Q&A: Jesa Marie Calaor on Colorism, Confidence, and the Perfect Cat Eye
From Filipino beauty standards to her signature winged liner, Allure’s senior beauty editor shares the products, philosophies, and personal stories behind her beauty routine.
In this weekly Q&A series, friends of The Beauty Chat spill their routines, recs, and rituals—from their holy grail concealers to the podcast they always push. Think of it as your new favorite scroll: beauty picks, pop culture takes, and inspo you didn’t know you needed.
Jesa Marie Calaor
Job: Senior Beauty Editor, Allure
IG: @jesamarie_
Generation: Millennial
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
💋💅💄 BEAUTY REGIMEN
How much is your current beauty routine? What's the cheapest and most expensive part?
These are just some of the mainstays.
SKIN CARE
Gel Cleanser: Dieux Baptism Gentle Foaming Facial Gel Cleanser
Acne Treatment: Prescription Tretinoin
Rosacea Treatment: Prescription
Moisturizer: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint
HAIR CARE
Hot Tool: Dyson Airwrap Co-Anda 2x
Styling Product: Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion
Hairspray: Oribe Superfine Hairspray
MAKEUP
Blush: NARS Blush in Orgasm and Saie Dew Blush
TOTAL: $1,200+
What's your relationship with fragrance?
As a Filipina, I am a little dramatic and very romantic—and my answer to this question will reflect that. Fragrance is deeply emotional for me. It brings me back to hugs with my mom, who passed away when I was a teenager (she smelled like Gap Heaven or J.Lo Glow), to my first date with my now-husband (I'd spritzed on Victoria's Secret Tease), and to my college days when I was navigating who I wanted to grow up to be (I radiated Dove Cucumber Deodorant). It's nostalgic, like bookmarks for the different chapters of my life.
What's your manicure philosophy:
Simple and subtle.
✅ Something cute and on trend, but not too flashy.
Super trendy but functional.
If it wouldn't impress Cynthia Erivo, it’s not for me.
Do you have a signature beauty look? What makes it memorable?
My dramatic, sharp cat-eye is my signature beauty look. Over the years, I've changed my brows, blush placement, and contour technique. But my winged liner has been a constant.
We listen and we don't judge: What's a habit you'd be put in beauty jail for?
I am obsessed with my dogs and my cat, and I literally rub my face on their faces every chance I get. My complexion be damned.
😊🫶🙃 LIFE
We listen and we silently judge: What could a partner do to give you the beauty ick?
I once dated a guy who had a 9-step skin-care routine that he swore was his. (That’s not the ick. I was thrilled to see he used sunscreen! Toner! Retinol!) I thought, “Wow, someone cooked here.” I later found out that someone was still, in fact, cooking there. That impressive lineup belonged to someone who probably had no idea her partner was seeing other people. I blocked him so fast. I know this is probably not the answer you were expecting, but isn’t audacity the ultimate ick?
What beauty advice would you give to your younger self?
"Your skin tone is such a gift—and don't let anyone convince you otherwise."
I have a medium skin tone that can get deeply tanned if I spend a lot of time in the sun. For such a long time, I had confusing feelings about my skin. Among my titas, I was scrutinized for getting "too dark" after soccer practice (with old-school Filipino beauty standards and all), while my classmates were often jealous of my tan.
As I got older, I learned to love being morena. It reminds me of where I came from and of my dad, who I inherited it from (and who I love so much for raising me). Not to mention, my skin can look so glowy.
⭐🎧📖🎥⭐ ZEITGEIST
What’s your Tiktok algorithm?
Books, dogs, and junk journaling ideas.
What TV show are you obsessed with right now, and why?
The Summer I Turned Pretty! Again, I’m a romantic and love the micro trope of two men loving the same girl. *sigh* Also Dexter: Resurrection. I'm not a serial killer. I just love crime shows.
Which song / album do you currently have on repeat, and why?
A friend recently reminded me that this music video exists and it's been on repeat ever since.
Which podcast do you always recommend, and why?
I’m taking a break from podcasts right now. (Not everyone should have access to a mic…) During the day, I listen to audiobooks. (I’m working through all of Ana Huang’s right now.) At night, Quinn. IYKYK.
(Disclaimer: Dear Reader, If you click the link above, please make sure your listening device is connected…double check!)
What's the last book you enjoyed, and why?
Omg, I can talk about books for days. I've read all of Ali Hazelwood's books (thanks for the rec, Sarah Kinonen!) at least three times. I'm a big fan of STEM romances... and men who yearn hard.
I recently read The Love Hypothesis again to annotate it for my friend Loveleen. (We started reading books together and writing to each other in the margins.) I wanted to refresh my memory of this book, because Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman were recently announced as the leads in the upcoming film—and I think the casting is perfection. Wait, what do you think of the casting?
Love Jesa and her cat eye! 🫶🏽