Manila, Philippines – Local beauty brands are having a moment, with exciting collections and quality that can compete with international brands. But if you think back to which brand led the way, it was Happy Skin.
In an episode of the Project Vanity podcast, hosts and beauty bloggers Liz Lanuzo and Denise Bengzon nerd out about makeup and skincare with Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, the pioneer Filipina makeup entrepreneur behind Happy Skin. Risa recalls how her early experiences with make-up as a model led her to put up her own beauty brand, and shares life lessons that continue to drive her entrepreneurship.
“It was actually at the peak of my modeling career that my skin was at its worst. Pimples, irritations, big pores, and patchy skin. It became a vicious cycle of using makeup to cover the effects of using makeup,” says Rissa. Her big idea? Makeup that cares for the skin. “So instead of waiting for someone to take action for an idea I had tremendous passion for, I thought why not just create this makeup line?”
Happy Skin launched in October 2013, and has since grown into a leading brand, collaborating with Heart Evangelista, Disney, and more.
“Rissa is a beauty mogul that has empowered Filipinas to love their skin and all their beautiful uniqueness,” says Liz, who is the editor of the Project Vanity blog as well as a skincare entrepreneur. When the team was planning their podcast and deciding who to interview, Rissa’s name was the first that came up.
“I think Happy Skin has proven itself [over the years], that it’s really such a unique brand, and it’s true that [it] really allowed the local beauty scene to really flourish. Not just flourish but really grow bigger than ever because [Happy Skin] was the proof of concept,” adds Liz.
In the podcast, Rissa talks about her favorite lipstick shade from Happy Skin—Honeymoon Glow, like so many of us—shares stories of makeup mistakes from her younger years, and insight into her life as a mom and wife.
“The truth is we never really run out of things we need to do or accomplish, and that’s why it’s important to think about what really matters to you,” Rissa says. “Transitioning from a model to entrepreneur and having my own business, my definition of wealth has changed. It’s not centered on money or profit or numbers. My personal definition of wealth is the time I have on my hands and my ability to control or do the things I want to do.”
Rissa’s advice for skincare? “If you can’t make time for you in your routine, then it’s not the best skincare routine for you.” The inspiration for Happy Skin’s skincare line actually came when her own routine had ballooned so much that her husband asked if she would rather spend an hour in the bathroom or with him.
“That was my wakeup call. There are some things that are more important than this. So it had to be something that allowed you to indulge as a woman but didn’t rob you from the more important things like time with family,” Rissa shares. “That’s why when we created Happy Skin’s skincare line, Happy Skin Beauty, that was the goal—empower women with skincare that works in just three steps.”
The story of Rissa and Happy Skin shows that it is up to us to be beautiful on our own terms. “I feel most confident, and I think any woman should feel very confident when they know what works for them,” she says.”
Rissa stands as an example of how it isn’t outer beauty, but inner beauty that is the powerful driving force for business.
“Surviving entrepreneurship requires not just business skills. It also requires values, strong values you hold on to,” says Rissa. “A strong kind of beauty that embraces the things you can’t see, the things you can’t measure. I think we all live in an era where professional and personal lines are blurred and principles are always tested. So the most important thing an entrepreneur can have is a strong sense of self.”
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The “Project Vanity” podcast looks at beauty through the lens of business. Hosted by Liz Lanuzo and Denise Bengzon of the “Project Vanity” beauty blog, its mission is to make you more beautiful by helping you realize that you’ve always been, and that you can be better at it when you have more information and inspiring stories to live by.
Listen to the full episode of “ProjectVanity” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or where ever you listen. “Project Vanity” is a PumaPodcast production.
