In Chinese culture, August is usually the month in the lunar calendar that is called the Ghost month, beginning in the 15th day of the 7th month where ghosts and spirits including the ones of the deceased ancestors come out. The Chinese belief is that no business transactions or any of its kind are to be conducted during this period, no planning of long trips, no building and renovations in homes, no transferring of office should be conducted, as superstition dictates that the spirits should be appeased during this period. For the year 2017, it began August 22 until September 19.
Mr and Miss Chinatown is a yearly pageant that promotes Chinese Filipino culture that aims to highlight shared values while advocating the excellence of today’s Chinoy youth expressed through the spirit of the arts, entrepreneurship, and academics. The theme this year was #NewDynasty which included Filipino Chinese members from the provincial and International community which made the pageant bigger and bolder in their search for the best cultural ambassador.
Highlights:
Press Presentation Solaire Resort and Casino August 16, 2017
Albert Andrada Fashion Show Diamond Hotel
Just to refresh your memory….
Our Pegs for the fashion show. Fresh, Glowing and Chic.
TIPS ON WORKING IN A FASHION SHOW OR PAGEANT
Working in a pageant, or a fashion show is a lot of fun and tiring at the same time. Work quickly with less chit chat and try to follow the pegs given.
Models are human too, they get tired, cranky and hungry. It’s not personal, try to make them feel better with the skill of your hands and delivering what’s needed. Offering them a drink of water or giving them a mini facial prior to a makeup application does wonders for their disposition.
Listen to the cues and direction of the production team. It creates a smooth working flow and it is the opportune time to iron out or clarify questions you may have.
Keep your makeup kit and station neat at all times. I know this is difficult when you are working on a tight area with many faces to work on, but a messy station speaks volumes about your professionalism.
Do ask permission from the model or talent if it is ok to take some photos and post on social media. Ask the lead person in the production and makeup team if this is ok. Ask for designated hashtags if possible and post accordingly.
Offer to touch up talents or models just before they go out, even if she or he was not the one you made up. Time is of the essence, you need to be waiting at the wings with powder, lipstick and tissue on hand for last calls.
Many makeup artists, myself included, lug around our tools, accessories and miscellaneous items needed for the client or event. I bring with me a portable table, makeup chair, a set bag, makeup kit, mirror with lights and another set of lights to boost the lighting system that I have. Apparently one set of lights is not enough. Sometimes my set up is lit like a coliseum.
During the Masterclass workshop with Bobby, I asked him what he brought with him to shoots, clients and events. I was pretty much surprised how light he travels.
Bobby brings his Glamcor lighting system
The Flash palette is such a versatile product and when he demonstrated how this palette can be used in multiple ways, we were hooked. In fact, we had to dig up our little stash of products to find this. Every makeup artist should have one. When you’re caught in a situation where you had nothing to work on in a shoot or in a client, this is the palette to have. It will save you from getting fired from a job. Did you know you can use this to customize a foundation color?
Makeup kits of artists vary from artist to artist, but I find that the more seasoned and popular artists such as Bobby, who have seen so much in all of his years of experience, tend to condense their kit mainly because they know what simply works and can improvise many looks based on a slimmed down kit.
Aside from his creative genius and good looks, Bobby is the most generous teacher you can imagine, constantly sharing his tips and techniques to make you work smarter, faster and better. Beauty need not be complicated, Kemerut….
July 30 and 31 were one of the best working weekend dates I had after coming from a long vacation. Remember the Inglot Polishing Workshop I wrote about before? While I only had 2 days to work with these lovely ladies, the rest of the United Makeup Artists of the Philippines (UMAP) artists had a month to bond with these beauties. Saturday was for the “Mutya ng Pilipinas” Candidates 2016 and Sunday belonged to the Mr. and Miss Chinatown 2016.
Both events were sponsored by Inglot Cosmetics and by Cynos Hair products. Status Salon Manila provided the hair and makeup requirements while the rest of the team was composed of the UMAP members.
Here is what I learned from this gig:
1. Be prepared to wait.
Patience is a virtue you need to master, if you are a makeup artist. Call times are usually early (like 7 am at the venue in this case). It was in Resorts World Manila Newport Theater and we considered ourselves lucky that we had ample time to set up. Mirrors with lights and a table were provided, so we were thankful for any kind of help. Candidates showed up at 8:30 am and we began working on them between 9:00-9:30 am. In between this, all candidates are being called by the director for a technical rehearsal which lasts from 2 -6 hours depending on the amount they have to cover. While waiting, we went through our pegs, makeup and saw to it everything had to be ready when the ladies came back. Clean your tools, glue single lashes, tidy your work space were some of the things we did to while the time.
2. Be flexible in your expectations.
This is not about you but more importantly this is a test of character. There are many things going on simultaneously from the floor and stage directors screaming. “Girls, you have 3 minutes to change” to“Girls, you have to run! We’re starting the evening gown portion!” Mind you, these gowns are heavy and difficult to put on. Part of the job is to be able to help these ladies move as fast as they can by helping them dress up, strap on their stilettos and sometimes be a fashion stylist like securing their gowns with a safety pin because the gown is simply a size smaller than expected. Yes, you will be a multi-tasker in events like these, and you have to be OK with that.
3.Pageant Makeup is designed to be seen.
Because of the Polishing Workshop we had to undergo with Inglot, pageant makeup is a glamourised version of the classic look, a bolder version of your traditional smokey eye. Harsh lights can drown out the colours you’ve put on. It is important to layer your makeup, and make sure it is still blended and well put together. Peg for all seasons, Pia Wurtzback, 2015 Miss Universe.
4. Be a Jack of All trades
When we were all done with the candidates, our work did not end there. We were assigned tasks to do last minute touch ups before the ladies were whisked away onto the stage. Two artists were in charge of applying powder and blush, one was assigned to check the lashes and bring glue, and one was in charge of applying lipstick and gloss. The hair team was also divided so they can do touch ups for the hair. It didn’t end there: We were looking at the TV monitor to check the makeup to see if we needed to add or lessen the makeup. We were required to always be on standby behind the wings for costume changes.
Mindset: You are the hired help for the day so leave your ego at home.
5. Makeup tips learned from the event
Ace of base was the Inglot HD foundation in shades 71, 73 and 77 to create that flawless “Cutis Porcelana” look. No airbrush here, we layered this 2x and buffed it well into the skin,
Blush Palette used were:
To set the makeup and make it last longer, we used the baking technique. We also had to use a lighter concealer to give the face a nice highlight.
Contour does not need to be heavy but sculpted cheekbones were a must for this event to give depth to the face. We used Inglot no. 505
Since the eyes needed to stand out, we were instructed to use fuller, wispy lashes to add drama.
Neutral palette was used on the eyes. No blue, green, pink or lavender colours here, just earthy brown tones. No glitters or frost as this looks dirty on camera.
Male grooming should be simple and natural. Bronzer was used to warm up the face. Skin tone was evened out with a light application of foundation, concealer when needed and loose powder o set the makeup. A touch of lip balm was applied to make the lips soft.
Contact lens were used by the candidates to make the eyes stand out in front of the camera.
Scenes from the 2 events
Being on the other end of this event, pageants are definitely hard work both for the candidates and for us hair and makeup artists. It is a stepping stone for most of them and while they pursue their dreams of becoming ambassadors of change or tourism, for us makeup artists, we are glad to share in their experience on their path to success and hope.
Opening your home to host a fashion show for a lauded designer is a very chic thing to do. It has to be a very special event to make you want to open your private sanctuary to host such a milestone. The designer — Ditta Sandico — was also launching her new atelier (which is in her home), so a rebirth or coming full-circle of sorts was a good excuse to celebrate. After all, 30 years in the fashion industry is no small feat (pardon the pun) for this petite designer,who has beenpromoting natural, organic, indigenous fabrics that are woven into stylish pieces that can be added to one’s wardrobe.
The fabric that is synonymous with Ditta’s name is banaca, a mix of banana and abaca fibers similar to piña or pineapple, unlike its earlier abaca counterpart that was very rough which was a good material for making ropes and footwear. Banaca is a fabric that is versatile as a mold or wrap, due to its pliability and soft sheen cast. Ditta’s pieces are well known for these mold and wrap structures, because of her very haute couture architectural style. Each piece is therefore a true statement piece in one’s wardrobe.
UMAP or Unified Makeup Artists of the Philippines was tapped to lend hair and makeup support to a team of 22 models, five of whom were professional models, and the rest were Ditta’s friends and clients who were as good as the pros when it came to the catwalk. The show was directed by Raymund Villanueva, a good friend of Ditta who is a crack and a half. Full of wit and biting humor, he gave us an idea of how the concept was to be laid out. The ramp was the walkway to Ditta’s atelier against a clear backdrop of her shop, while the models inside posed and channeled their inner goddesses while waiting for their turn to come out.
As I wrote this, APEC 2015 was happening in Manila, and it is very fitting to say, we have shown the world that Filipinos are excellent hosts! We have shared our best business acumen, excellent world class talent in the fields of entertainment, culture, food and design. In fashion, Ditta, you have done us proud, we are Pinoy Proud! Wishing you more years of clothing wonder.
Inglot Cosmetics is available at Glorietta 5, SM Megamall B.
Biore products are available at all leading Department Stores, and PCXchange.
Ditta Sandico is available at 5 Mabolo corner Balete Drive Quezon City.
UMAP or Unified MAkeup Artists of the Philippines can be reached at Facebook and Instagram, Umaphils.
Remember my blog post about Estee Lauder and Brian Patterson a few months back? Well, our paths crossed once again and I hope it is the start of a love affair. Love was the theme during the Francis Libiran Bridal Fashion Show at the Weddings at the Peninsula Bridal Fair last June, June being the universal month associated with weddings. The show coincided with the opening of Libiran’s atelier in The Peninsula, so it was the opportune time to promote his 40-piece bridal collection.
Francis Libiran is known for his intricate beadwork and serpentine silhouette. You may drool over his creations here (www.francislibiran.com).
Estee Lauder was tasked to do the makeup services for the 40 models while the Franck Provost team did the hair on all the models. The fashion show marked a sort of “debut” for Estee Lauder as the sponsor of a fashion show, and as such, Estee Lauder skincare and cosmetics were used on the models and celebrities who graced the runway that day. Among the celebrities who modeled the bridal collection were Kim Jones, Iza Calzado,Venus Raj, and Karylle, while Jake Cuenca, Sam Milby, Christian Bautista, among others, modeled the menswear line.
Backstage and behind-the-scenes (where I was), each makeup artist was assigned four models to prep for the show. (I did three male models and a lady.) The photo pegs for the makeup style were clean, fresh, nothing to glam and overdone — right up my alley!
We used the star products of the show, which were the skincare essentials: the Double-Wear Foundation, the Advanced Night Repair, and Matte Primer (which are available in Rustan’s beauty source counters nationwide).
And here’s a few behind-the-scenes shots with my fellow MUAs. Such a fun-filled event!
Thank you, Estee Lauder, for including me in your team for Weddings at the Pen! For the complete range of Estee Lauder skincare and cosmetics, visit Estee Lauder counters in Rustan’s Beauty Source outlets nationwide. You can also log on to www.rustans-thebeautysource.com for the complete online catalog.