Ever seen a close-up shot of your fave local celeb or influencer in a gorgeous makeup look, and thought, “Wow, I wish I could also have that”? Well, those are most likely the works of über-talented Filipino makeup artists, which our beauty industry has no shortage of.
Some even take it up a notch by painting the most creative looks; whether it’s through bold colours, avant-garde themes, unexpected lines, or all of the above. Either way, their craft never fails to leave us in awe (and maybe a bit of envy). Hence, we’ve listed our fave makeup artists in the Philippines, as well as some of the famous style icons they’ve worked with!
P.S. — You might wanna follow them on Instagram to inspire you to go beyond your usual makeup routine, too.
Also read: 10 Local Beauty Brands That Deserve Your Attention
Local makeup artists that you should know about
1. Slo Lopez
There’s a reason why Slo is among the most sought-after makeup artists in the Philippines — and that’s for her unique SFX beauty looks. These range from the galactic-inspired to those that look like whimsical impasto artworks. The latter is mostly due to her lifelong passion for drawing and painting, and it shows!
Famous muses: Leila Alcasid, Solenn Heussaff
2. Anthea Bueno
Most of Anthea’s works can be described as subtle yet avant-garde. They’re the perfect juxtaposition of eye-catching and understated glam that we can only hope to achieve. And if we could, we would definitely take these looks from the runway to the mall.
Famous muses: Kelsey Merritt, Sarah Lahbati
Also read: 10 Best Beauty Products to Achieve Healthy and Glowing Skin
3. Omar Ermita
Best known as a top talent in MAC Philippines, Owen is all about striking yet minimalist looks. Think neutral shades with a dash of bold strokes that you’d want to cop for your weekend night outs. Another reason to follow him on Insta? His photos with hilarious quotes would give celebrity fashion memes a run for their money.
Famous muses: Janine Gutierrez, Aimee Song
4. Jelly Eugenio
Whether it’s bridal shoots or magazine spreads, Jelly sure knows how to make an impact. Aside from being one of the crowd fave local makeup artists, he’s also a beauty influencer to keep an eye out for! His YouTube channel features beginner-friendly tutorials and unboxing videos of the latest beauty must-haves.
Famous muses: Catriona Gray, Nadine Lustre
5. Jia Achacruz
Ever had one of those mood boards with cute kitschy snippets from teen magazines? Then you’ll definitely love going through Jia’s Instagram grid, which features makeup looks that are every bit pop, young, and fun. It’s essentially a Y2K aesthetic fever dream!
Famous muses: Frankie Pangilinan, SB19
Also read: 6 Life-Changing Tips for Applying Makeup on Dry Skin
6. Zidjian Paul Floro
Zidjian stands out for his unique works that range from edgy to all-out sparkly. As one of the leading queer makeup artists in the Philippines, he’s all about defying gender norms — and we’re all for it! Fun fact: He goes by the name of Bambi for his drag persona.
Famous muses: BJ Pascual, Jess Connelly
7. Katch Mejias
With over a decade of experience, it’s easy to see why Katch is quite the in-demand hair and makeup artist. Clearly, she’s no stranger to both experimental and minimalist styles that are every bride’s and celeb’s dreams. She also has her own salon, which we recommend booking an appointment for months in advance!
Famous muses: Kathryn Bernardo, Yassi Pressman
8. Xeng Zulueta
Another among the veteran Filipino makeup artists, Xeng has been in the industry for more than 20 years now. Overall, her works are a study in reinvention — be it floral, futuristic, or au naturale. Either way, she sure always leaves people guessing for what’s next! She also runs an eco-friendly skincare line, whose products include setting sprays and body wash.
Famous muses: Maggie Wilson-Consunji, Katarina Rodriguez
Also read: Best Influencer Beauty Brands for Makeup and Skincare
These makeup artists in the Philippines sure put the “art” in “artist,” wouldn’t you agree? On that note, which of them would you love to ask to do your makeup someday? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Looking for other accounts to follow on Instagram for creative inspo? Check out some of our favourite digital artists and cartoonists here.
Featured image credit (L-R): Slo Lopez; Jelly Eugenio; Erwin Canlas via Xeng Zulueta; BJ Pascual via Omar Ermita | Official Instagram Pages
