You look great, by the way
The first time I ever thought about beauty, it wasn’t because of lipstick or a cleanser. It was perfume. Well, technically, it was a bottle of Johnson’s baby cologne. My very first one. A tiny bottle I was finally allowed to use because I was finally “old enough.”
I remember how proud I felt—like I was being quietly invited into this world my mother and grandmother lived in. The world of grown women. Of softness and strength. Of rituals and red lips. That spritz of scent was more than just a fragrance. It was permission.
Hi, I’m Jacqueline. I’m a Filipina, proudly morena, and someone who has had a long, complicated—sometimes hilarious journey—with beauty. I’m a new contributor here. But before we talk about skincare routines, new treatments, or what’s trending, I wanted to start with something more real.
Discovering self-love
The truth is, beauty is personal.
I grew up surrounded by it. My family is behind Jul B. Dizon Jewellery, and while we’re known for our designs, what I’ve really seen over the years is something far more powerful. I’ve watched women try on a piece of jewelry and stand a little taller. Light up in the mirror. I’ve seen them recognize something in themselves they hadn’t seen in a while—or ever!
And I realized that beauty, at its best, isn’t about changing yourself. It’s about remembering or discovering who you are.
That said, my own beauty journey wasn’t always joyful. I spent years comparing myself to what I saw in magazines and on-screen. I didn’t see girls like me. Five-foot-five. Brown-skinned. With a soft tummy and not-so-perfect hair. I grew up thinking that I had to be taller, thinner, and lighter. I made other people’s opinions louder than my own.
I know I’m not alone in that. So many of us have carried beauty standards that weren’t made with us in mind. So many of us have felt like we needed to “fix” ourselves before showing up.
But here’s the truth. The people I find most beautiful now are the ones who are unafraid to be seen exactly as they are. And that’s what I’m trying to do, too.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
In the pieces I’ll be sharing here, I’ll talk about the things that help me feel more like myself. The skincare routines that feel like a soft reset. The derma treatments I’ve tried (yes, I’ve done Ulthera) and the ones I’m still curious about. I’ll talk about what’s on my vanity, what’s in my kikay kit, and what I’m still figuring out.
Like my eyebrows.
Please don’t judge me when I say I’ve probably had 20 different eyebrow phases. Not all of them were great. I look back at photos now and laugh. Honestly, I might even have eyebrow blindness. That’s when you stop being able to tell if your brows actually suit you, but you’re too emotionally attached to change them. One day, I hope I’ll find the right shape. But until then, I’m going with my trusty go-to and winging it like the rest of us.
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about doing everything “right.” It’s about trying. About allowing yourself the space to find out who you are and what makes you feel good. It’s not a mistake if you learn something new or learn a lesson. That’s what I’d tell my 16-year-old self. Be brave enough to try.
I also want this to be a space for discovery. I’ll feature brands and people I admire. Not just the ones generating buzz right now, but the ones I believe in. I’m not here to recommend anything I wouldn’t genuinely use myself. But I am here to show you what’s out there—especially products and creators who are doing something different or meaningful. Because there’s real joy in finding a new lipstick that makes you feel like you. Or a skincare step that becomes your five-minute peace. Or a scent that reminds you you’re allowed to take up space.
Whether you’re in your teens, 20s, 30s, or anywhere beyond, if you’ve ever questioned how you looked, or wished you could be more confident, or just needed a new perspective, I hope you find something here that makes you feel seen.
Let’s talk about beauty. The exciting parts. The complicated things. The ugly crying over bad facials. The eyebrow regrets. The quiet mornings spent putting on blush. The mirror pep talks. The jewelry that makes you feel unstoppable. The skincare that feels like self-respect. Let’s talk about all of that.
Because it’s beautiful, actually. So, be kind to yourself.
