Make-Up Designory Cosmetics and Education in the Philippines

Recently, MUD collaborated with our distributor in the Philippines to open a store called Pure Beauty, containing two classrooms set up just like our classrooms at the LA and NY campuses. This was also where they would conduct their MUD Manila curriculum, which was created by MUD Director of Education Paul Thompson.

When I arrived there on January 10, I was introduced to the local team in the hotel lobby and we made our way to Serendra, a newly developed upscale outdoor shopping center where Pure Beauty is located. Sir Paul Yap, the owner of Pure Beauty, gave me a tour of the premises and surrounding area before we all sat down for a meeting that would detail the activities planned events within next few days.

The grand opening and MUD launch at Pure Beauty took place the following day. This fabulous event included a ribbon cutting ceremony, a blessing done by a priest (very common here when opening a new business), coin throwing (for good luck and good fortune), and a one-hour make-up demonstration that I conducted. I was in charge of cutting the actual ribbon, tossing some of those “lucky” coins, as well as appearing in front of the local television cameras on location to capture this remarkable event

The next three days included three one-hour classes per day. These classes had been advertised in magazines and newspapers circulating for the last month, so by the time I had arrived (30 min early) for my first class, the room had already filled with eager participants and make-up enthusiasts ready to learn. Since learning how to do a beautiful smoky eye is apparently on the top of everyone’s list over here (as well as it is in the States), this is exactly what I did in my demo.

The audience “ooooo’d” and “awwwww’d” during my demonstration and laughed at all my cheesy make-up jokes (always a plus!). They were so interactive and attentive, and I could tell by the expressions on their faces that they were impressed! After two of the classes I had three or four magazine interviews as well as a TV interview from one of the local stations covering the long awaited launch of MUD in the Philippines!

Myr, my new friend and fellow MUD grad, was introduced to me as one of the three instructors hired to teach here at MUD Manila. They had all been interviewed and hired MUD representatives – it was evident that they had been carefully selected and properly trained as they were ready to go! We all got along famously and I knew instantly they were perfect for the job.

After a week filled with so many exciting and brilliantly executed events, it was time to say goodbye. As my driver made his way to the airport, I took notice of the traffic – it was worse than the Lincoln Tunnel at rush hour on a Friday afternoon! I asked the driver if it was always bumper-to-bumper like this even during the middle of the day, and he replied, “Yes, it’s one of Manila’s biggest problems!” I closed my eyes and smiled… Bye for now, Manila!