Between Cultures, Beauty, and Resilience: A Journey Through Sunscreen, Lipsticks, and Life
“I’ve always felt in between,” she begins. “Between being American and Filipino. I was born in Manila, but my family moved to the U.S. when I was six. I grew up in Orange County, later worked in LA, and somehow ended up back in Manila.”
That duality—the bridge between cultures, experiences, and expectations—has shaped not only her worldview but her career in beauty. From early childhood, she was enamored with cosmetics. “I loved going to the department store and painting my entire face. In high school, during career day, I told everyone I was going to have a beauty brand.” Inspiration came partly from her mother and partly from a family steeped in entertainment: a godmother who was an actress, an aunt who was a beauty queen, and a brother she jokingly calls “the Joey Tribbiani of my life.”
Early Career: Blogging, Purple Eyeshadow, and Brand Identity
College was a strange internet era, where she posted photos of herself and her bunny in her bra on her blog. That quirky online presence caught the attention of American Apparel, who hired her to navigate social media. She recalls her first week: “I wore purple eyeshadow, and the CEO told me to wipe it off in front of everyone. But I learned so much about staying true to a vision and having a strong identity as a brand.”
By 2013, her now co-founders Bea and Eric had started an apparel line, Charlie, which led to a collaboration with her cousin, Georgina Wilson, host of Asia’s Next Top Model. Georgina recruited her for marketing, and despite being rooted in the U.S., she agreed to move back to Manila—a decision she calls “one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken—but it’s paid off.”
From Sunglasses to Lipsticks: The Birth of Sunnies Face
The original venture focused on sunglasses through Sunnies Studios, but campaigns revealed a gap in beauty representation. “Whenever we shot a Filipina, getting the right lip color was always a struggle. Southeast Asian tones were underrepresented; nudes looked ashy.” On-set experimentation led to mixed lip shades that audiences asked about incessantly.
That curiosity sparked Sunnies Face, the cosmetics arm of the brand. Launching Fluffmate, a matte lipstick, involved testing over 300 samples to suit the Philippines’ diverse skin tones. “People were waiting eight hours to get lipstick! Our stock meant for six months sold out in three weeks. We had to restrict purchases because some were reselling at triple the cost. It floored me.”
Skincare: Minimal, Thoughtful, and Effective
She keeps her skincare routine simple, emphasizing hydration and protection over complexity. Mornings begin with Cocokind Barrier Serum, followed by Sunnies Face Dream Cream. Puffy eyes? Frozen green tea bags do the trick—caffeine constricts blood vessels, and it’s sustainable.
Sunscreen has become a joy rather than a chore. She relies on Sunnies Face Sunsafe SPF 50, invisible, fragrance-free, and broad-spectrum. Night routines vary with skin needs: Face Erase for makeup removal, Tata Harper Nourishing Cleansing Oil, and gentle cleansers like Avène XeraCalm A.D or iS Clinical Cleansing Complex. Exfoliation rotates between Tatcha Rice Polish and chemical options like Biologique P50.
She integrates rituals for lymphatic flow, especially following her experience with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a virus-induced facial paralysis during pregnancy. “Gua sha, lymphatic exercises, dry brushing—it’s been incredibly healing. My specialists, like April Bodie in Melbourne and Bee Czarnota from The Beetox Method, have been life-changing.”
Makeup: Warm, Peachy, and Personalized
Makeup became both therapy and self-expression. She favors tonal, warm nudes, with occasional bold touches like cat eyes and glossy cheeks. Primers include Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch and Sunnies Face Perfector. Foundations rotate between Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin, Saie Slip Tint, and Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte.
Her lip collection is a personal passion. Sunnies Face Fluffmatte in “Vacay” is her signature—a peachy nude pink long sought after. The new Fluffbalm combines lipstick and balm for daily wear. Cheeks glow with Saie Super Gel, Glossier Cloud Paint, and bronzers from Benefit and Chanel. Eyelashes are curled with Kevyn Aucoin, mascaras rotate, and eyeliner remains the dependable Revlon ColorStay in Black Brown.
Hair, Fragrance, and Body Rituals
Haircare philosophy: be high maintenance in the salon so it’s low maintenance daily. Stylist Mina at Easthaven Salon in LA and colorist Anna-Lee Fiorino at Chaz Dean Studio ensure perfect care. Home routines feature Sachajuan Ocean Mist or Philip B. Peppermint Avocado Shampoo, minimal conditioner, and styling with Dyson Supersonic and GHD Curling Iron.
Fragrance preferences skew unisex: Tacit by Aesop, Another 13 by Le Labo, and White Suede by Tom Ford for evenings.
Body and wellness are curated experiences. Moon Juice tinctures for mental clarity and calm, Marvis Aquatic Mint toothpaste for a small luxury, and Filipino sexual wellness brand Jellytime for empowerment. Shower rituals include Dr. Teal’s Eucalyptus & Spearmint Body Wash, European Spa Source Mist, and classic Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap. She occasionally uses Avène XeraCalm Balm when extra hydration is needed.
Resilience Through Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
The 2020 pandemic intersected with a personal health crisis. Contracting Ramsay Hunt Syndrome during pregnancy left half of her face paralyzed. “Statistically, recovery while pregnant is slim,” she explains. Lockdown offered time to heal, mentally and physically, allowing acceptance and gratitude to take root. Makeup, skincare rituals, and lymphatic exercises were tools of empowerment and confidence.
Closing Thoughts
Her story blends culture, beauty, and resilience. From early fascination with cosmetics to building a beloved brand, managing wellness, and navigating serious health challenges, she embodies balance and creativity. Sunscreen, lipsticks, serums, gua sha, and a meticulous hair color routine aren’t just self-care—they are expressions of identity, heritage, and empowerment.
In her words: “Beauty has always been a bridge for me, between cultures, between self-expression, and between healing and confidence.”
