Morena Spotlight: This Morena Makeup Artist Was Taught From an Early Age That Her Skin Color is Beautiful
Morena makeup artist Booya talks about how she was raised loving her golden glow—and shares how she spreads the love with every morena—and every other person—who gets into her makeup chair.
Morena Spotlight is a digital series from Allure Philippines that highlights the stories of morenas from all over the country and the Filipino diaspora. Know a morena who deserves the spotlight? Send us an email at [email protected].
Booya, 28, is an editorial and bridal makeup artist who hails from Bacolod, but is now based in Metro Manila.
Courtesy of subject
In a country that has long put white skin on a pedestal, it’s refreshing to hear that, instead of encouraging her to lighten her skin and stay out of the sun lest she darken, a morena’s mom taught her at an early age that she—as well as her natural golden glow—was beautiful.
“None at all,” makeup artist and frequent Allure Philippines collaborator Booya answers, when asked if, as a morena, she ever felt pressured to whiten or lighten her skin to fit into existing beauty standards. It’s an answer you don’t hear often from morenas, and Booya, with her golden glow that has become her signature as much as the vibrant and creative makeup looks she creates in editorials, credits it to her mother, Joan. “I lived with a mother who is an artist,” she says, “who saw beauty in everything and never failed to express how she loved me, and encouraged my beauty. I, in turn, saw beauty in all complexions and in my own, because she modeled it for me.”
Courtesy of subject
It’s a poignantly beautiful answer—one that only emphasizes the effect that parents have on their children in terms of self-worth, self-confidence, and in gaining perspective of the world and others. Not to mention, in creating a construct of beauty—which, in Booya’s case, has become the foundation of the industry and world she moves in today.
As it turns out, Booya, just like her mother, has the heart and soul of an artist, first immersing herself in painting, improv acting, and filmmaking, and then moving on to painting faces in her work as a makeup artist. “I come from a broken family, [and the experience] put my mom and I under immense emotional and financial strain. Thankfully, she, too, is an artist and in those heavy times where as a young child who could not understand how to cope with emotional stress, she taught me to channel my sadness, anger, and frustrations in creating art,” she shares. “She also taught me how to make a profit out of my newfound passion at that time. Art is really important to me because, in a way, it filled the gap that one parent should have filled. It taught me how to face the good, bad, and ugly facets of myself, and gave my mother and I avenues to solve our financial crisis. Art walked me through struggles and victories just like a parent. Art isn’t just something I create, it was and is my guide in life.”
Courtesy of subject
Booya’s art, today, is proudly done on canvases in a range of shades of the complexion. But of course, no one knows what looks good on morena skin quite like a morena herself. “Different artists attract a certain demographic and I happen to have a lot of morena ladies come to me for a beauty service and I enjoy doing their looks too! Hiyang yung artistry ko sa kanila,” she shares, noting that the requests she receives are often “I don’t want to look white or ashy” or “I want that tan glow.” “I love it!” Booya exclaims. “I even jokingly respond to them that I like making morena skin like ‘lechon skin’—tan, juicy, and irresistible. Their instant response is a big fat ‘Yes!’ They embrace the skin they’re in and want to emphasize it.”
Courtesy of subject
Below, Booya shares the kind of morena skin and makeup tips that only an industry insider can recommend:
What’s your skin care routine as a morena?
My skin care routine has gotten really simple: moisturizing and sun protection, with emphasis on the sun protection! I never leave the house without it, and even carry a sunscreen stick or spray for touch ups.
Any preferred techniques, hacks, or products—for yourself, and for morenas who sit in your makeup chair?
Morenas and body oil are besties in the beauty routine! But some body oils out there have pigment and will transfer to your dress or car seat. An alternative that will still make your tan skin glow is the Vaseline Vitalizing Body Oil Cocoa Radiant. It’s so hydrating to the skin, and smells like cocoa goodness. This is how I achieve the lechon skin [that was mentioned earlier in this article]. Tan, juicy, and irresistible!
How about your beauty or makeup routine? Are there particular shades or tricks you apply?
My personal—or even professional beauty routine—is not over until I put a lip liner on! I found that GRWM Cosmetics and Issy offer two of the most morena-friendly lip liner shade ranges, especially for medium to deep complexions.
What do you love about being a morena?
I think it’s rooted in my love for being a Filipina. Everyday, I am very grateful I came into this life as a Filipina and all the gifts it came with—our history, landscape, art, culture, beauty, and also my morena complexion.
