Just two months into 2026, a wave of throwbacks has already resurfaced online. From TV shows celebrating a decade since their release to trends making an unexpected comeback, internet users have been quick to jump on the nostalgia ride.
Makeup transitions have long ruled social media, but Filipinas are currently putting their own spin on it with a trend that’s everywhere: the ‘Bebot’ trend.
What is a Bebot?
‘Bebot’ is a Filipino slang which also means ‘babe’ or ‘pretty woman’ that was already used in the 1980s. It refers to Filipinas who are confidently beautiful and aren’t afraid to show it.
In terms of looks, bebots are known to rock thin eyebrows, smokey eyeshadows, a jet-black eyeliner, and lipgloss. Filipina skin must be highlighted in this look, having limited to no blush at all and focusing on the bronzed base.
To complete the look, Y2K style is the perfect match—think hoop earrings, bold outfits, and oversized shades. To elevate it even further, hair is worn deliberately messy, styled with side bangs or a mini pompadour at the crown.
The term had been popularly known when Black Eyed Peas made a song about it in 2006 as part of their ‘Monkey Business’ album. Filipino-American member apl.de.ap was inspired to make the song out of his pride and love for his fellow Filipinos.
Two decades later, the song is once again making its way back to the music scene accompanied by a makeup trend that speaks a lot about Filipino beauty.
The Bebot trend
The trend started in a Tiktok video posted by content creator Belle Pauleen, where she showed her glammed up look while using the ‘Bebot’ music.
She also captioned her video with “Bebot is just Filipina baddie but in [T]agalog.”
Since then, a lot of content creators have joined the trend with their own version of a ‘bebot look.’
On the other hand, netizens have highly praised content creator Monique Libres for accurately imitating the look and starting the ‘historically accurate bebot’ trend.
@monique_libres na para bang isa sya sa mga backup dancers 👯 #bebot #makeupph #makeuptrend #beautytok #makeuptransition ♬ original sound – 𝖏𝖚𝖑𝖘
In her transformation, Libres highlighted the look with thin eyebrows, smokey eyeshadows, hoop earrings, and mini pompadour hairstyle. With this, her look became the standard for other Filipinas trying on the trend.
@lolydlplr Pasado po ba? IB: Ms. @Monique ♬ original sound – 𝖏𝖚𝖑𝖘
@eulaarielle_ when i think of bebot, i think of assunta de rossi in jologs #bebot #makeuptransition makeup ib: @Monique ♬ original sound – 𝖏𝖚𝖑𝖘
Filipina beauty
TikTok content creator Ayn Bernos also expressed her thoughts about the trend, saying that it’s doing a lot for Filipina beauty.
She emphasized that there has never been a positive discussion about Filipina beauty until the ‘bebot look’ became viral.
“I also love that because of this ‘bebot trend,’ the validation of a Filipina beauty is not coming from foreigners but from our own,” Bernos said. “Finally, it’s time that we understand the beauty, color, and features that we have.”
Aside from the bebot aesthetic, another Filipina style has been making the rounds online: the kikay trend. While the bebot look leans toward a baddie aesthetic, kikay embraces a more girly and stylish vibe, transforming it into a positive expression of self-love and femininity.
@_chtmndz from bebot to kikay 😗 #makeuptransformation #kikaytransition #bebottransition ♬ original sound – ish, RN. 👩🏻⚕️
Whether it’s bebot or kikay, these viral trends have inspired Filipinos—and even foreigners hopping on the trend—to embrace their own beauty and grow more confident in who they are and what they have.
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