Jelmar Aragon Orig: I told myself someday I will be fabulous makeup artist

Photographer: Armando Simpliciano @uno5ingco.ph
Makeup Artist: Jelmar Aragon Orig @angelmeh08
Fashion Designer: Emil Sabijon Besitulo @emil_sabijon_besitulo_couture
Wardrobe Stylist: Andy Anoche Cauyan @masterhostman_andy
Model: Karlstar Madrideo Calibuso
Model: Rain C. Opalia
Model: Iche Calaguan Belen @nursearey
Model: Hussein Awada @husseinawada
Model: Ann X S Joy O. Magno @yangzkie16
Model: Kristen Ilas

Orig, can you please briefly introduce yourself. How your interest in the beauty industry has sparked?

I am Jelmar Orig a.k.a Angel Orig currently working as an Executive Secretary. During weekends I am a Make Up Artist, Content Creator and Host/Comedian in Thailand Restaurant. I can say my interest in the beauty industry started when I was in elementary school, grade 6 to be exact. When the 43rd Miss Universe was held in the Philippines in 1994, I am so fond of collecting play cards with pictures of the candidates that I was so thrilled with their makeup and looks. Until I stepped out in my high school, after class I usually hang out at beauty salons near our home watching veteran beauticians doing their extravagant hair and makeup thing and I was so amazed. I told myself someday I will be fabulous makeup artist.

Orig, what is the most exciting or challenging opportunity you had as a freelance artist? What's the project you are most proud of?

I will never forget the most exciting and challenging opportunity as a freelance artist when I was featured as a Hair & Make Up Artist first time in International Magazine, overwhelming it is! you know being an ordinary artist it’s enough for me to see the sparkling eyes and priceless smile of my clients after facing the mirror even if is for free or compensated. Bonus is this weird feeling that your talent is being recognized internationally along with the masterpiece of great artists in their respective countries that gives me so much pride and joy. Yes it's not just about the money, it is all about the love for your passion.

You have an impressive portfolio. How would you describe your signature look and what is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?

You can easily notice a common and ordinary makeup if the artist just enhanced their look and put a little glow on it. But not all clients are satisfied and confident with that look, make up enhancement alone is not enough. And that’s where my expertise needed! proud to say that my signature look is the total makeover and makeup transformation. I let them feel that my makeup is like a jewelry to their face. I explore and practice much creativity by playing with every color, shapes and their face structure that transform them into a more confident and dazzling look like they can see a different strong persona from within and that sets me apart from other makeup artists.

Can you tell us about a memorable moment you had while doing makeup?

I will never forget my first time to do a paid makeup service, that was JS Prom event in one of private school in our town. My friend Carlo Alcantara and I approached some students who were part of the promenade party. Being a beginner, we are not so sure what will be the right makeup shades and application to begin with, but take note we are so confident facing our clients kudos! We agreed that for junior students we will use pink eyeshadow and red lipstick because they are wearing pink cocktail dress and for senior students we will apply blue eyeshadow and pink lipstick because they are wearing blue cocktail dress. Presto! 8 lovely ladies are ready for their JS Prom, thank you for the confidence by the way. Every time we remember that moment we are laughing so hard. You know not all professionals start out well and they knew everything. Of course we start with the very basic foundation of our skills until we can say we are proficient, we are credible and a professional one. But always put in mind that we should not stop, we still need to study and learn every single day because life is a learning process. We will never stop learning because life will never stop teaching.

Can you name some of your favorite hair and makeup products to use? What three makeup items should no woman leave home without?

Schwarzkopf, TRESemme’, L’oreal and AG Mousse Gel are my favorite hair alliance. I’m a fan of MAC Studio Fix (Foundation, Powder & concealer) & MAC lipstick. For eyeshadow palette, and others I’ll go for Huda Beauty, Viseart, Lorac Pro Palette Noir, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Nars Extreme, Maybelline New York, Revlon, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Estee Lauder, Cover Girl, Cover FX, NYX, Urban Decay and e.l.f. Cosmetics. But in all honesty, I can go for any brands as long as it is a makeup brand cause I love makeups. And for you lovely girls do not leave your crib without wearing or having the eyebrow gel or powder cause eyebrow is life, second is the mascara that gives life to your eyes and the woman’s best friend the small but terrible lipstick.

What's the best advice you as a hair and makeup artist have ever gotten?

I remember when my candidate won in a beauty pageant in our town, there is one well known and versatile makeup artist in our town approached me and told me this "Congratulations! You did a great job, you are a promising makeup artist, just love your passion and always keep your feet on the ground. I will share to you my secret, especially in eye makeup just blend, blend and blend”.

What would you say is the most challenging part of hair and makeup business?

Perhaps the most challenging part of hair and makeup business is how to establish yourself and your skills as a credible artist. Yes you can invest equipment, tools, a business property location and your most precious time. But what if you do not satisfy your customers and no one wants to try your makeup at all, worst is they will spread to other customers that you don't work well even though you have been in this industry for a long time.

What has been the highlight of your career so far and what are your hopes/dreams for the future?

The highlight of my career is “NOW” right at this very moment that I am answering your interview. I am getting emotional and feeling nostalgic. I remember when I bought this cheapest cracky foundation and a plastic makeup organizer like the one that they use in manicure and pedicure. 20 years ago I started dreaming that I would be a full -fledged makeup artist and earn money as a makeup artist. And now I am not just a makeup artist, I am a recognized Advanced Professional that has been featured in international magazines till date. First I am so thankful to our dear Lord for giving me all these blessings, to my loving Orig and Aragon Family and let me take this opportunity to give my sincere gratitude to our Master Photographer Armando Simpliciano of Uno Singco Photography, our dear brother and stylist in heaven Roberto “Barbie” Felix Jr., our fabulous and ever kind Designers Emil of Emil Besitulo Haute Couture, Jocel De Las Flores our E-I-C Benelito Hobayan, Creative Directors Gabriel Baes Jr. , Edwin Obra and Andy Anoche Cauyan the rest of Studio Twelve and Benevolent Volunteer Family Rique Abanes, Christopher Cayanan, Adonis Durante, Ruben Amarandon and Eric Francisco, to my HMUA great mentors Rhoda Merle, Pongkoy Ayapana and Ate Zandro Matienzo in heaven, to my best of friends Richard Encomeo, Francis Caranay, Sef San Miguel, Sugar Meneses, Kharla Alcantara, Chocoy Sicadsicad, Bryle Quizada, Philip Gamboa, Allan Pinon, Armand Palaganas and to you Malvie Magazine THANK YOU SO MUCH!. But it doesn’t stop here, I will never stop till one day I will be able to join Patrick Starr, Bretman Rock, Val Garland and Dominic Skinner of Glow Up as a celebrity Makeup Artist.

Where can our readers keep up with your work and get connected with you?

Please follow me at my Instagram @angelmeh08 (Angel Orig Touch), don’t forget to subscribe to my youtube channel “Angel Orig Vlog” and please do like my Facebook page Angel Orig Vlog and you can add me as Angel Orig. To our makeup artist readers and friends, don’t hold yourself back and always know that you are capable of anything you set your mind to. Aim high, follow your dreams, reach your goal but always keep your feet on the ground keep safe and God bless.