Photography by Sara Erasmo
From deep sea waters to a sky full of stars, capture heaven on earth with the cosmic pull of crystals.
What stories do we tell when we speak of the moon? You might begin from the gems adorning the breastplates of warriors, monarchs built in the name of jewel-encrusted crowns, or commandments carved in stone, representing the first written rule of law. Luna, the moon’s name in Roman mythology, is materialized in each crystal she has shined her light to. In every tale, she makes herself known as the prime witness to the rise of civilizations, the establishment of cultures, and the story of our beginnings.
“Crystals and rocks are definitely not new in incorporating into our spirituality,” Jen Bautista, founder of Manila-based crystal shop Clear Space Manila, observes. Unpacking both personal discovery and history, she says we are “innately guided believers” from the moment we started creating cultures, as our ancestors carried anting-anting, as women’s bodies relied on moon phases, and as the land we inhabit is abound with a confluence of religious influences. The role of the moon in each cannot be undermined.
“Since crystals are made out of different mineral elements,” which may be from other asteroids in the past, or other heavenly and planetary bodies, “then the relationship is that: the moon is something that helps move or empower the elements inside,” Kat Holigores, a decade-long crystal enthusiast, infers.
As the spring season came replete with innovations to the traditional flick and wingtip on the runway, celebrity makeup artist Gela Laurel Stehmeier fashioned an irreverent take on the trend by bringing the magic of the moon, its crystal clear allure, and its kaleidoscopic colors into her canvas; each look taking cue from crystals charged under Luna’s light.
To Kat and Jen, just as crystals are hard workers, they, too, are in need of recharging and cleansing. The latter, according to Kat, can be done through a purifying crystal bowl, or, by tradition, under the light of the full moon by one’s windowsill.
Holigores, for one, explains that the Black Tourmaline and the Obsidian are known for absorbing negativity and are cleansed under the moon like “sponges squeezed of its contents.” The former, Bautista says, can also remind us of “how far we have gone from our unhealed parts.”
Stehmeier animated the Black Tourmaline by painting the colors of iron found in the stone using a liquid, gunmetal shimmer liner atop a white eyeshadow. She says that the circular shape represents “healing, sort of like going full circle in one’s journey.”
In contrast to stones absorbing negative energies are self-cleaning crystals. Selenite, for one, is a favorite of Kat, which can also be used to clean other crystals. Clear Quartz, on the other hand, helps in “clarity and reset of the auric body,” Jen says. Gela then created a disco-inspired look for the Quartz. “Brown lines in the figures that are similar to palm lines to sort of represent energies, fate,” the makeup artist says, “the glitter is the fun, carefree element.”
Under the moonlight, the Amethyst, believed to be the stone of grace, is a great centering crystal.
For the rich purple Amethyst Cathedral, skin textures and iridescence are in focus; holographic glitters surround the lids against frost-finished skin, creating a soft complement to the stone’s hardy texture. As for the Pink Amethyst, playing with pinks and yellows, mixed pigments and liquid liners, represent focus and clarity, much inspired by the stone’s properties.
While there is much more to be discovered in choosing them, Kat advises to “close your eyes, take a deep breath, set them in a row,” then, “open your eyes, and the first crystal that you’re attracted to is normally the crystal for you.”
Photographs by Sara Erasmo. Beauty Editor Joyce Oreña. Makeup: Gela Laurel. Hair: Teejay Payongayong of Toni&Guy Philippines. Model: Zam Dy. Nails: Extraordinail. Art Director: Jann Pascua. Producer: Bianca Zaragoza. Multimedia Artists: Gabbi Constantino, Tinkerbell Poblete. Photographer’s Assistant: Kevin Ramos. Production Assistant: Adam Pereyra. Special thanks to Jen Bautista of Clear Space Manila.
