Every woman I’ve encountered has had a bad experience with makeup -whether your mother convinced you to let her do your makeup for the prom, or by the "makeup artist" from a signature salon.

I remember mine - I immediately paid for deposit to have my wedding date blocked by a famous makeup artist.  With my eyes closed, I paid a hefty sum of pesos not minding if we scrimped on the wedding gown and the food package.  I was very complacent that she was the first supplier on my checklist that I booked.  Being a busy bride-to-be, I decided not to have my makeup trial at all. 

Good thing, I attended the wedding of a friend 2 weeks ahead of mine.  It gave me a chance to have my trial.  45 minutes later, the makeup artist admired her work but I was shocked and horrified to see an alien staring back at me from the mirror.  She proudly took out her camera, took a picture of me and said that it will be exactly how I look on my wedding day.  Even my fiancé  then agreed I looked like an alien.

Thank you for bride forums I was able to sell my makeup booking in no time.  Everybody responded to my post begging to know why I have to give up a service from a very popular makeup artist. 

When I started doing makeup professionally I made a promise to myself to never let anyone leave my chair feeling like they needed to make a beeline to the nearest sink to get it all off.  I make sure that before the brush touches your face that I know exactly what you want.  I know because I listen to you and if there is something that you want to change, I am happy to do it because it’s your face and your day; you know what you are comfortable with.  At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how great I thought you looked-you had to feel great about it. 

Your wedding day is one of the most important of your life. You will have plenty of details to tend to for making your big day perfect without worrying about your makeup and hairstyle. After our consultation and practice run you will be at ease knowing you look nothing less than stunning.

With About Face, you will have no worries, so sit back and relax. This is your day...

“When I was a little girl, I would draw women’s faces on a grade 6 pad paper and  pretend  they are  contestants from  beauty pagents.   With my box of crayons,  I would  color  the eyes,  lips  and  cheeks.     Then my sisters will gamely  judge  who’s the winner.    I would also sneak into  mommy’s makeup and  experimented it on them.   They were very patient and encouraged me in what I do”

Mel Cruz  graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree of Commerce major in Economics.   She lead a corporate life,  exelled  in  the field of Sales,  but the passion to bring out  beauty in women is still within her.  

She tried her hand at professional makeup when she worked  as an apprentice of  Julie Baun, a respected in-house  makeup  artist of ABS CBN for 13 years.  She was trained and her talent was enhanced after she worked on wedding entourage. 

Then she met the famous fashion model and former Binibining Pilipinas - International, Patty Betita, who then referred her to Lou Bunyi, another PMAP member and former Elite Look of the Year.   She trained in makeup at Emphasis Salon in Rockwell - a one-on-one workshop with Lou.  

“Ms. Lou became my mentor as a makeup artist.  She encouraged me to pursue this field and shared to me all tips and tricks of the trade.”

"Ms. Patty, whe believed in my talent.  She gave me confidence”

Mel's strength is in hiding flaws and imperfections while enhancing the good features and bring out beauty in every woman.