As a country whose people are scattered across every conceivable corner of the globe, spotting a Filipino surname in the diaspora is hardly ever a shock. Still, there is a distinct, electric jolt that comes with finding one where you least expect it: a call sheet on a Milan runway, a high-profile glam team stationed in Los Angeles, or a bespoke bridal fitting halfway across Western Australia. It’s that split second that makes you pause, smile, and murmur a quiet “Uy, Philippines” as a reflex of pride. 

The Filipino diaspora has long carried our people, traditions, and talents well beyond the islands, and that movement extends to beauty, too—with Filipino makeup artists and hairstylists carving out their own space in fashion, film, celebrity, bridal, and other corners of the beauty industry around the world.

Here at Allure Philippines, we’re always glad to champion the Filipino creatives we see building bodies of work that deserve to be known beyond the clients sitting in their chairs. Below, meet the ones to watch.

Rachelle Facelo, Sydney-based international makeup and hair stylist

To those invested in the Sunnies universe, you might recognize Rachelle Facelo’s work before you recognize her name. The Sydney-based Filipina makeup artist is behind some of Sunnies Face’s signature campaigns—from the extension shade range announcement of Fluffmatte in 2022, to the recent Juice Tint launch. Her work has helped shape the brand’s signature beauty language, with models sporting that softly defined look with a fresh, unfussy finish true to the Sunnies girl.

Aika Flores, Los Angeles-based celebrity men’s groomer

While Hollywood grooming can easily veer into the realm of the overly done, Filipino celebrity men’s groomer Aika Flores brings an effortless yet sexy appeal to her clientele, whether she’s prepping Joe and Nick Jonas, Hudson Williams, or Belmont Cameli for press junkets and major campaigns. It’s a style that has earned her a place among the groomers working behind some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces.

Chyla Guerrero, New York/New Jersey-based professional makeup artist

@chylaguerrero on Instagram

Chyla Guerrero is particular about what goes on the face. The Filipino makeup artist has long advocated for cruelty-free beauty and takes a practical approach to her kit. Her specialty in airbrush and high-definition makeup has taken her from leading Nyx Professional Makeup’s team in the Philippines to working with Shiseido, Michael Kors, and other big names in fashion, TV, and film in New York. 

Mally Roncal, New York-based celebrity makeup artist

Mally Roncal’s résumé has a lot of familiar names: think 2000s Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, and Rihanna. Her glam leans into the full package—warm, elongated smoky eyes, bold brows, sculpted cheeks, and a mauve-nude lip that lets the eyes take center stage. The New York-based Filipina-American makeup artist eventually turned that approach to beauty into Mally Beauty, the cosmetics brand she founded.

Ashley Ysabelle, Los Angeles-based makeup artist

@ashleyysabelle on Instagram

Filipino-American makeup artist Ashley Ysabelle Sarmiento’s work is a masterclass in bringing fun back to makeup. Her looks don’t seem too concerned with playing it safe—there’s color, graphic liner, hazy eyes, and the occasional completely unexpected lip. The Los Angeles-based Filipina makeup artist, trained at Make-Up Designory, has worked with Audrey Nuna on some of her most distinctive beauty looks, including the rhinestone-studded black lip she wore to the 2026 Met Gala.

Diva Soria, drag queen and New York-based makeup artist

A Dior-esque glam and a drag stage may call for very different kinds of makeup, but Diva Soria moves comfortably between both. The New York-based Filipino makeup artist and drag queen works across beauty and fashion with Dior Beauty, taking on clients like Mayfair curator Lauren Kulchinsky Levison, drag queen Adarni Karina, and Filipino-American model Siobhan Moylan.  

Jefferson ‘Jhajha’ Rivera, Dubai-based makeup artist

The London College of Fashion-trained Jefferson Rivera likes his beauty with presence. Bleached brows, graphic liner, unexpected color, sculpted skin—the Dubai-based Filipino makeup artist brings an editorial eye to his work, turning up the glamor without sanding away the personality of the face. Rivera’s portfolio moves comfortably between glossy editorials and commercial beauty.

Valentino Jasmin, Dubai-based makeup artist

@makeupbyvalentino on Instagram

Valentino Jasmin knows his way around both ends of the beauty spectrum. The Filipino makeup artist’s Dubai-based work can be clean and polished, or saturated with color, graphic liner, and maximalist eye makeup—an editorial sensibility that has taken him to fashion and beauty jobs including Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana in Dubai.

He is also part of the Academy of Freelance Makeup in Dubai, where he works as a makeup artist and educator.

Charina Redugerio, New York-based makeup artist

If fresh skin, a smokey eye, and a powerful glow is your idea of good makeup, Charina Redugerio’s work is worth keeping on your radar. The New York-based Filipina makeup artist works across TV, production, and on the front covers of editorial magazines. Her recent credits include Cardi B’s “Aha” music video, and television appearances for Mayor Zohran Mamdani and John Legend.

Earvee Cruz, hair and makeup artist

Bleached brows, crystal details, hair engulfed in pink bows—Filipino-American makeup artist Earvee Cruz isn’t interested in keeping beauty predictable. The Los Angeles-based Filipino makeup artist began teaching herself makeup at 13 years old through online tutorials. She has since worked across nine countries. Thuy, VVS, and Sailorr are among the artists beautified by Cruz.

Monique Cruz, Milan-based makeup artist

Soft skin, subtle definition, and natural-looking makeup are a throughline in Monique Cruz’s work, whether she’s working with a bride, an influencer, or a fashion client. The Filipino makeup artist moved to Milan to pursue a career in beauty. Her credits include Nadine Lustre in 2024 and clients at Milan Fashion Week.

Ched Sy Gaco, Perth-based bridal makeup artist

Three years, three Wedding Industry Awards wins. Ched’s Makeup Artistry has become a familiar name in Western Australia’s bridal scene, with Ched’s signature leaning toward clean skin, soft definition, and fresh-looking glam. The Filipina makeup artist also brought that polished approach to the Miss Universe Australia finalists’ runway and national final in Perth in 2024, as well as to her work in special events and photoshoots.

Frederic Aspiras, Los Angeles-based hairstylist 

Lady Gaga and Frederic Aspiras go way back—specifically, to the Monster Ball era, when wigs, color, and theatrical hair became inseparable from her image. The part-Filipino has remained behind many of Gaga’s most recognizable looks since, from vivid, waist-grazing wigs to the sculptural styles she wears on the red carpet.

Allen Avedano, Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist

Allan Avendaño didn’t exactly plan on becoming a makeup artist. After moving from Quezon City to Los Angeles as a child, he studied communications and worked in television production before a fashion shoot landed him on the other side of the glam team. Today, the Filipino-American artist is based in Los Angeles and works as a celebrity makeup artist for L’Oréal Paris, with Joey King and Rachel Zegler among his clients.

Gladyse Guegue-Perez, Las Vegas-based makeup artist

Las Vegas, baby—Perez knows her way around a soft glam, particularly when there’s a bride waiting at the other end of it. The Las Vegas-based Filipina makeup artist is best known for bridal beauty, but her work also stretches to editorials, pageants, events, and photoshoots.

Ailene Reins, Paris-based makeup artist

Ailene Reins is a Paris-based makeup artist, but her makeup kit has seen plenty of airports around the world. The Filipina makeup artist has worked with brides across Greece, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, and Santorini, while her fashion credits include Heart Evangelista’s Dior and Schiaparelli appearances in 2023. She has also worked with Allure Philippines, handling both makeup and hair for our shoot with Filipino-American model Siobhan Moylan.

Mikka Marcaida, Los Angeles-based makeup artist and co-founder of Faboulash

Makeup artist Mikka Marcaida hardly needs an introduction. Before taking her artistry to Los Angeles, Marcaida was already making beauty work harder for Filipino faces. In 2013, while charging ₱500 for a full-glam service, she found herself frustrated by expensive false lashes that didn’t suit Filipino eye shapes—and her answer was Faboulash. Today, Marcaida is based in LA, as her work leans into luminous skin, softly defined eyes, warm blush, and lips with just enough color, whether she’s working on a bride or a celebrity—or maybe a Chanel campaign with Margot Robbie.

Mau Piodena IV, Dubai-based makeup artist

Mau Piodena IV didn’t move to Dubai to become a makeup artist. He started as a business analyst, taking on makeup jobs on the side before eventually turning the beauty gig into a full-time career. Now, the Filipino hair and makeup artist has worked for a decade across Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, doing beauty for Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

Sydney Helmsley, Washington-based makeup artist

From Manila to the US, Sydney Helmsley has been working across fashion and beauty for years. The Filipina makeup artist, now based in Washington, has worked with the likes of Jasmine Curtis-Smith. She also has credits at New York Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Paulo Ilagan, Dubai-based hairstylist

Paulo Ilagan likes hair with a little drama. The Dubai-based Filipino is known for big, blown-out volume, glossy curls, and more editorial constructions—including a look built from two women’s hair braided into one. His work also includes hair for Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Piaget shoots in Dubai.

Iris Felix, Dubai-based makeup artist

From wedding glam to editorial beauty, Iris Felix knows when to keep things polished—and when to play. The Dubai-based Filipina hair and makeup artist specializes in bridal and event makeup, with editorial and creative looks also part of her repertoire. She trained at London’s Academy of Freelance Makeup and shares her beauty work and techniques on YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mally Roncal has styled Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Rihanna and founded Mally Beauty; Frederic Aspiras has been Lady Gaga’s hairstylist since the Monster Ball era; Allan Avendaño works as a L’Oréal Paris celebrity makeup artist for Joey King and Rachel Zegler.

Yes—several Filipino hair and makeup artists work in Dubai, including Jefferson Rivera, Valentino Jasmin, Mau Piodena IV, Paulo Ilagan, and Iris Felix, covering editorial beauty, bridal work, and fashion week assignments including Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana.

Mally Beauty was founded by New York-based Filipina-American makeup artist Mally Roncal, drawing on her experience styling major recording artists. Faboulash, a false-lash brand, was co-founded by LA-based artist Mikka Marcaida after finding mainstream lashes didn’t fit Filipino eye shapes.

Yes—Ched Sy Gaco has won three Wedding Industry Awards in Perth, Gladyse Guegue-Perez focuses on bridal soft glam in Las Vegas, and Ailene Reins has done bridal makeup for weddings across Greece, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, and Santorini.

LA-based makeup artist Mikka Marcaida founded Faboulash in 2013 after finding that widely available false lashes didn’t suit Filipino eye shapes during her full-glam bookings, leading her to develop lashes designed specifically for that eye shape.