Valentina slithers back to life through Janella Salvador’s serpentine-inspired look. Here’s how makeup artist Carissa Cielo Medved achieved it
There’s a fine line between danger and beauty tread by those who dare walk it—Cleopatra’s allure commanded empires, Medusa’s gaze turned lovers to stone, and Helen of Troy’s face started a war. This duality finds a home in Valentina—mother of all serpents, Darna’s archnemesis, and one of the most iconic characters in Philippine fiction. Actress Janella Salvador played the character in the 2022 television series where she seamlessly fused power, menace, and beauty into one captivating persona. Now, Valentina is back, slinking back into the spotlight not as the untouchable supervillain she once was but as a key personality on Drag Race Philippines. Here, MEGA talks to makeup artist Carissa Cielo Medved on how their team brought Janella’s iconic character back to life, revealing all the tips and makeup products to make it happen.
The Revival
Janella appeared as a guest judge in Episode 9 of Drag Race Philippines Season 3. She was clad in a gold and black ensemble featuring a cinched waist, a snake-shaped top, and a hood that elegantly draped over her curled locks a-la-Medusa. Channeling Valentina in every detail, she completed her look with a fierce serpentine makeup that marked her return to the spotlight—just as bold and unapologetic, but a lot more human and elegant this time around.
The vision for Janella’s look wasn’t entirely a nod to her past role; it also aimed to bring the same creativity and novelty that queens bring to the Drag Race stage every week. This was what moved the actress’ makeup artist Carissa Cielo Medved to pitch this look. “What I love about Janella is that she’s really game to experiment with looks,” Carissa shared. “I’m really glad that she was so excited when I pitched it to her.”
Interestingly, the inspiration for this look drew from more than just the classic villain but also pop royalty Taylor Swift. “The makeup look we did was actually inspired by her iconic role Valentina in the Darna series, with a touch of Taylor Swift’s Reputation and Eras Tour,” Carissa told MEGA. Truly, the old Valentina can’t come to the phone right now; she’s off embracing a more chic and high-glam version of herself.
The Serpent’s Eye
One closer look at Janella and her eyes did all the talking—fiery, focused, and fierce. She had on an intricate graphic lid that elegantly swept from the inner corner to the outer edge of her face, mimicking the sinuous curve of a snake. Carissa shared with MEGA the very steps she followed to create this look.
“I first prepped the eye with primer and glitter primer, built a smooth deep dark brown color as a base, and added more depth into the crease, since [Janella] has hooded eyes,” shared the makeup artist. After tracing the serpentine shape with an ultra-black eyeliner, she embellished it with black metallic glitter and Swarovski crystals. To top it off, Janella wore a venomous shade of light green lenses, creating an almost hypnotic effect that draws you in like the serpent queen herself.
For the lips, Carissa opted for a more subdued look to balance the bold eye. She combined different shades of brown to define Janella’s lips, then layered various Lisa Eldridge products for a luscious, soft brown pout with a glossy finish.
Janella’s transformation was a savvy choice for a stage like Drag Race Philippines where creativity has always reigned supreme. Role after role, the actress once again shows that making a statement is more than just beauty, it demands a certain level of audacity only a few can pull off.
Featured Image and Photos: CLAUDE VILLAHERMOSA (via Instagram)
