At Yong Studio, beauty follows the collection’s gradual loss of color, beginning lush and radiant before fading into softer, earthier tones.
“Beautiful, until it isn’t,” says designer Yong Davalos of her MNL Fashion Week collection. “I wanted the show to feel like watching the world change in real time. There’s softness, optimism, tension, and eventually hope. It’s less about making a statement and more about leaving people with a feeling.”
MNL Fashion Week’s beauty director Gery Penaso says in an exclusive interview with Allure Philippines that Yong Studio’s show delves into “anti-beauty. So the skin, the lips are a bit dry,” he explains.
The collection opens vibrantly, in animal prints and maximalist textures. Penaso tells Allure Philippines that the beauty look for the first segment is a “more fresh, just got out of bed look.” Sheer, luminous skin keeps the complexion natural, while soft washes of color bring warmth to the eyes and cheeks, with no dramatic eyeliner or lashes.
As the show progresses, the colors turn into warm beige and earth tones. “And then the third would be sunburnt, apocalyptic,” he adds. As the palette recedes, the makeup becomes more restrained, shifting toward muted, tonal hues. Hair stays naturally straight or curled, with soft texture and movement taking precedence over excessive styling.
“Earth has always been my greatest source of inspiration. I travel often, and every place reminds me how extraordinary our planet really is. Everything already exists so beautifully,” says Davalos. This pared-back approach to beauty makes every look grounded and wearable.
Together, the beauty looks capture the collection’s movement from vibrancy to a stripped-back finish. The result is fresh, tactile, and quietly striking—a beauty story that finds impact not in excess, but in what remains.
Freckle scatter makeup
Gabriel Villareal
Gabriel Villareal
Gabriel Villareal
Easily up the ante of this pared-back look with faux freckles, as seen on some looks from the show. Complexion stays sheer, with skin texture left visible beneath a light veil of coverage. Soft definition through cool-toned contour gives the face dimension with no heavily sculpted effect. This is a look you can recreate for any occasion, with well-groomed brows and a light base.
Earthen-hued makeup
Gabriel Villareal
Gabriel Villareal
Earth-toned makeup is a versatile choice that suits any skin tone, with choices from fawn to warm brown to cool greige. Whether as an eyeshadow or brontour, these tones will help you avoid a flat complexion. You can dress it up with rich brown tones to complete an evening-ready look, or go light and warm for a more daytime sun-kissed vibe.
Icy blonde hair
Gabriel Villareal
Gabriel Villareal
Looking for a new hair color this season? Think of icy blonde hair. The choice is sure to be a conversation starter, whether it’s on the runway or on the streets. The near-silver hue looks almost metallic, frosted, and unapologetically cool. Although blonde hair can be high-impact on its own, a haircut like a buzzcut or layered bixie with pink highlights can take the look to the next level.
Embracing natural curls
Gabriel Villareal
Gabriel Villareal
Waves and curls take center stage on Yong Studio’s runway show, emphasizing the love for texture and movement. Defined strands add shape without looking overly styled. Soft volume gives the hair an effortless, lived-in quality. The styling works with the hair’s natural pattern rather than against it. The result is relaxed, dimensional, and undone.
Art direction by Mikiyo Ricamora. Photography by Gabriel Villareal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yong Studio’s “anti-beauty” concept, per beauty director Gery Penaso, keeps skin and lips softly dry rather than polished—opening fresh and just-out-of-bed, then fading into muted, sunburnt tones as the collection’s color recedes.
Keep the base sheer so skin texture stays visible, then add soft, cool-toned contour for dimension without heavy sculpting. Well-groomed brows complete the pared-back look, recreatable for any occasion.
Yong Studio’s earthen hued makeup ranges from fawn to warm brown to cool greige, worn as eyeshadow or bronzer-contour. Richer browns suit evening, while lighter, warmer tones create a sun-kissed daytime finish.
Icy blonde is a near-silver, frosted blonde with an almost metallic finish. On Yong Studio’s runway, it was paired with high-impact cuts like a buzzcut or a layered bixie with pink highlights.
The beauty looks track the collection’s move from vibrant, maximalist prints to warm earth tones, then a stripped-back finish. Makeup grows restrained and hair stays naturally textured, mirroring Yong Davalos’s earth-inspired vision.
