Mastering Hair and Makeup for the Modern Filipina at the Allure Beauty Congress

As someone who spends a suspicious amount of time online, I’m accustomed to learning beauty tips through YouTube and TikTok videos. But today was different. Watching The Total Look Blueprint: Mastering Hair and Makeup for the Filipina Today on the third day of the Allure Beauty Congress was like seeing a premium version of any tutorial I’ve seen on the internet. 

It was more in-depth, more detailed, and you could actually catch the little things you don’t usually see on screen: the texture of the skin and hair, and how it actually looks in person. 

That’s because the final masterclass featured renowned hairstylist and entrepreneur Lourd Ramos, and professional makeup artist Booya Mocorro, who demonstrated the power of a seamless hair-and-makeup synergy, tailored for Filipina features and lifestyles.

And that’s exactly what Allure Beauty Congress is all about—beauty meeting expertise. It’s about learning from the experts themselves through talks, live demonstrations, and skill-building sessions, so that we walk away well-informed as both beauty enthusiasts and consumers.

Here are some key pro tips that I learned and couldn’t wait to put into practice:

The “headband” hairstyle

Watching Ramos work on former Pinoy Big Brother housemate and GMA Sparkle talent Charlie Fleming was like seeing hair speak a language. He didn’t just show us “how to do” something, he explained why it works on the Filipina hair and lifestyle.

Betty Uy Chan

The main look he created was an elevated take on the headband hairstyle—a sleek, lifted style that subtly contours the face and instantly makes you look put together. Ramos began by prepping the hair with anti-frizz or mousse, then blow-dried it to control the shape. He sectioned the front pieces, tied them back with a rubber band, and smoothed them down using wax and a touch of argan oil. A light spray set it in place, while the rest of the hair was either curled or straightened. While creating the headband look, he spilled some of his hair secrets:

1. Warm the wax first.

Instead of applying the product immediately, Ramos warmed the wax with his fingers. That tiny step makes it more pliable, giving better control and a smoother, softer finish. “It’s also best to read the instructions of the hair products you’ll be using to maximize the products,” he advises.

2. Spray with strategy.

The general rule of thumb for Ramos is to use the hairspray from afar. But, if you want that wet, sleek finish, that’s the only time you spray it up close to maintain that damp style.

3. Argan oil is your best friend.

Ramos ends every look with argan oil—a final layer of protection to prevent hair from frizzing up. “Sobrang humid here in the Philippines, we need it,” he says.

4. Your hair should fit your lifestyle.

According to Ramos, collaboration is an essential part of hairstyling. Ramos doesn’t give a client a look, especially a complex one, unless he knows they can maintain it. “I ask about what they want to achieve and their lifestyle to know if they can take care of it and give them what suits them best,” he shares. 

Your schedule, hair history, and daily routine matter just as much as any beauty trend. That’s why education is part of the styling process as well. He believes that clients need to understand how to care for their hair—because without the right TLC, even the best style won’t last or look flattering.

The dewy hulas-proof makeup

Professional makeup artist Booya Mocorro, who goes by “Booya,” started the second half of the masterclass with her muse, model and content creator Anshel Lim, to talk about some beauty hacks curated for Filipinas. 

Betty Uy Chan

As she did Lim’s makeup live, she broke down how to work with our climate and features, not against them:

1. Know your beauty goal.

Before obsessing over product recommendations, Booya advises asking yourself: What’s your aesthetic? What do you want to achieve?

Once you know your goal, your makeup kit stops becoming a random assortment of products and starts becoming intentional.

2. The shade versus undertone analogy.

Mocorro’s analogy changed the way I understand shades and undertones. She shares that your shade is like your surname, while your undertone is like your family member’s personality. “Let’s say you belong to the Dela Cruz family,” she explains. “And in the Dela Cruz family, there are multiple siblings with different personalities. Those are the undertones.” In short, your undertone is more specific than your shade.

3. Apply thin makeup layers.

To combat humidity, don’t layer more—layer less. Thin applications prevent oiliness and cakiness, making the makeup last longer through Philippine heat. For Booya, this is where a serumizer comes in handy, because it thins out foundation and concealer.

4. Using lip gloss for a dewy finish.

For that healthy boost of shine, Mocorro dabs a touch of lip gloss at the highest point of the cheekbones with a finger to give that expensive, runway-ready look. Unlike the typical highlighter, which has a metallic glittery finish.

The blueprint for the modern Filipina

The masterclass wasn’t just informative, it felt like a reset button. It was a reminder that beauty isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula, but a series of choices tailored to who you are and how you live.

John Joaquin Dag-uman

As someone who is constantly learning how to step up my hair and makeup game, I left with a phone full of notes (and a sudden urge to reorganize my entire hair and makeup kit). 

Because Filipina beauty isn’t about trying to fit into a template, it’s about finding your own blueprint.