What's so 'Fanny'?
Fanny Serrano has been a shining star in the beauty and fashion industry for decades!
Uptown/Downtown caught up with the makeup artist to the stars and got a glimpse of the many roles he still continues to play.
As a cosmetic endorser
This past year has found Fanny Serrano busy focusing on his salon business, makeup and fashion commitments. On top of these responsibilities, Fanny is also the president of the Philippine International Cosmetologists Association (PICA) and an active Christian member in his church.
Having spent most of his life in the beauty industry and aging gracefully at 61, he never realized that he would still keep an active role in the fashion and beauty industry. Just a few months back, he signed a contract as an endorser and consultant of Natasha, a prominent leader in the direct selling business. Welcomed by the owner, Mr. Mahar, Fanny felt the warmth that Natasha gave him as he became a new “family member” of Natasha Company. Fanny Serrano Cosmetics (which is sold both locally and in the US) is now included among the products available through Natasha. Apart from the business aspect of the trade, Fanny is able to help use his brand name cosmetics as a livelihood opportunity for many who wish to augment their income. This socio-civic aspect of his role in the company is a source of pride for this aesthetic maven.
Fanny continues to be overwhelmed with the success stories of many dealers and members of the brand. “I am really touched with their testimonies and I became more inspired to continue my advocacy in promoting Philippine-made products.”
Becoming an endorser of the brand, he is given more opportunity to do provincial tours from the North down to the South. “They were very happy working with me knowing this will just be the start of a long harmonious business relationship together.”
As an entrepreneur
Another baby was born! Yes, Fanny Serrano Salon has a branch now in Units B & C, The Grand Hampton’s Tower, 2nd Ave. cor 31st St. Fort Bonifacio, Global City, Taguig. Opened last August, loyal Quezon City clients living within Makati and Alabang area can now experience the convenience of going to Fanny Serrano Salon at The Fort. Manned by Fanny’s trained and seasoned artistic team, customers can rely on the impeccable quality of standards that has kept TF in the forefront of the beauty industry. “I can boast of the level of excellence in the service that my artistic team has maintained for so many years.” Having a branch at The Fort is an answered prayer for Fanny. “The first time I saw the vicinity was while having a shoot with Sharon Cuneta at the studio of Jun de Leon. I earnestly wished to have a salon branch at the Fort as I was fascinated with the area. I wished and prayed for it to the Lord and He granted my wish!”
As a showbiz personality
An inspiring role as an aging gay mother of three kids in an indie film entitled Tulak is also one of those that keeps Fanny Serrano’s schedule very busy. “After doing Maalaala Mo Kaya, I got tired of doing mostly gay roles and decided to lie low in the field of acting. I really wanted to portray roles where I can give justice to it and that it can promote social values and moral lessons to the moviegoers. When a role was offered to me in the film Tulak directed by Neil Buboy Tan for international release, I accepted the offer because I can’t just let a good role slip through my hands.”
Serrano is being overwhelmed with many text messages congratulating him for an award-winning performance in the film.
This is something we can look forward to, another chance where Fanny Serrano reveals his versatility that we seldom see in the field of acting.
As a makeup artist and designer
Despite his hectic schedule, Fanny still manages to maintain his salon in Tomas Morato for makeup appointments and boutique’s requirement for designing. He personally attends to inquiries on gown design as he adds up his unique, classic touch for every creation he does.
Whenever he is not that busy, regular and walk-in salon clients appreciate his presence in the salon where they can freely inquire about Fanny’s suggestion on their look, their makeup, hairstyle and even haircut.
Apart from the in-salon commitments, Fanny is also loaded with Out-Services for hair and makeup of celebrities and other clients as well. Trusted in his field in the beauty industry, he remains one of the favorites of our society world, modeling arena and of celebrities like Sharon Cuneta, KC Concepcion, Lorna Tolentino, ZsaZsa Padilla, Amy Austria, Diane Castillejo, Cherie Gil, Gina Alajar, Charlene Gonzales and Aga Muhlach and this writer as well, to be our makeup artist for print pictorials and TV commercials.
Currently, Fanny handles the makeup requirements of Megastar Sharon Cuneta who plays the role of a Fil-Chinese mother in the movie Mano Po 6. “We’re excited every shoot because it’s a big challenge for me to create the character of Sharon in the movie. By doing her makeup, we have to make her eyes appear smaller without the aid of lift-up plaster. We’re happy with the results and we’re successful with the creation that I did to give life to Sharon’s character that also impressed our director Joey Lamangan, Mother Lily and her daughter Roselle Monteverde.”
“It was also an exciting and successful thanksgiving concert we had at the Vegas strip and at Palm Spring with Sharon, KC, ZsaZsa and Billy Crawford last week of November. Another bonding moment that I will really treasure,” he adds.
As PICA president
“As PICA’s president and supported by hairdressers and makeup artists, we are now going through a very rigid and hectic meeting schedules in preparation for Cosmetologie 2010. Plans include regional chapters of PICA in Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Iloilo, Laoag and Baguio as part of the requests made by makeup artists and salon owners all over the Philippines. We just finished organizing Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bicol chapters and we’re looking forward to covering more key cities in the future.”
As an active church member
Invitations to Fanny Serrano as guest speaker in churches is one of his priorities as a Christian. He gives Life Testimonies that inspire Christians in different communities. For in whatever he does, as a Christian, if it’s God’s will, he knows it will push through. “In every project that I’ll engage into, I see to it that I always ask for God’s guidance. If it’s His will, I know that project will materialize.”
Fanny shares, “No one ever attains success easily, without encountering or passing through difficulties. Instead, success is a mixture of pain and joy where, when you’re already there, you simply forget the pain and simply enjoy the sweetness of success. In many years of being one in the beauty industry, I am always reminded that in order to be successful, I have to be focused on what I am doing. I had gone through a lot of pain and bad experiences but I would rather choose being happily successful passing through all these trials that made me a better person than reaching the top in smooth journey and yet still feel that something is missing and my life is empty.”
He continues, “Nowadays, cosmetologists and hairdressers are very competitive, aggressive and can be found in all corners of the world. Our beauty industry is such a big arena because competition is not only here in the Philippines but in other countries as well. Being globally competitive is a must. If you want to make a mark in this industry, you have to dream big and work for that dream. Once you dream to become on top, you should give your best effort and never land on this arena unprepared and unarmed.”
Fanny says, “It’s not only the skill that’s needed in order to be successful, but also your relationship with other people that you will be encountering as you go on through your journey towards success. Always remember to compete with your competitors but never compete with your enemies, and surely, you will be a winner. For all the striving new makeup artists, yours is just the first step for a long journey. The next steps are for you to take depending on how you will handle your career’s ups and downs. Success is not a short ladder. After each seminar, you will now about to land on your own world where you would spell success differently in your own ways and put whatever you have learned into action.”
Fanny shares his three best success rules:
1. Honesty with your craft.
2. Right packaging for yourself.
3. Continuous learning.
The Flapper Look
A throwback from the roaring ‘20s when the likes of Clara Bow, Louis Brooks and Norma Talmadge reigned supreme on the silver screen. Hairstyles went two ways — the bob cut which Clara Bow was known for, or the finger wave (see photo) hairstyle that required special clips and heavy gel. The invention of the metal lipstick container as well as compact mirrors bee stung lips came into vogue. Dark eyes, especially Kohl-rimmed, were the style. Blush came into vogue now that it was no longer a messy application process.
It was at this time that tanned skin became increasingly popular. This change in tonal preference came about after Coco Chanel donned a tan, a result of a sunburn. The fashionista set took Chanel’s look to suggest a life of leisure.
For this Christmas, Fanny revives the finger wave and the smokey tones that the ‘20s was known for. Instead of the famous bee-stung lips, Fanny opts for a soft, neutral lip pallet (in this photo he uses a light corral shade).
Corral goddess
This look is all about soft, tumultuous curls and a smooth application of rich corral tones. Eyelashes are curled and thickened with coats of mascara. The area immediately under the eyes is smudged with dark brown and gold shades. The cheeks are tinted with soft peach gold and the lips are emphasized with a rich apricot hue and a thin veil of gold-tinted gloss.
Photography by Renzo and Rane Papio • Hair and makeup by Fanny Serrano using Fanny Serrano Cosmetics
