Back to Our Roots: How the Color Brown Is Key to Unlocking the Soul of Filipina Beauty, One Dimensional Shade at a Time

Across our 7,641 islands, there could be just as many tints and tinges, shades and hues of the color brown—from the rich soil scattered across our plains out to the fullness of the Chocolate Hills, from the coconut husks strewn across our beaches to the fur of the tarsier clinging on to our branches, from the sticky sweetness of biko to the crispy skin of the roasting lechon, and from the golden warmth of our skin, to the different tones of our hair, whether long or short, curly or straight.   

In a culture that has mostly looked beyond our islands for our standards of beauty—to what is white, a little foreign, and rather uncommon—the ubiquity of brown has long been overlooked. But the time has come to flip the script.

Alex Carbonell. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

For Alex Carbonell, creative director of studio fix and creative learning director of Bench Fix Salons, brown is not boring—rather, it’s a true celebration of our identity as Filipinos, so when it comes to hair color, it’s instead “the most common and versatile base.” With 38 years of experience as a colorist and hairdresser, Carbonell’s trained eye can see what others can’t: “Brown provides a strong base for techniques that create dimension, such as balayage or highlights, without looking harsh. It can also be tailored to all undertones, whether cool, neutral, or warm, to enhance one’s natural complexion, and it covers grays while looking rich at the same time.”

Carbonell shares that Filipinas tend to lean towards what works: “proven, flattering brown tones that suit their undertone and lifestyle,” he explains. “But today, women are more adventurous and globally influenced. They seek colors that match their skin tone and add a healthy glow. So, the trend now leans toward safe yet elevated.” In other words, the modern Filipina today gravitates towards rich brown hair color that naturally complements her skin tone, that at the same time, gives her an exciting, global appeal.

To demonstrate this, Carbonell, together with his Studio Fix team, partnered with L’Oréal Professionnel to show just how versatile and vibrant the many shades of brown can be, by crafting five distinct, masterful looks using L’Oréal Professionnel color for the “It Girl Browns Lookbook,” with each look being a true work of art, inspired by elements of Filipino culture.

The first look, entitled “Progressive (Inspired by Beauty Queens,)” was inspired by women of beauty and stature idolized throughout the islands—our beloved beauty queens. Using L’Oréal Professionnel Majifashion, Carbonell and his team captured the elegance of Filipina beauty queens with a sophisticated color melt—a shift from deeper, darker roots, through a rich, medium brown, into a striking, light silver mint brown—a thick-thin balayage that called to mind the grace of these icons of Filipino beauty.

Senior Stylist: Shella Concepcion. Junior Stylist: Shane Alcayde. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

Senior Stylist: Shella Concepcion. Junior Stylist: Shane Alcayde. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

In “Placement (A Bold Contrast), Carbonell highlighted the courage and bravado of the modern Filipina by introducing a contrasting pop of golden beige against a rich brown base—a juxtaposition that, unexpectedly, turned into a marriage of the blonde and the brown through Carbonell’s precise artistry, and the powerful and controlled lightening ability of L’Oréal Professionnel Blond Studio 9.

Senior Stylist: Elly Pastor. Junior Stylist: Mike Estrada. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

Senior Stylist: Elly Pastor. Junior Stylist: Mike Estrada. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

It was from the hypnotic waters of the Philippine sea that Carbonell and his team draw inspiration for “Peek-a-boo (Echoes of the Philippine Sea).” In this look, a play of depth and movement was achieved through zonal coloring—lighter browns placed strategically, with a wash of warm shades bringing to mind the sun-kissed waters. This ode to the fabled Philippine sea was brought about by the warm hues of L’Oréal Professionnel Majifashion.

Senior Stylist: Jolly Juab. Junior Stylist: Rowena Maravillo. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

Senior Stylist: Jolly Juab. Junior Stylist: Rowena Maravillo. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

If the waters of the Pearl of the Orient are entrancing, then the crafts and handiwork of the Filipino are awe-inspiring. In Panels (Homage to Philippine Craftsmanship), Carbonell paid homage to traditional Filipino craftsmanship, such as the intricate designs found in our woodwork. The colors of L’Oréal Professionnel Majifashion were blended and applied vertically, captivating the eye with its dimensional effect, and calling to mind a handcrafted appeal.

Senior Stylist: Sammy Cuebillas. Junior Stylist: Robert Nilo. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

Senior Stylist: Sammy Cuebillas. Junior Stylist: Robert Nilo. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

Any discussion of the Philippines would be incomplete without a mention of our food. After all, Filipinos love not to only to eat, but to talk, to host, to reach out, to connect, and to come together—all done through the acts of feeding and nourishing one another. In “Patterns (Inspired by Filipino Cuisine),” Carbonell turned to the plentiful dimensions and layered textures of Filipino cuisine—a visual feast that turned a lush gradient into a display of the wondrous patterns achievable with brown, and with the cool and neutral palette of L’Oréal Professionnel Majifashion.

Senior Stylist: Gerald Buhisan. Junior Stylist: Lovely Garin. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

Senior Stylist: Gerald Buhisan. Junior Stylist: Lovely Garin. Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

For Carbonell, long regarded as a maestro of his art, the masterpieces that he endeavors are only possible with the right tools—especially quality products that deliver the color, depth, and dimension he and his clients need, while preventing hair damage and preserving health. And for the stunning creations he has undertaken for “It Girl Browns,” the intricate works of art were only made possible through the advanced technology and superior performance of L’Oréal Professionnel colors, such as Majifashion, Blond Studio 9, and DIA Light, as well as treatments such as the Absolut Repair Molecular Treatment.

Image courtesy of L’Oréal.

It’s a treat to flip through the spectacular looks that Carbonell and his team have fashioned together with L’Oréal Professionnel. But “It Girl Browns” is not just purely eye candy and hairspo—rather, it’s a lookbook that provides insight into ourselves, as Filipinos. The color brown has long been looked down upon—whether in standards of beauty, or in paradigms of art or expression. It’s time to change the story. The color brown is no longer a background—it’s our origin, our essence, and our expression. The soul of Filipina beauty has always been there, waiting to be seen in every shade of brown.