Discover Our Hairitage: Modern Hairstyles and Caring Rituals Inspired by Filipino Traditions
A celebration of Filipino hair rituals and styles— tali, pusod, and tirintas—as our evolving form of wellness reimagined today.
Bound by Beauty
Jerick Sanchez
For generations, Filipinos have worn their hair up in knots or buns—styles of which range from the simple to the elaborate. For this look, hairstylist Jan Edrosolan applied products in a specific order to protect the integrity of Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo’s hair, before pulling it into a knotted tali, or ponytail, with loose ends. He shares that there’s a right order of application to maximize each product’s benefit: “Usually leave-in [conditioner], curl cream, and gel or mousse to seal it in.”
Solá Teddy Square Neck Bodysuit. Micah See Handwoven Macramé Tassel Dress. Jewelmer Voile d’or 18-Karat Gold Dangling Earrings with South Sea Pearls and Diamonds. Golden Monstera Awo, Noka, and Sima Rings.
The Power of Pusod
Jerick Sanchez
The pusod, or the bun, is a popular hairstyle that can be easily customized to its wearer. Edrosolan gave it a modern take, coiling and looping Manalo’s gorgeous curls into a voluminous style. For curly hair, he advises using minimal manipulation. “Too much touching or brushing breaks the curl pattern
and leads to frizz,” he says. “Instead of forcing a curl to look a certain way, enhance what’s already there using finger-coiling, diffusing, or scrunching.”
Angeloa Taloza Blue Balloon Top. Ditta Sandico Ong Blue Tube Dress. Jewelmer Voile d’or 18-Karat Gold Dangling Earrings with South Sea Pearls and Diamonds and South See Pearl Choker Necklace. Frmae Courtesy of Frame Plus Megamall.
Roots and Reverence
Jerick Sanchez
The tradition of washing and caring for one’s hair using gugo, a native woody vine, and various plant oils, continues to this day for many Filipinos. This gentle approach to hair care works well with curly-haired women like Manalo, whose long tresses and natural texture are highlighted in this look. Edrosolan explains his prep process for hair worn down: “Curly hair tends to be drier, so I always start with well-hydrated hair using a leave-in or curl cream.”
Glademir Echavarre Black Silk Stretch Crepe with Hand-Sculpted and Hand-Beaed Floral Details. Jewelmer Les Classiques 18-Karat Gold Stud Earrings with South Sea Pearls. Love Rocks Jewelry Natural Colored Stones and Diamond Rings in 18-Karat Gold.
Braids of Strength
Jerick Sanchez
A tirintas or a braid can be thought of as a protective hairstyle, especially for textured hair. Edrosolan suggests a few tips to keep hair healthy, like using a micro-fiber towel or a cotton shirt to dry hair to avoid frizz; using a wide-tooth comb to detangle; and using silicone-free serums to lock in moisture without build up.
Ma. Karina Basilio Resultay Shell Dress. Jewelmer Dangling Earrings with South Sea Pearls. Caravaelles Necklace. Golden Monstera Bombé, Ewa, Puncha, and Luma Bangles.
Art direction by Nicole Almero. Beauty direction by Trina Epilepsia Boutain and Leira Aquino. Modeled by Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Asia 2024. Makeup by Denise Go Ochoa. Hair by Jan Edrosolan. Styling byAshley Jamlang, Steffi Satorre, and Ayi Custodio of StyLIZed. Nails by New Lounge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional Filipino hairstyles include the tali — a knotted ponytail — the pusod or bun, and the tirintas or braid. Each has been worn for generations and carries cultural significance. In contemporary Filipino beauty, these styles are being reinterpreted by hairstylists as both an expression of heritage and a practical framework for caring for textured and curly hair.
Hairstylist Jan Edrosolan recommends minimizing manipulation when styling curly hair into a pusod. Excessive brushing or touching breaks the curl pattern and causes frizz. Instead, he advises enhancing the hair’s natural texture using finger-coiling, diffusing, or scrunching before coiling and looping curls into the bun shape.
Gugo is a native woody vine traditionally used by Filipinos to cleanse and care for hair. Used alongside plant oils, it represents a gentle, plant-based approach to hair care that aligns well with the needs of curly and textured hair types — which tend toward dryness and benefit from low-manipulation, moisture-retaining routines.
Jan Edrosolan recommends a layered application sequence: leave-in conditioner first, followed by curl cream, then a gel or mousse to seal in moisture and hold. This order maximizes each product’s benefit and helps maintain curl definition — a technique he applied when styling Chelsea Manalo’s hair for the tali look in this editorial.
Jan Edrosolan recommends using a microfiber towel or cotton shirt to dry hair instead of a regular towel to reduce frizz, detangling with a wide-tooth comb, and applying silicone-free serums to lock in moisture without product buildup. These steps help maintain the integrity of textured hair when worn in protective styles like the tirintas.
