Born and raised in Helena, Montana, Gail started acting at the age of 11. The acting bug led to study in Theater Arts at Montana State University, Portland State University and The University of Alberta (Canada) with the intention of becoming a high school Drama teacher. As a performer, she always had an interest in using make-up to create character. Her fellow students at University asked her to teach them make-up and a new career was born.

Gail formally trained in make-up with veteran make-up artist, Vincent Kehoe and then learned from mentor Stuart Freeborn while working as his assistant on her first feature film, Superman III. Since then, she has worked on over 90 Film and Television productions.

When not working as a make-up designer and supervisor, she can be found practicing her hobby of singing jazz standards, or Jazzercising.