From an excessive spackle of foundation to smears of bright red lipstick, these TikTok beauty trends have us both raising an eyebrow and raring to try it out.

Related: WHAT ARE THE KIDS WEARING ON TIKTOK THESE DAYS?

Whether you’re endlessly scrolling on your For You Page or diving deep into specific hashtags or profiles, TikTok has become quite the massive blackhole. When sucked into the social media space of humor, honesty, and hacks, it becomes an endless loop where time becomes inconsequential, especially when winding down from a day of simply surviving the realities of our lives. A respite from everything else on the internet, this a refreshing landscape where creativity is the currency that keeps people coming back for more.

Even the OG social media stars will agree that TikTok is where they enjoy the most as of late, spending more time on it than their main channels. In this virtual landscape, everyone can let their guard down and just have fun, where everything from discovering to dancing thrives to its full effective and entertaining potential. One carved out corner of the video-sharing platform where passions and points-of-view really has its moment is beauty. Here, the smart and silly minds on TikTok are taking to beauty, which has obviously inundated and saturated social media, with an inventive approach that keeps on blowing our minds in every bite-sized content.

Take On TikTok Beauty Trends, Even Once

Chock full of tips and tricks, the trove of TikTok beauty trends are rich with ideas and innovation that as is at the core of the app, always worth a try—even at least once. It might look odd on the onset, but as we will begin to learn, the method to the madness usually works out, surprisingly.

“It’s a journey, and you have to trust the process,” many beauty gurus and personalities often remind us, assuring us that what may look busted at the beginning will yield beautiful results. The most important thing with TikTok beauty trends is to forget the rules and rudiments for a while and have a go at it. You will never know what will work. Besides, isn’t makeup supposed to be fun?

If you’re curious to see what everyone is up to with TikTok beauty trends, look no further and just keep on scrolling below.

Red Lipstick Before Foundation (Lenkalul)

Many who have tried this were skeptical of this at first. A shock of red before everything else? That’s practically unheard of, unless you’re in dire need of color correcting, especially for patrons of the high art of drag.

When attempting this TikTok beauty trend, all you need is an open mind and a tube of bright red lipstick, which you will swipe on top of your cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and forehead before everything else. Naturally, you have to buff and blend it out with cream contour, concealer, and foundation, which will eventually reveal a natural look that fills in for the usual pats of blush.

@lenkalul

video ib: @sellmakasumoviq @hxlindx looked better than i expected haha ##makeup ##makeupvideos ##makeuphacks ##fyp

♬ Ski Mask The Slump God – Foot Fungus – Kiersten

An Excess Of Foundation

This one is a little bit controversial, and for some, cringe-inducing. Pouring an excessive, if not wasteful amount of foundation directly on the face, the canvas of coverage is then massaged deep into the skin. It’s hypnotic, sure, but is it healthy? Not quite. Yes, it gives a blemish-free look as if you were a porcelain doll, however, the pores are yearning for an exhale with every indulgent kneading. But hey, if you happen to have extra foundation lying around (some have even extended this to concealer and contours), then go on ahead. Just make sure you give the same amount of love to your skincare post TikTok time.

@meredithduxbury

I got hacked. Thank you all for your love and support throughout this situation. Here is a repost until everything is fully sorted out ?

♬ original sound – Meredith Duxbury

Spock Brows

Someone said, “Once you go back, you never go back,” and for some who have experimented with the shape of their brows, they seem to concur. Inspired by the iconic non-arches of the science and first officer of Star Trek’s starship enterprise, this viral TikTok beauty trend has encouraged one’s inner geek to manifest in the world of beauty by reshaping their brows by gluing them down or covering them concealer or a lighter gel before drawing a straighter diagonal line on the face just like Spock. For those with sparse or fine brow hair, this is easier to try by guiding a dark, heavy-duty brow pomade to the legendary line to life the face.

@naomijon

I‘m the VILLAIN ? actually I’m not, I really like cuddles, cats and mochi, we should hang out sometime I love u

♬ Originalton – German Sounds ??

Puppy, Cat Or Fox Eyeliner

The animals kingdom has seemingly taken over Tiktok with this beauty trend, which has been seen on many a timeline, including that of Kendall Jenner. From the traditional cat-eye, the more intriguing puppy-eye, and the very popular fox-eye, there are many ways to approach flicking eyeliner than just the tired typical.

Everything you need to learn about this stems from the standard cat-eye. Where you usually streak the top of your lash line with eyeliner and drawing it out to a precise point at the tail end, the fox-eye will require you to connect it further into the inner corner of the eyes, where in the hollow near the nose, you draw an arrow-like line to connect it with the lower lash line. A favorite by many, this iteration is an illusion that pulls the focus to the center of the face. Meanwhile the puppy-eye requires a deliberate half line on the lower outer corner of the eye, where the extended wing will have to be smudged out following the geometric shape to mimic the adorable droop of dogs.

@hayleybuix

Which one is your fav? :)) ##eyeliner ##cateye ##foxeye ##puppyeyes ##fyp ib @cat.ko

♬ Inaba Cumori ロストアンブレラ – yūn !

The Anatomy Of A Nose Contour

At this point, we swear by the transformative powers of makeup. And this couldn’t be more perfectly illustrated with the nose contour. A cosmetic alternative to invasive surgeries, contouring the nose is an age-old beauty tip that many have leaned in on over the years. On TikTok, however, the beauty pundits have drawn up an anatomical guide that starts with a short horizontal lines on both sides just right under the brows, which is then followed by the traditional line down the bridge of the nose. After this, a line is sketched on the upper and lower tip of the nose to cheat a more pronounced button-shape, from here; you follow the flare the side before buffing out all the graphic lines as you normally would with this step.

Taking to the gospel of drag queens yet again, smack a generous amount of translucent powder on either sides of the nose and bake to give that added highlight. Finally, color in the bridge with an iridescent powder for an added lift and catch of light.

@laylagurbuz

Mükemmel burun kontürü ? instagram ve YouTube kanalıma biomdan ulaşabilirsiniz ##nosecontour ##contourhack

♬ Shake That – Megan Thee Stallion

Gradient Lips, Yellow Edges?

Look, gradient lips are not exactly a groundbreaking beauty trend, but TikTok has upped the ante by prepping the puckered canvas with concealer before going in with yellow eyeshadow, which will eventually be blurred out at the edges. Once this has been set in place, smear the center with your choice of red and buff it out before blending in a layer of gloss for the full pout.

@quynhitraan

?? có ai dám thử đánh son màu này chưaaa nè ##quynhitraan

♬ HAI PHÚT HƠN – Izantachi

Color Theory Foundation Hack

At a glance, you’d think that this TikTok beauty trend wouldn’t work, what with its seemingly random placement of strokes and dots in primary colors mixed in with white. Strangely enough, this technique, which harnesses color theory, evens out to a layer of foundation that is an even match to your skintone, much more than what is out in the market. This will need a lot of blending, of course. Not to mention time to practice and perfect, but after seeing many takes on TikTok, the results are always a pleasant surprise. Just remember that depending on your skin tone, you will need to mix in more white or black, as well as of varying amounts of the primary red, blue, and yellow.

Now, who would have thought that our preschool art class would someday come in handy?

@daniellemarcan

ok but like this worked… ib:@hannahrosiebennett

♬ telepatía – Kali Uchis

A Filipino beauty secret and kitchen staple, calamansi is securing the blur in the supercharged release of Patrick Starrr and his growing brand, One/Size.

Related: NO HALF-BAKED ATTEMPT, PATRICK STARRR GOES ALL OUT WITH THE ULTIMATE REVEAL

It’s probably sitting in the chiller inside your refrigerator or in a basket of fresh produce for cooking, but there’s a whole lot more to the kitchen staple that is the humble calamansi. Aside from the zing and zest it adds to sauces and meals, this small citrus fruit native to the Philippines that also happens to refresh, rejuvenate, and revitalize the radiance of the skin when used properly. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants that regulates the appearance and reduces visible damage and aging, the calamansi is ripe with potential to become more than just a best kept beauty secret.

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Growing up in his Filipino household, beauty guru and mogul, Patrick Starrr, has most likely been long made aware of the wonders of the calamansi. Beyond its puckering possibilities, as well as of it being a nod to his heritage, the founder of ONE/SIZE realizes its big and juicy payoff in his most recent release for the Secure The Blur Line of skincare.

Coming together with the Makeup Magnet Primer, the brand’s super flawless product that is packed with glycerin, witch hazel, and niacinamide, it is the Hydrating Under Eye Patches that has all of social media’s beauty community obsessed.

The Patrick Starrr And Calamansi Connection

Supercharged with key ingredients such as water, glycerin, caffeine, mango, and dipropylene glycol, the supersized strips are a tropical, power snack for the skin. Whether it be a beauty emergency or a self-love indulgence, the ONE/SIZE Secure The Blur Hydrating Under Eye Patches are that boost you need to look wide awake for everything from that fresh out of bed selfie or the nth Zoom call you had to jump in on for the day.

Along with its standard of skincare swirl, the Hydrating Under Eye Patches is made different as an eye mask and primer hybrid that nurtures and nourishes with diligent use. The stars of this Patrick Starrr and ONE/SIZE formulation come in the form of hyaluronic acid that plumps and soothes, plant collagen that smoothens, caffeine that depuffs, and guava extract and calamansi juice that hydrates and brightens tired and textured skin.

Large and in charge, the deceptively cumbersome layer soaked with all that gratifying goodness hugs the under eye area and its immediate periphery, delivering its promise and more whether you use it before a makeup routine or for that end-of-day self-care moment. (No slips and drips here, no ma’am.)

Better, Brighter, Beautiful

Beyond skincare, Patrick Starrr swears by the calamansi-soaked patches, which he uses to help diminish dark circles in the under eye region—a clear indicator of stress and exhaustion for even the best of us. But for his makeup routine, the social media superstar routinely takes to the latest release, lifting it from the plastic disc in a pack of six and placing it securely on the hollows right below the lash line before priming the face with the ONE/SIZE Makeup Magnet Primer. It may be an added step, but it helps product cling on to the skin, making it concealer or foundation glide seamlessly after.

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No longer just a routine of radiance passed on from generation to generation in the Filipino context, the use of calamansi and its amazing effects on the skin now gets a bigger audience, making things better, brighter, and more beautiful, one under eye patch at a time.

CONTINUE READING: PATRICK STARRR DOES AN UBE-INSPIRED MAKEUP TUTORIAL IN TAGALOG

It wasn’t all just a fun, fierce, and fantastic time behind the scenes with Nadine Lustre. More than anything, it was a journey of self-discovery and self-love, too.

Related: A HIGHER LOVE: HOW NADINE LUSTRE GOT HER GROOVE BACK

There is no special occasion but here we have the generous Nadine Lustre giving us everything we need and more to power through the rest of the week. In case you have yet to keep up, we dropped not one but six covers, including a trove load of images that charts a trajectory of transformation from barefaced beauty to bold, beyond-this-world being. And if that isn’t enough, the behind-the-scenes look at her shoot just premiered, taking you inside all the magic that happened.

More than anything, her first stop here at NYLON Manila was meant to essay her story of healing. Having had to face what was troubling her and unearthing past traumas she tried to bury deep, Nadine Lustre emerges with more realizations, one that means that this time, she is no longer holding back on who she is and who she wants to be still.

Behind The Scenes With Nadine Lustre

Opening up to the ways of the world in more ways than one, Nadine Lustre manifested this journey of self-discovery in this shoot. With six outfit changes, double exposures, and swirls of colors, this was truly a visual treat that only she can serve and slay.

As fun, fierce, and fantastic as it may be on the surface, this was also a celebration of women reclaiming their voice and owning their courage. And this is precisely what Nadine Lustre stands for, now more than ever. Steering the ship of her personal and professional life, she is in full command, expressing her truth on her own terms—as everyone should be doing so.

Just like Nadine Lustre, you are much stronger than you think you are. Now, go chase that higher love and show them what you’re truly made of. It’s about damn time.

Here’s a look at what went down with Nadine Lustre, which you can all enjoy on our YouTube channel, too. You know the drill.

The Cover Shoot

The Hairstyles

The Makeup Look

The Fashion Film

CONTINUE READING: HER BRAVE NEW FRONT: NADINE LUSTRE IS NO LONGER HOLDING BACK

Like what Nadine says on her track Glow, “my journey’s not for you.” And all the looks on her cover exactly mirror that powerful message she’s been trying to tell us since the very beginning.

RELATED: Which Nadine Lustre Style Era Fits You Best?

Pure and Innocent

Beginning with a clean slate, Nadine shows her vulnerable side in the first two covers. Wearing a sheer ruffled top and pants, she’s aware of the fact that everyone can see through her, especially as a public figure. On the second look, Nadine is in a draped knitted dress (it was initially supposed to be part of her visual album) that hints on her past life as she found out that her soul once belonged to the realms of Atlantis.

Song From Her Album To Play: Ivory

Scorpio On The Rise

Shall we dance with danger? As for her third and fourth set, Nadine goes full on warrior mode (anyone else spotted the scorpion next to her in the cover?). Her silver catsuit with cutouts are almost armor-like while the sheer ruched dress conceals her body, yet still proudly shows her battle scars. Much like Rihanna’s unforgettable line at the 2014 CFDA Awards saying, “she can beat me but she cannot beat my outfit,” Nadine exudes the strength of woman despite those who try to bring her down.

Song From Her Album To Play: Glow

Her Higher Self

When you’ve grown to accept the circumstances that are no longer under your control, it transcends human understanding and only then can you attain your higher self. Nadine is no stranger to this concept. For her final covers, she is in glowing, iridescent clothing. Nadine is seen wearing a rhinestone-embellished bodysuit—almost like a diamond. Her “freedom” look is a hand-made resin dress with glitters and the longer you stare at it, the more it looks like tiny galaxies. Out of this world indeed.

Song From Her Album To Play: Wildest Dreams

CONTINUE READING: The Giant Glowing Lotus on Nadine’s Cover Was Actually CGI

We would be remiss if we let the opportunity pass without Nadine Lustre curating her choices of music in a power playlist for NYLON Manila. In this modern-day mixtape, she will make you feel oh so good.

Related: A HIGHER LOVE: HOW NADINE LUSTRE GOT HER GROOVE BACK

Remember when Nadine Lustre would casually caption her posts on Instagram with song selections from Comet Blue, Mura Masa, JP Cooper, Calvin Harris, The 1975, and Jhené Aiko? While she has since moved on to thoughtful truncations of lyrics as of late, what hasn’t changed is that for the most part, music remains an indicator of her mood and moment on the grid. As distinct and decided as her aesthetic is, it is the songs that soundtrack it that complete her expression.

Music is central to Nadine Lustre, even more so now that she has expanded her creative horizon as a singer and songwriter. “I love music. It changes and moves me in a way that you cannot understand,” she says. “And for people who listen to my music to feel the same way, it’s really…it’s something else.” Armed with songs and a strong sense of self, she gets to now affect people in a more insightful way that both informs and inspires.

“With music, nag-o–open up talaga ako. And I feel like people know me for being honest, being authentic, but music just solidified the whole thing. Here, I am able to express things that I can’t through all the other mediums and creative exhausts,” shares Nadine Lustre. “With music kasi, it’s different, because it’s words. It is just recently that I learned na kaya ko pala with words. I guess it’s just another extension of myself, another way of expressing more of my truth.”

Making The Music Of Nadine Lustre

“This is really who I am,” says Nadine Lustre of her shifted focus to music, as manifested in its full, unbridled potential beginning with Wildest Dreams. “A lot of it was based on my experience, yes, but it was also a lot of help from my director and of course, Careless. It wouldn’t have been the way it was if it weren’t for everyone else. It was really just an idea and everyone gave it life,” she articulates. “There’s something healing about what you’ve gone through, especially in a form of art that people will experience. It’s an emotional release. There’s something freeing about it. After I released my album, para akong nabawasan ng damage. That’s how it feels like.”

As cathartic as it was for Nadine Lustre, it was much more for the everyone who gave it a spin or more. As striking as the accompanying visual magnum opus was, the music on its own was searing and soul-stirring, even in its stream-friendly orchestrations. Cutting sharp and deep, Nadine Lustre proved that she was not just another wannabe warbling for the sake of. Even with her previous efforts leading up to Wildest Dreams, the singer was asserting herself as one to be taken seriously. Sparking curiosity, she did not only make people hear her out; people listened.

But most importantly, it is in music that Nadine Lustre found comfort, peace, and an identity defined by no one else but her. Meaning much more than it perhaps did then, Nadine Lustre is raring to create more with rhythm, lyrics, and songs. Now, she is ready to explore and push boundaries in this space where she feels most free to become.

As for the rest of us? We will still be listening, always.

Listen to the modern-day mixtape Nadine Lustre made for us here at NYLON Manila. A trove of 80s dance and disco hits, gem of indie jams, and unapologetic pop bangers, she sure knows how to make one feel good as hell.

Creative direction ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA

Art direction KENNETH DIMAANO

Fashion, beauty direction and styling LYN ALUMNO

Photography ED ENCLONA

Makeup JELLY EUGENIO

Hairstyling PAUL NEBRES

CGI artist AYA REIKA

Fashion film videographer IAN FRANCISCO

BTS videographer FLOYD JHOCSON

Sittings editor ELYSE ILAGAN

Shoot coordination LOUIS ESGUERRA

CONTINUE READING: HER BRAVE NEW FRONT: NADINE LUSTRE IS NO LONGER HOLDING BACK

Probably the first time she’s ever gone full blonde, this might be the boldest we’ve seen Nadine Lustre yet.

While she did rock a blonde balayage in 2018, Nadine Lustre’s still more known for her jetblack hair. Having gone through different hair transformations since her cosplay days, she always thinks of ways to reinvent herself—just like how she went blonde for her NYLON Manila cover.

With the help of hairstylist Paul Nebres, we’re finally able to witness Nadine Lustre as a blonde goddess. Anyone else getting Kim Kardashian vibes? In fact, when she was asked if she’d be down for the transformation, she said yes immediately. Nadine as a blonde is most definitely long-awaited and even before her Wildest Dreams era, she was already thinking about bleaching it to platinum for a new look!

The beauty of blonde tones is there’s a certain hue for everyone. If you want the beach babe life but can’t at the moment, settle for a blonde balayage to bring out that natural Filipina tan. If you’re more of the edgy type, go for a dip dye ‘do or some blonde streaks. But if you want to go all out, high-fashion and have that rich b*tch energy, feel free to dye your locks in platinum blonde just like Nadine Lustre.

Creative direction ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA

Art direction KENNETH DIMAANO

Photography ED ENCLONA

Fashion, beauty direction and styling LYN ALUMNO

Makeup JELLY EUGENIO

Hairstyling PAUL NEBRES

CGI artist AYA REIKA

Fashion film videographer IAN FRANCISCO

BTS videographer FLOYD JHOCSON

Sittings editor ELYSE ILAGAN

Shoot coordination LOUIS ESGUERRA

CONTINUE READING: Nadine Lustre Gets Real About Connection, Creativity and Stepping Out Her Comfort Zone

Loving Nadine’s first covers for NYLON Manila? Wait until you find out that the giant glowing lotus was actually CGI-rendered from scratch.

CGI or “computer-generated imagery” has been around for quite some time now. While we mostly see them through the big screen, CGI has slowly become a form of art, not only in fashion, but also in music. With the pandemic still setting limitations, brands and artists had to get creative when it came to promotions and tapping their market. Lady Gaga for Paper Magazine‘s “Transformation” issue, Congolese brand Hanifa’s viral 3D runway, Vogue Taiwan’s 100% digitally-rendered “Future Is Transit” issue, and of course, the controversial Billie Eilish cover on NYLON Germany were all CGI—and now, Nadine Lustre for NYLON Manila.

How do you measure a year? For #NadineLustre (@hello_nadine), it was a whole lot of learning and unlearning, connecting and reconnecting, accepting and letting go in order to fully express her #truth. ?

Click here for the full #cover story: https://t.co/j9LsiPA8S9 pic.twitter.com/HIH59WS4Xu

— NYLON Manila (@NYLONManila) March 19, 2021

The artist behind it is 23-year old Filipino-Japanese CGI artist and director on the rise, Aya Reika Mayani. You might have seen her work in fellow Careless collaborator James Reid’s visualizer for SODA and on local music videos like folk singer Syd Hartha’s Hiwaga lyric video and hip-hop artist Because’s mv for BMW. She’s also gained quite the cult following along with her partner and co-creator, Zelijah, because of her surreal works that are out of this world. Now, she took on the challenge of creating 3D elements for Nadine’s first ever cover for NYLON Manila. We’ve had the pleasure of chatting with Aya Reika and below, she shares how she was able to establish herself and the struggles that she faced as a female creative.

What was the eye-opening project/moment/encounter that made you realize you want to work as a full-time 3D artist?

A very crucial factor on why I started learning 3D was the fact that my workflow (prior to learning so), felt very limited and two-dimensional. As soon as I’ve learned the ropes on my software, 3D felt like a purely limitless art form. It is powerful enough to visually translate a mental image, as well as my clients’ creative imagination.

What was the creative process like behind Nadine’s CGI covers?

Nadine’s CGI covers were a first for me! Being used to creating pure 3D artworks, it was a real challenge to incorporate 3D elements with a photo. Plus the fact that it was gonna be published on NYLON Manila definitely added to the pressure.

My creative process involved A LOT of trial and error, and admittedly a ton of YouTube tutorials and forums to achieve the look that I wanted. I’m glad it turned out the way it did.

What three words describe your work best?

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Precise, vibrant, and surreal.

What are the struggles you’ve encountered as a female creative and director on the rise?

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It can’t be denied that bias still exists, not just in my industry, but everywhere. I am often called “Sir” online, especially on my page where my photo’s not displayed. I’ve also experienced being looked down on just because of my gender and appearance. I don’t immediately take offense however, I know I am not an isolated case. When you’ve gone through a bad experience so many times, it only motivates you to become better. 

What are the milestones in your career so far?

When I think of milestone, Rico Blanco always comes to mind. I’ve grown up listening to his music, so the fact that I’ve worked with him will always feel surreal to me.

Another notable project is a children’s magazine which tackles Gender and Development. It reminds me that I am able to create art that could possibly make an impact on future generations.

Is there any dream project or client you would want to work on or with?

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A dream project would be to work with an artist from the international music scene! It’s always been my goal to raise the bar high for locally-made materials; and working with an international artist will prove that anyone can do it as long as you persevere and strive to grow in your craft. 

Navigating a life on her own, Nadine Lustre fosters creativity and nurtures connection, especially one that reaches out to the most important person in her life: herself.

Related: A HIGHER LOVE: HOW NADINE LUSTRE GOT HER GROOVE BACK

“Grabe naman ‘yung mga tanong mo…napapaisip talaga ako,” says Nadine Lustre with a laugh, breaking mid-way of what was turning out to be a most profound conversation. Well, she did challenge me to ask questions that were never asked of her in the circuit of chat, where the only concern is to get an elusive and exclusive out of her. “I want people to really get to know me on a deeper level,” she continues, expressing a desire to connect to a community far greater than she has before. And the audience that and more, especially since the singer and tireless creative has been really putting herself out there—heartbreak, honesty, and all.

Now, it isn’t just her music or her Instagram posts that lean towards the more introspective, because when carving out some time to really talk to Nadine Lustre, it wouldn’t take very long until she turns philosophical, talking at great length about everything from creating connections, confronting the emotional excess of her past and opening herself up more to experience everything life has to offer beyond her comfort zone.

Nadine Lustre Wants To Make That Connection

“I hope I’m making sense,” says Nadine Lustre after an extensive articulation about connection and how she sees the world today. Where she felt she was rambling on and on, there revealed a passionate discussion that totally didn’t need to be cushioned by an earnest assertion.

Taking bigger swings with what she thinks and feels, Nadine Lustre owns up to her confidence and the power within to really reach out to make a soul-stirring connection and to make people feel something. Where she once was encouraged to be tight-lipped or just smile through it all, she is now expressing herself the way she really wants to, no holds barred. “This is who I am,” she says. And needless to say, we cannot wait what else she has to say from here on out whether it is in song, on a social media post, or her actual paradigm shifting.

It’s about time.

You’ve been known to really expand yourself creatively beyond the confines of what people expect an artista to be. Where do you want to take this independence and what else can we expect from you with all that you are taking on?

Honestly, my vision board, everytime I look at it, Rihanna is always there. Just like her, it’s being able to create more…but with music still. When I look at all the things that I want to do, I want to create more brands, more creative things.

Right now, I’m working on a couple of brands, just like, fixing their branding or helping them out—and one is my mom’s business. You know, I didn’t study all these things. I wasn’t in marketing, I was actually a film student. So, it’s a completely different monster, you know? Right now, I would say that I’m training myself to learn how to do proper branding and marketing, observing online, connecting myself to people, asking for advice and all that. I’m still learning, but really, what I want to do is put out different products. Makeup we already started, and the perfume, we’re working on bringing it back.

What does connection mean for you and how do you relate it to your own life?

I feel like a lot of people when they say connection, it’s really just for, you know, for their circle. I think that’s what I’m trying to explain. A lot of people can be very selfish. They may not mean to, but that’s how it can be. In reality, I feel like people are supposed to care for each other—and not just for their own good. There’s so much more out there. Connection is something beautiful. Love is something beautiful, but it’s something that through the years and has been blurred out.

In your own way, how do you see connection and how it deeply affects us all in more ways than we may think of?

When I think of doing something good, I make sure that it also affects everyone else, not just certain people. When I do something, I want the community to be affected by it as well, because, imagine if we’re all in a good headspace, thinking beyond our immediate circles…Imagine how much how much better our lives would be? Imagine if we all acknowledge that connection, and we all decide to help each other out, and to make sure that everyone else in this world is doing well is doing good, imagine how that will be for every one of us? The world will be much better place to live in if we only just cared for everyone else. It always has to be beyond the self, then everything will be much better.

All things considered now, how do you understand love now?

Now, you see, a lot of people think that love is what’s around them. But in reality, it’s much more than that. Love is actually a universal language, you know? It is for everyone, and to show love, ‘yung sa kapwa mo…it’s as simple as smiling to a person, being kind to a person, that’s what it really is. Love doesn’t necessarily you know, like romantic love. By being kind, it’s also showing love to other people.

With everything going in your life then and at present, how do you keep yourself calm and centered?

It’s actually what I feel like I need to do right now, with all the things I’m working on. But for me, just give yourself time to relax, because sobrang nakakabaliw to keep working and working and working. Eventually, it takes a toll on your body and mental health. Because of the stress, it messes you up, even emotionally.

Me, I consciously slow down as much as possible—even when I argue that there aren’t enough hours in a day. What I do is I take a break, which is as simple as watering my plants or sitting down, watching TV, playing with my dog or eating good food. But I make sure to not touch my phone, otherwise that’s non-stop for me. Siyempre from all the work that you’ve been doing, you deserve time for yourself. This is also where I remind myself to “keep going, you’re doing good,” because sometimes we tend to forget to be kind to ourselves. It really helps me quiet things down and I’m able to do better and be better for myself.

CONTINUE READING: HER BRAVE NEW FRONT: NADINE LUSTRE IS NO LONGER HOLDING BACK

Creative direction ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA

Art direction KENNETH DIMAANO

Photography ED ENCLONA

Fashion, beauty direction and styling LYN ALUMNO

Makeup JELLY EUGENIO

Hairstyling PAUL NEBRES

CGI artist AYA REIKA

Fashion film videographer IAN FRANCISCO

BTS videographer FLOYD JHOCSON

Sittings editor ELYSE ILAGAN

Shoot coordination LOUIS ESGUERRA

An ever-evolving style chameleon, Nadine Lustre has tried it all. From wearing jelly sandals during her early days to rocking those Prada monolith boots years later, which style era fits you best?

READ MORE: A Higher Love: How Nadine Lustre Got Her Groove Back

Sweet Girl

Sugar, spice, and everything nice. Before she became the edgy Nadine Lustre she is today, she was sweet as cotton candy. Skater skirts, mini dresses, and jelly sandals anyone?

Boho Chic and Grunge

Do you remember the days when Tumblr took over? Always ahead of the curve, her love for crystals, gladiator sandals, chokers, and everything black was just a sign of things to come.

The Glamazon

*(Cue Kid Cudi.) Now look at this. Yes girl, give us everything! This era was undoubtedly the moment she was getting more recognition as a style icon. Those red carpet looks? One of those dresses started it all. IYKYK ?

Sporty Spice

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Miss Nadine Lustre over here was one of the first celebrities to make this trend popular in local mainstream culture. Bring in the baggy pants, the chunky sneakers, cropped tops, and a whole lot of 90s vibes.

God-tier Nadine Lustre

Make way for the Wildest Dreams era. It’s Nadine Lustre’s world and we’re just living in it. Having more than 60+ looks for her visual album last year was no joke. Taking on the out-of-this-world, she transformed from a sea deity, a mountain goddess to an otherworldly female. Has she ultimately reached her final form? No one knows.

Photos from Instagram: nadine, nadinelustre_ootds

CONTINUE READING: Why Nadine Lustre’s Wildest Dreams Should Be A Blueprint For Fashion Shows In The Future

Creative direction ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA

Art direction KENNETH DIMAANO

Photography ED ENCLONA

Fashion, beauty direction and styling LYN ALUMNO

Fashion film videographer IAN FRANCISCO

BTS videographer FLOYD JHOCSON

Sittings editor ELYSE ILAGAN

Makeup JELLY EUGENIO

Hairstyling PAUL NEBRES

CGI artist AYA REIKA

Shoot coordination LOUIS ESGUERRA

A story of healing and honesty, Nadine Lustre opens up about her past and present, surprising us where she wants to take her future.

Related: A HIGHER LOVE: HOW NADINE LUSTRE GOT HER GROOVE BACK

Nadine Lustre is a strong woman, perhaps stronger than one gives her credit for. However, despite having made no secret of her life and everything she has gone through so far, some still take great joy in dismissing or downright belittling her in the face of a carefully curated and considered approach to life. You know, as if they know any better.

“I guess it’s just people shitting on me, saying all these nasty things. If it weren’t for that, I don’t think I’d be strong-willed right now. I wouldn’t get to this mindset if it weren’t for that. Kunyare ako, a lot of people didn’t like me, even in production, which I couldn’t understand why. Parang ako naman, nice naman ako and all. But then it’s because of instances like that, which I’ll call bullying, that turned me into the woman that I am now—headstrong, doesn’t give a f*** what other people tell me. I listen to my heart and I do what I want to do,” she says defiantly. “That’s why all those haters or bashers online, it doesn’t affect me anymore. It’s because of their bullying that I became who I am now.”

It doesn’t really matter to Nadine Lustre anymore, because at the end of the day, you have all eyes on her, watching her every move. “I think the joke’s on you,” she laughs. “Kilalang-kilala mo ako, pero ayaw mo sa akin. So, that says a lot  about the other person, not me.”

Where she would once upon a time concern herself with this unnecessary cross to bear, she is no longer paying them any mind, because at this point, the most important consideration is herself.

And so continues the story of Nadine Lustre and her healing.

The Healing Of Nadine Lustre

“Now, I guess I would say that I’ve been kinder to myself. For you to experience life to the fullest, you have to be open to experience everything, all of these emotions, all of these experiences, you know, whatever it is that life has to offer,” says Nadine Lustre. “I have been so open lately and allowing everything to come my way—may it be a bad experience or something that will make me sad, or something that will make me angry. I don’t stop myself from experiencing these things. Because at the end of the day, it changes you. It builds you.”

It wasn’t always like this for her, however, because prior to really processing her emotions, even unearthing deeply buried traumas of the past, Nadine Lustre would rather just get things done and over with, put on a brave front, and carry on.

“Gusto ko, ‘pag tapos na, tapos, alam mo ‘yon? Or ‘pag may gusto akong mangyari, dapat mangyari na kaagad. But now, I’m allowing myself time to heal, to process things. Ganon kasi ako before, like in the breakup, which really changed me and my mindset,” she ruminates. “Before, I wanted to get over it to not get hurt or overthink about it or feel bad…We tend to do that just because we don’t want to be affected. Again, I wouldn’t say I’m completely healed from that, like I’m still going through it. But this time, I’m allowing the time and I’m not rushing myself. It would take a long time, but I know I’ll get there.”

No Holding Back

“I used to just completely shut off from people…no closure, no healing from past traumas, including friendships,” she recalls. “I’ve always been afraid of being left behind. I’m afraid of being abandoned, because that’s how it feels when you’re in a relationship for a long time and you separate. It changes you a lot. It makes you feel like there was something wrong with you that’s why the person left you. Before, I would blame myself. I would think to myself: ‘May pagkukulang ako or may ginawa ako.’” Turning a bit more somber than usual, Nadine Lustre admits to still falling trap to this from time to time, proving that progress isn’t a manicured path. “But you know, I would say I’m slowly ascending from that trauma. You can’t put a timeline on it. It’ll just happen,” she says.

“But of course, I won’t stop myself from feeling sad. That’s also four years of being together….it’s not like I’m not going to cry. Before, I would stop myself from crying because I’d think it would only make me more sad. When you stop feeling that or going through the process, you’re also not allowing yourself from taking a step higher. Sige, you cry about it, but when you’re done, you move on. But if I don’t cry about it, it’s going to stay there, bottle up, and eventually, I might break down and get messed up even more.”

In her exercise of self-actualization, Nadine Lustre is thinking about herself first. This time, she’s bravely going to a place she’s never gone to before—allowing herself to completely submit to the circumstance and let the feelings run its course. Now, there really is no more holding back.

Nadine Lustre On Self-Love

Holding this wisdom close to her heart, Nadine Lustre swears that aside from coming to terms with these initially unsettling truths, a serious case of self-care and self-love has to be considered in the journey of healing one’s weathered and withered soul. “It’s true, self-care and self-love is taking care of yourself, physically, like indulging in a long, nice shower (as evidenced by her posts with her favorite Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Body Wash and Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Body Lotion) or pampering yourself with skincare and all that. But for me, most importantly, self-care is giving yourself time and being patient,” she says.

“I believe in that kind of self-love, you have to take care of your physical self. Me, when it comes to taking care of my skin, you have to use the products that are really  good for you. To be honest, it took me so long to find the perfect skincare. Growing up, my skin gets irritated easily, and when the products are really strong, it would even get worse. It really is a journey and a process that you have to give it time. You really have to keep searching for the right product. It can’t be like, this product isn’t working for me, maybe my skin is just really bad. No, it’s really just because the product doesn’t sit well for your skin. You really have to go out to find the perfect one.”

Much like her continuing quest to achieving her best self, Nadine Lustre is just as conscious when it comes to the things that touches her skin. “You really have to check what’s in the product, because there could be a specific ingredient that is harmful or the skin cannot handle,” she says, which is why she trusts the right one for her skin, Bioten. “Definitely, aside from Bioten being on the same level as me on sustainability, it’s all natural. You can’t go wrong with that. And I mean, that’s where we get all that’s good for our body.”

More than anything, this manifestation of self-care is also a way to fine tune and resuscitate all the parts that makes us complete and content. As Nadine Lustre says, “Now, we really have to listen to not just our bodies, but our hearts and minds as well. We like to strike while the iron is hot, but it doesn’t always apply. You can do that, but you have your body or mind is saying otherwise.”

Her Wildest Dream

Nadine Lustre is not one to live with any regrets, especially at this point of her life, staking a claim on her brave new front. “There’s nothing that I would want change in my past. I feel like all of those experiences are essential. And all of the things that were said to me, all of the stupid things that I’ve done, all of my mistakes, and all of the people that I’ve met along the way, they were essential for me to achieve what I have and to be where I am now,” she says. “It’s like in movies, when you change something in the future changes or something in the present changes, and I don’t want that. I just want live life.”

So, where does she want this life to take her next?

“It’s as simple as having a house, either on a mountain or beside the beach. It’s not something people would usually think of when it comes to wildest dreams. But for me, it’s actually just being able to have my own place where I can be at peace, that’s it…that’s all I need.” Sure, it might sound like an oversimplified escape, especially for someone who many will argue already has the world and more. But that’s just it, Nadine Lustre will always be about the unexpected. Just when you think you got her all figured out, she will pull a fast one and surprise you, because all she really needs in this life is somewhere where she can just be.

Creative direction ANGELO RAMIREZ DE CARTAGENA

Art direction KENNETH DIMAANO

Photography ED ENCLONA

Fashion, beauty direction and styling LYN ALUMNO

Makeup JELLY EUGENIO

Hairstyling PAUL NEBRES

CGI artist AYA REIKA

Fashion film videographer IAN FRANCISCO

BTS videographer FLOYD JHOCSON

Sittings editor ELYSE ILAGAN

Shoot coordination LOUIS ESGUERRA