In the local beauty industry, if there is one name synonymous with “kilay is life” and impeccably groomed brows, it is Momoi Supe. Hailing from Koronadal, South Cotabato, Momoi built a name as one of the country’s pioneering master brow artists and among the early advocates of permanent eyebrow makeup in the Philippines. For younger beauty enthusiasts, however, he may be more recognizable as the CEO behind cult-favorite beauty labels Strokes Beauty and Strokes Eye Beauty Studio.

But beyond the polished image, celebrity clientele, and thriving beauty brands lies a story shaped by reinvention, resilience, and purpose.

Long before he became known as a brow authority, Momoi came to love makeup in high school. “I discovered my knack for makeup in my second year of high school, often spending my breaks and school events styling my classmates,” he tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “Even in my downtime, I was perfecting my technique, mostly by making sure my own eyebrows were always plucked to perfection.”

Ironically, beauty was not his first profession. Before fully entering the industry, Momoi spent a decade working as a freelance interior designer. But despite having an established career, he eventually found himself longing for a creative reset.

“After a decade as a freelance interior designer, I found myself reaching a point of creative exhaustion,” he shares. “Seeking a fresh perspective, I enrolled in makeup school, a decision that instantly reignited my passion for artistry.”

The transition was neither immediate nor glamorous. Momoi spent years refining his craft through pro bono projects and test shoots before eventually forming a bridal makeup team with fellow brow artist and now business partner Keighty Wong. His portfolio later expanded into celebrity male grooming after director Jay Pacena introduced him to rapper Gloc-9, whom he worked with for nearly three years.

Still, the biggest turning point in his career came unexpectedly in 2014. At the time, Momoi was balancing both interior design and makeup work when his mother became seriously ill. In an effort to help cover medical expenses, he moved to Dubai for work. But upon returning to the Philippines, he noticed the growing demand for microblading and permanent makeup.

“Driven by curiosity, I used the down payment from my first interior design project to enroll in an international microblading course,” he says. “What began as a side hobby quickly evolved. The overwhelming support from clients and celebrities transformed my sideline into a thriving new career and business.”

His background in interior design became an unexpected advantage in the beauty world. “My background in interior design, specifically my training in symmetrical aesthetics, has been the foundation of my success in permanent makeup,” he explains. “I believe that my eye for balance and my passion for beauty allow me to approach eyebrow design with a unique precision.”

That precision soon attracted beauty queens, celebrities, and public personalities, including Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Michelle Dee, Celeste Cortesi, Chelsea Manalo, and Bea Millan-Windorski. But despite the glamorous clientele, Momoi said his most memorable experiences happen away from pageant stages and cameras.

“Whether I am helping a survivor of domestic violence reclaim her self-esteem or restoring the brows of a cancer survivor after chemotherapy, my work goes far beyond aesthetics,” he says. “Every session is a reminder that permanent makeup is more than a service. It is a powerful tool for healing and women empowerment.”

The same philosophy eventually became the backbone of his growing beauty empire. “Strokes began with a very clear purpose: to help people feel more confident through beautifully designed brows and beauty services,” Momoi says about Strokes Cosmetics and Strokes Eye Beauty Studio. “I wanted people to experience the precision, balance, and confidence that beautifully crafted brows can bring, even outside the studio setting.”

From eyebrow artistry, the brand eventually expanded into wellness through Strokes Nail Spa and Wellness Studio, a space that combines beauty, self-care, and thoughtful interiors.

“It is not just a place to get your nails done,” he says. “It is a space for self-care, relaxation, and quiet luxury. We want every client to leave not only looking more polished, but also feeling lighter, calmer, and more cared for.”

And he didn’t stop there. Most recently, he ventured into fragrance through Siáge Fragrances, a brand that was developed based on storytelling and emotion. “Perfume felt like a very natural direction because scent is such a powerful part of beauty and identity,” he says. “Makeup enhances how you look, wellness services affect how you feel, and fragrance captures how you want to be remembered.”

For Momoi, fragrance goes beyond simply smelling good. Instead, it becomes part of a person’s presence and memory. “With Siáge, we wanted to explore beauty in a more intimate and sensory way,” he adds. “Sometimes, beauty is not limited to what people see. Sometimes, it is what they feel around you and what they remember after you leave.”

Today, whether through brows, makeup, wellness spaces, or fragrance, Momoi continues to anchor everything he creates on the same philosophy: #BeautyDefinedByYou.

“Beauty should never be dictated by trends or standards set by others. Across all my brands, my goal has always been to empower people to embrace and define beauty on their own terms,” he ends.