For 16 years, Iowani Unpingco has built an incredible body of work in the world of makeup artistry. Now, as he continues to embrace each meaningful moment, he is now ready to see where his path leads him
This is an excerpt from MEGA September 2024 Artist Confidential story.
Unpingco has that kind of it-boy charisma that silently commands attention: an undeniable leading man look, a scene-stealer sense of style, and a great personality. “There’s a part of me that’s been quietly evolving—I’m deep into my fitness era,” he answers when asked about his life outside makeup artistry. “The gym has become my second home, where classes and personal routines push my limits and challenge me in ways I crave. It’s more than just a workout; it’s a vibe with those chasing that same rush.”
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“Then there’s my skincare obsession. I’m serious about keeping my skin hydrated and nourished, with a routine that’s practically sacred. Regular trips to Avignon Clinic? Non-negotiable,” he continues. “And when I’m not hustling or glowing up, it’s all about family time.” Such are the factors that make it easy to assume that he has been working in front of the camera. But to our surprise, he confesses “You know, this is my first-ever feature. I’ve never done anything like this before—maybe that’s why I’m also nervous.”
He feels more calm talking about his sixteen-year residency in the world of makeup artistry. “I never imagined that what started as a little hobby would turn into my true path,” he shares. “My passion for makeup runs so deep that even with an early call time, you’ll find me there an hour early, ready to set up. It’s that kind of dedication that drives me. I feel incredibly blessed to not only do what I do but to genuinely love every moment of it.”
Unpingco’s love for beauty is rooted at home. “I grew up watching my lola carefully do her kilay (eyebrows) and makeup,” he reminisces. “There was something magical in her transformation—she was confident and radiant. I didn’t get it back then, but one day, curiosity got the best of me. I peeked into her bag, grabbed that kilay pencil, and went to my room. I started drawing my own kilay, and in that moment, I saw something new in me.”
He continues, “It’s wild to think that something as simple as an eyebrow pencil could unlock such confidence. Fast forward to now, I never imagined this would be my career, where I get to share that newfound confidence with my clients. It’s like coming full circle, and it all started with lola’s kilay.”
However, his path to arriving at the harmonious place in his career wasn’t the easiest one. When asked about the challenges he faced, he points out the inevitable “Handling back-to-back makeup clients, each with their own unique skin types, textures, and challenges — all of these can be a whirlwind,” he shares. Eventually, he was finally able to understand: the makeup table is a vibrant mess, a testament to the creativity poured into each look.
Inside the years of mastering the art of glam, the makeup artist admits that drag has truly revolutionized his relationship with makeup. “I spent years focusing on enhancing natural beauty with precision—clean lines, perfect blends, and those go-to neutral palettes. But drag? Drag is a whole different world,” he says. “It’s where creativity knows no limits. It allowed me to step outside the box and tap into a more daring, fantastical side of makeup. Suddenly, I wasn’t just enhancing beauty; I was creating it from scratch, playing with colors and techniques that are rarely touched in traditional glam.”
Unpingco understands the power that drag culture holds — it is more than just entertainment; at its core, it’s a form of protest. “It’s a powerful way to challenge traditional notions of gender and identity, pushing boundaries and providing a platform for creativity to flourish,” he explains. “Through drag, we see the bold, unapologetic celebration of individuality—a reminder that art can be a force for change.”
Read more about Iowani Unpingco’s complete beauty story in MEGA’s September 2024 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Photography JHARWIN CASTANEDA. Sittings Editor AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON. Art Direction BRIE VENTURA. Styling RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Photography Assistants ALHON CELIS. Makeup Assistants NJ DE TORRES. Hair GAB VILLEGAS. Styling Assistants. Model MAXIE ANDREISON. Fashion AARON DE CHAVEZ, KIAN PASCUAL, MUGLER x GENTLE MONSTER, RYUJI SHIOMITSU ATELIER, Assistants: PATRICIA NAOMI CRUZ, JUSTINE SABALVARO AND NICHOLE ANNE PURA.
