In the fourth edition of BeautyCon, MEGA welcomed one and all to the Beauty Academy, where learning more about beauty meant revisiting the basics
In the ever-evolving world of beauty, it pays to be curious and informed. Nowhere is this more evident than in the local beauty scene, where local brands have grown increasingly innovative, whether it be through a wider shade range, one-of-a-kind formulations, or products that even the global market has never seen before. This is the heart of MEGA BeautyCon, and for 2024, it was all about revisiting the essentials.
RELATED: All the Best Moments at MEGAStyle BeautyCon 2023
The team welcomed guests to its very own Beauty Academy, where industry veterans, enthusiasts, and curious newcomers came together for a one-day event brimming with beauty lessons, immersive activities, and exclusive goodies designed to enrich their beauty know-how. Held at the Glorietta Activity Center, it reimagined the venue into a lively campus, where each corner offered attendees a lesson or two about beauty. Here’s a recap of the day at the Beauty Academy.
Setting the Beauty Stage
The day opened with a dance performance by world-champion dance crew Legit Status. Represented by four talented members, the group brought a fierce hip-hop routine set to tracks from music royalties such as Rihanna and Nicki Minaj. Their performance set the tone for an unforgettable day ahead at the Beauty Academy.
A high-energy event calls for not just one, but two hosts who can keep up with the energy, and Janeena Chan and Micha Gayle were the perfect pair for the task. As the ultimate class beadles, they led guests through the beauty academy experience, facilitating engaging discussions and interviews with industry experts. There was no shortage of energy from start to finish, and we have them to thank.
Memory Makers
To commemorate the experience, guests snapped photos in front of MEGA’s pink lockers, which were plastered with stickers reminiscent of actual university lockers. There was also a mobile Korean photobooth by Funkyfoto that captured moments the guests could take home as keepsakes.
Plus, guests had the option to customize their own jewelry from Russet Accessories and get personalized bag charms from local brand Shop Monica.
A Word from the Director
As guests settled, class officially commenced with a warm welcome from MEGA Beauty Director Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon. Reflecting on her journey as a beauty editor, she emphasized the importance of education in the industry. “Education was something that I deemed important in the world of beauty,” she shared. “I always felt that my calling was to give readers something that they could keep in their hearts and minds forever.”
Agoo also invited attendees to explore the beauty playground set up for the day, promising an enriching experience for all who participate. “Each segment has been envisioned with you, beauty enthusiasts, in mind,” Agoo continued. As she concluded, she reminded everyone of the transformative potential of events like BeautyCon, inspiring a community that supports local creatives and celebrates beauty in all its forms.
After this, guests watched a brief video introducing the MEGA Beauty Awards 2024—a curated showcase of the industry’s best in beauty. It not only celebrated the standout products and services worthy of recognition but also reinforced the core mission of all these events: a tribute to beauty excellence in the country.
Classes in Session
Your Best Hair
It was time for the real learning to begin. Kicking off the series of masterclasses was a session on “Your Best Hair” led by no other than hairstylist Suyen Salazar.
With host and content creator Nicole Andersson as her muse, Suyen demonstrated three hairstyles—elevated blow-dried locks, soft curls, and a sleek bun—that anyone could easily recreate with the right tools and techniques. Throughout the session, she shared insider tips, such as drying your hair up to 90% before even reaching for a brush.
Perfecting the Base
Next up was makeup artist Jason Delos Reyes who guided attendees through the art of achieving the perfect base. Through his muse and model Lou Yanong, Jason took everyone step by step, covering everything from prepping the skin to setting the face.
A surprising tip from Jason? He doesn’t believe in makeup primers; he claims that just the right kind of moisturizer can do the trick.
Lips and Cheeks 101
Following that was makeup artist Thazzia Falek, who enlightened the crowd—quite literally. Her session was all about achieving the coveted glazed blush look and sculpted lips through her muse, Nikki de Moura, Miss Grand Philippines 2023.
Thazzia shared handy tips like using a water-based blush and skipping powders for that fresh glow. For the lips, she revealed her preference for lip liners over lipsticks, pointing out that they tend to last much longer.
Chrome and Glitter
Up next was makeup artist Janica Cleto who led a masterclass on creating the perfect sparkly lid. She worked her out-of-the-box creativity in makeup on her muse, Raejell Roxas.
From prepping the eyes to strategically placing pigment, glitter, and shine using just the fingers, Janica ended up with a vibrant eye look in hues of blue and purple. Dreamy is an understatement.
Foundations of Flawless Hair
The final masterclass for the day was led by hairstylist and salon owner Mark Anthony Rosales. A strong believer in scalp health and total wellness, he showcased a hair scanner consultation on his muse, Sofia Pablo, demonstrating how it can assess and address your hair needs.
Mark’s session was an insightful one. As he explained each step, he emphasized the importance of scalp care, coining the term “skinnification” to remind everyone that your scalp is your skin, too.
The Beauty Buzz
Between the masterclasses, guests were free to explore the different brand booths around the activity center at this year’s BeautyCon. Each booth was designed to cater to the guests and showcase their product offerings. With spaces from Aivee Skin, Y.O.U. Beauty, Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group, Fairy Skin, Barenbliss, Pina Skincare, and Dazzle Me, where each offered something new, there was never a dull moment.
Each corner of the venue was filled with activity, thanks to MEGA’s lineup of partner brands for BeautyCon 2024, including RPS Aesthetics, Pure Collagen Beauty, Zionne, Lavojoy, Asul, Smarter Dose, and Gorgeous Glow. Brand representatives also hopped on stage to share the stories behind their brands and highlight their must-have products, turning even the in-between moments into a mini-beauty lesson.
The excitement ramped up as a lineup of celebrity owners and ambassadors graced the stage to share their passion for beauty and the brands they represent. Internet personality Small Laude charmed the crowd, talking about her experience with Pure Beauty Collagen and why she swears by it for that elusive “inner glow.”
Beauty queen-turned-entrepreneur Celeste Cortesi took to the stage to highlight the importance of lip care, explaining how this inspired her to launch her own brand, Asul. Beauty content creator Joselle Alandy, an avid user of Barenbliss, was also present and shared how well their products work on her sensitive skin and why she’s a fan.
The MEGA Beauty Bag
As a sweet reward for those who completed their attendance cards—meaning they explored and participated in every booth—guests were gifted an exclusive Beauty Bag.
Each was packed with a recent copy of MEGA Magazine and a selection of products from Pouf, Pure Beauty Collagen, Y.O.U. Beauty, Zionne, Fairy Skin, Pina Skincare, Dazzle Me, Smarter Dose, and Gorgeous Glow to name a few. It was the perfect gift to let guests take home a bit of the magic they’d experienced throughout the day.
The beauty world can feel overwhelming, but sometimes it’s the basics that make all the difference. Events like the MEGA BeautyCon remind us that a little knowledge goes a long way—and there’s always room to learn more. After all, beauty is about the joy of discovery, whether it’s finding the right technique or uncovering a new favorite brand.
Special thanks to AIVEE SKIN, Y.O.U. BEAUTY, LUXE BEAUTY & WELLNESS GROUP, FAIRY SKIN, BARENBLISS, PINA SKINCARE, DAZZLE ME, REAL PERFECTION, RPS AESTHETICS, GLUTAWORKS, ZIONNE, LAVOJOY, ASUL, SMARTER DOSE, and GORGEOUS GLOW
Photographed by EXCEL PANLAQUE, GRANT BABIA, KIERAN PUNAY, and KIM SANTOS
