UNBOXING BEAUTY
METAMORPHOSIS BY MALONNE URSAL PANGAN
Some stories begin with “once upon a time,” but Malonne Ursal Pangan’s story begins with a unique trinket.
Sometimes the biggest gifts in life aren’t perfectly wrapped with a bow strung on top. In Malonne Ursal Pangan’s case, it started with a little pink makeup box.
Malonne hadn’t always planned to be a makeup artist. Not at first, anyway. He toyed with the idea of being a director while working as a host and choreographer. But when he began freelancing as a makeup artist 10 years ago, he walked a path that would later bring his career to new heights.
Even in his early days as a makeup artist, Malonne always skewed towards simple and classic beauty.
“When I became a makeup artist, I [envisioned] a bridal look that was timeless and natural. A look that would be ‘in’ even after 20 years or more, with a little touch of modern glam to make them look trendy yet classy.”
Given this inclination, it’s no surprise that his clients still glow in the photos.
Using nude shadows and rosy lips, there’s a particular mastery that Malonne displays in each of his work. It’s not about applying products to create an image, but about defining someone’s existing beauty.
But this isn’t something lightly earned. To achieve this, Malonne has to earn his clients’ trust.
“It is very important that there should be relationship between the makeup artist and the bride. She has her standards and I have mine, you have to meet in between. I want my bride to see the results of their stressful preps. We are the mood-setters during the wedding. The goal is to make her happy, aside from making her pretty.”
Malonne’s clients share that his team is a friendly bunch and Malonne is aware that his work can complete his clients’ day. And it’s a responsibility that he doesn’t take for granted.
This approach has earned him clients such as actress Sheryl Cruz, and a blossoming business: Metamorphosis by Malonne Ursal Pangan and Cocoon Makeup Studio by Malonne Ursal Pangan.
Still, Malonne never forgets to look back on his roots, recalling that everything began with a pink makeup box. Because in the same way that classic beauty is timeless, he knows that humility is, too.