As told to Firas Abboud. Edited by Elaine Natividad Reyes.
Part 1: Marj, The Beauty Girl
“The earliest memory I have of being introduced to beauty was probably in first grade. My parents had enrolled me in ballet, and for performances, I had to wear makeup. I didn’t know how to do it myself, so my mom would do it for me.
I also vividly remember playing around with my mom’s vanity when I was younger. I’d mix Johnson’s baby powder with lotion, basically destroying her beauty products! But to me, it felt like I was conducting beauty experiments. It was never about messing with her things; I was just curious and fascinated by beauty.
Looking back, I think my true “beauty girl” journey started in college. I was a cheerleader for DLSU, and when UAAP season came around, our team captain announced that we had to bring our makeup kits for practice. We would do our own makeup, and she would check if it met halftime performance standards. That excited me a lot.
At the time, I didn’t even own a makeup kit. Local beauty wasn’t as thriving as it is now, so I went to Watsons and picked up a few things—a Maybelline foundation that only had two shades and a long Revlon eyeshadow palette. Brows weren’t a big deal back then, and while lipsticks were in, I wouldn’t put them on during performances so it’s not a full face. My foundation was at least two to three shades lighter than my actual skin tone, but I would still work with it.
That was also the peak of the YouTube beauty guru era. I loved watching tutorials, but I never really recreated anything. It was just about learning and enjoying the process. Over time, my teammates started coming to me for beauty advice. Even though I didn’t think I was particularly good at it, they saw me as the beauty girl.
After college, I knew I had to work in beauty—whether in sales, marketing, or even behind the scenes. I applied everywhere: SSI, Rustan’s, L’Oréal. A friend from college worked at Calyxta, and I reached out, eager to join, even as an intern. Calyxta was a small company—less than ten of us, all women. We called it a sorority because we did everything together, from marketing to shooting content.
Eventually, I moved to Lazada, initially placed in the Mother & Baby category instead of beauty. I told myself I’d transfer if a beauty spot opened up, but when the opportunity came, I decided to stay. Looking back, that was a period where I was just going through the motions—waking up, going to work, repeat.
Then the pandemic hit. Suddenly I was home, and I felt this urge to create beauty content—even if it was just friends and family watching. I was getting views, but not really performing well. It didn’t feel like a career, just something I loved doing—even though filming and editing took hours.
Then TikTok happened. Back then, it was mostly dancing videos, but I noticed a few people doing beauty. I thought, “Okay, this I resonate with.” So I posted. The views were decent. When people started commenting things like, “What lip are you wearing?” I’d reply with videos—and that’s how it grew. That’s also when I realized, “Oh, I like it here.”
“Eventually, things really started to take off—more brands wanted to collaborate, and I was finally finding my place in the industry. I’ll always remember the ones who took a chance on me early on.”
—Marj Maroket
My first beauty video was titled ‘Get Ready With Me While I’m Sad.’ I wasn’t talking, just applying makeup in my pajamas with Sza’s ‘Good Days’ playing in the background. People loved it. That was the start. I vividly remember that being the start.
PR packages started arriving, brands began inviting me to events, and I even got opportunities to go live on Lazada. There was a bit of a conflict with my full-time job at first, but we managed to work it out. Eventually, things really started to take off—more brands wanted to collaborate, and I was finally finding my place in the industry. I’ll always remember the ones who took a chance on me early on.”
Part 2: Marj, The Bride
“I’ve always dreamt of a big, fairytale wedding—hundreds of guests, a destination event. I even had old Pinterest mood boards from years ago, filled with dresses I wouldn’t wear now. Trends change, after all.
But beauty? That wasn’t something I had planned. It wasn’t until I started booking suppliers that I realized how important it was to me. My first priority was securing my wedding coordinator, then Jaja Samaniego and Jelly Eugenio—my dream photographer and makeup artist. Their availability determined my wedding date.
On TikTok, followers constantly ask me, “Are you doing your own makeup?” “If not, Who’s doing it?” They’ve even been trying to guess my makeup artist. I didn’t reveal it on TikTok, but people have been guessing it’s Jelly because they also see us on social media—that we’re friends and we work together as well.
So Jelly and I, along with Jaja and hairstylist Paul Nebres, did a test shoot at Pinto Art Museum with the dress and everything, the outfit changes, and makeup looks. Jelly made a mood board, directing the entire creative vision. I just trust him so much. We experimented with different styles—lashes, lip colors, even contact lenses. I rarely get my makeup done professionally, so I made sure it was a collaborative process. I never want to dislike my makeup and blame myself for not speaking up.
For example, when we did our trial with Jelly, I was not used to how Jelly does brows. It’s thick and bold, and I want a more natural-looking brow. It scared me at first, but he told me to trust him. When I saw the photos, I understood why—my brows looked so pretty and so good. That’s the thing about working with experts; sometimes, you just have to trust them.
It was the same with Paul and my hair. I’ve always felt prettiest with my hair down, but for the ceremony, we tried slicked-back styles to suit the dress—and I had to let go a little and trust Paul’s eye. Sometimes, I think something looks good, but hearing other perspectives helps. It doesn’t mean I always follow them, but it’s good to know where they’re coming from.
By the way, I’m a Dior bride. For my ceremony makeup, I went all in with one brand—Dior—because I truly love their products. I’m especially particular about base makeup; it’s my favorite part, and I want my skin to look flawless. Thankfully, Dior’s foundation and concealer more than met my high standards. They also have amazing eyeshadows and some of my favorite lipsticks, so it was a no-brainer. If I was going to commit to a one-brand look, it had to be a brand that delivered on all the key products—and Dior did just that.
For my welcome party, though, I wanted to champion Filipino beauty brands. Jelly always has Filipino brands in his kit, but I also brought from mine. So many local brands trust me and work with me, and I genuinely love and use their products daily. It only felt right to include them in my wedding.
One of the best compliments I’ve ever received came from one of the brands—Estée Lauder. They said they really love my content because I can do both mass and prestige beauty. That’s exactly what I aim for. I want to break the misconception that local beauty isn’t as good as high-end brands. There’s room for everything in my routine—some days, it’s all local; other days, it’s all luxury; most days, it’s a mix.
I’m also lucky to have built strong relationships with beauty brands over the years. Many of them supported me, not because I asked, but because they genuinely wanted to be part of the journey—from the welcome kits to my bridesmaids’ glam. Beauty is what I’m known for, and it only felt right to extend that love to my family and closest friends. It’s such a nice feeling, seeing the brands I love show up for me in this way—they’re just happy to be there.”
Part 3: Dear Marj, from Marj
“I always thought I’d be married by 21 or between 21 to 25. I was so, so decided. I want to be married and have kids at this age. But looking back, I realize how young that was. I was a hopeless romantic back then, dreaming of love, but I hadn’t found my true passion or calling at the time. Now, I have a career that I love and a fiancé who supports me and lets me pursue my dreams.
So, to my younger self: Don’t rush into anything. Enjoy your life. And never be afraid to put yourself out there. Ignore everyone who thinks you’re cringe. Because being ‘cringe’ got you here.
And yes, you’re getting married! It’s happening.”
Jelly Eugenio Shares the Look Behind the Glam
The sought-after makeup artist reveals the creative process behind Marj’s stunning wedding day glow.
The Beauty Edit: What was it like collaborating with Marj on her wedding look?
Jelly: It was fun and actually really exciting to collaborate with her for makeup looks because she knows all the good products for her face—and so I had to review what she uses. I would ask her but most of the time, I also have my own products. On the first day, we used local products, and on the second day [the wedding day], Dior.
You’ve done Marj’s makeup before—are there any specific techniques or rituals you always follow when working with her?
For her wedding day—and actually, in general—she prefers a specific lash style called a C curl in professional terms. This means a more curved shape that opens up the eyes in a rounder way, rather than a winged eye. My style is more of a snatched, winged eye, so I had to incorporate both my style and her style. If you noticed, her lashes on the actual wedding day had a rounder effect, it’s a little bit longer and more on the curled side because that’s specifically what she wanted.
Very important is skin prep—we like to put a mask on her first so that we keep it very hydrated although she puts on her skincare in the morning as well. For the base, it has to be sof- matte then I’ll just add highlighter later on because we want the makeup to last since it’s a long event.
Most of all, I just show her the steps every time. I always ask her, “Are you happy with this, with this color?” With the eyebrows, specifically, if I change her eyebrows, it’s going to change her face. She has a specific style of doing her eyebrows which I also [took into consideration]. It looks more like her—instead of a different version of herself—because I want her to look like herself because it’s her wedding day.
The general idea there is [the look] has to be approved by her and by me. The products we also discuss—we also did a lot of trials. [I think] we’re also in the safe zone because I’ve done her makeup for four to five times now.
Can you share specific products you used on Marj?
On the wedding day, we used Dior—90 percent is Dior. The highlighter is very important, the quad is 003 Gold. I used it for the cheeks, also for the eyes. It’s one of the key products and that’s also where we got the inspiration because the eye look is more like a sunset; we want to emphasize her morena skin so it’s more like a sunset—glowing, bronzy.
We still managed to inject some pinks, the nude lip is the Nude Look Lip Glow from Dior. Also the lip liner—there’s a dark pink lip liner mixed with the nude lip liner. I added a little bit of a stronger contour; I used the Dior 200 palette, they call it the Color & Glow. We contoured her nose a lot, her eyebrows are more of her style, the blush is actually a sample of a product coming out—it’s one of my collaborations na local.
Why do you think choosing the right makeup look and makeup artist is important, especially for a wedding?
Choosing the right makeup look and makeup artist is very important because that’s your face that you’re going to see for the rest of your life. It’s important that you look like yourself—and you’re happy with your makeup. Being able to pick the right makeup artist [crucial] because [it’s like] we calm you down during the wedding.
Important yung professional (it is important that the person is professional)—they know what they’re doing, and you jive with your makeup artist because they’re like your best friend for the day. We even give you directions on how to walk, which isn’t necessarily a role makeup artists are expected to play, but it’s an added touch since we’re the ones you spend the most time with.
Capturing Love: Jaja Samaniego on the Art of Marj’s Wedding Photos
Jaja shares the magic of photographing Marj’s unforgettable day and the moments that made it all come to life.
The Beauty Edit: What was it like capturing Marj at her wedding?
Jaja: Working with Marj was an absolute dream. She has this quiet power about her—so self-assured and so present—and I think that’s exactly why people are naturally drawn to her. What stood out most wasn’t just how stunning she looked, but how grounded, kind, and gracious she remained throughout the entire day. She carried herself with such calm and grace, and that energy set the tone for everyone around her. Every shot felt effortless—because she wasn’t just a beautiful bride, she was completely herself.
Knowing Marj’s affinity for beauty, did that influence how you approached her photographs?
Marj’s deep understanding of beauty definitely played a role but in the best, most collaborative way. She knew what worked for her, how to carry herself, and had a strong awareness of her presence on camera. At the same time, she completely trusted me with my vision, which made the whole process feel effortless. There was a strong mutual trust that allowed me to create with intention, without overthinking.
The bridal shoot we did weeks before the wedding also helped build that connection, allowing us to establish a solid rapport early on. But on the wedding day, it wasn’t just about making her look beautiful. She already had that covered. It was about capturing the essence of who she is with Brendan and how deeply connected she is and fully present for the people she cares about.
You said in your Instagram story that you always knew she’s a Jaja bride. What made you say so?
From the very beginning, Marj embodied everything I would describe as a “Jaja bride.” She knew exactly what she wanted—a true go-getter with a clear vision but carried it all with calm, unassuming grace. There was no fuss, no pressure. She had this quiet confidence that didn’t need to prove anything, and that made working with her feel so natural. That strength, combined with how genuine and grounded she is, made it clear early on that she wasn’t just aligned with my vision—she was the very definition of it.
What is something people don’t know or would be surprised to know about wedding photography?
A lot of people see the beautiful photos but don’t realize how much of wedding photography is about anticipation, quick thinking, and staying calm under pressure. Beyond the physical demands, it’s about constantly adapting because no matter how much you plan, there are always things you can’t control. Like with Marj and Brendan’s wedding: just minutes before she was supposed to walk down the aisle, it suddenly poured. Guests were huddled under umbrellas, and everything came to a halt. But in moments like that, experience really matters. You have to stay composed not just to get the shot, but to help keep the energy steady for the couple. It’s not just about capturing the day, it’s about helping hold it together, too.
