Candy Dizon’s office, tucked inside the Jul B. Dizon shop at Manila Pen, is filled with beautiful jewelry—and racks and racks of beauty products.
Beauty is her therapy, she tells me.
“It takes me at least an hour to do all of this,” the celebrated jeweler says, putting on her makeup daily within the confines of her office each morning.
On some days, she’ll wear a smoky eye with contoured cheekbones. On others, a bold lip with a contoured face.
“I love contouring because I have a round face,” Candy tells me. “When I contour my face, people automatically think I lost weight. Fools.”
First of all, how many beauty products do you own?
About 110 lipsticks, 50 lipglosses, eight blushes, six foundations, eight travel kits, eight eyebrow pencils, 12 eyeliners, four bronzers, nine mascaras. I am too tired to do inventory. I have so much more.
What’s the most expensive product in your beauty cabinet?
I think my Artis makeup brushes are about $400, a gift from Lucy Gomez. Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks are all gifts. I am a lucky girl.
Were they worth the investment?
I recently just bought my Urban Decay stash—$350 worth. It’s not available in Manila so I hoarded from Hong Kong. Makeup is always worth the investment.
You’re mainly known for your playful work as a jeweler for Jul B. Dizon, but you’re also a huge makeup hoarder. When and how did this beauty obsession come about?
As a young woman, I never really cared much about it. I didn’t know that there are certain colors of lipsticks that go well with eye makeup. I got exposed to the world of cosmetics when I started being featured in magazines. Twelve years ago, I think.
Take us through your beauty regimen. What are your skincare essentials?
I have to mix it up a lot because my skin tends to become immune to the effects of one kind of regimen. I wash with facial soap (I am loving the ones from Korea lately).
After, I use Biore makeup remover, then Nuxe toner to take away excess residue. Right now, I am using Helix Facial and Eye Serum. When that dries up, a drop of Marula Oil all over the face and neck.
Do you believe in antiaging products? Is there a trick to maintaining the same luminous skin of youth—aside from, well, drinking goat’s blood at midnight while listening to easy jazz?
I heard sperm is good for the skin, but I haven’t had any source lately so I use the serums often. Plus I am plump, so I think I have no wrinkles. Mic drop.
I remember you telling me it takes you, like, an hour to do your makeup. Is this a complicated 10-step makeup process that involves everything from eye shadow to contouring?
Yes, an hour for makeup— the whole shebang—and 30 minutes for my hair. It’s therapeutic so I take my sweet ol’ time.
What are your thoughts on contouring, by the way? It’s kind of too much already, no?
I love contouring because I have a round face. When I contour my face, people automatically think I lost weight. Fools.
As a beauty hoarder, do you follow the rules of expiry? Example: junk mascara after six months.
My make up is 30 percent used and 70 percent still in their boxes. I don’t open them to avoid bacteria getting into them. They are also stored in my office, which is air-conditioned 24 hours, so it remains fresh.
When is too much, too much when it comes to makeup? Or are you an advocate of more is more?
Heavy eyes mean nude lips. Bright or dark lips means very little eye makeup. Just like in all things, balance is a must. I am not fond of glitter makeup, though. That is bordering on show girl.
What lipsticks are you lusting after?
Believe it or not, I am so into the Sephora Cream Lipstain. It’s only $12 but it works so well on me. It stays on even after heavy kissi… I mean eating. I haven’t opened my Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks, because that’s what hoarders do.
Is there a makeup trick you employ when you want to look good but don’t have an hour to spare?
Eyeliner, foundation, curl them eyelashes, mascara and a super red lipstick. I can do that in 15 minutes and still be camera-ready.
Before you leave the house, what’s the last thing you put on?
Makeup fixer. Right now, I am using Kiko but it will soon run out so I will start on Avene Eau Thermale.
What beauty advice did your mom give you growing up that still applies to you today?
When showering, start with shampooing, leave the shampoo on your hair as you start soaping your body; this way the fragrance stays longer in your hair. Don’t use the same soap for your face and your body.
When pairing makeup and jewelry, is there a rule? Like if you wear a particularly ostentatious diamond necklace, do you keep the makeup low-key?
No. I don’t think there’s a rule for that. To me, it’s more about the occasion, although the color is a factor. If wearing a green emerald necklace and earrings, I would probably stay away from red lipstick.
When it comes to beauty, who is the ultimate inspiration?
Grace Kelly for me. Always and forever.
What’s next on your must-buy list?
More Artis brushes.