel like that's what drove me to be like, okay, let me take that risk.

Kelli Luu (01:46)

Mm.

Yeah, okay.

So I know you said you went to community college. Did you do any kind of school to get into Lash and Brow art?

Macy (02:05)

I did, so I started off with a certification. ⁓ You could take a little course, like usually it's like a day or two. yeah, so usually it'll be like a little course to introduce you to what it is, like the techniques and ⁓ live model practice. I did that for a little bit and then once I knew that I was serious about it, I decided to enroll in Estetician School.

Kelli Luu (02:12)

really? ⁓

cool, okay. And what is esthetician school like? is that in person and what are you doing in school?

Macy (02:36)

Yeah, so pretty much when you're in esthetician school, it's a beauty school. So it's really hands-on practice, but you also get to learn different techniques. As an esthetician, it's more skincare focused, but under that license, you're able to expand to like waxing. So that's how I'm able to do brows and lash artistry too.

Kelli Luu (02:41)

Okay.

Are you just doing brow waxing, eyelash extensions? give us like a breakdown of what you're offering.

Macy (03:05)

Yeah, so I have lash extensions on my menu. I like to tailor it towards ⁓ what you want for your eyes. And me and my clients usually have a little consultation so we can tailor it for each person. And I do brow shaping. So it's brow lamination, tinting. And if you want like a nice clean skull, it has like the mapping string. I don't know if you've ever seen that before. And then I do lash lifts.

Kelli Luu (03:29)

Yeah,

Got it, okay. So how do your parents feel about your small business now?

Macy (03:35)

Now I feel like they're super supportive. feel like at the beginning they were a little bit skeptical because they were like, I don't know. They've never had a business themselves before. So it was a little bit more scary for them. I think once they realized how serious it got for me and the little sacrifices I would make to make it happen, they're like, okay, like I believe her, you know.

Kelli Luu (03:38)

Good.

I see.

Oh, okay. Yeah, you had

to show them the proof at first.

so now are you at a studio or are you still working out of your house? yay.

Macy (04:08)

studio I've been at the

studio for I want to say maybe one and a half years almost

Kelli Luu (04:14)

Okay, that's pretty new, Okay, can you share with us some effective strategies for gaining clientele in the very beginning?

Macy (04:21)

say honestly you can't be scared to promote yourself because I feel like if you want support other people to support your business you have to set that tone first you know like you can't be scared I feel like we're

in the age of technology, right? So social media is around. It's pretty much, I would say it's like your storefront. That's like the first thing people see when they look at my page. So, you know, make it nice, find a theme that you like that resonates with you and start posting on there. It could be small. Like you don't always have to show your face at first, but ⁓ don't be afraid to connect with your audience and showcase your work for sure. And you know, tell everybody, you know?

Kelli Luu (05:04)

Right, okay. Yeah,

Macy (05:06)

Yeah.

Kelli Luu (05:07)

okay, so definitely just social media is important when it comes to the very beginning

Macy (05:11)

Social media and word of mouth because yeah, like once you get somebody in your chair and they like what you do, ⁓ you grow from there and then they tell a friend and a friend of a friend and it's cool. You can grow organically for sure.

Kelli Luu (05:26)

in the beginning, are you taking a lot of friends and family at first?

Macy (05:31)

say so like honestly I it's funny like I remember what it was like to first start my Instagram and I was fresh out of high school

COVID year so everybody was on their phone. Yeah, so was just like, guys, I got my certification. Like if you want your lashes done, let me know. And then I think I posted my first thing and my price was like, I wanna say like $35 for a full set. Yeah.

Kelli Luu (05:45)

Yeah, exactly.

For a full set. my

gosh. Okay. So just so that everybody kind of knows how much is a full set, like what's an average full set cost?

Macy (06:08)

think it varies for your location, but I charge myself $185 across the board. Like, whatever what set you want, ⁓ a what set, volume, $185.

Kelli Luu (06:10)

Okay.

Okay, and.

for, and that's for eyelash extensions. And then were you just, you were just like charging really low just with the hopes of they'll come back or just because you were a new beginning?

Macy (06:31)

Like I feel like I honestly started this thing on a whim and I didn't really care. was like, I don't know much about money. Like, you know what I mean? I was like $35 is better than zero. And I knew that I was practicing. Like I wasn't good off right off the bat. So I was like, you know, like if somebody's willing to let me practice on them and they like it, then that'd be cool. So yeah, it started there and everybody was like, I think like my clientele was mainly around my age. they're

like yeah like why not you know and eyelash extensions were so new at the time too.

Kelli Luu (07:03)

Yeah, definitely. they were kind

of, you kind of like got on the trend early. Yeah.

Macy (07:07)

Yeah, like

I would say that last six inches have been around for a long time, but I would say like it didn't start popping off until maybe like the past five or six years. Yeah.

Kelli Luu (07:19)

Yeah, for sure. When

people had to do it, they couldn't go anywhere to So I want to know if there was ever a time that you weren't really getting business, if there was any time like that, did you ever want to try anything new?

Macy (07:33)

I would say, honestly, like full transparency this year has probably been the slowest. Like this is the first year that I experienced like a slower season than what I was used to. know, like I think like the world is going through a lot of different changes right now with like the economy and things like that. you know, everybody's trying to figure out where to put their money, right? And I feel like...

Kelli Luu (07:45)

Okay, uh-huh.

Macy (07:59)

Going through that slow season, ⁓ kind of made me second guess myself. was like, you know, am I charging too high or like, should I have a backup plan or should I stick to the plan? I was kind of questioning things and I was maybe I should get another job, you know? But on that same note, I feel like this season really pushed me to cater to other areas of my business that I wouldn't.

that I wouldn't always have the time to pay attention to, you know? ⁓

Kelli Luu (08:28)

Can you give

us an example? What things are you able to focus on more now?

Macy (08:32)

Yeah, so I would say since I'm not like servicing all day every day anymore, it's more so like I have a chance to get creative with my social media and you know, upgrade like my website, upgrade the posts that I do, ⁓ get more consistent with content, things like that. Yeah.

Kelli Luu (08:51)

awesome. So, walk me through a fully booked day in your life.

Macy (08:55)

fully booked day in my life so it varies. I feel like if it's extensions I feel like that is a little bit heavier on my body personally so I'll probably take like four or five max lash extensions.

Kelli Luu (08:57)

How many people are we

That's still a lot

Macy (09:12)

Yeah,

like I feel like it's a lot and it's tedious work, you know, but I think if it's a mixture of like lashes and brows, I may push myself a little bit more so I could see like, I don't know, probably like seven, eight clients. Yeah.

Kelli Luu (09:27)

when are you starting? When's the last appointment? When do you eat?

Macy (09:32)

Okay, so recently I've been starting a little bit earlier. Usually I'll do like nine or 10 a.m. I'll start my clients. I like to have a cute little morning routine first. Because you have to take care of yourself before you take care of other people. So I'll start around like nine, 10 a.m. and if it's a stacked day, I could end anywhere around like

Kelli Luu (09:32)

Right, for sure, you have to.

Exactly. Yeah.

Macy (09:59)

six, seven, sometimes eight. Yeah.

Kelli Luu (10:02)

Okay, not too bad. Are you like

lunch breaking?

Macy (10:08)

On a good day. No, I'm just kidding. I do prioritize taking a rest. Even if I'm not able to eat a whole meal, I'm like, OK, Macy, take a breather, go outside, walk a little bit. ⁓ That way I can remind myself that I'm not stressed out all day every day. You know what I mean?

Kelli Luu (10:10)

Yeah.

Right, yeah for

sure.

Macy (10:30)

same time like I wouldn't say that I'm like constantly stressed with clients like it's you know it's just like any other job that comes with like hardship and like a physical battle.

Kelli Luu (10:37)

Mm-hmm.

how do you deal with those bad clients?

Macy (10:41)

Thank

Kelli Luu (10:47)

Hahaha

Macy (10:47)

me take

a deep breath. I'm like, I take a deep breath. And I feel like I just have to remind myself that everybody's going through something, you know what I mean? And sometimes a person might not be coming in on their best day, I would say. And um,

Kelli Luu (11:05)

Mm-hmm.

Macy (11:07)

I can only control what's in my control. So I stay professional, you know, I do my best, I treat them the same way I would anybody. And I feel like just, you know, having that mindset keeps me at bay instead of, you know, reacting towards something.

Kelli Luu (11:21)

Right.

Macy (11:22)

Yeah, like of course I have to hold myself with respect ⁓ for my sake and theirs, but at end of the day, like, you know, whatever somebody's going through is none of your business and keep it pushing.

Kelli Luu (11:26)

you

you feel like you've learned a lot more about people being in this kind of space and having to deal with clientele like that?

Macy (11:44)

Yeah, for sure. feel like ⁓ I've always been like a pretty extroverted, outgoing person, but I feel like it's also helped me channel a different type of maturity in myself. ⁓ You you get to meet different people from all walks of life. I've had clients that are in high school, but I've also had my oldest client, I think she was over 90 years old.

So yeah, it's different. Like you get to meet so many different people who have walked through life differently and you get to learn a lot about them too.

Kelli Luu (12:10)

Wow.

Yeah.

I'm really curious to know what did this 90 year old lady come in for?

Macy (12:25)

⁓ so I was still at my house and she came in for extensions.

Kelli Luu (12:29)

so the 90 year old lady did get eyelash extension.

Macy (12:32)

She did. She did get the extensions, she was the cutest thing ever. Like was a couple years back, but I just remember her telling me that she goes on like cruises and dancing and I was like, that is so precious.

Kelli Luu (12:38)

my God.

eyelash extensions at 90 years old and she's able to take care of them and that's crazy.

Macy (12:47)

for sure.

Exactly, that's what I'm my girls.

I'm like take care of your lashes if you were Exactly exactly there's no excuse

Kelli Luu (12:57)

If she can do it, you guys can do it.

Wow, that is crazy. I've

not, I don't think I've seen a 90 year old lady wearing eyelash extensions before, so that's a first. All right, so were there any moments where you felt like people didn't really take your business seriously? Maybe your family and friends? I know your parents you said, kind of at first, but besides them, anybody else?

Macy (13:18)

Hmm.

would say, maybe, probably just family at first because they have the utmost love for you. know, like I feel like they, like at first I took it personally, but looking back at it now, I know that it came out of a place of them just wanting me to be successful. that's just what they knew and I couldn't blame them for that.

So I get it.

Kelli Luu (13:42)

Yeah.

Okay. Can you think of one mistake that you made early on with your business that ended up teaching you a lot?

Macy (13:49)

early on in business I would say

Kelli Luu (13:53)

any mistake that you made early on that you would never do now.

Macy (13:58)

that I would never do now. Honestly, I would have started my booking site from the get-go. Like, I initially was just taking appointments through DM messages, and I feel like it's very easy to get disorganized with that. there was, I think I had an instance or two when I was first starting where I double booked somebody because, ⁓ yeah, it was just a little bit harder to take track of. So if I were to do it over again,

Kelli Luu (14:04)

Okay.

I see.

Macy (14:26)

I would have just had the booking site. That way I'm able to keep tabs and keep everything more organized.

Kelli Luu (14:32)

Okay,

so just better organization skills from the beginning. Okay, cool. as an Asian American woman in the beauty industry, how do you feel about Asian culture being really spotlighted right now?

Macy (14:40)

don't know.

I love that. feel like we just like anybody else we deserve that representation and it makes me feel good because I'm just like my god like it's I'm a woman from running my own business and like it's recognized you know yeah

Kelli Luu (14:59)

yeah, definitely.

I'm loving seeing all the amazing Asian Americans run their own businesses using the beauty industry So it's awesome and I love it. Is there any like beauty trend, like any, is there any beauty trend that you've known about for a long time? Any Asian beauty trend that you've known about for a long time that people are now starting to use?

Macy (15:00)

Yeah.

Me too.

Let me think. Because I grew up loving watching YouTube videos when I was younger. I'm trying to think of a trend that they're starting to use now. Because I was that girl watching Michelle Phan

Maybe using like, I feel like I've seen some people use like rice water as like a toner, like more so now, like which was something that I like grew up knowing about when I was younger.

Kelli Luu (15:43)

Mm.

a lot of skin care brands are just making rice water toners now.

Macy (15:53)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that like Korean beauty skincare is popping right now. So yeah, that's another thing too.

Kelli Luu (16:00)

Okay, do you feel like your heritage and your upbringing has shaped the way you go about business? Okay, how?

Macy (16:07)

For sure, sure.

I would say in the way that I grew up, like, I feel...

that my culture is very good at hospitality. So we know how to take care of people. know, like you see a lot of Filipinos in the healthcare industry because it's something that comes naturally to them, you know, and it's something that they enjoy doing. And I feel like early on, I knew that I wanted to take care of people in some way. It just ended up being different, you know? Yeah, that, and I feel like it showed me just like watching my family have so much respect

Kelli Luu (16:37)

Okay.

Macy (16:45)

resilience in everything that they do like no matter what it is like whether they're pushing themselves in their fitness goals or if they're pushing themselves by going to work every day even if they don't want to show up they still do it.

Kelli Luu (16:46)

Mm.

I love that. I've I never really

thought about it like that because Filipinos you said a lot are nurses and a lot of them go into nursing but it's because in the culture you're just it's in your it's in your culture to take care of people and be that kind of nurturing person.

Macy (17:09)

Uh-huh.

Yeah,

literally like whenever you go to a Filipino party or something they're like, did you eat yet? And I'm just like, I will, you know, like that. Or they're just like, let me know if you need anything. Like, I feel like those roots is like, those roots are what I've carried through my whole life.

Kelli Luu (17:32)

Yeah, Well, you every girl needs a lash artist or a brow artist that's going to actually nurture them and take care of them. doing it right. All right. So how different is it? And can you explain the importance of choosing the right lash and brow shape, especially with Asian-American features? How important is it to make sure you have the right eyelash or brow shape?

Macy (17:40)

Of course. ⁓

Mm-hmm.

It's super important. You know, I think everybody has their own preferences ⁓ in combination with the knowledge that I know about like, you know, like eye symmetry, eye planes, different brow shapes and how they can change your face completely. I feel like those all tie in together. So they're super important.

Kelli Luu (18:19)

Okay, and then do customers come to you with an eye shape that you feel like completely doesn't suit them? really?

Macy (18:26)

All the time. All the

time. Like I feel like ⁓ a lot of my girls will come in wanting like a cat eye, right? But if they have downturn eyes, it tends to droop their eyes and drag down their features. So I might suggest something like ⁓ a natural eye mapping, which pretty much puts the longest length of the set towards the arch of the brow and then we taper it a little bit.

Kelli Luu (18:52)

Okay.

Macy (18:53)

So it's not dragging your eyes down, but it still has that length going towards the edge of your eye. Yeah. ⁓

Kelli Luu (18:58)

Okay, I see. Interesting. And

then same thing with brows. Does brow shape matter as well?

Macy (19:04)

For sure. feel like it's all preference and I feel like brow trends are changing all the time. Like what we saw in the 90s, everybody was thinning their brows out again and now everybody wants a fluffy lamination and I feel like trends will repeat itself. So I like offering more of a semi-permanent shape as opposed to having somebody committing to a tattoo.

Kelli Luu (19:14)

Right.

Okay.

Got it. Okay, cool. All right, so I only have just a few more questions. What does representation and beauty mean to you? And do you feel like you're representing the Asian community through your work

Macy (19:33)

on.

say I would say yeah I feel like I feel like my business has taught me a lot and I'm so happy to have a platform that allows me to represent other Asian Americans you know and let them know that like you can showcase your worth you can be proud of yourself and you don't have to be behind the scenes all the time you know like you

Kelli Luu (20:05)

Right.

Macy (20:08)

it be like you, should be proud of yourself and ⁓ let other people know that too. Like I don't think it's cocky. think like when you work hard, it deserves to be recognized, you know?

Kelli Luu (20:21)

All right, so this is my final question for you. I want to know how are you keeping your passion alive?

Macy (20:24)

Mm-hmm.

I would say, how am I keeping my passion alive?

Pretty much just, I know I have my long-term goal and I think by just focusing on small parts at a time, it keeps things interesting. I work on a little segment of my business every day and I feel like through those little accomplishments, even if it's not seen, I know that it made me feel good, so it kinda keeps the momentum going.

Each and every day you're accomplishing something little and you're working towards that goal. Yeah.

Kelli Luu (21:00)

All right, so just a bonus question. Where can

we see you in five years?

Macy (21:05)

maybe a salon of my own? Who knows? Yeah.

Kelli Luu (21:12)

Hopefully now I believe in you, so I definitely

think I'll be going there Alright, well that's all that I have for you today Macy. Thank you so much for joining us here at Gold Sea. I really appreciate your time

Macy (21:24)

Thank you, thank you for having me.

Subscribe

Subscribe Now to receive Goldsea updates!

Macy Mungcal is Busy Beautifying the Valley
By Kelli Luu | 07 Jun, 2025

Find out how Macy Mungcal turned her beauty side hustle into a booked business as one of the San Fernando Valley’s most beloved brow and lash artists.

Articles

Subscribe

Subscribe Now to receive Goldsea updates!

Macy Mungcal is Busy Beautifying the ValleyBy Kelli Luu | 07 Jun, 2025

Find out how Macy Mungcal turned her beauty side hustle into a booked business as one of the San Fernando Valley’s most beloved brow and lash artists.

Articles

Asian American Success Stories

Macy Mungcal is Busy Beautifying the Valley
By Kelli Luu | 07 Jun, 2025