Tabla de contenidos para October 2018 en MEGA

This month, things are a little bit more personal as we pay tribute to a decade that is close to my heart—the 90s. As a young adult during this era, I was right smack in the middle of the entire pop cultural phenomenon, and needless to say, this time of my life has given me so much inspiration. While most people cringe at the thought of reminiscing or even remotely thinking of going back to this time, I will do so in a heartbeat if any time machine exists to make this possible. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I miss the pre-smartphone period, where everything was well, much simpler. Music wise, I feel that this decade has produced some of the most recognizable icons and songs that forever…

THE PEARL Add femininity to the overall look via pearl embellishments…

Back in 2017, you might have come across a viral story about how one girl had a lavish 18 birthday celebration at an arena. Images of beautifully-lit LED invitations, grand performances, like the ones you’ve seen in Cirque de Soleil, and elaborate table set-ups that seated a thousand guests. Does it ring a bell? It drew so much attention from social media, but mostly with heartfelt messages flooding describing how much it looked like fairy tale. Fast forward to a year later, Dian Serranilla, is fresh from England and in a few days, she’ll be flying out yet again to finish three more years of her business degree in none other than London’s Hult International Business School. With a business empire that’s been built by her family for years, you…

1 Denial of access to public services 2 Including SOGIE as a criteria for hiring or dismissal of workers 3 Refusing admission or expelling students in schools based on SOGIE 4 Imposing disciplinary actions that are harsher than customary due to the student’s SOGIE 5 Refusing or revoking accreditation of organizations based on the SOGIE of members 6 Denying access to health services 7 Denying the application for professional licenses and similar documents 8 Denying access to establishments, facilities, and services open to the general public 9 Forcing a person to undertake any medical or psychological examination to determine or alter one’s SOGIE 10 Harassment committed by persons involved in law enforcement 11 Publishing information intended to “out” or reveal the SOGIE of a person without consent 12 Engaging in…

A day in the life of model, host, actress and Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehmann is never the same. “Since joining Miss World, my schedule has gotten a little hectic,” the statuesque beauty says. “I like to start my days by waking up early and having a good breakfast. After, I either go to a hosting event or a shoot, then have fittings afterwards. It’s always different.” Because her busy schedule requires a lot of time in front of the camera, it is essential that Lehmann takes care of her skin. One would be surprised to learn, however, that she maintains her glowing complexion though a simple skincare routine. “I don’t like to overdo anything, since I don’t want to irritate my skin. I just use a simple facial…

In case you haven’t noticed already, technology has changed the face of beauty. A product that you once eyed from a shop’s glass windows can now be delivered to your doorstep after just a few clicks. You might also spend hours on YouTube, looking through video after video to educate yourself on the types of acids your skin needs. While this change is certainly a positive thing, it still can lead to a few areas of confusion. Empowering women for over 130 years, beauty brand Avon stays in the hearts of many Filipinas for their skincare and makeup essentials. With their latest whitepaper study, “Beauty, The Future And The Power Of Emotions,” the brand pointed out that while technology has made everything easier, it still needs to be presented through…

This year, we celebrate innovation, looking at the future and reaching out to the past while being thoroughly in the moment. We highlight the products that spiced up our routines, updated our beloved classics and made beauty fun INNOVATION These products sparked joy by heeding the call for something new FOREO UFO (P16,320) MAC Studio Fix 24H Concealer (P1350) BENEFIT Brow Contour Pro (P2100) SUNNIES Fluff Matte Lipstick (P345) AIVEE Water (P15,000) WET BRUSH (P899) PERRICONE MD Cold Plasma Face (P7750) SISLEY Hydra Global Serum (P11,250) HAPPY SKIN Nail Rebuilder Serum (P299) GUERLAIN Rouge G (P2800) ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup (P2400) SHISEIDO VisionAiry Gel Lipstick (P1400) LUXE LIST They cost a pretty peso, but are so worth the splurge LA PRAIRIE White Caviar Extraordinaire (P42,200) DIOR…

In a world that is slowly giving in to the decisive erosion of the analog world (and all its mighty strongholds) in alarming exponential increments for the more digitally-attuned foreseeable future, it becomes odd that people are still craning their necks to the romance of a nostalgic what once was. Fashion and pop culture constantly falls for this trope, with trends taking to a spin cycle of every few years of relevance and digression. With almost everything operated at a mechanical and digitized currency, it is not only anachronistic but downright questionable that we are invariably living out our fantasies of decades past. With the impossible separation from the human and the smartphone (a disappointing demise of humanity, really), everything has inextricably become linked to the device, rendering the physical…

Dear MEGA, At this point, I assumed that we already knew everything there is to know about Pia Wurtzbach. After all, she has been presented and written about so many times—not that I’m complaining. But after seeing the way you imagined her and told her story this time around, I am convinced that there is a lot more to learn about the woman we call a queen. First of all, it was refreshing to see her with that length of hair, and most importantly, it was interesting to read how much of a real person she is. Minus the title, it can be said that we are all a Pia ourselves, raring to make a name for ourselves on our own merits and skills. What a truly inspiring woman she…

Was the 90s truly a decade unmatched? Or is it just tainted by an undying love for nostalgia? Let’s be real, there was no better time to grow up as things were simpler back then. People were much more focused on the IRL rather than URLs, and it didn’t matter whether you existed online. It was a time when we were less invested in what we consumed. This month, we time travel to the glorious and spirited past, starting off with formerly questionable fashion trends making a big time comeback in Best Buys. Discover how hip-hop helped Tommy Hilfiger achieve mainstream success in the 90s (see Retail Trend Report), before exploring plaid’s many chic combinations in Get Ready to Wear. Finally, we sit down with one of Manila’s most iconic…

STYLE TIP Let your shoes do the talking and opt for chunky, futuristic silhouettes…

Two years ago, in an interview with Complex News, Chilli of iconic girl group TLC reunited with Andy Hilfiger, Tommy’s brother and the brand’s former VP of marketing, reminisced how the brand reached its peak in the 90s. “I think what the hip-hop community did was took it and wore it in a hip way, in a stylized way and started performing in it,” says Andy. Who could ever forget the blue, red and white box logo that reinterpreted Americana to the masses and the youth? And how unforgettable was that ad starring R&B singer Aaliyah? Sporting a bandeau top with the Tommy Hilfiger emblem and baggy jeans with boxer briefs peeking through was unheard of, but it worked wonders to make the brand relate to the time. “People loved…

It’s a dance that we do every year. As the weather cools down by a few degrees, the city starts heating up—the streets starts a cha-cha, the malls do a tango, and our offices keep on swinging. Our social media feeds? Let’s not even go there. Or perhaps we should. We revisit some of the key issues that sparked a lot of debate—and not always civil ones—online and off. In Feature Story, we have Janlee Dungca, a prolific LGBTQ+ rights crusader taking on the SOGIE Bill. In Relationship, one female writer shares her experiences dating online, and how misogyny rears its ugly, and sometimes violent, head in all corners of the globe. Lastly, in Forvm we take to a different dance, one that involves the complicated choreography of adult friendships,…

Hiro Nishiuchi’s smile is infectious. As the newly-appointed Philippine Tourism Fun Ambassador, the beauty has been making active efforts to introduce the country to her homeland, Japan. On the day of her shoot, she proves to be a perfect fit to her new role, making the shoot a breeze with her warm, easygoing nature. “It is such an honor to be the ambassador for Philippine tourism. I’m excited to meet new people and explore the places. I still have to learn the language, but I’m already liking it here,” Nishiuchi says with a laugh. For the Japanese actress and beauty queen (she was the first runner-up of Miss Universe Japan 2014), it was love at first sight when she first visited the Philippines. “The Philippines is such a beautiful country.…

“I don’t have a particular style,” professes Gery Penaso. “I study the feature of my clients, I suggest what I think would look best on them and I also ask them what they want. Basically I always try to meet them in the middle but the end product should always be an enhanced version of themselves.” At a time when makeup has seemingly grown more rules and how to’s thanks to the internet, makeup artist Gery Penaso’s take on beauty is honest and remains true to the craft. Not the trends. “Being a makeup artist is not about developing on style and applying it to all your clients, because every client is unique.” Penaso had become interested in makeup as early as 10 years old, but it was only after…

“IT’S FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO INDULGE THEMSELVES IN SOMETHING WELL-MADE” Ever since I started getting interested in makeup as a grade schooler, it was always luxury products that caught my eye and made my pulse quicken. Never mind that at that time I could barely afford the talc-based pressed powder being sold in the grocery—I knew that eventually that bejeweled tin of Guerlain Meteorites would grace my vanity. I was already an adult when I dared to buy makeup that was sold in its own counter, and yes, I adore discovering good beauty products regardless of the price tag. But somehow the allure of luxury stayed with me. Forget hauls—I’d rather one little item from Tom Ford. “My mom bought everything in The Body Shop,” a friend once told…

Coming to terms with the standards of beauty has plagued us since time immemorial. Long have we been asking ourselves: What constitutes a beautiful face? Is perfection and symmetry what we always aim for? But what about the likes of Winnie Harlow who has vitiligo but is one of the most sought after models in fashion today? And how about fashion’s favorite irreverent brand, Comme des Garçon, with its larger-than-life creations? This month we try to grasp the many meanings of beauty and the people who define it. There is no doubt that Anne Curtis has one of the most iconic beauties in TV and movies in this generation. In her recent film, Buy Bust, we saw a bloodstained face, busted lip and a swollen eye…and yet in this state…

I woke up to a gloomy day this morning yet again. It is Habagat and typhoon season and each time I wake up to a day that’s gray, I become listless. On mornings like this, I never want to open the curtains because I like to enjoy the feeling of being lazy. That’s what this kind of weather does to you. It makes you slow and sluggish. But because I have to earn my keep, I get up, turn the lights on and see what my clothing options are for the day. My closet is deep and isn’t lit well. I can never see all of my options in October unlike on a bright summer day where the light pierces through darkness. Today, I put on the first pair of…

STYLE TIP Dull the brightness of the typically summer shade by wearing it with black, earth tones or even a teasing shade of blue…

JO MALONE LONDON A warp of time in a gentle blast, Jo Malone London whisks us yet again to a charming English countryside for its new release, the Honeysuckle & Davana cologne. Much like the winding, twisting and oddly alluring path towards the hearth, the scent takes us in with a vibrant and fruity welcome of davana, an aromatic herb with warm slices of liquorice. Coddling this nostalgic trill is a radiant note, honeysuckle, which is a rich floral that bounces on the skin before coalescing to the thick intrusion of honey. Before it falls trap to a cliché, the fragrance is finished with an undercurrent of prickling fresh rain that is then cushioned by a base of a woody and warm moss. ANTONIO BANDERAS If we were to take…

It is fairly easy to antagonize the young’uns, what with their seemingly reckless exuberance, boundless energy, hard-to-keep-up dynamism and clear disdain for the structure and responsibilities that are part and parcel to coming of age. “They’re just young,” you utter, most of the time in a dismissive tone as you watch them go about their fun and fancy free, as if nothing good will come out of their youth. Sure, you might (this being an operative word) know much more, having navigated life’s labyrinth of highs, lows and an insane linger of limbo-like stages, but that doesn’t necessarily make you better than they are. Remember, you were young once, too. While the rest trudged their way to the tucked out boutique hotel on a holiday declared weekday, practically dragging their…

You deserve it my queen. Every single sunshine of success you worked hard for it! —@_thecarlosgomez via If only she’s allowed to join Miss U again and again, she can win it multiple times! —@engr.lou via I like u Ms. Pia with that hair. You look younger and fresh. —@rosette657 via Wow! What a great shot!—@edusaguin via Thank you Mega Mag for this!!! —@freidathompson_ via Ruru madrid looks like a prince charming in a fairytale —@annangellie via The Hottest Millenial in the Philippines!!! —@zwenabdullah via Love you @rurumadrid8, congrats!!! Thank you @megaman_magazine —@ybramihan_ via…

20s CLUELESS Keep plaid playful with oversized proportions STYLE TIP An unexpected layering piece will undeniably turn heads 30s CHECKS OVER STRIPES A one-piece suit makes everything look well put-together STYLE TIP Break the monotonous streak by donning it in different hues 40s SAVILE ROW Masterful tailoring is the easiest way to look chic in any print STYLE TIP Go for the classic sharply-tailored look that never fails…

Quintessential English flower, honeysuckle, is brought to life in Jo Malone London’s latest fragrance, Honeysuckle and Davana. The fragrance’s essential core grows wild and unexpected—twisting and overtaking around trees and gardens where its scent gives off a surprising burst of happiness as one passes by it. The British perfumer draws inspiration from the flower’s bright yet transformative scent. Honeysuckle is a special English flower which blooms for only a very short time. Throughout the day, from morning to midnight, the flower evolves its scent in order to attract different butterflies and bees. Jo Malone London’s Honeysuckle and Davana was designed to be like honeysuckle itself. Head of fragrance development, Celine Roux and master perfumer Anne Flipo wanted to particularly capture this fascinating change of scent. The brand used headspace technology…

“I always wanted to be a femme fatale. Even when I was a young girl, I never really wanted to be a girl. I wanted to be a woman,” reveals fashion designer and girl boss icon Diane von Furstenberg on one of her interviews. Think Harley Quinn, Cat Woman, or Poison Ivy. She’s the type of woman who’s more than plumes of smoke and hypnotizing eyes; she hides behind a guise that’s deliberately submissive. But it’s not about being deceptively beautiful. In the cinematic world, the femme fatale, always portrayed as voluptuous and irresistible, seduces people to get away with anything, perpetrating the myth that it’s how women have to operate instead of using their wits. It’s not until cult favorite Kill Bill was released and we were introduced to…

The current beauty landscape, like many things in our current paradigm, is in a state of flux. There are many, many brands and many, many, many products. Let’s not even talk about trends, which come and go faster than our ability to hit the like button. For starters, there’s a bigger, wider, more diverse and inclusive conversation—not just about the latest highlighter but on beauty itself. The result? A generation challenging the existing and longstanding notions of beauty; looking, not for a universal red lipstick, but the availability of several shades for every skin tone, every mood and every flight of fancy. The result? The world on your bathroom sink. You can be using cleansing oil from Japan, micellar water from France, essence from Korea, a mask infused with a…

How well did you sleep last night? The answer, for a growing number of Filipinos, would be not well—not well at all and not enough. Couple this with daily stressors such as relentless, godawful traffic, increasing pollution and a pervasive work culture, and this results in our health taking a beating, aging us prematurely. Tell me something new you might be saying, as you take another sip of your nth cortado for the day. The effects of chronic sleep deprivation shows immediately on our skin, creating a duller and drier complexion that has us reaching for the faux glow of a highlighter as often as we reach for a morning cup of coffee. Makeup and a Starbucks card can only do so much for our health—experts tell us that we…

“Is that a Polly Pocket?” asked one of our twenty something colleagues, as we held up the pastel-colored Caboodle from makeup brand blk. Along with fanny packs, geometric prints and retro-cool t-shirts, blk’s latest collection is full of pre-Y2K goodness. The 14-piece makeup collection from the popular local beauty brand features shades that give us major Reality Bites feels; think moody browns, velvety berries and spicy nudes. For those who remember when blk co-founder and creative director (and this month’s cover star) Anne Curtis in her TGIS days, this collection is sure to inspire nostalgia for the era of body glitter, week-long raves and grunge fashion. Despite its era-specific inspiration everyone can appreciate the collection, which continues blk’s aim to provide fun yet wearable makeup for Filipinas. Lipstick lovers will…

“Can we trust you?” were the first words that he uttered as I stood by the door, figuring out if the hotel WiFi password was working. At that point, I didn’t realize that I was wearing a shirt with the words, “trust me” printed on it, because it was the only black top that I can find as I rushed to this Sunday morning shoot. Startled, I reply: “You can say that.” For a second, I thought that the actor/model was asking on behalf of the other four people in the room. But I quickly realized that Nico, who prefers them/they pronouns, could actually refer mostly to them, curious whether they can rely on us to tell their truth. When National Bookstore announced that Nico Tortorella will be arriving in…