Meet LJ & Donita Rose’s ‘go-to’ make-up artist in the US

Wearing make-up remains a part of Donita Rose and LJ Moreno’s routine to keep themselves look radiant even after they left their showbiz careers in the Philippines to settle in the US with their respective families.

“I always want the virginal look,” enthused Donita to The STAR in a recent virtual interview. She now works as a corporate chef of Island Pacific, a chain of Filipino supermarkets in the US owned and managed by Krista Ranillo’s husband Nino Jefferson Lim.

LJ, on the other hand, always makes sure that her eyebrows look good and her lips red before going out of the house. “That’s what I learned from my friend Jackie (Forster), for me to at least put a lip tint and check my brows even when running on errands because she knows medyo may pagka boyish ako (laughs).”

On special days, LJ and Donita would always go to Pinoy professional make-up artist Roi Santos who knows exactly the kind of look that complements one’s personality. His classic yet distinguishable approach is also favored by Rufa Mae Quinto, Maria Isabel Lopez and Cherie Gil. He, too, had the opportunity to do the make-up of 2020 Miss Universe-Philippines Rabiya Mateo in one of her appearances in the US.

Roi first became friends with Rufa Mae, whom he spotted checking in at the counter of Sephora where he has been working for five years now. “I approached her and asked if she’s Rufa Mae because I wasn’t so sure. She said yes and then after that, we instantly hit it off. Two weeks later, I met her best friend who happens to be LJ. I’ll be forever grateful to Rufa Mae because I was able to meet so much (Pinoy) celebrities,” shared Roi.

He, too, recalled the first time he saw Donita. “It was also in Sephora, this was months after I met Peachy (Rufa Mae’s nickname), and I thought that she’s working for a brand because she carried herself very nicely, all beautiful — she got her hair done, make-up done — and she said, ‘I’m a customer here.’ And then I remember seeing a picture of Peachy having lunch with her so I asked if she’s Donita Rose and she said yes.”

“It was actually the day before I met Peachy. We had lunch and I went back to the same place, that’s when I bumped into Roi and we immediately connected. I felt like I’ve known him for a long time. He’s super nice and fun,” added Donita.

Roi’s work has since landed the cover of MAXHEALTH. Every time he works on these celebrity faces, the first thing he does is to find the right shade that will complement their skin tones “kasi kahit gaano kaganda ang isang tao if the shade doesn’t match the skin, it will affect the outcome (of make-up).”

Donita said that Roi already knows what she wants. “The virginal look, that’s true and when he did my make-up, it kinda made me feel that I am back home in the Philippines like, parang I’m at home, it’s my familiar environment kasi while being dolled up parang we’re in front of the camera.”

Now away from showbiz, Donita is no longer bothered at how people reacted when news circulated that she’s now selling halo-halo (a Pinoy delicacy). It was in August last year when she announced that she would be flying back to the US for good with son Joshua.

“I know that photo of me in front of a booth,” recalled she. “It was the time when I was going around in connection with my work as a corporate R&D chef of Island Pacific. There’s nothing wrong if ever na totoo akong nagtitinda ng halo-halo. It’s a decent job.”

Donita said she’s not angry with whoever put the picture on social media. “I just felt the tone was not right. It’s okay whatever job you have as long as it’s decent.”

For LJ, making the big move to the US with husband Jimmy Alapag and their children Ian, Keona and Calen, proved tough for the family in the beginning. They flew to Los Angeles, California last September.

“People asked me if I have already adjusted and then I’m like, how am I ever gonna adjust without help? That’s why, hahaha,” quipped LJ. “But it has gotten better kasi medyo nagkaroon na ng team and ‘yun when we started doing The Wander Mamas (her and Rufa Mae’s YouTube channel), it felt good and to just being able to be made up by Roi. I love it when he does my make-up kasi parang you feel like, okay you’re ‘home’ again and back on camera. May ganun na feel at yun ang literal na day off ko na kahit ilan days lang kami nag-sho-shoot pero parang na-re-recharge ako after nun.”

She also tried to continue her pastry business in the US but instead of doing cupcakes, she baked pan de sal “kaya lang ang hirap kasi ako lahat pati paghuhugas ng gamit at paglilinis, plus the kids are still dependent on me.”

Without any house help, LJ said Jimmy is in charge of the laundry and “pagtutupi ng damit kasi he wants folded clothes to be super neat.” But two weeks from now, Jimmy is about to get very busy with work after finalizing certain details in his contract.

“So, I stopped the baking part since we started Wander Mamas kasi ang hirap i-balance and the kids are very active,” said she. “Our eldest is so active in Taekwondo and participating in tournaments. Keona has her dance classes and our three-year-old youngest, Calen, just started his basketball (training). In other words, yaya and driver ako ng mga anak ko (laughs).”

LJ and Rufa Mae usually spend two days shooting for their vlog with Roi in charge of their looks. “Mabilisan ang galaw namin because Peachy is also busy with her daughter Athena and we always try to jibe our schedule for the shoot,” said LJ.

Donita agreed that vlogging is relaxing. “Even though it’s work, it’s actually recharging because LJ and Peachy love what they do and being dolled up by Roi na ka-vibes mo is fun. Roi has a great heart and he’s really technically good with what he does. With a stroke of his brush, you feel alive and happy.”