How transformative can beauty be? In the hands of Thazzia Falek, BJ Pascual turns into a supernatural being, embodying what the future holds for beauty
There’s a timeless truth in those age-old sayings of “two heads are better than one” and “it takes two flints to make a fire” that hit home in the creative industry. But it pays to ponder why. Is it the comfort of camaraderie? The thrilling exchange of ideas? For makeup artist Thazzia Falek, working with her muse and renowned Filipino photographer BJ Pascual is never just another gig. Each encounter is more than a project but a creative odyssey—an expedition into uncharted territory that births new personas and realities each time. When these creatives come together, boundaries are pushed, concepts are explored, and a whole new realm opens for reimagining beauty and the arts.
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To welcome Halloween, MEGA makes a bold turn from the eerie and ghastly to focus on the power of transformation. It celebrates the way makeup can morph anyone into an entirely new persona, even if only for a night. Here, Thazzia takes us to an alternate reality—one where BJ turns into a sci-fi avatar—and it’s one of the most imaginative projects they’ve done yet.
Beauty of the Unreal
Thazzia Falek’s makeup portfolio abounds in beauty shots. She elevates every face into its best version—natural and luminous in the right places—and turns everyone into a “superstar,” as BJ puts it. Yet for this MEGA shoot, the team took a radical turn to something much more experimental as Thazzia turns BJ into an otherworldly character. But what sparked this idea?
Thazzia was inspired by artificial intelligence or the AI-generated effect that her work on BJ exudes. Put simply, she makes BJ look computer-generated.
“The look we always go for is AI in real life, ‘AI I-R-L.’ She knows how to transform your face into a better version of your face without it looking too much.”
– BJ Pascual on Thazzia Falek’s approach to makeup
These AI-generated characters are known for their near-perfect aesthetics—poreless skin, impeccably contoured features, and all other qualities that defy reality. And though we’ve learned that perfect is almost totally out of reach, Thazzia takes her muse to prove otherwise. “He has such a perfect face. His features are so perfect,” she shared. “Everything—hindi lang sa ugali—but even the face. So we just wanted to emphasize that.”
Pascual is one of the biggest names in the industry for his skill in fashion and editorial photography. He’s a visionary behind the lens, yet here he stands in front of it, embracing the role of the subject. It’s not a twist of fate; he’s straddling both words, embodying both creator and canvas all at once.
Inside the Artist’s Mind
The day unfolded like a mini-movie, each layout revealing a clear story arc that’s intriguing as it is visually appealing. It begins with BJ looking like he’s stepped out of a sci-fi flick, clad in metallic body armor and an otherworldly glow, but still human. He enters a cold chamber and awaits a transformation into whatever it is that comes next.
“For this, what we did was we portrayed BJ as himself,” shared the makeup artist. When asked about her creative process, she started with the basics. “A lot of skincare,” she said. “I always have to start with skin prep. You need a flawless base, clean skin, then a lot of layers—but just thin layers— of skin care.” Thazzia reveals that there’s not much to do when working with a muse as “flawless” as BJ, only the elevation of his natural features.
BJ stepped out of the chamber, and it was clear something had changed. No longer just human, he had hints of the future that blended reality and fantasy. The makeup done by Thazzia revealed another layer to her skill—poreless glass skin, silver face lace, and a metallic sheen that traced down his neck. The effect was mesmerizing, blurring the lines between man and machine.
When asked about how such elaborate ideas come to life, Falek opens up about their maker-and-muse dynamic.
“Every collaboration is always a play of ideas. From there, BJ hands over control, letting me work my magic.”
– Thazzia Falek on working with BJ Pascual
It’s a rare kind of synergy—one where neither overshadows the other despite the natural urge to take the lead. They share the same remote, so to speak, trading it back and forth and switching channels to let the other shine when it counts.
New Character Unlocked
By the end, BJ was now a hybrid—half flesh, half synth.
He wore a sleek metallic ensemble that signaled the final act of his three-part transformation and reflected a fashion-forward future. Thazzia’s signature poreless canvas remained intact, but there were metal face lace and iridescent lines that amplified his contours. Glowing strips of light danced across his features, captivating all who gazed upon him. It was hard to look away.
When asked about her approach to makeup when working together, Thazzia sums it up in three words: new character unlocked. And it’s not limited to the makeup looks that she creates for BJ; every stroke of the brush is intentional. Every collaboration peels back a layer, each time revealing a new persona that enriches Thazzia as a creative. “There’s really something about working with BJ in general,” she said. “We bounce off of each other’s creativity, and from there, we create what we create.”
Yet it bears noting that their bond isn’t founded on partiality or favoritism, or an inclination towards BJ for being well-known. “Each of my muses has their own set of genuinely unique traits,” Thazzia expressed. “There is no comparison, just an abundance of growth and creativity with each collaboration.” It speaks volumes about her caliber as an artist, laser-focused on the craft to be done rather than trend-chasing or catering to a celebrity. Ego stays out the door.
This speaks to Thazzia’s character as both an artist and a person. “She dropped everything and flew to New York just to do my makeup!” shared BJ, who just recently attended the CFDA Fashion Awards.
Whether braving this ten-hour shoot with MEGA or hopping continents for an international project, Thazzia is centered, steadfast, and sincere—qualities that stay with her long after the makeup’s wiped away. And if it’s true that skill takes you places but it’s character that keeps you there, Thazzia’s imprint on the industry is well underway.
Photographed by ALAN SEGUI. Creative Direction by GALLAHAN EAST and THAZZIA FALEK. Photo Manipulation by VINCE CANLAPAN. Makeup by THAZZIA FALEK. Hair by DALE MALLARI. Styled by GEE JOCSON, assisted by BOLO PASCUAL. Production Design by PRINCESS BARRETTO. Styling Associates ANGELO VASALLO and JASON MAGO. Shoot Coordination by JOANA FERNANDO. Sittings Editor MIA CASTRO
Special thanks to MELA SERRANILLA and ZION PHILIPPINES
