As the country experienced surging temperatures, the Filipinos kept it cool with the refreshing rhythms of “Pantropiko,” the November 2023 hit single of P-Pop girl group BINI. With the sun at its highest peak and the addicting tunes of their song, this girl group undoubtedly made the summer of 2024 unofficially theirs.
Their song was inescapable. It was heard across classrooms, clubs, and supermarkets, and the digital world had the tropical beat echoing on Facebook feeds and TikTok FYPs. When April landed, the “Pantropiko” performance video had surpassed seven million views on YouTube, while their first concert at the New Frontier Theater was sold out in less than two hours, leading their label, Star Music, to open two more show dates due to popular demand. As May came in, the girl group was included in Teen Vogue‘s list of girl groups to watch out for in 2024, and they shortly dethroned Taylor Swift for the #1 spot on Spotify Philippines’ Daily Top Artists chart in June. Talk about an instant climb—very rightfully so!
This level of hype was long overdue for the ABS-CBN Star Hunt Academy-trained girl group, since they first tested the waters at the end of 2020 with a cover of Smokey Mountain’s “Da Coconut Nut.” With a whopping four years and 11 music videos later, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena’s powerful vocal chops, stellar flow, and synchronized choreography have earned the support of a legion of fans (called Blooms) from all over the world, and that is not an exaggeration. In that time, they’ve served up a bevy of hair and makeup looks that fans have tried to replicate. From the bronze highlights and smokey eyes of “Born to Win” to the iridescent highlights and sparkling gems of BINIverse, they’ve definitely come a long way from being the fresh-faced lip-tint-and-pulbos (or baby powder)-girlies in the “Coconut Nut” video.
It’s a given that all the members have distinct faces and personalities, and because of that, their glam team took their time to figure out the makeup looks that would suit them individually. One of the group’s main hair and makeup artists, Angeline Tan, has been with the group since 2022. She shares that “working with BINI is a constant learning process.” Tan explains that the team would often experiment with various trends, specifically a mix of Western and K-Beauty techniques, to see what would work for the girls, who, by the way, all have very Filipina features.
When their June BINIverse concert happened, it unofficially served as the Glam team’s culmination of sorts. Tan shared that they collectively worked on a holographic concept for all three days so they could take advantage of the theater’s stage lights. From duo-chrome highlights to rhinestones, all of these were used to bring out that extra sparkle with each member’s movements.
One thing worth noting is that the P-Pop makeup scene has yet to find its distinct quality like K-Pop, as Tan mentions, but she does hope we will get there soon. Since BINI is still on the road to greater heights, we can’t wait to see how the girls inspire new makeup and hair trends that will bring us closer to making a uniquely Filipino mark in the beauty world. For now, let’s take this time to dive headfirst into the best of BINI beauty.
Meet the MUAs
With BINI’s many appearances and events in just one week, the group has a glam team system that has several hair and makeup artists on rotation. While some of the HMUAs tend to be assigned to the same members, it is common for these assignments to not be set in stone, and they are shuffled depending on everyone’s availability. Here, we round up some of the more consistent HMUA members of Team BINI.
Carell Garcia
Before taking up the celebrity makeup artist gig, Garcia’s background started with bridal makeup, giving her an edge in achieving timeless looks that look natural and seamless, on and off camera. She has been a constant in BINI’s changes throughout the years, and that includes working with them on their latest music video, “Cherry On Top.”
Being a constant means that she has worked with all of the members already, but her bronze goddess look for BINI Aiah in the “Golden Arrow” music video and her recent makeup looks for Gwen (see: Gwen’s birthday shoot and her Salamin, Salamin makeup challenge) have been receiving much love from the fans.
Garcia often takes her cues from Western makeup trends, as seen in her mastery of the dramatic yet natural lash and eyeshadow techniques that can truly make your eyes pop. It’s no wonder why she’s the MUA-of-choice of many celebrities, including Barbie Imperial and Elisse Joson.
Julius Cabanisas
Cabanisas is one of the more seasoned members of the BINI glam team since he’s been with them since their Born to Win era. His work leans more towards the glam side of soft glam, making him a favorite of Andrea Brillantes and Sue Ramirez. For those who are looking for makeup tips and tricks, Cabasinas shares his behind-the-scenes look at the BINI makeup process on TikTok.
Angeline Tan
Ever since Angeline Tan joined the glam team two years ago, she has also been honing her craft and continuously growing alongside the members. Her edge now includes creating a glowy, pearlescent makeup finish, as well as the jelly lips we mostly see in Thai makeup styles. Not one to shy away from experimenting, Tan would also incorporate gems and stickers into the look if it would fit the occasion the girls are attending. And one more thing: She’s the HMUA responsible for the show-stopping ‘Mikha Lim AI’ look from the first leg of BINIverse. This style translates very well on-stage, which is why she’s also a favorite of Chie Filomeno and Toni Sia.
Theresa Padin
Besides her work in BINI, she’s also known as Moira Dela Torre’s go-to MUA, and you’ll recognize her work if you spot the singer’s trademark freckled, sun-kissed looks. This signature was translated onto the girl group as well as seen on the glittery ‘confetti’ freckle look for Colet that became a well-loved makeup inspiration for the fans. Speaking of their fans, they are especially vocal about how Padin can effortlessly translate K-Pop makeup looks onto morena skin tones. On top of that, many also commended her for her ability to enhance her clients’ natural beauty with her go-to flushed cheeks and bushy brow techniques.
Binibini Roll Call
The Talaarawan era marked a cultural reset for the girl group because most of their hit tracks fall under this album, and that includes their most iconic makeup looks. One of them was “Salamin, Salamin,” and when they released the music video last March, this gave them the time to play around with colored eyeliner and fun face stickers that reflect their personalities in a quirky manner. Since they all have their own signature looks, it’s best if we get to know Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena below through their signature makeup and hair looks.
Aiah
As a former beauty queen, Aiah brings an air of sophistication to the group’s overall vibe. Her lips have been compared to a Bratz doll’s—a look that she likes to play into when she lines her lips with a nudish-brown shade and tops it off with a peachier gloss. Though her preference for smokier eye looks and fuller lips can make her seem intimidating at first, she’s known for her bright and friendly personality.
Colet
Since their debut era, Colet has displayed a strong stage presence because of her foxy features, which she emphasizes with a slick cat eye. Recently, she and fellow member Maloi went viral for their stunning graduation pictures, which featured the two in their school uniforms and graduation togas. Colet’s look, consisting of a very natural igari blush, subtle aegyosal, and shimmery eyeshadow with a brighter shade dusted in the inner corner of the eyes, makes a good case for adapting K-pop beauty trends to morena skin types.
Maloi
Dubbed by some as the “Nation’s Girlfriend” because of her girlfriend-vibe Instagram posts, fashionista Maloi absolutely devours K-pop and Douyin makeup because of her doll-like features. Monochromatic undereye blush and glittery eyelids, dewy highlights, and individual lashes are some staples in the signature BINI Maloi look, which is often completed with a pair of colored contacts and the infamous Bayonetta glasses.
Gwen
Lead vocalist and rapper Gwen’s sharp features and chic bob hairstyle have often been described as modelesque. Makeup artist Tan says this makes for a blank canvas, making it easier for her to pull off fiercer looks. In music videos and editorial shoots, there’s a lot of emphasis on her cut-crease eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, and strong nose contour that fittingly draw attention to the microexpressions she likes to bring out while performing.
Stacey
Rapper and vocalist Stacey is the ultimate girl crush, playing the sweetheart-who-can-cut-you card with ease thanks to her favorite colors to wear (black and pink). Her love for these hues translates to her go-to makeup shades as well—you’ll often spot her cheeks dusted with bright pink and peachy tones, topped with some dramatic false eyelashes.
Mikha
Mikha’s crimson locks made such a big impact online that they even inspired their own TikTok challenge, where people lip-synced to Pantropiko while trying out the red hair filter. While her earlier makeup leaned towards the light and natural K-pop trend, her hair color has made it easier to experiment with bolder looks. The main rapper and visual of the group also has very thick brows (now also dyed red!), and those brows are responsible for the intense gaze that gets Blooms swooning.
Jhoanna
Group leader Jhoanna’s high cheekbones and morena skin tone make her face the perfect canvas for intense makeup looks. Tan shares that they usually add more contour and drama to Jhoanna’s face through deep eyeshadow shades and thick false eyelashes, finishing off with a lip liner to accentuate her lips. Don’t be fooled, though—Jhoanna is known to be one of the warmest people around and has a smile that can make you melt.
Sheena
Tan describes Sheena’s look as very “cutie cutie,” which matches the youngest member’s quirky personality perfectly. Her makeup tends towards the softer side, with more purple and pinkish tones for the blush and lips. Off-duty, she often spots a more sun-kissed, natural look that has her applying blush across her cheeks and nose.
Salamin, Salamin: Get the BINI beauty look
Get started on your P-pop look. BINI makeup artist Angeline Tan shares the products she swears by, along with other beauty must-haves inspired by BINI that we discovered, too. Try them and you’ll be calling yourself BINI_[insert your name here] in no time!
Colored Contact Lenses
P269, Shopee
“I always tell my clients that sometimes the [contact] lens is what makes artists look like artists because their impact is so big,” says Tan. “I always convince them to wear lenses because they make your eyes look more lively on stage. BINI always wears them when they have performances. Maloi likes the ones with the outer rings. With an outer ring, your eyes are more defined. Without the outer ring, it gives off creamy, subtle vibes.”
Face Stickers
P45, Lazada
Another way to instantly glam up and artist-fy a look? Face stickers. From sparkly gems to cutesy pearls, there are plenty of options to deck your face with. It’s the of-the-moment beauty accessory to level up your makeup look!
Peripera Tints
P392, Shopee
The makeup artist finds herself drawn to the Peripera Ink Velvet, Peripera Water Bare Tint, and Peripera Ink Mood Glowy Tint. “The shades are very pretty, and the formula is good, and it’s very glowy,” she shares.
Romand Lip Pencil
P409, Shopee
The secret’s in the lips. According to Tan, “In Korean, Thai, and Douyin makeup, thick lip pencils are very popular—the ones that aren’t super thin. This is so that it looks blurred but it still makes the lips thicker. [The] Romand is the best so far out of all the lip pencils that I’ve tried because it doesn’t move when I put the tints/glosses.”
Got 2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray
P2,139, Lazada
Last but not least: hair spray. It’s the not-so-secret of the stars to keep their hair intact despite the intense moves. An ultra-sleeky, high ponytail or blunt-cut bangs that stay in place are nothing without this!
Collage by Dannah Valdezco. Bini group photo via Angeline Tan instagram. Pink scrap magazine paper by © Taisiya Kozorez. Retro computer by © annetdebar. Hand holding mirror by © Aris Leoven. Hand holding makeup brush by © Icons8 Photos via canva.com
