Five Standout Hairstyles Seen at The GQ Philippines Launch Dinner

It rarely takes an act of congress for a man to get ready for a night out. For generations, the masculine baseline has been blissfully simple: a sharp shirt, well-tailored trousersTrousersThe formal term for pants worn from the waist to the ankle, found in tailored, pleated, wide-leg, and cropped styles. The trouser's cut and drape shape the entire outfit, andGo to Trousers Glossary, a quick pass of a comb, and you’re out the door. But certain milestones demand a higher tier of intention. The inaugural launch dinner of GQ Philippines was precisely that kind of assignment—and the room understood it completely.

 Amidst the sea of dinner jackets and sharp tailoringTailoringThe craft of cutting, fitting, and altering clothes to suit an individual's body, from adjusting trouser hems to creating an entire suit. Good tailoring transforms how clothes look and feel,Go to Tailoring Glossary, we caught up with five of the evening’s most distinct creatives to talk personal style, the philosophy of slowing down, and the exact grooming rituals that keep them grounded.

Chico Cruz

Having been a fashion-oriented creator since 2023, Chico Cruz describes how the semi-mullet look he went for is a reflection of his thoughtful yet laid-back style—particularly with hair care. “Back then I would put too much product and go through different gels, waxes, and pomades. Now I just try to keep it simple: moisturize, sea salt spray, and of course clean my hair with CLEAR Men every time I come home and kick back,” he says.

And regardless of whether he’s playing video games or balancing work and studies, Cruz makes sure he takes it all in with a calm disposition. “Slow it down because nowadays we try to go really fast. We eat our food fast, we try to get to places as quickly as possible. But if you slow it down, things go smoothly, and things go way easier,” he adds.

Eugene Reggio

It’s almost impossible to envision Eugene Reggio without his signature mod haircut. For the launch, he intentionally paired a slightly undone, texturized version of his look against the razor-sharp lines of a classic black tuxedoTuxedoA formal suit traditionally worn in the evening, characterized by satin or grosgrain lapels and a matching stripe along the trousers, usually in black or midnight blue. A well-fitted tuxedoGo to Tuxedo Glossary. It’s a study in contrasts that defines his daily life as a high-fashion model.“Since I have products in my hair almost every day because of work, I’ve started to take my hair care more seriously,” he says.

That meticulousness carries over into how he preserves his sanity between castings and campaigns. Whether it’s a quick run through Manila or getting a morning cup of coffee. “Always having time to work out or play sports really levels me, and it’s been very important to me to clear my mind,” says Reggio.

Gabby King

Gabby King arrived at the dinner sporting a slick, Korean-inspired off-center part that perfectly framed his monochrome look. Navigating the worlds of content creation and high-stakes pageantry has given King an acute understanding of presentation—and the toll it takes. “I started to realize that hair care, hair health, and scalp health are so much more important than I realized it was before. And I think having to put a lot of product into my hair, I’ve grown to see the importance in how I take care of it,” he adds.

To King, his rule for showing up sharp is knowing when to take a step back and doing things that fulfill him, from honing his mixing skills and working out to giving himself and his hair its much-needed reset with CLEAR Men. “Doing whatever really makes you feel comfortable and something that really makes you feel you,” King says.

Gabby Salvador

Gabby Salvador took the assignment literally, getting a fresh trim just hours before the doors opened. His look for the night was an elevated, razor-sharp iteration of the classic comb-over—a nod to the heritage of the magazine he was celebrating.

“I actively try to dedicate at least 15 to 30 seconds a day just for hair care,” he says. “I just track as much as I can for the overall health of my hair. So, it’s just those intentional and very minute steps that I do every day.”

And between reading, exploring restaurants, and going on his usual runs, Salvador also finds that a quick look in the mirror always works to realign his confidence to last the day. “Just 30 seconds every day. Right before I leave, I just fix my hair, hype myself up, and that’s already part of my overall health and well-being,” Salvador explains.

Matt Santiago

Pairing a classic tuxedoTuxedoA formal suit traditionally worn in the evening, characterized by satin or grosgrain lapels and a matching stripe along the trousers, usually in black or midnight blue. A well-fitted tuxedoGo to Tuxedo Glossary with his longer-set hairstyle came naturally to Santiago’s look for the evening. Growing his hair to the length that it is today, however, was far from being an easy journey. “Back then, I usually just washed my hair every day with water,” he recalls. “But I’ve come to understand the hassles that women go through with theirs, so I started using proper hair products such as CLEAR Men twice or thrice a week for my routine.”

Outside of hair care, Santiago finds that building consistent habits like keeping up with his skincareSkincareThe regular practice of cleansing, treating, moisturizing, and protecting the skin to keep it healthy. For men, a simple routine of cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen goes a long way, andGo to Skincare Glossary or making the bed every morning helps in keeping himself leveled in his otherwise ever-moving lifestyle. “Making sure that I’m taking care of myself physically and emotionally has helped me a lot in getting ready for the day. To me, it’s just in small things that can make all the difference,” he says.

As these five creators continue to mingle alongside their stylish contemporaries, each of them expresses how it takes more than just a proper suit to complete their looks for the evening. As told through their stories, CLEAR Men shows that confidence is often best expressed through the quiet rituals that elevate both their everyday lifestyles, personal style, and hair care.

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