Gisele Bundchen, the Brazilian bombshell who's one of the last to earn the supermodel title, has the luxury of picking and choosing her assignments now.

That privilege didn't come quite overnight, even if she's only 28.

She has been in the United States for 11 of those years and in front of the camera the whole time.

Bundchen has walked the world's fashion runways and has been the face of Victoria's Secret as well as Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana and Apple.

Her newest job is spokesmodel of cosmetics brand Max Factor, which is approaching its 100th birthday and planning a big ad campaign to celebrate.

"I thought it was really cool to be a part of something so old," Bundchen says.

"I can't believe something can exist for that long. For a business to stay alive for that long, it must be really good."

At a time when cosmetics companies typically turn to movie and music stars to get their products noticed, Max Factor felt Bundchen had sufficient star power.

The brand has a legitimate connection to Hollywood; its namesake makeup artist began working on films in 1909 and is credited with designing Clara Bow's cupid-bow mouth and making Jean Harlow a platinum blond.

But Bruce Katsman, associate marketing director, called choosing Bundchen "a no-brainer."

"She's the image of our high fashion consumer," he says.

"It's not so much about her look, per se. She's rocked the runway so she's perceived as a great canvas. We think she does the same thing for makeup."

When Bundchen emerged on the American modelling scene in 1997, it was the twilight of the supermodel era. She says she got in at the right time.

Luck, she adds, also played its part. "I'm from a village of 10,000 people in the south of Brazil. I'm very grateful for my opportunities."