The Second Act of the Prima Ballerina
After years of building her legacy, Lisa Macuja Elizalde still wears beauty the way she dances—refined by time, evolving gracefully without losing its power.
Her elegant edge
Andrea Beldua
Makeup artist Gery Penaso captured Macuja Elizalde’s timelessness with a winged eyeliner and a classic red lip, subtly overlined for the illusion of a fuller pout. For soft curls that move, hairstylist Lourd Ramos blended wet wax with argan oil.
Sculpted grace
Andrea Beldua
Ramos recalls styling Macuja Elizalde for some of her iconic Swan Lake performances, noting that on stage, hair must withstand sweat, movement, and the demands of characterization. “When hair is set perfectly,” Ramos says, using wet gel and hairspray, “it highlights her natural movement and elegance.”
A golden legacy
Andrea Beldua
With golden eyeshadow painted on by Penaso, Macuja Elizalde’s eyes reflect the warmth of a woman who has found peace in her purpose. The icon of discipline and grace now also radiates with joy and contentment: “I want people to see a woman who is happy and fulfilled with her choices and her life.”
Art direction: Nicole Almero. Beauty direction: Bianca Gozon and Yeyen Espineda. Makeup: Gery Penaso. Hair: Lourd Ramos. Wardrobe styling: Niña Cuyana and Jermainne Lagura of Qurator. Product styling: Chila Zialcita. Nails: New Lounge. Shot on location at Salon De Ning in The Peninsula Manila.
Frequently Asked Questions
Makeup artist Gery Penaso created a classic beauty look for Lisa Macuja-Elizalde featuring a winged eyeliner, a red lip subtly overlined for the illusion of fuller volume, and golden eyeshadow. The overall effect was described as timeless — designed to reflect both her discipline as a performer and her current sense of contentment.
Lourd Ramos blended wet wax with argan oil to achieve soft, movement-friendly curls for the editorial. Ramos has styled Macuja-Elizalde for stage productions including Swan Lake, where hair must withstand sweat, physical movement, and the demands of character — applying wet gel and hairspray for performance-ready hold that still highlights natural elegance.
Overlining the lips involves drawing slightly beyond the natural lip line to create the visual impression of fuller volume. Makeup artist Gery Penaso applied this technique subtly on Macuja-Elizalde — keeping it restrained to avoid an unnatural finish while still enhancing the impact of the classic red lip.
Argan oil is used in hair styling to add shine, reduce frizz, and improve the pliability of curl-defining products. When blended with a wet wax — as hairstylist Lourd Ramos did for Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s soft curl look — it provides a flexible hold that moves naturally rather than stiffening the hair.
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is one of the Philippines’ most celebrated prima ballerinas, recognized for her career with the Bolshoi Ballet and her role in building Philippine ballet through Ballet Manila. Her influence extends beyond performance into cultural patronage — making her a significant figure in both Philippine arts and the country’s creative identity.
