18 Best Beauty Looks From the GQ Philippines Launch

Take Rihanna’s serpentine transformation as Medusa on British GQ’s October 2013 cover, or Lil Nas X’s gowns and glam on GQ’s December 2021 Men of the Year issue: the magazine’s covers have long reflected the many ways beauty and style can make a statement, whether through unexpected beauty choices like men embracing makeup, nail polish, and more fluid approaches to beauty—or simply a look done exceptionally well.

As GQ Philippines launched its inaugural issue last September 12 at Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport Resorts World, Allure Philippines takes a closer look at the beauty moments that stood out.

Darren Criss’ navy blue nails

Kim Santos

One of GQ Philippines’ first-issue cover stars, Filipino-American actor Darren Criss, wore a black suit with an iridescent finish that caught hints of blue-green under the light. He paired it with a glossy black shirt and navy nails, a subtle detail that echoed the suit’s shifting tones.

Erwan Heussaff’s effortlessly groomed waves

Kieran Punay

The classics remain classics for a reason. Another of GQ Philippines’ three cover stars, Erwan Heussaff kept things understated, with his wavy hair neatly groomed and a single lock falling softly across his forehead.

Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey’s perfectly placed tendril

Kim Santos

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey kept to her signature bronzed look, with full brows, sultry eyes, and a glossy, warm-toned lip. She wore her hair in a slicked-back bun, with a single curl left loose to frame her face. This softened the otherwise sharp look of her C.Dam suit, which featured a silver metallic bar across the lapels.

Anne Curtis’ face framing-layers

Kieran Punay

Actress Anne Curtis kept her makeup understated with a nude lip and brushed-up brows, while wispy, full lashes put the focus on her eyes. Her hair was swept up, with loose layers softening the look around her face—a look that let her Alaïa dress shine.

Nadine Lustre’s mermaid waves

Kieran Punay

True to her name, actress—and Allure Philippines cover star—Nadine Lustre shone in a silver fringed dress, while her beauty look remained soft and understated. Loose mermaid waves cascaded down her back, while softly defined brows, diffused eyeshadow, and a glossy brown lip complemented her morena complexion.

Bea Millan-Windorski’s dramatic waves

Kim Santos

Miss Universe 2026 Bea Millan-Windorski looked statuesque, with her long, loosely curled hair flowing into the neck scarf that trailed along the floor. Her bold, arched brows and smoky eye makeup added another layer of drama to the look.

Michelle Dee’s platinum-blonde bang

Kieran Punay

Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee’s platinum-blonde bang was geometric in its precision, with its clean lines echoed in the structure of her collared blazer. She kept the rest of her morena beauty look warm and smoky, with winged eyeliner and a subtly overlined nude-brick lip.

Chelsea Manalo’s morena glow

Kieran Punay

Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo pulled her curls back into a sleek bun, letting her eyes take focus with smoky makeup. She added a subtle glow to her morena skin with a touch of shimmer on her shoulders and décolletage, matching the sequins and beads on her dress. But perhaps her best accessory? That dimple.

Rhian Ramos’ feather-light curl

Kim Santos

Actress Rhian Ramos wore her hair tied back with a lone, bouncy curl framing her face, echoing the texture of her feathered top. Her jewel-green clutch added a touch of avian-inspired color to the look.

Barbie Imperial’s eye-catching fringe

Kieran Punay

The eyes never lie—and framed by full bangs, they become the focal point. Actress Barbie Imperial wore beige-toned contacts and winged eyeliner to further draw focus to her eyes. She kept the rest of her makeup simple, pairing the eye look with a bold red lip.

Bianca Intal’s romantic look

Kieran Punay

Host Bianca Gonzalez Intal looked every inch the romantic beside husband JC Intal. She wore a black sheer lace dress covered in floral detailing. Her hair was straight and loose, paired with soft, warm eyeshadow and a satin brick-red lip to complement her morena skin.

LA Aguinaldo’s sculpted kiss curl

Kim Santos

Model and content creator LA Aguinaldo wore his hair with a subtle wave through the lengths. A sculpted kiss curl framed his forehead and emphasized his dark, defined brows. The textured hairstyle added polish to his classic suit.

Vania Romoff’s shiny curls

Kieran Punay

The Better Hair co-founder’s curled tresses gave her an almost angelic quality, standing out against her all-black outfit. At this point, impeccable hair is Romoff’s signature look.

Mags Ford’s night-sky glam

Kieran Punay

Content creator Mags Ford wore a beaded dress that brought to mind a starry night sky. Her hair was swept into a sleek bun, with a single curl framing her face, while a warm nude lip and thick, fluttery lashes completed her beauty look.

Santino Rosales’ ‘90s-inspired hair

Football player Santino Rosales channeled his dad Jericho Rosales’ signature smolder. His side-parted hairstyle, with the ends curving slightly inward, looked straight out of the ’90s and channeled boyish charm.

Maja Salvador’s soft, wavy tendril

Kieran Punay

Actress Maja Salvador gave a softer spin to suiting in a polka-dotted set, pairing its structured silhouette with a smooth bun and a single curl left loose to frame her face. Long, wispy lashes and a warm terracotta lip added to the look’s softness.

Tim Yap’s ‘80s-esque volumized hair

Kieran Punay

TV host Tim Yap put his own spin on the classic black-tie look, keeping the suit traditional while adding personality through his voluminous, ’80s-inspired hair and silver dress shoes.

Aleah Sia’s barely-there waves

Kim Santos

The Popique founder showed us how Gen Z does red carpet looks. She kept her beauty look simple, with light makeup and a subtle wave that showed off the highlights in her hair.