“I hope to be able to use my over two decades’ worth of experience to help educate readers on the benefits of a ‘wellness-first’ approach to beauty,” says MEGA Beauty Director Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon
Beauty meets a new vision as the country’s best fashion magazine officially names Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon its new MEGA Beauty Director. “The last time I was part of the world of publishing was back in 2015,” she reminisced as we navigated her role. “A lot has changed since then, and I’d like to somehow be able to impart some of the knowledge and skills I’ve learned in the past but at the same time also evolve as I navigate through this new role with MEGA. I’d like to challenge myself to produce beauty-related content that inspires and empowers people.”
There is more to look forward to from Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon as she brings her expertise and her vision to MEGA. To find out what she has in store for all of us, we sat down and chatted about her beauty beginnings, her definition of beauty, and how she plans to bring in a positive change in the industry through her new role.
On her career
Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon has made a name for herself as one of the most reliable beauty experts in the field. Given her success, it’s quite surprising for her to confess that entering the beauty industry wasn’t her initial plan. “Right after college, I knew I wanted to pursue a career related to my course, Psychology,” she confessed. “I applied as a preschool teacher right after graduating, and although I enjoyed two years teaching the most adorable toddlers, I felt like my calling was elsewhere.”
Call it fate, but the right opportunity led her to the right path. “Luckily, there was an opening for a Beauty Editor position just when I was thinking about switching careers, and fortunately, I landed the job. I’ve been in the beauty industry since, and I’ve been loving every minute.” MEGA’s newest Beauty Director also recalled the best moments in her career.
On defining beauty
As mentioned in a previously-released article, beauty origins are undeniably the best story to tell. Agoo, for example, shared one of the most relatable moments. “My mom says that when I was a little girl, she caught me tinkering with her makeup in her bathroom. I apparently applied all sorts of colors on my face and was giddy just being surrounded by makeup. I guess I’ve just always been fascinated with beauty ever since.”
Apart from her promising portfolio and expertise, Agoo’s approach to modern beauty can’t be left unnoticed. “I think that in the past, beauty was more superficial and focused more on visual appreciation. Beauty now delves so much deeper—it encompasses more aspects so that it includes self-care and well-being. Additionally, there is now an emphasis on the importance of inclusivity so that there isn’t just one mold to look at or admire. We’ve definitely come a long way in that we now see beauty in a spectrum of skin tones and a myriad of facial features and body types.”
On what is next
Now that Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon is officially named MEGA’s Beauty Director, she looks forward to bringing a positive, realistic, and empowering narrative to the beauty page. “I hope to be able to use my over two decades’ worth of experience to help educate readers on the benefits of a ‘wellness-first’ approach to beauty.” she shared. “I’d like to highlight healthy-looking fresh complexions first and foremost, then feature makeup as a great add-on to complement great skin or as a form of self-expression. My priority will be to show how natural beauty—flaws and all—should be appreciated.”
It’s undeniable that Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon is meant to be in the beauty industry. And this time, she is determined to change the game. “I hope to be able to enlighten the minds of the youth, in particular, to love themselves no matter what, and to refrain from comparing themselves to others, especially those over-filtered versions of people that they see on social media that are simply unrealistic and create lots of self-esteem issues.”