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Her stint as a fast food commercial model led her straight into primetime television as the love interest of Pinoy superhero Captain Barbell. Soon, she became the new “It” girl. Find out more about one of showbiz’s newest sweethearts as she talks about fashion. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. With wavy hair, smoky eyes and glossy lips, Rhian was transformed that afternoon into a glam teen for the Fanatxt photo shoot. This was quite a departure from her persona as provincial lass Leah, but she was no less friendly and conversant.

Flashing a perfect smile during the interview

Recently thrust into the limelight, she tries to recall her fashion choices before entering the snazzy world of showbiz. “What did I look like? It’s like hip-hop na ewan! It’s just like baggy clothing….It’s like everything’s loose! It was so comfortable, actually!” She even confesses to buying coats and baggy pants from the men’s section of department stores. Although it’s quite hard to imagine, Rhian admits that she used to hate shopping and got major help from her sister Nadine. “My sister, she’s such a shopper! She loves to shop! I hate it! It’s a chore for me! It’s the worst chore! Because you have to go, and take your clothes off, and get something else on, take it back off, and take your clothes back on, and then (your selections are) not good enough to buy! And then you think of the price…’Is it good enough for this price?’ So I’m like, ‘Nadine, go buy me clothes!’ That’s how it used to be!” The kikay convert But Rhian has since caught the shopping bug. “Since I joined show business, I’ve been asking my sister for shopping tips, so I go with her now. So that’s what we did (on this one occasion). I called her up (because) I really missed her. ‘You wanna go to Tiendesitas? Let’s go!’ So ‘yun, we went to Tiendesitas, we walked around, (and bought clothes)!

Practicing her swing with Richard during The Promise shoot

Although already a shopping convert, this 16-year-old says that she doesn’t have a particular fashion sense, except that she prefers styles that are more laid back, such as Bohemian or the hippie look. She notes “Parang (the Bohemian) looks like it’s fun to wear, and it looks nice pa rin…I like the hippie look. (It’s) very loose, (and) if ever it looks complex…it’s just the accessories. You don’t have to add ruffles or anything…it’s just accessorizing!” When it comes to makeup, Rhian says that she’s been learning a lot from the makeup artists with whom she has worked with. She often asks them about the step-by-step process, “‘What are you doing right now?’ ‘Ah, this is a way of blending that’s called ganiyan-ganiyan!’ I’m starting (to learn now), I’m collecting little pieces of makeup para matuto na rin ako.” Rhian’s top makeup pick is MAC for powder, saying that “It’s the must have.” Her other favorites include Chanel lipsticks (“Because it’s so moisturizing, it never dries up!”), Lancome lip glosses, Maybelline for blushes (“It’s really light lang, and then it’s not so hard to spread!”), and a relatively new brand for eye color, G-lish. “It’s totally inexpensive, and they give you a lot of colors when you buy. It works really well, (especially) when you blend it.” Because she admits that she wouldn’t know any better, Rhian’s usual trick is to ask the experts, of course! “Like, I go there, then I ask the lady kung ano bagay sa akin. I ask them first kasi if you get the wrong shade, then (it’s) completely, a waste of money. I ask someone who knows, ‘cause I don’t.”

Applying what she's learned from the experts

Here’s her tip to first-timers. “If you don’t know how to put eye makeup on yet, make sure it’s very light! That’s the key talaga to make it look nice. Light lang, and it will make you look fresher din if you pick (shades) like gold and brown.” However, Rhian stresses that she doesn’t like putting on makeup when she’s not in front of the camera so her skin can rest and breathe. “If you wear makeup really, really often, it tires your skin, so it’s important din to take care of your skin. I think the less things you put on your face, (the more it) will be clearer.” She adds, “Oh, and to take care of your skin, you have to cleanse, tone, then moisturize. I use Biotherm.” For her long locks, Rhian spills a little secret: She doesn’t brush it after a shower! “Honestly, the way I do my hair (is) I shower, I wash it, then afterwards, I towel dry, (and) I don’t brush it! I’ve noticed na my hair kasi is really thin, so my hair has more body when I don’t brush it. Kasi when I brush it, it flattens out!” - Bond with Rhian’s through Fanatxt! Text RHIAN (your message) and send to 4627. (Part 2 Tomorrow: Rhian talks about her family and plans for the future)