Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m the Deputy Associate Editor at Preview.ph. I love traveling to adventurous places and being close to the ocean (which is why my husband and I thought to have our wedding at La Union).
What’s the inspiration behind your wedding look?
I’m not all comfortable in heavy makeup, so I asked my makeup artist to use a light hand. The look I wanted was very minimal, all I asked for was winged eyeliner and clean skin to keep the focus on my dress.
Who designed your wedding gown, and how did you come up with the style? How long did it take to create or find the perfect wedding dress?
I enlisted Arnold Galang to make my wedding gown. My husband and I have been working with him for around five years now and he knows all our quirky outfit specifications (especially because we’re so particular with what we wear).
I asked him if he was willing to make my gown in July but our first fitting was in October (I was veeeery lax with the prep), from there it took around 3-4 more fittings to get everything right. When we were designing my dress, all I knew was that I DID NOT want lace, beading, sleeves, or any of the other usual elements brides use at their disposal. I did know, however, that I wanted loads and loads of tulle.
After rounds of debates with my inner voice and numerous consultations with my Pinterest board, Arnold and I finally decided on a design. For the top, I wanted a backless bodysuit with structured bows on my shoulders (it’s all about that drama!), and for my skirt, I opted for something slightly sheer with a train.
How did you choose your hair and makeup artist? Did you have any hair and makeup pegs?
I didn’t actually choose my glam team! One of my sister’s best friends is Chinky Tanjangco (my makeup artist), and she booked her in advance as a wedding present for me. I’m really glad she did, though! One less thing I had to worry about.
During the makeup and hair trial, Chinky and I struggled with our artistic vision. I was adamant about wearing very light makeup. I asked for soft, blurred brows, barely-there foundation, a nude lip, absolutely no blush or contour, and a little highlighter. That’s it. After a lot of back and forth, we finally settled on a simple, light look for the wedding. On the day itself, when she finally saw me in my dress, she understood why I was so stubborn! Haha.
As for my hair, I stuck to what I knew. I’ve had the same blunt bob for almost five years now, and I didn’t plan on changing that just for my wedding. All I asked for was a simple blow dry. That’s it!
What lip color did you choose for the wedding day?
I wore MAC’s Persistence. Just a nude lip. I’m not a fan of how I look like with lipstick on, so we chose a taupe-y brown nude to keep everything simple.
“As for my hair, I stuck to what I knew. I’ve had the same blunt bob for almost five years now, and I didn’t plan on changing that just for my wedding.”
What was in your wedding day makeup kit/pouch?
My makeup artist gave me a bit of the lip color to touch up with and powdered blotting sheets. Honestly, I handed it off to my maid of honor and never saw it after. I was having too much fun to blot or reapply!
What were the preparations you did for your skin prior to the wedding day? Did you go to a skincare center regularly? What kind of services did you have done? Is this something you would recommend to other brides-to-be?
Since I was very insistent on wearing minimal makeup, I had to make sure my skin was in good shape. Six months before my wedding I had my eyebrows microbladed at Strokes, did beauty drips at The Aivee Clinic to maintain a glow and keep my tan even, used sheet masks every other day to keep my skin hydrated, and had two facials in the two months leading up to the big date.
A day before my wedding a huge pimple appeared on my chin. I was at the beach at the time and didn’t have access to dermatologists or their magic pimple injections. All I could do was soak it in crushed aspirin tablets (for the salicylic acid!) and relied heavily on Tata Harper’s Clarifying Spot Solution to make it smaller without making it angry.
“Since I was very insistent on wearing minimal makeup, I had to make sure my skin was in good shape.”
“You can plan and plan, but when the day comes, all you can do is work through whatever hiccups that happen.”
What was the best beauty advice you received that helped you prepare for your wedding?
Let it all go on the wedding day! It helped a lot because you really have no control over what happens that day. You can plan and plan, but when the day comes, all you can do is work through whatever hiccups that happen. Not exactly beauty advice, but it’s a day when all eyes will be on you, and if you’re stressed it will definitely show!
How about in terms of fitness? What did you do months before the wedding to stay in shape and make sure your wedding dress fit perfectly? Did you enroll in a gym or fitness center? What was your diet like?
I’ve been exercising three to four times a week for around four years now, so I wasn’t too crazy about my fitness regimen. What I did change was my diet, I cut out refined sugar three months before my wedding in an effort to cut out candy from my life. (I did eat a slice of wedding cake, though!)
Did you have your nails done? If so, where? Would you recommend this nail salon to others?
Funny story, everyone, including my bridesmaids and family, had their nails done before we all headed to the beach. They kept telling me that I needed to do the same, but I wasn’t even thinking of my nails. The night before, I packed a denim blue nail polish (Chanel’s Blue Boy) and hoped for the best. I had my mom cut and shape my nails the day before the wedding and I painted them while I had my hair done.
What was your biggest takeaway from your wedding day? Do you have any beauty-related tips you’d like to share to upcoming brides?
The biggest takeaway is that a bride looks radiant because she is happy. On that day, you’ll be showing your happiest self and if you let that shine through, you don’t have to worry about anything else. (Well, that and have a team of professionals you trust. Once that’s settled, everything else will be smooth sailing!)
“A bride looks radiant because she is happy.”
Wedding Team
Photographer: Atlas Studios
Videographer: Celwyn Abasolo
MUA: Chinky Tanjangco
Hair: Johan Pilo
Gown by: Arnold Galang