The Belo Medical Group has virtually become synonymous to beauty. Some of the country’s sexiest and most beautiful women have used its services, even becoming its brand ambassadors. And first among those they thank is its CEO and founder, Dr. Vicki Belo.
After obtaining her medical degree at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Santo Tomas, and furthering her studies in dermatologic and laser surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Belo struck out on her own as an entrepreneur.
Believing that laser technology would be the wave of the future for the beauty industry, she put up her first clinic in the early 1990s.
“I endured many things when I was starting in
the business,” she said. “No one understood me. ‘Don’t use that [laser] because you’ll fry the brains of people,’ they told me. But now everyone is doing what I’m doing.”
This year, the Belo Medical Group celebrates its 25th anniversary. It has pioneered many beauty breakthroughs, such as liposuction, surgical and nonsurgical beauty procedures and lasers.
With nine clinics in Metro Manila, one in Cebu, one in Davao and more expansions underway, the multimillion beauty empire is going to get bigger.
Belo’s big advice: “One thing I learned in this business, courage is being afraid but still doing the things you want to do anyway.”
It’s with that courage that Backstage Pass asks Belo her secrets to beauty and success.
Eye for beauty
When it comes to my expertise, I’ve been told that… I have a good eye for beauty and I catch things that other doctors don’t see.
When it comes to people, I’m a bona fide expert at… seeing the good things in them.
When it comes to personal goals, on the horizon for 2016 is… becoming a grandmother.
Looking back at the path I’ve taken, I have to say that… I am grateful to God for guiding me properly. There was a fork in the road, when I had to choose between two things I like—one was immunology which is lupus, a very clinical dermatology, and the other one was beauty and lasers—and I chose the latter.
The oddest job request that I’ve had was… when a guy came in and he wanted to look like Tom Cruise. Then he took two jackstone balls out of his mouth, because he was trying to put more cheeks. He brought a picture of Cruise and he wanted to look exactly like him, which was impossible, so I didn’t do it.
Stupidest thing I did for love… I think everybody knows that already. (Smiles)
Learn from the best
Three pieces that define my everyday style are… shoes, bags and dress. Although people think I spend a lot of time dressing up, it takes me only three minutes to get completely dressed. Actually, I dress up really fast. My maids are giving me earrings while I wear my dress and shoes and I’m out of the door three minutes flat, which makes me faster than any guy I know of.
My fundamental rules of dressing are… I like happy colors, I don’t like black. I have to look thin and choose comfort over style any day.
My favorite place to shop is… Paris.
Picky about hair
Products that are a staple in my bathroom are… ZO Foamacleanse, Retamax, Reiz Serum from Korea, Belo Sunexpert Face SPF 40 and ZO Hydrafirm (Eye Cream).
My current favorite makeup products are… from Make Up For Ever.
My signature scents are… Frederic Malle, Portrait of a Lady and Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino.
When it comes to personal maintenance, I’m very picky about my… hair. It’s thin and flat so it has to be sulfate-free. I’m all about scents so it has to be Aveda. I love the scent of Aveda. Once in a while, I use Kérastase.
Eye shadow palettes
Top tip: Try Belo’s current favorite makeup brand—Make Up For Ever. Its Fall 2015 collection consists of two essential eyeshadow palettes with color as the key inspiration. For everyday looks, try The Artist Shadows 1 palette (P2,500).
The palette, consisting of nothing but nude, brown and beige shades, is a timeless combination of nine hues that every woman will find easy to wear.
For a finishing touch, match it with the new range of Artist Plexi-Gloss (P1,200). Available in an abundant array of 35 glossy shades, it creates high shine that lasts for as long as five hours.
Available at Make Up For Ever boutiques nationwide such as those in SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Greenbelt 3, Trinoma, SM MOA.
For more information on the Belo Medical Group, check out www.belomed.com, Belo Medical on Facebook, or call 819 BELO (2356); for US inquiries call (1) 310-7424843.