Photographed by Amber Canterbury and Product Styling by Pakayla Rae for the February 2024 Issue of Vogue Philippines
From neutral colors to shimmery shades, customizable makeup palettes can house your everyday colors to your favorites.
Makeup has always been personal, but it became even more so when custom palettes hit the Philippine market. Whether it’s eyeshadow, blush, or highlighter, these build-your-own kits allow you to curate your go-to shades in one place. And when you hit pan on a favorite, you can simply refill it without replacing the entire set.
Makeup artist Raffy So weighs in on this beauty shift. “More people are intentional now with what they’re buying. We’ve moved past the era of giant palettes with 30 shades we’ll never touch,” he tells Vogue Philippines. “Custom palettes let you pick shades that actually work for your skin tone, your style, your routine.”
On a professional level, So shares that custom palettes have made his life easier. When So was working full-time as a makeup artist, custom palettes reduced the bulk in his kit. “Instead of carrying five different palettes for different skin tones or looks, I’d just build one with all my go-to shades,” he shares.
The same applies to his personal routine; custom palettes have allowed So to keep everything he needs in one place. His current obsession? The duo chrome shadows from the Issy x Slo Lopez collaboration. “They add the prettiest shift and elevate any look,” he says.
According to him, custom palettes are perfect for those who already know what they like (go-to shades, finishes, and tones) and those who want something that fits their exact style and routine. But for those who are just getting started, So gives a few tips.
“Start with the shades that you use every day. Like a crease color, shimmer, and something deeper,” he advises. Then, he recommends adding one or two fun shades that you can see yourself wearing. And if you find your palette still half-empty, So says that there should be no rush. “Build it slowly with colors you love and use. Choose from neutral mattes, shimmers, and satins, so it’s really easy to build a palette that fits your style.”
