Celebrity makeup artist turns skin woes into mission to educate on skincare

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July 3, 2026 | 8:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Long before becoming a sought-after celebrity makeup artist, Marlou Colina was a teenager battling acne, insecurity, and relentless bullying over his skin.

Recalling his younger years, Colina shared how his personal experiences fueled his passion for skincare and eventually shaped his career.

"I was an acne patient. Growing up I was insecure. I was bullied. Hindi maganda skin namin. Alam niyo Chin Chun Su? Extra Derm, lahat yan ginamit ko. Wala naman ako access and pera for derma. So high school, volleyball, ang sigaw sa buong gym, 'Chin Chun Su!'" he recalled. 

Colina referenced two popular affordable beauty brands he used to address his skin woes during a time when he had limited means of buying the best skincare products available in the market. 

Although his skin gradually improved, Colina said his struggles returned after moving to the United States. Change of weather and environment was followed with a pimple breakout for the new immigrant. 

He recalled being called names for having a bad skin. 

"Gumanda na balat ko kahit papano. Pero nang dumating ako America, pinimples ako ulit — sinabihan ako pa-bulldozer mukha ko. So I went to aesthetic school for me to find a solution for myself. Passion ko 'yan. Ma-pimple katawan ko, hindi maganda skin ko," Colina said. 

His determination eventually led him to a successful career as a professional makeup artist, taking him to Hollywood where he worked with international celebrities, including Selena Gomez and Kylie Minogue.

Despite the glamour of the entertainment industry, Colina noticed a recurring skin concern among many of his clients, particularly Filipinos, Hispanics, and people with darker hair — melasma.

"Buong America, ang dami talaga may melasma. Pinoy mostly, Hispanic, mga may dark hair," he said.

Today, Colina said his advocacy extends beyond beauty. Rather than focusing solely on selling skincare products, he hopes to raise awareness through education and collaboration with medical professionals.

"It has to be done through an organization, through derma associations, doctors, and skincare clinics. I want to educate, not to sell. This is the missing link. I prioritize working with leaders in the field. When you educate doctors, they can disseminate the information to their patients and communities," he said. 

Colina also emphasized that professional skincare should be approached with proper medical guidance, especially when using advanced formulations, such as his own brand MC Aesthetics. 

He vouched for it, stressing that it is not a skincare product boosted by virality or social media posts. He said his require professional guidance through a doctor and aesthetician.

Drawing from years of personal experience and professional expertise, Colina hopes to encourage consumers to make informed skincare decisions rooted in science rather than trends, while advocating for greater collaboration between skincare brands and healthcare professionals to improve skin health outcomes.

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