Ever spend hours scrolling through makeup tutorials, wondering how these artists make everything look so effortless while your winged eyeliner looks like it was drawn during an earthquake? Here’s the thing: the best Filipino makeup artists aren’t just showing you perfect final looks, they’re sharing the real techniques, the trial-and-error moments, and the authentic stories behind their artistry.
The Filipino beauty scene in 2025 isn’t about impossible standards or copying trends from overseas. These artists are proving that makeup mastery comes from understanding your craft, celebrating diverse beauty, and being genuine about your journey even when things don’t go perfectly the first time.
The best part? These aren’t untouchable celebrities hiding behind perfect lighting. They’re artists who started small, learned through practice, and built their reputations by consistently showing up and sharing what they know.
Top Filipino Makeup Artists on Instagram:
- Juan Sarte (@juansarte)
- Jelly Eugenio (@jellyeugenio)
- Mark Kingson Qua (@mkqua)
- Anthea Bueno (@antheabueno)
- Denise Go-Ochoa (@deniseochoa)
Juan Sarte (@juansarte)
Juan Sarte has worked with celebrities like Judy Ann Santos and Marian Rivera, building his reputation on creating natural-looking makeup that enhances rather than masks features. Unlike artists who gatekeep their techniques, Juan regularly breaks down his process on Instagram. His posts about “Blush Theory” explain how strategic blush placement can transform face shapes—insights typically reserved for expensive masterclasses.
What sets Juan apart is his transparency. He shows the unglamorous parts: lighting setups, trial runs, and moments when celebrities need touch-ups. This approach proves that great makeup enhances existing features rather than pursuing impossible perfection.
Juan’s content teaches you to work with your features instead of against them. His celebrity techniques adapt surprisingly well for everyday wear, demonstrating how the same enhancement principles work across different settings.
Jelly Eugenio (@jellyeugenio)
@jellyeugenio Grabe ang ganda pala?! 🫢 @Catriona Gray #makeupbyjellyeugenio
♬ girls like me don’t cry (Sped Up) – thuy
With fifteen years in the industry, Jelly Eugenio has learned that effective makeup trends come from understanding why they work, not just copying their appearance. He has created looks for celebrities including Nadine Lustre and Catriona Gray. Jelly’s strength lies in breaking down complex techniques into manageable steps while explaining the reasoning behind each choice, from color placement to product selection.
Jelly approaches makeup like art education rather than magic tricks. His work provides perspective on what techniques work specifically for Filipino features, while his tutorials focus on teaching methodology rather than just demonstrating steps. This educational approach helps followers understand makeup artistry instead of simply memorizing instructions.
If you’ve wondered why certain techniques work for some people but not others, Jelly’s content provides those answers. His educational methodology develops actual skills rather than rote memorization, keeping techniques relevant even as trends shift.
Mark Qua (@makeupbymarkqua)
Mark Qua specializes in creating makeup that maintains its beauty throughout long events—from hour one to hour twelve. His expertise in longevity has made him sought after for weddings and special occasions. Mark’s Instagram focuses on practical beauty, showing how to create looks that work in real life through tears, heat, humidity, and extended celebrations.
Mark’s focus on longevity and practicality distinguishes his approach from purely visual impact. His techniques prioritize real-world performance, ensuring makeup maintains its appearance throughout entire events. His Korean-inspired glowing looks demonstrate that subtle, well-executed makeup can create significant impact without appearing heavy or obvious.
Mark’s setting techniques and product recommendations are developed specifically for tropical weather conditions, making them particularly relevant for the Philippine climate. His content addresses the common problem of makeup that looks great initially but deteriorates quickly in challenging conditions.
Anthea Bueno (@antheabueno)
Anthea Bueno creates editorial-quality makeup looks while celebrating morena skin tones. Trained under industry veteran Jigs Mayuga, she has developed a signature warm bronze style that challenges conventional beauty standards. Her work demonstrates that high-fashion beauty encompasses all skin tones, and her Instagram celebrates this diversity openly.
Anthea creates looks that are artistic enough for editorial work but adaptable for special occasions. Her focus on morena beauty provides representation often missing in Filipino beauty spaces, while her training enables her to execute sophisticated concepts with technical precision. Her emphasis on deeper skin tones represents a deliberate expansion of beauty standards.
Anthea’s techniques for deeper skin tones address an educational gap, since mainstream beauty content often assumes lighter complexions. Her editorial eye encourages creative thinking about color and texture, while her celebration of morena beauty provides inspiration for underrepresented audiences.
Denise Go-Ochoa (@deniseochoa)
Denise Go-Ochoa has built her reputation around creating fresh, natural makeup that enhances rather than conceals natural beauty. With experience spanning both editorial and commercial work, she has developed expertise that extends well beyond traditional celebrity makeup artistry. Her approach aligns with contemporary beauty trends that favor “no-makeup makeup” looks and authentic enhancement.
Denise gained significant recognition when she was selected to create the bridal makeup for Princess Anisha Kalebic during her wedding to Brunei’s Prince Mateen in 2024. This international project demonstrated her ability to work on a global scale while showcasing Filipino makeup artistry on the world stage. Her involvement in such high-profile international events highlights the growing recognition of Filipino talent in the beauty industry.
Her client roster includes prominent figures in Philippine entertainment such as Kathryn Bernardo, Sarah Geronimo, Toni Gonzaga, and Bea Alonzo. Denise’s work consistently emphasizes natural beauty enhancement, creating looks that appear effortless while requiring considerable technical skill to execute properly.
Denise’s Instagram provides behind-the-scenes glimpses of her celebrity work alongside techniques that translate well to everyday wear. Her natural approach offers an alternative to heavily contoured or dramatic makeup styles, showing how professional techniques can create polished, wearable looks. Her international experience brings a broader perspective to Filipino beauty content, demonstrating how local techniques can succeed on global platforms.
FAQs for Makeup Enthusiasts
How do I choose which makeup techniques to try first?
Start with techniques that enhance your natural features rather than attempting dramatic transformations. Look for artists with similar face shapes or skin tones—their techniques will be most relevant to your needs.
Should I invest in expensive makeup products right away?
Focus on learning techniques first, then gradually invest in quality products for the steps that matter most to you. Many artists recommend accessible alternatives that perform comparably to high-end options.
How do I adapt celebrity makeup looks for everyday wear?
Use the same techniques with lighter application. Celebrity looks typically use everyday makeup principles intensified for cameras and stage lighting.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when following makeup tutorials?
Attempting exact replication instead of adaptation. Understanding why techniques work allows you to modify them for your face shape, skin tone, and lifestyle.
How long does it take to see improvement in makeup skills?
With consistent practice, noticeable improvement typically occurs within 2-3 weeks. Focus on mastering one technique at a time rather than attempting everything simultaneously.
These five artists represent key strengths in the Filipino beauty scene: they educate without condescension, innovate while maintaining authenticity, and achieve success without losing sight of their origins. These artists provide access to tested techniques, informed product recommendations, and inspiration that celebrates Filipino beauty rather than attempting to change it.
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