Moms and Dads

Mila Gulfan: On Life as a New Mom and Rediscovering Herself After Birth

by Alexa Villano
April 7, 2026

Makeup artist and new mom Mila Gulfan shares how motherhood reshaped her craft—and her sense of self

Mila Gulfan has long been a trusted name among celebrities and beauty queens, with clients like Michelle Dee, Rhian Ramos, and Erika Kristensen-Lee. But these days, beyond the brushes, makeup chairs, and palettes, there’s a new source of inspiration guiding her work: her son, Enzo.

After taking a three-month maternity break, Mila is easing back into her career—this time, with a deeper sense of purpose.

“I’ve always seen makeup artistry as a way to make someone feel confident during their most important moments,” Mila shares with Modern Parenting. “But when I stepped away for three months, it felt like I was saying goodbye to my old life. I honestly didn’t know if I could bounce back.”

What she discovered instead was something deeper and a different Mila.

“With the trust of my clients, I slowly started accepting work again while caring for a newborn. And every time I do someone’s makeup, I realize my old self never really left—I just found a new version of myself. One with more passion, and a greater inspiration—my son.”

Photo from milagulfan and josephfeliciano18

Life as a New Mom

Since welcoming Enzo, Mila’s world has shifted in ways both big and small. Together with her husband Joseph Feliciano, every decision now begins with one question: How will this affect our son?

“He’s our main priority,” Mila says. “Everything we do, we think about how it will impact him.”

Her daily routines have naturally evolved, too—becoming more intentional and attuned to both her recovery and her baby’s needs.

“I’ve been focusing on eating healthier meals to help with my cesarean recovery and to support breastmilk production,” she shares.

Before Enzo, life revolved around work, personal goals, and time with Joseph—whether it was wakeboarding, Pilates, or traveling. Now, the pace is different, but no less meaningful.

“Post-pregnancy, everything centers around caring for Enzo,” she says. “I’m hoping to slowly ease back into my physical activities when my body is ready.”

That First Moment

Like many first-time moms, Mila vividly remembers the moment everything felt real.

“Hearing my baby’s heartbeat for the first time—it hit me. I’m going to be a mom,” she recalls.

Each prenatal visit became a milestone, often marked by playful comparisons.

“They would compare his size to a fruit,” she laughs. “I’d actually look for that fruit, hold it, and imagine how something that size could be inside me.”

Still, even with preparation, some things can’t be anticipated.

“I was planning for a normal delivery, but ended up having an emergency C-section,” Mila shares. “We packed for a three-day hospital stay but ended up staying for seven. Even after attending newborn classes, it still felt overwhelming.”

In those moments, theory met reality—and parenting began in earnest.

“There were so many surprises, but at the end of the day, we just had to step up.”

Finding Calm in the Quiet

Amid the learning curve and sleepless nights, Mila has found comfort in the simplest of moments.

“My favorite part is waking up and seeing him asleep,” she says softly. “Watching his chest rise and fall—it calms me. It makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”

The Village That Shows Up

Like many modern families, Mila and Joseph are navigating parenthood across distance. Joseph currently works overseas, coming home when he can—but Mila isn’t alone.

“My sister, Tin, gave me support and the knowledge she has from her experience of raising her own daughter, Carissa. Having my sister show me how to do things made everything easier,” she shares.

Their extended family has also stepped in, offering both practical help and emotional support.

“They help take care of Enzo, and they remind me to take care of myself too,” Mila says.

Looking Ahead

As she balances motherhood and a thriving career, Mila is hopeful about what lies ahead—not just for her, but for their growing family.

“I hope we can eventually be together in one place,” she says. “Whether Joseph comes home for good or we join him abroad, what matters is that we continue supporting each other while giving Enzo the love and care he deserves.”

And if there’s one value she hopes to pass on to her son, it’s this:

“I pray that Enzo grows up choosing kindness,” Mila says. “In a world that’s constantly changing, kindness will take you far. And it’s something we can always choose—it’s free.”