This is an excerpt from August 2026 Main Beauty
We often hear that heav y is the head that wears the crown. Here, we’d rather believe glorious is the hair upon which it rests. Shaped by meticulous hands and worn by women who command both poise and presence, these creations blur the line between coiffure and couture. Every look celebrates the craftsmanship behind a true crowning glory, reminding us that beautiful things take time, patience, and an uncompromising eye
RELATED: Jewels of the Universe: The Elegant History of Miss Universe Crowns
Bun Intended
The classic pageant bun has always prized precision. Here, Miss Supranational Philippines 2027 Allyson Hetland pushes that tradition into sculptural territory. Hair folds, twists, and rises with deliberate structure, refusing to disappear neatly into the background. It becomes the conversation piece, lending height, shape, and architectural elegance to the entire look, proving that elegance sometimes arrives in the hands of true artisanship
The Long Game
There’s long hair, and then there’s hair that becomes movement itself. On Miss Charm Philippines 2026 Apriel Smith, sleek strands extend beyond expectation, transforming classic pageant polish into an almost surreal statement. The gloss remains immaculate, but scale becomes the story. As the hair flows, swings, and catches light, it creates a shape that feels more runway than finals night. The effect is dramatic— less about volume than uninterrupted length, proving that sometimes fashion’s boldest gesture is simply refusing to stop
Volume Up
Big hair has always been a tenet of beauty queen presentation, but on Miss Cosmo Philippines 2026 Bella Ysmael, it speaks an entirely different language. Amplified waves and generous volume give the hair command, paying tribute to bold proportions that seem to never fall out of fashion. Every lift and sweep brings the look to life, reimagining the timeless bombshell with regal confidence— stately, sweeping, and authoritative
Curve Appeal
Hair architecture takes on a graphic elegance with Miss Eco International Philippines 2027 Jenrose Javier. Sculpted loops and sweeping curves transform the classic bun into its own bow— exploring line, proportion, and negative space. Its polished finish lends each contour remarkable clarity, creating a silhouette that feels both deliberate and distinctly modern
Heads Will Turn
Miss Tourism World Philippines 2026 Marian Arellano transforms the classic pageant updo into something far more whimsical than ceremonial. What once existed to support a crown now becomes the crown itself, with exaggerated volume rising into a silhouette that commands attention 360°. The bun stretches proportion without sacrificing refinement, proving that restraint and excess can coexist. It reminds us that the most memorable hair doesn’t merely frame the face—it is the look
Haute Stuff
With Miss Worldwide Philippines 2026 Nicole Borromeo, the bun becomes an objet d’art. Intricate construction replaces predictability as strands are shaped into a composition that feels as considered as couture. Every angle reveals another detail, inviting the eye to linger. While rooted in the polished discipline of pageant styling, the result belongs unmistakably to fashion, where technique is celebrated as visibly as beauty itself
Photographed by XAVIER MALLARI. Art Direction by CLARE MAGNO. Sittings Editors AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON and MARA GO. Produced by THESSMAR LECTURA. Hair by REESE ROQUE (Allyson Hetland, Apriel Smith, Marian Arellano) and GABRIEL GARCIA (Bella Ysmael, Jenrose Javier, Nicole Borromeo). Makeup by NIX SORIANO assisted by PATRICIA MARCAIDA of NIX INSTITUTE OF BEAUTY (Apriel Smith, Bella Ysmael, Jenrose Javier) and LEILANI BAMBA-RIZON of NIX INSTITUTE OF BEAUTY (Allyson Hetland, Marian Arellano, Nicole Borromeo). Styling by JONES PALTENG. Styling Assistant JOMA BERNARDO. Photography Assistant ANTONIO BAYLON JR. Special thanks to EMPIRE/MERCATOR TALENT AGENCY and NIX INSTITUTE OF BEAUTY
Frequently Asked Questions
MEGA’s August 2026 beauty feature includes six Miss Philippines queens: Allyson Hetland (Miss Supranational Philippines 2027), Apriel Smith (Miss Charm Philippines 2026), Bella Ysmael (Miss Cosmo Philippines 2026), Jenrose Javier (Miss Eco International Philippines 2027), Marian Arellano (Miss Tourism World Philippines 2026), and Nicole Borromeo (Miss Worldwide Philippines 2026).
The editorial showcases six distinct pageant hairstyles: a sculptural architectural bun by Allyson Hetland, ultra-long sleek lengths by Apriel Smith, amplified bombshell waves by Bella Ysmael, sculpted loop-and-curve buns by Jenrose Javier, an exaggerated-volume updo by Marian Arellano, and an intricate couture bun composition by Nicole Borromeo.
Allyson Hetland is Miss Supranational Philippines 2027, a Filipina-American titleholder representing Pampanga. She is featured in MEGA’s August 2026 beauty editorial for her sculptural architectural bun — a precision styling approach that transforms the classic pageant updo into an editorial statement piece.
Apriel Smith is Miss Charm Philippines 2026, a Cebuana beauty queen with over a decade of experience on the Philippine pageant circuit. She is known for competing across multiple national pageants and is featured in MEGA’s August 2026 issue for her ultra-long, sleek hair that transforms classic pageant polish into a runway-scale fashion statement.
Hair for the editorial was done by Reese Roque, who styled Allyson Hetland, Apriel Smith, and Marian Arellano, and Gabriel Garcia, who styled Bella Ysmael, Jenrose Javier, and Nicole Borromeo. Makeup was by Nix Soriano assisted by stylists from Nix Institute of Beauty. The feature was photographed by Xavier Mallari with art direction by Clare Magno.
