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.
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.
I love my job. Weddings are usually that particular time where emotions of happiness, joy and sadness come into play. I was touched when my friend Rachelle Almario called me to ask if I was available on February 11 to do the hair and makeup of her best friend Lisa Antonio. It was her wedding gift to them. This is the stuff I live for.
Lisa and I share 2 things in common, Rachelle is also one of my good friends and that we both just moved into the Alabang area recently, having our homes built within the same year in 2014. Lisa is an architect, she carries the lineage of the late National Artist Ramon Antonio and her famous aunts the Veloso sisters who are well known for their made to order clothes for Manila’s chic society. Her well appointed home with clean and crisp lines give you an indication of her choice in wedding style. The epitome of chic and sophistication echo the simplicity of her gown bought from Rosa Clara.
Lisa conveyed her wishes to me by making her hair and makeup very simple, nothing too contrived just effortless. She looked to Audrey Hepburn and Carolina Herrera as her inspiration and immediately I knew what direction she wanted.
Thank you Rachelle and Lisa for the gift of friendship and I wish you and TBoy all the best on your new life ahead.
Photos courtesy of Lisa A. Rodriguez and Randolf Evans Photography. Hair by Tony Dusich