Behind the Beauty Looks of Preview’s Best Filipino Fashion Designers 2026 Editorial

Ahead of the shoot, the BFFD 2026 honorees sat down with the Preview team and the hair and makeup artists to present their creations and articulate how they envisioned the final looks. By the time the models stepped in front of the camera, every creative involved was aligned, with each element coming together as part of a larger whole.

“I think beauty is what ties the whole fashion look together,” says Muriel. “It helps bring out the mood, personality, and story behind each outfit.” Patty echoes this sentiment: “Whether it is sleek and simple or more expressive, the look has to support the designer’s vision, enhance the mood, and complement the clothes without taking attention away from them.” An exercise in restraint, many of the resulting beauty looks are natural yet refined, designed to complement rather than compete with the clothes.

For Helaena Bercasio and Chumason Ngjigha, who modeled for Jerome and Nicolo, respectively, Muriel created fresh, cohesive looks anchored by radiant skin and defined eyes. Subtle lip colors within the nude spectrum kept the makeup balanced, complementing the experimental nature of the clothes—from Jerome’s sculptural knitwear to Nicolo’s signature construction.

Meanwhile, Muriel took a clean and polished approach for Habie Mondido, Justine Llarena, and Isabella Downy, the muses of Rajo, Vania, and Viña. Rather than overpowering the clothes, he focused on enhancing each model’s features in ways that reflected the designers’ individual concepts, ranging from contemporary to romantic.

The hairstyles stayed sleek and simple, letting the garments' details take center stage. While this recurring theme created cohesion across the editorial, the looks “naturally varied to reflect each designer’s unique vision,” says Patty. “Each hairstyle was developed in response to the designer’s specific style and the overall concept of their creation.”

Whether you’re recreating the hair and makeup from the BFFD 2026 editorial or simply drawing inspiration from its polished approach, these products can help bring the looks to life.

Whether you’re going for pin-straight hair or a supermodel blowout, having the right tools is key to achieving the look. Kiss offers a range of hairstyling tools designed with hair care in mind. The Mega Air 260 Ionic Dryer, for instance, is designed to minimize heat-spot damage while letting airflow reach the roots. Meanwhile, the InstaWave Curler uses ceramic ionic technology to help reduce frizz, while the InstaMagic Straightener features a silicone bar designed to minimize damage.

After styling comes the task of keeping every strand in place. Urban Care incorporates ingredients such as plant-based keratin and UV filters into its styling range. Start with the Style Guide Natural Flex No Gas Hair Spray to help shield strands from heat, strengthen the hair, and prep it for styling. From there, the rest of the Style Guide line offers different options depending on your desired finish, from the Max Hold Hair Spray and Matte Wax to the Sea Salt Hair Spray and Mousse.

Long-lasting glam starts with good skin prep. The BYS Face Primer is infused with hydrating pearls and skin-loving ingredients to help create a smooth, moisturized base for makeup. Don’t forget to prep your lips, too, with the Lip Melt Butter Balm. Available in nine naturally tinted shades, it can double as the finishing touch to your makeup look.

Follow with the brand’s Blur collection, which comes in three foundation formats: liquid, cushion, and powder. Keep your base in place with the Translucent Setting Powder, then reach for the Compact Powder for on-the-go touch-ups.

Moving on to the finer details, add color to the complexion with the Pearl Glow Baked & Liquid Blush for a radiant, rosy finish. The Eye & Cheek Multi Palette is a handy option, with two blush shades and three eyeshadows in one. If you’d like more room to experiment, consider the Colour Palettes, which feature 20 shades spanning cool nudes, pastel mattes, and warm tones. Finally, add definition and structure with the Brow Definition Kit and 16-Hour Liquid Eyeliner.