From wearing a pageant crown to sporting the CEO hat, Lia Andrea Ramos has become the girl boss of Glamourbox.ph. She schools us on beauty multitasking—from not using water to wash your face (yes, read on), to not having to choose between skincare and makeup.
Lia, who's formerly of pageant fame—Binibining Pilipinas Universe, no less—sat on an armchair in front of the camera, prim and proper as expected, but in no way shy. I tried to have her emulate a laidback, casual girl in an attempt to emphasize her image switch, but the truth was Lia has no chill—and that's saying it in a good way. A great way, in fact. From the beauty queen scene, she has zoomed through modeling, then PR, picking up things on beauty along the way, turning her into a true beauty junkie and eventually impelling her to jump-start the beauty retail site Glamourbox.ph , a business she now heads as the CEO.
On Lia: Dress, price unavailable, Rosenthal Tee, rosenthal.tee@gmail.com
Running a business is no glamorous job, but like we said, Lia has no chill. She hits the ground running: In the morning, she downs a protein shake before her coffee while checking her emails, then runs off to the office (explains the figure!), then later on sleeps, probably dreaming of next month’s strategies. "I used to bring home work and be on my laptop until 1 a.m.," she shares. "But I have learned to zone out and give myself time to do other things after I leave." But between training employees, meeting new people, and making sure the business is running smoothly, Lia’s got multitasking down pat, down to her beauty regimen, by finding the happy medium between makeup and skincare.
"I go through different phases since I test new beauty products on a regular basis. I am constantly obsessed with skincare, I think it comes with age. Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin, and you will need less base if your skin is clear. I see my dermatologist monthly and do skin treatments, and I am always keen to try products she recommends for anti-aging. I also have sensitive skin, so I am very careful with the products I test and apply on my face.
"I love French pharmacy products because they are fuss-free and perfect for sensitive skin. There was a time I was obsessed with the no-water skin regimen, but it’s so tough to do when you live in Manila and you feel there is a lot of dirt sitting on your skin due to the pollution. I used face mists to refresh my skin morning and evening."
On Lia: Apron top, price unavailable, Rosenthal Tee, rosenthal.tee@gmail.com
Take a peek into Lia's beauty regimen below:
"I start with a spritz of Avène thermal spray and wash my face with a gentle oat-based cleanser. I apply a clarifying toner every other day. Then I put on Vitamin C Serum, eye cream, and a day cream with SPF."
AVENE Thermal Spring Water, P866, SM Makati
BIODERMA Hydrabio Cleansing Milk, price unavailable, Beautymnl
NEOSTRATA Skin Active Matrix Support SPF 20, price unavailable, DMark Beauty
"I do my makeup in 10 to 15 minutes—brows using a brow pencil, cover dark circles using an undereye concealer, apply mascara, then a winged line using gel liner or liquid liner. I finish with a cheek gel and tinted balm and a spritz of glow mist."
EYE OF HORUS Ultimate Brow Define in Medium Brown, P950, Glamourbox
EYE OF HORUS Goddess Mascara, P990, Glamourbox
PIXI Sheer Cheek Gel in Rosy Red, P890, Glamourbox
"I have tons of lipsticks—liquid lipsticks, lip pencils, and tinted balms. I am so into liquid lipsticks at the moment. When I have no time to do my makeup, I just put on a bold, long-lasting lipstick and that does the trick! I love red and it was my go-to look for evening, but now I am loving plum and berry shades. It quickly transforms my look from plain to vampy...If I am going out at night, I add eyeliner and switch to a darker shade of lipstick: Ofra’s Liquid Lipstick in New Orleans."
OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in New Orleans, P850, Glamourbox
Photographed by Koji Arboleda
Hair and Makeup by Sylvina Lopez
Styled by Belle Rodolfo
Shot on location at the apartment of Ivy Almario
*This article originally appeared in Preview Magazine's August 2015 issue.
