Makeup of champions

Xeng Zulueta

Before she became chief makeup artist for Shu Uemura Philippines, Xeng Zulueta began as a freelance makeup artist in 1999. Her interest in makeup was influenced by her exposure to the fashion industry. "Coming from the retail industry, I’ve always had an inclination for fashion. I was lured by the transformation that took place backstage and that’s what got me into makeup," she shares. Now onto her third year with leading makeup brand Shu Uemura, Xeng has developed a style that is distinctly hers. As a representative of the brand Xeng explains, "I’m usually known for avant-garde looks. I use all colors imaginable. I replicate the techniques created by Mr. Shu Uemura and his team and embrace the methods. It is after mastering them that I become my own artist." Though she is anything but your conventional makeup artist, Xeng’s style is admired by many because she is able to introduce new colors and techniques to even the most conservative individuals. "My forte lies in creating avant-garde looks that are both beautiful and wearable. I like to encourage others to wear more color and feel confident about themselves by bringing out their best features," she explains.

The look: Shu Uemura’s 2005 A/W Limited Edition Collection Masquerade

With a vast range of colors to choose from, this look can suit just about any woman. Perfect for the more adventurous and experimental individual, this look goes beyond beauty enhancement and brings high fashion to the face with illuminated skin and dramatic eyes made possible with strong, arresting lashes.

Get that look:

1) For an even base that results in a semi-matte flawless look, Xeng used Shu Uemura’s Water Perfect Cream Foundation. She adds a glow to the face by applying Luster Gel on the cheekbones, temples and chin.

2) Xeng lightly brushes an amber shade of blush on the cheeks which gives the face a radiant look.

3) The lips take on a glossy shine in a light coral-beige hue by using Shu Uemura’s Lolishine Rouge 914.

4) Xeng then goes on to highlight the eyes by using a rust shade of eye shadow, sweeping it all the way up to the crease of the eye. She then gives emphasis on the brow bone with a beige hue. Adding drama to the eye, she applies a rich shade of purple on the lower eyelid, using it as a wet liner then carefully smudging the color towards the outer corner of the eye. She finishes off the look by using Shu Uemura’s false eyelashes made of feathers.

Leo Posadas

Once a member of his high school’s theater and dance group, Leo Posadas began doing makeup for co-members during school presentations and programs. It was not until after college that he joined the Patrick Rosas team to become a professional makeup artist. "It was when I joined the team that I started doing fashion shows, editorials and weddings," he says. Today, Leo is one of the top makeup artists in Essensuals Toni and Guy and continues to wow the industry with his trademark dramatic eye makeup. "My forte is playing with dark and smoky eyes. I can play with this look by executing single, multiple gradations in shade," explains Leo.

The look: ‘Black and white’ from the collection of John Galliano

Sophisticated and sexy define this look. Sticking to a very smoldering approach in creating heavy eyes, this look is reminiscent of ‘60s style icons Julie Christie, Penelope Tree and Brigitte Bardot. The skin and lips are matte and pale while the eyes are strong and arresting. This look is for the type of gal who wants to leave a lasting impression.

Get that look:

1) Leo insists, "Skin is in." He achieves an even matte base by applying face powder on the face. To cover up blemishes, he suggests a touch of foundation.

2) He concentrates on the eyes with dark shades of eye makeup, blending and smearing hues to create the smoky eye effect. He then lines the inner rim of the eyes with white liner which results in a wide-eyed look.

3) Leo keeps the lips pale and matte. He first lines the lips with a peach-colored lip liner. He then fills the lips with a matching lipstick color.

4) A very light hint of blush gives the face a natural flush.

Barbi Chan

Barbi Chan’s career as a makeup artist began two years ago when she did her first fashion shoot for Preview. Since then she has been running around town going from one shoot to the next, doing makeup for models, actors and other celebrities. "I have always been into makeup but I had so many things to think about that, for awhile, I was just buying makeup. So, way before I became a full-time makeup artist, I had a lot of beauty products. It was when I did that shoot and got more jobs to do makeup that I concentrated on my craft," shares Barbi. Her adventurous and experimental approach to beauty has made her work easy to distinguish. "I’ve been told that when it comes to color, my work is immediately recognized," she says and continues, "Honestly, there are times when even I can’t tell." Versatile and always open to new ideas, Barbi is the kind of makeup artist who call pull off a clean, barely-there look one day, and an over-the-top cirque de soleil look the next. "I’m not afraid of experimenting and going all out. As a makeup artist, I feel that I have to always evolve and keep up with the changing trends."

The look: ‘I sleep-walked, my heart waketh’ from Viktor and Rolf’s collection

Dream-like and definitely out-of-the-box, this look brings to the fashion scene a new theme: work in bed. The look is all about getting the out-of-bed look. It is played up with theatrical elements such as big hair, vibrant colors and porcelain skin. If you can pull off this look, then you are definitely one confident gal.

Get that look:

1) Barbi wanted to achieve the porcelain-like skin by using a base several shades lighter than the skin tone.

2) Using Kryolan Pink Watercolor, she achieved the rich and vivid smeared effect on the eyes. She then applied pigments of fuchsia and pink over the eyelids.

3) Barbi highlights the brow bone and lower lashes with glitters. To achieve the wide-eyed doll face, she applies layers of mascara on the eyes.

4) With a matte blush she contoured the face then finished off the look by applying a pink gloss on the lips.

Gigi Gonzales-Unson

Model turned makeup artist Gigi Gonzales-Unson has always had a knack for playing with makeup. Remembering her childhood days, she recalls, "My fascination for makeup started because my mom did not wear any. I would always get the makeup that she received as presents and play with them. Sometimes, I’d use baby powder as makeshift eye shadow and the popular red gloss. My brother and I would play dress up and walk around pretending that we were part of a Santacruzan procession or beauty pageant." Since then, Gigi has been one to meddle with other people’s faces – during her high school days for programs, dances and the prom. Even when she was already an executive officer in ABS-CBN and a professional model, she had earned a reputation for sneaking off to some corner to change her makeup. Now a full-time makeup artist under the Krist Bansuelo Team, Gigi has been getting a lot of advertising work for brands like U by Rustan’s and Pink Soda. Known for her trademark "undone" makeup, Gigi’s strength lies in showcasing healthy, glowing skin. "I use very light coverage foundation so that the subject looks and feels natural. Never too cake-y. I’m very particular about making everything look clean – the skin, brows, the smallest detail. In terms of color, I am more partial to achieving a natural glow," she explains.

The look: ‘Everything girly’ Phoebe Philo’s collection for Chloe

This look is all about being effortlessly beautiful and feminine. Given the no-frills rule, pink plays a key role in achieving this look. The brows are softly arched and full, still veering away from anything that may be overly dramatic or heavy. Similarly, the eyes get that slight lift with several layers of mascara. This look is ideal for the practical woman. She can sport the look to work, on weekend brunches, a night out with friends, and even a wedding.

Get that look:

1) Gigi starts with the basic prepping of skin. She moisturizes the face to get that natural glow then lightly applies an even amount of foundation.

2) If the brows are thick, Gigi advises that one wear them naturally. However, for those with thin brows she uses a light brown or beige pencil or powder to create a soft, full arch.

3) Gigi begins to work on the eyes by choosing a cream-colored eye shadow, brushing them over the lids, then adding several strokes on the inner corners of the eyes. Using a shade in either mocha or light gray, she adds depth to the eyes by applying on the crease then blending well.

4) Lining the upper and lower areas of the eye with brown eyeliner gives subtle definition. You may also use cream eye shadow as an alternative. To open up the eyes, Gigi applies two coats of mascara.

5) She finishes the look by applying a light pink cream or powder blush on the cheeks and a satin pink tint on the lips.

Effie Go

Effie Go grew up in an environment that encouraged her to get into the beauty business. She starts, "My mom put up a salon and it was because of this that I learned to do hair coloring, rebonding, styling and makeup." Ironically, she discloses that becoming a professional makeup artist is far from what she had planned on doing during her younger years. Consistent in achieving a clean, fresh and natural approach when it comes to makeup application, Effie states, "I don’t always follow makeup trends. In makeup, what matters is that your subject is comfortable and their features are enhanced." This is the reason why Effie’s strength lies in achieving barely-there, natural makeup.

The look: 'Soft velvets' from Vera Wang’s ready-to-wear collection

The colors for this look are rich in hue but light in intensity. Emphasizing flawless, glowing skin, this look can suit women with deep-set or Asian eyes. With this look you get the look of luxurious texture sans the heavy hues.

Get that look:

1) Effie works on getting that healthy glow with an illuminating cream. She then lightly applies face powder or foundation that is closest to the skin tone.

2) She proceeds to give color and shine by applying several shades of metallic eye shadow on the eyes. Effie blends the edges of each color to attain the continuous and smooth gradation in hue. She adds, "The ‘50s and ‘60s looks are back so I suggest false eyelashes or extensions."

3) The right amount of blush in a shade of pink or peach gives the desired depth on the face.

4) For full lips, Effie uses a plum lip liner and a fuchsia stick to fill.