Reflecting a journey familiar to many, Alexa Ilacad's approach to makeup has evolved through the years.
Speaking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on April 24, 2025, during the launch of Cathy Doll's Bear collection at SM Aura, Alexa reflected on her beauty journey, including the various trends she has experimented with throughout the years.
Starting her makeup journey as a child star, Alexa fearlessly experimented with different looks.
"I think it's changed a lot when it comes to makeup. I remember when I started doing makeup, I started at such a young age, actually."
"Like, sa Goin' Bulilit kasi we would do our own makeup so we'd play around makeup talaga. Play with colors," she began.
Alexa continued: "I remember ang go-to ko po before, gold eyeshadow. The sparkly gold! Tapos, pak na pak. And then when I went into my teens... 2015, 2016, 2017. Di ba uso yung full beat? The brows on fleek talaga, 2016 makeup. I tried that too.
"So, nag-taping ako nun, yung kilay ko... makapal na yung eyebrows ko, e, kakapalan ko pa siya lalo. Pakak! Full glam talaga. So yun yung trip ko dati with makeup.
"I would have so much more with makeup, honestly. And sobrang hilig ko mag-contour, e. And mawala na ang lahat, wag lang contour."
As she tried different looks, Alexa figured out what really worked for her, eventually creating a style that's uniquely hers.
Lately, she's been embracing the "clean girl aesthetic" trend, preferring a minimalistic approach where less is more in her makeup routine.
"Ngayon, I'm 25. I feel like I'm gravitating towards the clean girl aesthetic. Less is more.
"And I've learned to appreciate the features I already have. And instead of adding so much more, mas pina-accentuate ko na lang siya.
"Or mas ine-enhance ko lang yung features na meron ako.
"And I really like how Thai makeup, Korean makeup, yung mga hilig ko ngayon. So yun yung tina-try namin."
ALEXA ILACAD: CLEAN GIRL AESTHETIC
For Alexa, achieving the "clean girl aesthetic" makeup vibe is all about a reliable lip and cheek tint, and her go-to is Cathy Doll's water tint in the shade Lychee.
Alexa said she was already a fan of this tint long before the brand invited her to be their ambassador.
She recalled: "I think it's a really nice coincidence because, like, I think a week before they reached out, I was on TikTok doing live, putting makeup.
"Then I was talking about how much I love their water tints. And how it's my favorite tint.
"The tint in Lychee, it's always in my bag. It's a staple. And then ang giling lang, para after a week, they suddenly reached out to me."
Her next favorite is the Big Bear Jelly Balm in the shade Strawberry Shortcake.
Alexa said, "I use it as a lip and cheek. Actually kahit yung water din, I use it as a lip and cheek [tint].
"But I like it kasi just rub it on like that. And then it has that perfect just-kissed look. And it gives that kind of vibe. So it's really cute."
For those curious, Cathy Doll's Water Tint is affordably priced at just PHP143 on both Lazada and Shopee. Meanwhile, the Jelly Balm can be found for PHP279 on these platforms.
ALEXA ILACAD: AFFORDABLE VS EXPENSIVE MAKEUP
Given her celebrity status and the means to purchase high-end makeup products, many might wonder why Alexa chooses to wear these affordable tints.
However, she remains a fervent supporter of budget-friendly brands that consistently deliver exceptional quality.
In a candid moment, Alexa shared that she, too, considers the price of makeup products before making a purchase.
She told PEP: "Sobrang dali kong, say, magbudol as a person, to be honest. Pero, like, there are times when I really like a product, pero parang I feel bad if I'm gonna repurchase it again.
"I'm sure I can find a dupe somewhere for cheaper, di ba? For a cheaper price.
"So it affects me a bit din talaga na... Siyempre kailangan magtipid din paminsan-minsan.
"Ang mahal ng mga bilihin, ang mahal din ng makeup, it can get really expensive.
"And if meron naman ng mga products that offer the same quality and the same effect, pero cheaper, dun na ako."
Alexa's makeup philosophy revolves around the belief that a stunning makeup look is not reliant on expensive products but rather on the skillful hands wielding the brushes.
She explained: "Kasi ang dami ng makeup ngayon in the market, local or international, whatever, ang dami nang gumawa ng inexpensive or more accessible na product without sacrificing quality.
"And Cathy Doll is one of those brands talaga. They're very innovative. They make whatever's trendy but they make it accessible and without sacrificing quality.
"On a personal note naman, parang... Tsaka also, sorry, I feel like nasa kamay din yun ng tao. A good makeup artist can make the cheapest products look amazing."
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