EXCLUSIVE: How Jelly Eugenio Turned Nadine Lustre into a Masculine Muse for RAJO MAN

EXCLUSIVE: How Jelly Eugenio Turned Nadine Lustre into a Masculine Muse for RAJO MAN

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In a bold case for androgyny, Nadine Lustre defies the traditional with makeup artist Jelly Eugenio’s transformative touch. Here’s how he did it

Runways have seen it all, but every so often, something comes along that departs from the playbook of the conventional. At the RAJO MAN show, Nadine Lustre sported a masculine look that—while seemingly familiar—looks anything but. She was the sole lady on the runway yet fit right in with the gents. She embodied the presence and posture of a masculine muse, a transformation made possible by her long-time confidant and makeup artist Jelly Eugenio. It defied expectations, even flipping gender norms on its head—but did we truly expect anything less? In an exclusive interview, Jelly takes MEGA behind the scenes, sharing how he reimagined a familiar face into a daring new persona and revealing what it took to bring Nadine’s alter-ego to life. 

Nadine Lustre makeup for RAJO MAN

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(Wo)man of the Hour

The RAJO MAN show was a house of firsts—Rajo Laurel’s first presentation at BYS Fashion Week, his first all-menswear runway show, and Nadine’s first full foray into androgyny.

While it was new territory for them, it wasn’t all that surprising for Jelly; in fact, it was just another day at the studio. “I’m used to it,” shared Jelly. “It felt like doing my own makeup, just on another person’s face. Honestly, this look only took me about 15 minutes,” laughed the makeup artist. 

Nadine Lustre for RAJO MAN

Let it be known, though, that this isn’t Nadine’s first tango with menswear. One look at her closet makes this clear, with a trove of boxy polos, slouchy denims, and other pieces straight from your boyfriend’s wardrobe. But this was more than just throwing on an oversized suit; it was a profound metamorphosis, like shedding old skin to reveal a new person. Jelly’s deft touch was pivotal in this look, crafting something that was both daring and, in some way, reassuringly familiar.

Sculpting Anew

Nadine’s androgynous look was a mind game. According to Jelly, it all boiled down to the sculpt. 

Nadine Lustre for RAJO MAN

“The look focused on sculpting to create masculine features,” the makeup artist explained. He added depth to strategic points: contours of the inner eye, the outer wing, and her eyebrows, sharpening her gaze and angles akin to a man’s. “I wanted to achieve hyper-real skin with makeup,” Eugenio added. “Raw, dewy, freckled, structured, and contoured, all in the right places.” It was truly all in the details—small and subtle yet packed a punch and made all the difference.


Featured Image and Photos: JELLY EUGENIO and MEGA ARCHIVES

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