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Cinema SkinFX CEO and seasoned makeup artist Cheryl Cabanos is looking to return to the film industry, this time with a project that could put her expertise in prosthetics and special-effects makeup front and center.

During her 47th birthday celebration, “A Night of Ageless Beauty and Timeless Songs” in an events place in Quezon City on August 11, Cabanos revealed to the media that she is planning to venture into film production, with a possible horror project that would allow her to showcase the special-effects skills she developed throughout her decades-long career.

“I’m planning to produce a film or somewhere down the road.”

When asked about the kind of project she would want to make, the conversation turned to prosthetics and horror—two areas closely associated with her work as a makeup artist and special-effects artist.

She also expressed interest in making Cinema SkinFX a resource for aspiring makeup artists and creatives who want to learn the craft of prosthetics.

From making stars camera-ready to creating prosthetics

Before establishing Cinema SkinFX, Cabanos spent years working behind the camera as a makeup artist, building a career that included films, television series, special-effects projects, and work with international talents.

She said her approach to special-effects makeup goes beyond simply applying prosthetics or creating realistic wounds. As someone who previously taught at a cinema makeup school, she highlighted the importance of understanding the science behind the craft and studying the character and story before creating a look.

“I used to teach sa cinema makeup school before and medyo tough kasi yung classes,” (the classes were quite challenging) and how you really get to understand the scientific and you have to relate it also with makeup.”

She explained that artists have to adapt their work to the character they are creating.

“You have to adapt to the character of your subject. I also read the scripts. I really get into it, you know. I have to dig into the story so that I can really properly execute the look.”

Her experience includes working on around 60 films and series in the Philippines, as well as special-effects projects involving casting and prosthetics. Cabanos even recalled doing a full-head cast for actor Ian Veneracion.

A career that took her from local stars to international talents

Cabanos’ possible return to film comes after a career that has taken her beyond Philippine productions.

Asked about some of the most memorable celebrity looks she has worked on, she recalled working with international talents including Emmanuelle Béart and Olga Kurylenko, among others.

She also mentioned working with Emily Blunt and on projects connected to major international productions, experiences she described as overwhelming even from the perspective of a seasoned makeup artist.

Her international connections eventually led to her becoming part of the French Embassy’s team, where she continues to serve as a go-to artist for its events.

“I’m now part of the team of French Embassy and every event that they have, I’m their go-to artist pa rin.” (I’m still their go-to artist.)

While she has stepped away from regular film and television makeup work, she still accepts select engagements for special events.

Passing on her prosthetics expertise

For Cabanos, a future film project would also be an opportunity to continue the legacy of the skills she developed throughout her career.

She said many of the lessons she learned have already been passed on to her former students, some of whom are now working successfully in the industry.

“Ipinamana ko sa lahat ng mga estudyante ko na namamayagpag na ngayon sa industry,” she shared. (I passed it on to all of my students who are now thriving in the industry.)

She said she is also interested in providing budding makeup artists and creatives with tools that could help them learn prosthetics through Cinema SkinFX.

A horror film, therefore, could serve as a natural intersection between her past and present, given her experience in special-effects makeup, her interest in prosthetics, and her current work as a beauty entrepreneur.

Her makeup career inspired Cinema SkinFX

Cabanos’ transition into the beauty industry was also shaped by her years of working with actors.

She said one of the challenges she repeatedly encountered as a makeup artist was covering skin concerns such as acne and melasma.

“Mahirap magtakip ng melasma and acne and issues, di ba? (It was difficult to cover melasma and acne and other issues, right?)

“Kasi (Because) your makeup art is so—it’s your job to really steal it, conceal it and all that.”

She explained that this experience eventually inspired her to develop skincare products that could address the concerns she previously had to conceal with makeup.

“So I decided to come up with a product na hindi na ako mahirapang takpan (so I wouldn’t have to struggle to cover them anymore.).”

She said she formulated products intended to address acne, including severe acne concerns among people with sensitive skin.

“I formulated something that would treat acne, severe acne issues na sensitive yung skin at nahirapan maghanap ng perfect match (for people with sensitive skin who have difficulty finding the perfect match).”

To develop the products, Cabanos said she sought out senior chemists and sourced expertise and ingredients from Morocco, Korea, and Japan.

Cabanos remains hands-on with her formulations

The same meticulousness she developed as a makeup artist also carries over into Cinema SkinFX.

Cabanos jokingly described herself as “maarte” when it comes to makeup brushes and sanitation, saying her attention to detail is something she also brought into the development of her products.

“They know I’m OC. I’m maarte sa brushes, kaya I call my consumers kaarte kasi nga maarte talaga ako.” (I’m fussy about my brushes, so I call my consumers “kaarte” because I really am particular.)

She noted she wanted the same level of precision in the brand’s formulations.

“Dito din nilagay ko rin yung kaarehan ko dito sa product. Dapat perfect, dapat maayos yung doses.” (I also put that same meticulousness into the product. It has to be perfect, and the doses have to be properly made.)

For Cabanos, the attention to detail is particularly important because consumers have different skin needs.

A new chapter after decades behind the camera

Although Cinema SkinFX has become Cabanos’ main focus, her connection to the entertainment industry remains strong.

Her birthday celebration also brought together people from both sides of her career, including actor and singer Ramon Christopher “Monching” Gutierrez, who was a special guest at the event.

During the interview, Gutierrez revealed that his relationship with Cabanos goes back decades.

“I met her when she was four.”

He explained that he first met Cabanos through his best friend, who was her brother and has since passed away.

“Sa best friend ko, yung brother niya who passed away… Kami na eventually, kami na yung naging mag-best friend. So hanggang ngayon, siya isang constant sa buhay ko.” (I met her through my best friend, who was her brother and has since passed away. Eventually, we became best friends, and until now, she has remained a constant in my life.)

He described Cabanos as a constant in his life and someone who has become part of his family.

Gutierrez also expressed pride in what she has achieved with Cinema SkinFX, especially after witnessing the struggles she faced while building the brand.

“Imagine mo, number one sa Shopee.” (Just imagine, it’s number one on Shopee.)

“Sobrang proud. Sobrang proud. Kita ko din yung struggles niya sa hirap sa paghahanap niya dito sa Cinema Skin,” he recalled. (I’m so proud. I’m so proud. I also saw her struggles and how difficult it was for her to find her way in building Cinema Skin.)

Two years of Cinema SkinFX

Cinema SkinFX officially began two years ago, with Cabanos marking the brand’s anniversary this August alongside her birthday.

The brand has since expanded into a beauty and wellness line offering products for various skincare concerns, including acne, aging, oily and dry skin, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, sensitivity, and textured skin.

Its lineup includes collagen supplements, acne treatments, moisturizers, sunscreens, retinol products, vitamin C serums, eye-care products, scalp treatments, soaps, and other targeted skincare formulations.

Cabanos said some of the brand’s products have also performed strongly on Shopee, including its collagen products.

She sees the response as more than a business achievement, saying she is happy that the products are helping consumers with concerns involving their skin and joints.

“Ang saya-saya na marami tayong natutulungan…” (It makes me so happy that we’re able to help many people.)

Cinema SkinFX’s official store carries the brand’s current lineup and promotes its promise of “Skincare & cosmetics that is so effective but won’t break your bank.”

For more information and to explore Cinema SkinFX’s products, visit the brand’s official online store.