Celebrating beauty

MANILA, Philippines — There is undeniable beauty in today’s youth. Perhaps, this beauty stems from their strength in facing challenges head on or from their fearless pursuit of their passions and dreams. In their beauty, there is hope. In hope there is freedom — from gender and race bias, and from the society’s abrasive, unrealistic standards.

Beauty brand Careline, with its “Diverse Beauty” campaign, sends a strong statement about embracing one’s uniqueness and individuality through its products that speak of confidence, self-expression and celebration of self.

And to celebrate beauty in diversity, the brand recently tapped millennials, collectively known as the “Careline Gang,” to be the faces of this successful campaign.    This includes 22-year-old Margarita “Gita” Gumabao and 24-year-old Seff Francisco.

Gita Gumabao

“I want to push myself further, especially when it comes to fitness. I believe that ‘strong is sexy’ and that’s what I want to achieve — to be strong and fit,” says Gita, a graduating Psychology student from the De La Salle University, who is also a plus-size model.

Growing up, Gita knew that she was different from her classmates and peers but it never became a problem for her. “Since I was surrounded by family and friends who accepted me for who I am, it was easier for me to accept the fact that I am really bigger than others. But one day, it occurred to me that I have to work on my body not to conform but to challenge and push myself so I could embrace myself completely,” shares Gita.

It was when Gita started to model for a direct selling brand’s catalog that she learned how to love herself more. It also helped that her family, especially her sister, Katrina, an international plus-size model, supported her all the way.

“Katrina is my role model. I really love how she speaks about her advocacy of body positivity. I learned from her the importance of finding your voice because with the message you put out there, you do not know who you will inspire and affect with it,” says Gita, who admits that unlike her siblings, who include volleyball star Michele Gumabao, she is the observer, the shy one. She learned from them how to be more open to people.

When asked about her experience being part of the Careline Gang, she said, “It is very nice to be part of this beauty in diversity campaign because its message reflects what I also believe in. And of course, I use its products, too!”

Gita shares that her go-to Careline products include the Careline Best Brow Liner for everyday use and Careline Oil Control Blush in Fresh Tomato “because it’s very pigmented, it gives a pop of color to your cheeks!” Also included in her simple beauty regimen is light powder like the Careline Oil Control Face Powder, which helps absorb excess oil and gives one a shine-free look all day. It’s enriched with Vitamin E that moisturizes and conditions the skin.

As Gita embarks on a journey to self-discovery, it is important for her that she is able to express herself freely and embrace the person she is today. “I am working on things about myself and this Careline campaign helped me to accept me for who I am even more.”

Seff Francisco

With a welcoming aura and vibrant personality, it is hard to miss blogger/vlogger Seff Francisco in a crowded room, say, in an event or a busy photo shoot.

When Seff is all made up, like for this Careline shoot, where he did his own hair and makeup by the way, one will see him in his signature look — dark smoky eyes with soft/neutral lips. But behind the glamorous look he puts out on his social media accounts is a dedicated son who helps his family manage their almost a century-old pasalubong business called Ocampo-Lansang Delicacies in Sta. Rita, Pampanga.

“I help in the business full-time. I also help in production, wrapping the products manually — in T-shirt and shorts! It is unglamorous compared to what people see in my vlog and social media but I love helping the family,” says Seff, a Tourism graduate of the Angeles University Foundation, who is also his family’s designated “spokesperson” whenever there are tourists who would drop by their store and would like to know more about the history of our business.

Despite working full time at his family’s business, Seff finds time to do his makeup videos and social media content on Sundays, his “day off” from the store. This is when he works on his passion. “I want to do more and do things that are meaningful to me. This is also how I discover more of myself. It fulfills me and I feel accomplished. I always ask myself what I will do next because I learned that by asking myself that question, it will lead me to my dreams. That’s what keeps me going.”

Seff is thankful that he was tapped to be part of the Careline campaign because aside from being a supporter of the campaign’s advocacy, he also loves Careline products. He especially likes the Careline Graph-Ink Liner, which features a long-lasting, water-based formula that produces a sharp contrast and definition to the eyes. It has a high-precision felt-tip applicator that allows him to apply it on his eyes as delicately or intensely as he wants. It is also smudge-proof and waterproof.

Seff is also fond of Careline’s Matte Liquid Lipstick because of its full-pigmented matte coverage. It dries fast and glides on evenly with just one swipe. Its unique formula provides hours of comfort without a dry feeling.

Like Gita, Seff also finds the importance of expressing himself freely and celebrating  beauty. “Being able to express myself is important in my journey. When people see that you are happy with yourself and you are positive, people will be accepting and appreciative. I am thankful that there are a lot of platforms that I can use now to be a voice for the people who are afraid to express themselves freely and for those who believe like me that makeup knows no gender or age.”