If we were to designate a local celebrity as a "goddess among men," Sarah Lahbati would definitely be up on the list of candidates. Years after emerging victorious from a reality show, the actress and celebrity mom has kept her aura polished and chic. Once upon a time, she was even dubbed as the "goddess of the dancefloor"!
But sustaining such an image, especially in the face of trials in her professional and personal life, requires some help. This is where people like Jelly Eugenio comes in. Sarah has trusted the celebrity makeup artist to doll her up for numerous agendas and milestones over the years. After meeting one another during pivotal moments in their respective careers, the two have developed a bond worth admiring.
In an exclusive interview, Jelly reveals to Preview how his working relationship with Sarah began, and how it's blossomed into a friendship he'll hold dear to his heart. Read on!
Preview Exclusive: Jelly Eugenio on Being Sarah Lahbati's Makeup Artist
Please describe the first time you and Sarah met.
"When I first met Sarah, I was actually late. This was around the time na super big din nina [James Reid and Nadine Lustre]. I came from one of their shoots and then Caryll, our good friend na road manager ni Sarah, booked me [to do her makeup]. It was super traffic, and medyo na-late ako."
"So that was yung first encounter namin. I was on my toes. I was a bit nervous because I was late. Nagkaroon pa kami ng three-way call, [not with Sarah], but with 'yung handler nila sa bahay, si Kuya Jimmy. Sabi nila, ‘Nasaan na si Jelly? Akala ko ba magaling yan? Bakit late?’ So I really had to prove myself that day na magaling naman ako mag-makeup."
"She was very nice naman, she [was just more] quiet. Of course, it was our first time [working together]. Kumbaga, parang, she held back. Tahimik lang kami."
How did you end up working together? How long have you been working together since?
"The time we met was also the time that she transferred to ABS-CBN, and she became the ‘Goddess of the Dancefloor’ ng ASAP every Sunday. So sure na every Sunday, I would do her makeup. She would have the hottest production numbers. Parang everybody was so shocked when she came into ASAP because she was so beautiful, so sexy, super stunning, and super bagay niya sa ASAP at the time."
"From there followed all of the shoots, such as cover shoots and endorsement shoots. She would get me normally. We became friends because we are of the same age also, so we really vibe together well."
How would you describe Sarah as a client?
"Sarah as a client is very sweet. She's very thoughtful. She makes sure everybody is well fed. She makes sure that everything is all set. She arrives on time. I think that's one thing you have to know about Sarah. She's never late. She's very punctual. She knows when to start and when to end."
How has working with Sarah impacted your career as a makeup artist?
"I think there was a time when [most of the brides I would do makeup for], siya 'yung peg. 'Pag tinatanong ko 'yung bride if they have a peg, they would show me a picture of Sarah from a makeup look we did. Ang dami rin nya talaga na-influence."
"I still find her as one of the most beautiful girls that I have in my [roster of regular clients]. I still find her to be really, really be one of the most stunning people I [have ever worked] with."
As her makeup artist, what can you say about her personal style or aesthetic?
"What I can say about her aesthetic is that it's very true to her. What you see online is also what she is like in real life. She's very posh. May elegance talaga with the way she moves. It's very natural to her."
"Siguro kasi meron din siyang lahing 'AFAM.' She's from Geneva in Switzerland, so she speaks French. And when she does that, like, oh my god, parang you're talking to a whole different person. It sounds really nice. I think siya talaga 'yung peg pagdating sa French, European aesthetic. Super bagay talaga sa kanya 'yung fashion."
"When it comes to style, I think whatever [comprises] her style now was already there from the start. Syempre meron lang konting tweaking. She's always been that cool, sexy, effortless, and chic girl."
Has your personal relationship developed since you first met? How would you describe Sarah as a friend?
"Sarah as a friend is super, super sweet. Parang we've grown together kasi we've been working for about seven years na. I've seen most of our development together. [Nagjo-joke kami] na parang, wow, bagets pa tayo at the time we were doing ASAP."
"I've seen her become more mature, especially when she had kids na. When we work, she would really end the shoot early. We would have early call times because she would need to go home early for her children. We would never have shoots na aabutin ng gabi because she's very [adamant] about going home early."
"Our relationship has become stronger, of course, through the years. Parang iba na talaga 'yung vibes. We're more mature people, especially now that we're both 30. Super close friends na kami. Sometimes we would hang out not because I would be doing her makeup, but just because we wanted to chill together. We go out on Sundays, we have lunch with our other friends, which is super, super nice. Ang sarap lang niya kasama. Ang sarap tumambay sa house niya because she's a very good host as well."
"And kung pwede ko din i-share, nilibre niya kami ng ticket [para sa concert ni] Harry Styles. That is one of my best memories we’ve had. That shows how true of a friend she is. Nilibre niya ako tsaka si Paul Nebres, her hairstylist, and that's one of our best, best, best memories together. She's so, so sweet."
What’s your most unforgettable moment working with Sarah?
"I can't really remember a specific day or whatever, but just my experiences of seeing her grow into a more mature and self-aware woman is really nice. Kasi parang, while she grows, I'm also growing. We've been in this industry together for many years now, [and that in itself is unforgettable]. We're really close friends."
What’s something interesting about Sarah that her fans don’t know yet?
"She's a health buff. She would go on diets talaga. She would really work out [with a strict schedule starting at] 5:00AM or 6:00AM. That shows her discipline talaga, and it shows that she loves her body. And, you know, she really wants to look good. And she does look good."
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