MANILA, Philippines — Solenn Heussaff got mixed reactions on social media after accepting makeup transformation expert Paolo Ballesteros’ challenge to transform into him.
The singer-actress narrated in her blog how the challenge came about.
“I’ve been getting requests to do a makeup transformation challenge, and I finally gave in because the KWEEN of makeup transformations challenged me… And you can’t say no to the one and only Paolo Ballesteros!” she began.
“Paolo and I are going to be in a movie together called ‘My 2 Mommies’ (showing on May 9 na!) and we were actually challenged to transform into each other using makeup.”
Some netizens were impressed by Solenn’s transformation into Paolo.
Netizen @janreylabong said: “May gumaya na sa nanggagaya.”
Likewise, @a.cisme said: “Soooo good that I can’t find @solenn anymore. Galing!”
“Puwedi yan . ako walang alam sa make-up at walang alam sa painting. Pero marunong ako mag- drawing at kunting alam sa filters. Nang dahil sayo gusto ko pang mag-aral magpainting,” added @mharr_cabriza_tabones.
“Too good, can’t even recognize your solenn’s face thats how good it is,” enthused @victoriamerault.
“Ok. For a moment I thought it's @pochoy_29 doing a make up transformation of himself (recreating his pic). Then I look at the profile and the caption, and I was like… Hands down to you @solenn,” said @lollybee08.
Others, meanwhile, have a few suggestions to complete the transformation.
“Magaling naman lodi! Kaso paolo ballesteros version may tb, may pneumonia, at nangongorentang lagnat hahaha.. Good vibes lang po.. Still amazing!” said @gippyx07.
“Parang adiktus na pochoy pero goodjob padin. Nice try,” said @oniuqaarc.
“Just a bit of facial hair and its close to perfect,” added @andoi_solon.
“Nasobra sa conture. parang sobra napuyat si paolo,” @viola36 noted.
Solenn admitted on her Instagram account that though she is a makeup artist and she knows how to paint, “transforming a face into another is probably the most difficult art.”
“Of course, Paolo is just the best when it comes to these things and being a first-timer, I realized that I totally SUCK. Haha. Even though I paint and do makeup professionally, makeup transformation is a totally different art and requires a skill that I just don’t have in my pocket.”
After trying to copy the face of the “Eat Bulaga!” host, Solenn said she has learned to appreciate Paolo’s work even more and she has nothing but respect for what he does.
Paolo has been known for his makeup impersonations of Hollywood stars and beauty queens like Kim Kardashian-West, Angelina Jolie and Catriona Gray. His transformation into Gal Gadot of “Wonder Woman” earned praises from Gadot herself.