Hair and make-up trends 2013: Ricky Reyes: It’s about finding the right cut

MANILA, Philippines -Filipino hairdressers and cosmetologists once again proved that the business of beauty is more than skin-deep. From being simply viewed as superficial, hairdressing and makeup artistry are now considered legitimate professions. This creativity and ingenuity were celebrated at the recent Filipino Hairdressers Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s (FilHair) Hair and Make-Up Trends 2013 competition, held last May 6 at the  Metro Tent Convention Center, Metrowalk Plaza, Ortigas, Pasig City.

Now in its 29th year, Hair and Make-Up Trends brings together the country’s best hairdressers and makeup artists in a showcase of technique, talent, and creativity. Qualifiers were winners of the FilHair regional competitions nationwide.

“With all the creative styles I’ve seen today, I know it must be tough for the judges to pick a winner,” remarked FilHair’s national president and salon czar Ricky Reyes.

Participants competed in four categories: Men’s Cut and Blow Dry, Avant-Garde Hair Styling, Evening and Party, and Bridal.  “These have always been our categories for the past 29 years so we’ve really seen the development of hairstyling,” Ricky adds.

Competition veteran Stephanie Ilagan, who won first runner-up at the 2011 Asia Pacific Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (APHCA) competition, again showcased her stellar looks at the FilHair national competition. “Aside from having fun, what I like about joining this competition is the fact that it encourages creativity. You really are allowed full license to implement whatever looks are in your imagination,” Ilagan said.

This year’s competition featured hair and makeup experts from China, Korea, and Thailand as judges, led by Hong Kong’s Thomas Wong.

Ricky said the competition saw not just the evolution of fashion, makeup, and hair styling, but also an evolution of how the general public perceived hairdressers and makeup artists.

 â€œWhen FilHair started with Hair and Make-Up Trends, people looked down on people in the beauty industry, as if we were slaves. Now, it is viewed as an actual profession, thank goodness,” Reyes disclosed.

He also observed that hair styling today is less about following a certain look and more of finding the right cut and color to suit the client.

 â€œNow, it’s not about everyone getting the same style because it’s trendy. Now, hairstylists have to consider a client’s personality and facial structure. It’s all about achieving healthy looking locks,” the salon czar added.

The winners were as follows:

• Men’s Cut and Blow Dry — Ogie Pineda of Olongapo City, champion; Rey Pamen, 1st runner-up; Ricky Cristobal; 2nd runner-up.        

• Avant-Garde Hairstyling — Reggie Cruz, champion;  Rolly Briones, 1st runner-up; CJ Montelibano,  2nd runner-up.

• Evening and Party Look — Stephanie Ilagan, champion, who dazzled the judges with a modern Filipiniana look featuring fan-like elements to match a gown featuring 520 fans; Bong Acosta,  1st runner-up; Reynaldo Mercado, 2nd runner-up.

• Bridal Hair and Make-Up  — Nilo Cruz, champion;  Edward Doblado, 1st runner-up; Stephanie Ilagan, 2nd runner-up.