Red is powerful in small doses, but Winwyn Marquez didn’t come to sip. Draped in a scarlet so bold it made the red carpet envious, the Miss Universe Philippines delegate from Muntinlupa City took the shade at full volume—gown, lips, gaze—blurring the line between grace and audacity. Makeup artist Pong Niu carefully curated detail to serve the bigger picture. Here, she breaks down the vision, the process, and the exact products behind it.
RELATED: Can Winwyn Carry the Marquez Legacy in Pageantry?
Lady in Red
“While looking at her gown, I was thinking of an evening red carpet event,” Niu tells MEGA. “With her complexion, the true Filipina morena ayaw pakabog complexion, I thought to do glamour and structured makeup on her.”
One might expect a bold red dress to demand restraint, like a soft and demure glam to let the fabric do the talking. But Marquez doubled down on it in a way that felt striking and cohesive rather than overwhelming. Despite the intensity of the reds and browns, nothing about the look veered into aging or overly harsh. The secret? Tuning in, not toning down.
The Beauty Breakdown
Niu built Winwyn’s look with a lineup of cult-favorite luxury formulas, layering a flawless base, seamless contour, and rich, warm eyeshadow to balance the intensity of her red Ryan Ablaza Uson piece.
Every shade worked with, and not against, her red-on-red moment. “I made sure that the placement of her eyeshadow and the choice of neutral browns, paired with a warm brown-red lip color, would complement her warm golden undertone,” Niu explained.
When asked what made this look special, Niu didn’t just credit technique, but pointed to the women wearing it. “In this season of her life, I believe she exudes strength, confidence, compassion, and leadership,” Niu said. “These characteristics made the look I imagined come to fruition.”
This red speaks to the fierce drive propelling her return to the pageant scene, a force as unstoppable as the legacy she carries. This look, like her journey, is more than a beauty moment; it’s a declaration that she’s back, hotter and hungrier than ever, ready to cinch a new crown.
Featured Image and Photos: SEVEN BARRETTO, WINWYN MARQUEZ (via Instagram)
