Paul Nebres on Stillness, Strength, and the Quiet Power of Queer Beauty

Paul Nebres’ body of work is poetry in motion. With a decade in the industry, he has honed his craft and cemented his place as one of the country’s most sought-after hair stylists, earning himself a coveted title as a Dyson ambassador. Years spent styling the tresses of actor-singer-environmentalist Nadine Lustre, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, and actor Kylie Versoza have also shaped Nebres’ perspective on beauty and life, grounding his artistry on grit, grace, and gratitude.

He shares some of the biggest milestones in his career and why being queer is a force on its own. 

Courtesy of subject

Can you tell us about a moment in your career when you felt truly seen or recognized for your work? 

It’s the collection of a thousand small moments: my hard-working single mother beaming from ear-to-ear, because she feels special at a family gathering; reading a beautifully handwritten “thank you” card from a bride; or standing on stage as the sole Dyson ambassador representing our country amongst dozens of others from and across Southeast Asia.

They might seem like small moments, but to me, they are the sincerest forms of recognition. They remind me every day that better hair is not just about looking beautiful, it is also about making every woman feel confident in herself.

And of course, being invited by Allure Philippines to collaborate is its own special moment!

How has your identity shaped your artistry and the way you show up in your work? 

It is important for me to always and proudly put forward my true self in my creative work. Building a genuine connection with my clients to transform their visions into reality is not possible without first bringing my full self in all its beautiful, messy, and crazy colors. 

What has been the most meaningful project in your career so far and why? 

This is like asking me to choose a favorite child or, in my case, favorite fur baby. I love them all equally!
One recent project does stand out in particular: Allure Philippines’ “The Beauty of Brown,” which celebrated our morena icons. As a beauty creative, I want my work to inspire and empower every woman to feel confident in themselves. For this showcase of trailblazing morena icons, it was heartwarming to work on a project celebrating beauty outside of mainstream standards. So thank you, Allure Philippines, for your confidence in me and the opportunity to partake in a momentous project for your first-ever issue.

What does Pride mean to you, not just in the context of June but every day?

Pride Month is our time as a queer community to shout unabashedly from rooftops and express our truest selves in all its beautiful glory. Hear us roar, diba? But June is just one month in a year. As a queer citizen in the Philippines, I believe Pride to be a social movement that shouldn’t end on June 30. I dream that one day, our community can roar (and not just purr!) every single day of the year.

What is your vision for the next generation of queer creatives hoping to break into beauty or entertainment? 

As a queer creative working in an industry where queer creativity and talent are not only appreciated but celebrated, I have had the privilege to make my voice heard and show every woman that they are beautiful. Better hair is simply how we unlock confidence to express that beauty. 

I hope that younger queer creatives in the beauty industry can similarly continue to amplify our voices and inspire greater diversity of beauty standards in the country.