Beauty has always been a tool for self-expression, and this holds even truer today. Makeup has evolved, allowing people of all skin colors, genders, and sexual orientations to express themselves. Estée Lauder, one of the most well-known beauty brands in the industry, is now at the forefront of celebrating inclusivity and diversity. With renowned Filipino photographer BJ Pascual as the newest face for their Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation, and more importantly, as a representative of the Philippines and the LGBTQ+ community in their latest global campaign, Estée Lauder is changing what it means to be a beauty brand.
In an exclusive interview with Preview, BJ shares the surprising turn of events that led him from being behind the camera to becoming an international face for Estée Lauder’s iconic foundation. From shattering stereotypes to inspiring the next generation, BJ's role reflects a brand that understands the true power of makeup in embracing and celebrating authentic self-expression.
BJ Pascual Represents LGBTQ+ Community in Estée Lauder's Regional Campaign
Can you share with us how the collaboration with Estée Lauder came about, and what it means to you to be chosen as the ambassador for Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation?
"When the Estée Lauder team asked to meet with me, I thought they wanted me to shoot a campaign as a photographer. I was shocked when they told me I was going to be on the other side of the camera, and even more shocked when they told me it was going to be an international campaign.
"It is, of course, an honor to represent the Philippines and the LGBTQIA+ community in this campaign, but there was also some pressure because I have not been part of a campaign on this scale before (they even flew a team from all over the world to shoot the commercial). I just kept asking myself, “Why me?!” Also, it was only during the launch event that I found out that I’m the first LGBTQIA+ ambassador."
What aspects of Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation do you find most appealing, and how does it complement your style and preferences?
"I’m usually behind the scenes but lately, I’ve been doing more and more on-camera appearances. I love how versatile and buildable it is, so on days when I’m a photographer, I can wear it as a concealer, and on days when I’m on camera, like on Drag Race where we film for long hours, I can wear it full coverage, and it looks flawless the whole day, even under hot lights!"
Are there any specific tips or tricks you've discovered while using Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation that you'd like to share with your followers?
"We all know Double Wear is medium to full coverage, but when I want a lighter coverage, say for daytime events, I usually mix it with the Advanced Night Repair Serum to give it a more sheer effect!"
Being part of a regional campaign with Estée Lauder is a significant achievement. Can you tell us about your experience working on this campaign and collaborating with a global brand like Estée Lauder?
"Unbelievable! I loved that they really considered me as a person when conceptualizing the campaign. The art director and the Estée Lauder regional team even did a full hour-long Zoom interview with me to get to know me more beyond my social media presence before finalizing the concept of the commercial. It helped me realize why I was chosen by the global team for this campaign."
Are there any personal stories or experiences that make your partnership with Estée Lauder and Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation particularly meaningful to you?
"When the multi-talented Marlon Rivera (award-winning Director, Designer, Make-up Artist, Production Designer) posted the photo of the campaign on his Facebook page and said “Yay! Bilang counter girl ng Estée Lauder in the late 90s, I never imagined I’d see the day that this would happen” (referring to having a gay ambassador). It was a simple post but it really struck a chord with me because it just shows how far LGBTQIA+ representation has come in the past two decades. As a closeted gay kid growing up in the '90s, the only representation of gay people I saw in the media was always the “funny sidekick” or the “gay best friend”—mostly side characters who are used for comic relief with no depth. I grew up thinking that’s all gay people (aka myself) could be. So I hope in some ways what I do inspires other gay kids to dream bigger."
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or initiatives you have with Estée Lauder, or is there anything else exciting on the horizon related to your role as their ambassador?
"I can't reveal anything yet but I know for sure that there are exciting plans in store for 2024, and I can't wait to share them with you! Stay tuned!"
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