PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN PHIL
https://www.facebook.com/johnphilphoto
https://instagram.com/johnphilphoto/
https://johnphilphoto.wordpress.com
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Painting beauty For this year’s anniversary issue, I am giving the spotlight to the people who helped me shape myself and showed me what my speciality is--Beauty shots. I’ve been doing it for almost all the shoots I had for 3 years. I usually use the same lighting and style but there are also exciting times where we go out our comfort zone and experiment from lighting to adding props and backgrounds. Beauty shots are photos that will put you in the moment of awe and gives you time to appreciate the beauty of a person. But it wouldn’t be that perfect without the help of the people I was referring to--- the Hair and Make-up artists whose graceful hands can intensify the natural beauty of a person. There are also times where they can bring out a whole new, different side of a person through make-up that makes shooting beauty shots more astonishing. We are going to introduce you to people who are passionate in the field of Make-up artistry; from dreamer to aspiring and up to professional artists. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed doing it. Thank you everyone, Happy 3rd Year Anniversary! John Phillip Santos Photographer / Editor
- The Art of Hair & Make-up -
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finding what you love!
The first time I met Celine was when we did a shoot with her as a model. Later on I found out that what she really wants to do is fixing hair and applying make-up. “At first, I have’t really thought about being a HMUA (Hair & Make-up Artist). I just enjoyed how my face looked like every time I play with makeup but then my friends started noticing and asking me to do their makeup as well. That’s when I realised that I also enjoy doing it on others and I liked the neverending challenge of having to learn different makeup techniques for each and every beautiful face.” - Celine Rona
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celine martinez - Hair & Make-up Artist http://ronacelina.blogspot.com https://instagram.com/ronacelina/
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Money isn’t a problem if you really want to DO IT. “I’m still a student so I don’t have the time and money for professional makeup workshops yet. In the meantime, I have makeup tutorial videos and makeup ebooks as my makeup gurus; Michelle Phan, Promise Phan, and Amanda Steele. I love Michelle Phan because of her versatility and flexibility. She can create looks for going to the grocery to walking down the runway. Promise Phan is someone I count on when looking for fun makeup tutorials. She’s quirky and funny, and she does a really good job on her makeup transformations. Finally, Amanda Steele. I think what makes me love her is her style. She’s young so, maybe that’s why I have almost the same taste as hers. Plus, she’s totally amazing having her own makeup line MakeupByMandy24 by BH Cosmetics at the age of 15. Practice is also helpful. There even came a time where I put makeup on almost every day. By doing that, I was able to explore and experiment making myself learn self-taught techniques and ideas.” - Celine Rona
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BEAUTY OR FASHION? I’m still exploring and have not decided yet about which look I’d like to focus on. As of this moment, I enjoy doing light makeup usually with a nude palette to create natural looks but I sometimes use color to add a little bit of fun! But what I enjoy the most is playing with my eyebrows! I love them because I find it challenging because they are already naturally thick which makes them hard to manipulate with makeup. It’s like I feel confident going anywhere with only my eyebrows done and nothing else on my face. Yet the best thing about being a HMUA is seeing the looks on people’s faces when I give them the look they wanted. Another thing is the appreciation my art gets which really warms my heart. - Celine Rona
THE HARMONY of LIFE & PASSION. During the shoot, we came up with the hashtag-Team BPI, as, Dana, Mariel & I are all working under BPI. Mariel is my team mate, while I met Dana during a project we did at work where I got to find out her passion as a make-up artist “I love what I’m doing. It doesn’t feel like work at all.” -Dana Solidum
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Dana Solidum - Hair & Make-up Artist https://www.facebook.com/dana.solidum.3 https://instagram.com/danasolidum/
Mariel Teaño - Model https://www.facebook.com/marielteano https://instagram.com/marielteano/
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Graduating from college does not mean you are done learning. I only started to like makeup when I was already working . I studied Fashion Makeup in Fashion Institute of the Philippines (FIP) and started posting photos of my work. My friends on FB and Instagram started to notice. Right after graduation from FIP, I got offers for ex-deal photoshoots and referrals by friends for various stints. I’m really passionate about making others feel good about themselves. I like the feeling that my clients get after being dolled up. The confidence boost that I give them it inspires me more. - Dana Solidum
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to enhance not change. I’m always gunning for the minimalist look. I don’t go for heavily lined eyes. I don’t like it when people feel they look so much different from their no makeup face. I believe that makeup enhances your facial features. It doesn’t change it.
PASSION + WORK My makeup gigs are usually during weekends. I don’t mind not having long rests over the weekends because I love what I’m doing. It doesn’t feel like work at all. But eventually, I would like to have my own business. Maybe a makeup studio and nail spa in one. - Dana Solidum
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Don’t let fear stop you. I met Liz from a group of make-up artist, MADE. She recently resigned from her work to go full time on her make-up artistry passion.
“I realised there is more to life than just paying the bills.” - Liz Blasquino
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liz blasquino - Hair & Make-up Artist https://www.facebook.com/lizblasquino https://instagram.com/lizblasquino/
Nikki Gonzales - Model https://www.facebook.com/ilovenikkigonzales http://instagram.com/nikkigonzxales
Studio 9315 - Talent Agency / Photo Studio https://www.facebook.com/studio9315 http://instagram.com/studio9315
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FROM FINANCE TO CREATIVES.
I started doing makeup in 2013 after completing a makeup artistry course in the Center for Aesthetics Studies. I used to have a day job in a financial information services company and I only get to do my makeup stint on weekend and scheduled leaves. It was pretty tough as I have to balance the two. But because I am really passionate about makeup artistry I was able to pull through.
Then at one point, I realised there is more to life than just paying the bills. I wanted to be happy with what I do and of course earn from it and I won’t be able to do that unless I go full time. Another factor is that I have a makeup group that serves as one of my support system in transitioning from being a part time HMUA to going full time
- Liz Blasquino
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THE GIFT OF CONFIDENCE.
I like doing beauty makeup simply because I love celebrating confidence among women. Whenever I get to enhance their beauty, it seems to always give them a little boost of confidence. Being an instrument to that is really priceless. I like playing with the eyes because it’s the first thing that attracts attention about a person. I am obsessed about perfecting the skin, makeup that’s barely there or that looks like your second skin. I really invest in good skin care and base products; foundation, concealer and corrector. - Liz Blasquino
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Take Criticism it can help you improve your craft.
A client turned to a friend, that who Lynette is. She hired me before to do her folio for the bridal fair. Then later on we did a collaborations for photoshoots. “Its really passion for makeup that drives me to being a makeup artist.” -Lynette Sunga
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lynette sunga - Hair & Make-up Artist https://www.facebook.com/pages/Facesbylynette/111867075632779 http://instagram.com/facesbylynette
sharkim cruz - Hair & Stylist https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005741925154
roanna torralba - Model http://instagram.com/roanna_torralba
elle chavez - Model http://instagram.com/catwalkelle
ohwie singH - Model http://instagram.com/ohwieta
ayen mangaring - Model http://instagram.com/ayentology
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Experience is the best teacher. Don’t stop! Continue doing what you love. Accept criticism it may help you improve your craft I’ve had a passion for makeup since I was in college. I took my first step to study more about makeup artistry way back 2011. I enrolled in CAS (center for aesthetics studies) basic makeup artistry. Then I work for MAC cosmetics and get to work with great and amazing makeup artist. I have to admit I learned a lot from the trainings and handling clients through MAC. After finishing my contract with them, I decided to freelance and enjoying where I am now because I get to balance family and work. -Lynette Sunga SEPTEMBER 2015 PRIMERA 37
To be a part of their life... I love how I made my clients happy after the makeup I did to them. The trust they give me for this once in a lifetime moment of their life makes it even more heart warming. -Lynette Sunga
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No makeup No retouch EDITING
No makeup With retouch EDITING
Women are naturally beautiful yet I think that beauty can be boosted with a little touch of makeup.
With makeup No retouch EDITING
With makeup With retouch EDITING
I’ve seen the joy of people of seeing their potential when makeup is finally applied. It is also a great ego lifter for those who have lost their sight of their beauty, Especially to those who had developed skin problems or went to the trauma of acid attacks. I know others might see it as deceiving but I think that only applies to people who judge others by their looks,
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Don’t set aside your dreams ken is one of the HMUA I am very comfortable to work with he is not afraid to tell me suggestions and tips on how he thinks my work could go. “I already had this passion from a very age. I always found myself checking my moms makeup and wanting to make over my sister and cousins.” - Ken Azuela
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ken azuela - Hair & Make-up Artist https://www.facebook.com/tobi.azuela http://instagram.com/kenazuela
Janessa buenaventura - Hair & Make-up Artist https://www.facebook.com/janessa.buenaventura http://instagram.com/mooniena
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Know when to quit. I was in a call centre before I’ve decided to become full-time. The reason why i became full-time is i can no longer balance my time and I also realised that i’m already earning more than my salary. I think I’m very versatile when it comes to makeup but i’m more into natural and beauty makeup. My favourite part to do are the eyebrows and eyes. Eyebrows are the frame of your faces. It makes a big difference when u have a great and well done pair of brows. While the eyes for me is the window through your soul - Ken Azuela 46 PRIMERA SEPTEMBER 2015
Dear Models & Photographers Models always go with a clean face wiping makeup off can eat a lot of time. Second, be friendly because if u both feel awkward to each other the final result is affected. For the hair don’t apply conditioner, shampoo alone it better because it’s a big factor in putting volume in ur hair. And please avoid using your cellphone when we are doing your makeup. It is difficult when your face suddenly move or angled in a different way. Photographers be kind and humble to your HMUA. When its a collaboration please don’t forget send them high res photo for their portfolios. Its a matter of give and take because it is not like they got their stuff for free. Secondly when u see that there is something wrong with their work don’t hesitate to tell them because in the end you are the only one who is going to suffer from editing. Give feedbacks on their work especially if the result was great. Take time to explain to us what you really want to happen for the look and let us see a test shoot of the model for us to see if we need to adjust something in the makeup or hair. - The HMUAs
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Tips for the Aspiring HMUAs. Take time to read reviews and feedbacks before buying any makeup or you might end up wasting your money. Think if the products will be useful to your everyday work. A good investment to consider are eyeshadows that comes in a palette especially in earth toned colours. Another really good way to save money is to buy a set of brush instead of getting it one by one. You don’t really need to buy those high class brushes you can start with the affordable but good quality like Suesh, Zoeva, Charm or Clover collection. - Ken Azuela SEPTEMBER 2015 PRIMERA  51
The First My career as a photographer wouldn’t be like this without her. She is the first HMUA who did makeup for my shoots. We learned so many stuff as we go along. But due to a traggic event we couldn’t do collaborations for now. Even though she was brought back to zero I know she will be able to go back up. I am looking forward for her return. Thank you Sydney!
Additional shout out to; Gazelle Marcaida for checking and correcting my grammar. Marge Pache, Francis Mendoza, Lynette Sunga, Marie Sapo, Ayen Alvarez, Maleficent Agency, Danica Soliman, MADE Team, Errol Almario for hiring and trusting me to do your materials, BPI for hiring me and giving me a full time job, Family & friends for the support and referrals, Thank you everyone! I’m looking forward to do more collaborations with you. I am always seeking for new faces to work with. If you’re interested send me a message to my facebook at https://www.facebook.com/johnphilphoto or email me at johnphilsantos@gmail.com
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