Tabla de contenidos para October 2022 en MEGA

The late legendary American makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin once said, “Beauty has a lot to do with character.” I must say I certainly agree with him. While the concept of being beautiful is achieved through tools, such as makeup, skincare or procedures, it is ultimately how you carry yourself and how you embrace beauty in your life that makes the difference. Beauty is very personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to it. The exciting thing is that beauty can be tailor-made to fit one’s needs and wants. If you’re the bold type who embraces trends and is all for statement makeup, that’s fine. If your beauty philosophy is geared toward a minimalist and natural approach, that’s fine, too. If you are all for wrinkles and positive aging, that’s…

SPECIAL FEATURE It’s undeniable that quite a number of people don’t really expect a lot from 21-year olds. It’s because usually, they would still be in college or just about to begin their professional journey in the real world. However, it has been pretty evident that the younger generation has so much skill, passion, and creativity up their sleeves. A prime example of this is Ellis Co, an up-and-coming creative who has now entered the world of fashion through the launch of his very own clothing line, ARCHIVES. Dubbed as “Memoirs of the Future,” the fashion presentation produced by AMRG incorporated unthinkable elements that definitely put Ellis Co in the spotlight. It began with guests experiencing a gastronomic journey with culinary works by Chef Margarita Fores, which was then followed…

Paving the way for humans to reach a better comprehension of reality, the mirror became the next fascinating subject of Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele. In the 13th century, friar and author Vincent de Beauvais’ encyclopedic work Speculum maius (meaning “Great Mirror”) endorsed the mirror as an essential knowledge instrument. With its reflective capacity, the mirror makes it possible to faithfully approach the ontological status of the world, and from such a view, things would be exactly as they are perceived. “I’ve always been averse to the myth of the exact vision that inevitably ends up in freezing the immaginifico [imaginative] power of the world,” says Michele. “For this reason, I wanted to restore another feature of the mirror. That is, building aberrations, enchantments, ghosts.” What does Michele mean by…

The true essence of beauty is often overshadowed by judgment and societal standards. Sometimes, we forget that beauty is about helping everyone—regardless of age, race and gender—confidently express themselves. Ask anybody who has experienced the euphoria that comes with having glowing skin after waking up from a facial, or with chopping one’s hair for a new look, or even after discovering a signature scent, and they will all attest that beauty and happiness are intrinsically intertwined. This is the main theme that keeps the few pages together as we celebrate the products and people who are steering the positive conversations around beauty. In Artist Confidential, get to know Raffy So, the young makeup artist who is unafraid to take risks for the sake of his art. There are also the…

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. In fact, it impacts both men and women with a probability of developing the disease in their lifetime. A breast cancer diagnosis can also profoundly affect the life it touches, it can be a diverse and complex experience for any individual and no single story can encapsulate all. As we take our approach to raise awareness, Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) continues to strive for its mission of helping create a breast cancer-free world for all. Over the last 30 years, the beauty powerhouse became the corporate leader of the global breast cancer movement, producing campaigns and innovations that created real progress and drove social impact. A GLOBAL MOVEMENT ELC took us thirty years ago when there was a lack…

CHRISTINA NADIN If you haven’t gotten the memo, here it is: dewy skin is in. The love for mattes had its time, and that time has passed—at least for now. With the rise of trends such as the no-makeup-makeup look, sun-kissed cheeks, and supple, glass skin, never has our natural glow been more appreciated until now. ON THE GO For a go-getter like Christina Nadin, adventure is always part of the day’s agenda. The Filipino-Irish beauty has already worked with brands such as FENDI, Off-White, Louis Vuitton, COACH, Kenzo, Coca-Cola, MAC, and Armani Beauty. As an international model and digital creative, her social media presence doubles as a public portfolio and an online diary of sorts. “Social media has given a platform for aspiring models to express themselves and gain…

When Kim Chiu entered show business 16 years ago, she had to navigate an industry brimming with mestizas and wide-eyed young stars. Her moniker, the “chinita princess,” introduced a mold that was rarely seen on Philippine primetime television at the time—despite the country being inhabited by many chinitas. “I think that’s my biggest influence in the beauty industry here,” Chiu tells MEGA. “I represent the chinitas.” Although she had created a space for people who looked like her, the distinctiveness didn’t come without challenges, especially for a teenager, who, she admits to this day, had several insecurities. “I didn’t like my eyes before,” she says. “Kasi hindi din siya malagyan ng kung anu-anong eye shadow. Di ba, uso dati ’yong mga mata nina [actresses] Kristine Hermosa, Shaina Magdayao? Ako, sinasabi…

SPECIAL FEATURE The Panthère has served as the unmistakable emblem of the Maison since the first sighting of her distinctive markings on a watch in 1914. Since then, the timeless icon has appeared in a variety of interpretations in Cartier’s classic designs. What makes the symbol of the Panthère so enduring that it has become inseparable from this storied institution? AN ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION The Panthère first appeared on an invitation for a jewelry exhibition commissioned by Louis Cartier. Named “Lady with a Panther”, this print image depicted a woman in a flowing white dress standing with a black panther by her feet. The Panthère’s full depiction into the form we recognize today was first in 1917, appearing on a cigarette case made of diamonds, onyx, and platinum. The creation was…

FASHION BALMAIN, Solaire Resort & Casino; BOTTEGA VENETA, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 4; BURBERRY, Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Manila; DOLCE AND GABBANA, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Robinsons Place Manila; DIOR, Solaire Resort & Casino, SM Makati, SM Aura Premier, The Podium, SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3; GUCCI, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 4; HERMES, Greenbelt 3; LOEWE, Shangri-La Plaza Mall; LOUIS VUITTON, Greenbelt 3, Solaire Resort & Casino; PRADA, Greenbelt 4; SAINT LAURENT, Robinsons Place Manila; VALENTINO, Robinsons Place Manila; DESIGNER ANNA DAVID, web <instagram.com/adavidatlr>; CARL JAN CRUZ, web <instagram.com/carljancruz>; DANIELLA LAZARO, web <instagr. com/daniella_lazaro>; ELLIS CO, web <instagram.com/ellis_archives>; HA.MU, web <instagram.com/_ ha.mu_>; KHATYANA LAUREN, web <instagram.com/khatastrosphe.jpg>; RONI YU, web <instagram.com/roniyu>; SEPH BAGASAO, web <bagasao.com>; TIE DIET, web <instagram.com/tiediet>; TINA MENDEZ, web <instagram.com/sweet_tinamisu>; XIOTI CHIU, web <instagram.com/xioti_chiu> BEAUTY AESOP, Greenbelt 5, Rockwell,…

Entering the last quarter of the year calls for a time to draw inwards and reevaluate the kinds of connections that made the stories of today worth telling. This issue, Joseph Bagasao, Carl Jan Cruz, and HA.MÜ bring heritage, sustainability, and authenticity to Philippine fashion, just as Ellis Co is tying in art and music to his version of elevated streetwear. And to cap the season, we rounded up the Fall/ Winter trends to look out for, along with the narrative behind Gucci’s Exquisite collection. The remaining three months is still an open invitation to conclude 2022 with bigger, better things—will you make the cut?…

From being a popular architectural style in the mid-20th century to facing its descent as a model of bad, even monstrous, taste in the mid-1970s, the principle of Brutalism is once again finding its way to the present era. This time, it’s through the style sensibilities of the up-and-coming, 21-year-old fashion designer Ellis Co. “ARCHIVES is a representation of my growth over the years,” the designer says proudly. “It is a high-fashion streetwear brand that takes heavy influence from Brutalist architecture—an architectural style that I found fascinating due to its emphasis on simplicity, honesty, and functionality.” Aside from the grotesque and straightforward notions embedded in Brutalism, Co has also ingrained the rhythm and beat of music in his process of creation. And almost as if in perfect sync with the…

For years, we have treated age as a limit to what one can do and who one can be. The thinking goes that when one reaches a certain number, some things are already out of reach and impossible to achieve. They say you can’t wear a body-hugging dress if you’re over 40; that the gym is no place for those over 50; and once the fine lines and gray hair strands start to show, we treat it as if the best years of our life have already passed. Thankfully, over the past few years, a new guard, composed of strong and independent women, is proving once again that age is just a number. By challenging the status quo and taking control of their natural beauty, the women featured in this…

Everyone wants radiant and blemish-free skin. The new generation of women is more aware than ever of the importance of taking care of their skin. Thanks to skin science and technology, achieving a glowing face isn’t elusive anymore. While in the past women had to wait for months before seeing positive results, now it’s possible to achieve them in a matter of days, in this case, 14 days to be exact. If you’re looking for a way to give your skin an instant update, look no further than Y.O.U Beauty’s newest trio, Radiance Up! Using science and harnessing the power of nature, the international skincare innovator has created a new range of products aimed at lightening dark spots on your skin to keep it glowing even in the harshest conditions.…

What goes around comes around, even in the world of fashion. In a circular economy, where production and consumption branch out into a web of choices and impact, it’s a noble responsibility to push for an industry that knows the weight of a single purchase decision. But despite these effects becoming more tied and tangled, there are brands at the local front that weave these connections into wonderful and purposeful works of art. 1 Joseph Bagasao Sustainability, craftsmanship, and subtlety—Bagasao by designer Joseph Bagasao’s core values are grounded on the emotional connection between people and their pieces. Impeccable craftsmanship produced through ethical production lines is the brand’s unique definition of luxury. Above all else, the core identity of each unique clothing lies in the power of the slow, the still,…

BOLD REDS Alluring, classic, and striking—red is every independent woman’s color. Whether laced, sheer, or structured, nothing exudes authority better than the perfect crimson LEATHER WEATHER Bringing in the edge with each powerful stride is the all-time favorite finish—leather. This iconic material that pays homage to the rock n’ roll era of the ’70s and ’80s is the season’s ultimate staple FUR AND FEATHERS Entering the Fall/Winter season means stepping into the cooler breeze. What better way to brave the streets than in exquisite fur coats and elaborate feathered pieces?…

FITNESS FOR ALL AGES In the past few decades, we have fortunately conquered the antiquated idea that life stops happening when we reach a certain age. We have opened our eyes to the reality that a person naturally evolves as the years go by. And by accepting this, our mind, our body, and thus our lifestyle, can adapt to changes and flourish instead of disintegrate. To explore this point, we interviewed coaches and longtime fitness and wellness oracles, who themselves have proven that, with the right routine and mindset, we can all get healthier, and even fitter, with age. “POSITIVE” ADDICTION Athlete-coach-entrepreneur Ting Joson was 44 years old when, while being treated for alcohol dependence, her doctor suggested that she look for a “positive addiction.” She found running, which eventually…

The world of beauty has come a long way since the cut-and-sew procedures that address aging concerns—those that sometimes end badly. Instead, these procedures have been replaced with non-invasive treatments that use high-tech machines and injectable formulas that offer a more natural, rejuvenating alternative. But as much as we love and can’t deny the immediate, satisfying effects of these treatments, they can cost a pretty peso, and many of these procedures aren’t completely pain-free. So, you can imagine how thankful I was that facial and body massages have once again gained popularity in the skincare and aesthetics world. At the forefront—as it has been since the 1950s—is the Clarins Skin Spa. Upon entering the Clarins Skin Spa at Rustan’s Makati, I immediately noticed that there were no bulky machines in…

JO MALONE LONDON After years of lacking progress on the diversity front inside the fashion and beauty industry, the rise of Adwoa Aboah is a breath of fresh air. The 30-year-old model is not only mixed-race with a strikingly freckled face and curly hair—far different from the Western beauty ideals that reigned supreme too long in our public consciousness—but she’s also not afraid to speak her mind. She has openly talked about her battle with addiction and depression. She is also a proud founder of “Gurls Talk,” a non-profit organization that gives young women a safe space to discuss feminist issues. It is this authenticity that has landed Aboah multiple magazine covers and the title of being one of the most trusted voices among her generation and the youth. Every…

The twin fates of fashion and beauty take over the month October as emerging local talents root themselves deeper in the industry. In celebration of its 10th year anniversary, BYS proudly presents the BYS Fashion Week. The chosen high-caliber, homegrown designers put out their best fashion foot forward in a full week of bold style and unique craft. Our coverstar Kim Chiu also reveals all her sides as an artist, including the things she hasn’t conquered yet and the areas in life she takes most pride in. With the start of the year’s last quarter, what will fashion and beauty reveal at their point of convergence?…

In the past several years, the seemingly disparate industries of beauty and fashion have met at the intersection of self-expression, inclusivity, and purposeful creations. No longer are makeup, body art, and self-care independent from the complex composition of fabric and the weaving of culture and tradition into clothing. In the current world, these elements are joined to convey a sentiment, an emotion, or a message that would have less meaning if written in words. In this fashion editorial—in partnership with BYS Cosmetics—designers Jaz Cerezo, Cruz, Kaye Morales, Bonita Penaranda, Thian Rodriguez, Randolf, Russell Villafuerte, Cheetah Rivera, and Issa Pressman, display the beauty of disrupting factions.…

MEGAWOMAN When it comes to our bodies, we consider our health as the maximum priority. We eat nutritious food, we go to the doctor when we feel sick, and we make sure every part of our body is in working condition, so we can be regarded as a person in good health. Yet, when it comes to our skin, everything’s a luxury. Our regular visits to the spa and dermatologists for professional treatments are seen as merely a superficial splurge, rather than caring for the largest organ of the body: the skin. “Beauty is really something that is neglected by a lot of people,” Mae Ng, founder of Le Meur Aesthetics, tells MEGA. “Somehow, they forget that it is a necessity.” Without a doubt, caring for ourselves has a price…