Fascinating Women 2023: Nicole Limos-Morales | ABS-CBN
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Fascinating Women 2023: Nicole Limos-Morales
Fascinating Women 2023: Nicole Limos-Morales
Metro.Style Team
Published Mar 31, 2023 06:59 PM PHT
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Updated Mar 31, 2023 07:01 PM PHT
Once a beauty girl, always a beauty girl. That's Nicole Limos-Morales, who started off as a beauty editor of a glossy magazine and transitioned into being a beauty entrepreneur—an equally thriving and exciting career path. The young mom-of-one and self-confessed beauty addict finds joy in helping other women find their space in the beauty world, one lipstick swatch at a time. We talked to this fascinating woman who is on top of her game, and picked her brain about the things she's most passionate about. Read on and get seriously inspired!
Once a beauty girl, always a beauty girl. That's Nicole Limos-Morales, who started off as a beauty editor of a glossy magazine and transitioned into being a beauty entrepreneur—an equally thriving and exciting career path. The young mom-of-one and self-confessed beauty addict finds joy in helping other women find their space in the beauty world, one lipstick swatch at a time. We talked to this fascinating woman who is on top of her game, and picked her brain about the things she's most passionate about. Read on and get seriously inspired!
Nicole Limos-Morales Photo by Dix Perez
Nicole Limos-Morales Photo by Dix Perez Metro.Style: Please tell us a little about what you currently do. Why do you love what youdo?
Nicole Limos-Morales: I’m the founder of The Beauty Edit, a relevant guide, a niche community, and arecognized expert in the world of beauty. With what I do now, I’d say I am anentrepreneur with a startup business, but I’m also a trained journalist with over 15 yearsof experience in both print and digital publishing, which is ultimately my passion andprofession. I love what I do because of its potential to make an impact, whether throughthe beauty boxes that we curate, our community of discerning consumers, or simply thekind of social content we produce.
Nicole Limos-Morales: I’m the founder of The Beauty Edit, a relevant guide, a niche community, and arecognized expert in the world of beauty. With what I do now, I’d say I am anentrepreneur with a startup business, but I’m also a trained journalist with over 15 yearsof experience in both print and digital publishing, which is ultimately my passion andprofession. I love what I do because of its potential to make an impact, whether throughthe beauty boxes that we curate, our community of discerning consumers, or simply thekind of social content we produce.
MS: How long have you been doing this and why do you still do it?
NLM: It is as much my indulgence as my purposeful work. It’s a personal passion that I’velearned to professionalize. The Beauty Edit started as a one-man team–me!–in March2020. I worked on content myself from layouts and photos to videos. I designedcollaterals, merch, the shopping website even! I learned about plug-ins and codes forcustomizing it the way I want and all. I was able to fix the payment checkouts which wasthe most intimidating part for me. I set up my own Google Analytics and so much more.But I guess more important, I set the business properly from the beginning and madesure it was legitimate and official by registering it in the SEC, so I would also take itseriously myself.
NLM: It is as much my indulgence as my purposeful work. It’s a personal passion that I’velearned to professionalize. The Beauty Edit started as a one-man team–me!–in March2020. I worked on content myself from layouts and photos to videos. I designedcollaterals, merch, the shopping website even! I learned about plug-ins and codes forcustomizing it the way I want and all. I was able to fix the payment checkouts which wasthe most intimidating part for me. I set up my own Google Analytics and so much more.But I guess more important, I set the business properly from the beginning and madesure it was legitimate and official by registering it in the SEC, so I would also take itseriously myself.
Related Story: Fascinating Women 2023: Rosalina Tan & Mary Jane Tan-Ong
MS: What is the best part about your job?
NLM: I think beauty is as much about people as the products they use. And to be honest, theyare the best part–the people, the connections and interactions we get from The BeautyEdit community. Here is where relationships feel real because they are. It’s the biggestsurprise for me as this wasn’t part of the business plan when I put up the company.
NLM: I think beauty is as much about people as the products they use. And to be honest, theyare the best part–the people, the connections and interactions we get from The BeautyEdit community. Here is where relationships feel real because they are. It’s the biggestsurprise for me as this wasn’t part of the business plan when I put up the company.
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I was never a believer in making friends on the Internet but The Beauty Edit completelychanged that. I’ve genuinely learned to love and appreciate many members of ourcommunity who are constantly in touch through the platform, from our customers andreaders, fellow editors and entrepreneurs. I wasn’t even aware of it in the beginning butI think this was a result of genuine and deep interest in and care for people. I’ve ledmany to find a dermatologist or discover their fountain of youth. I’ve had nerdyconversations on ingredients with several skincare junkies. I’ve accompanied many intheir shopping sprees albeit virtually whether it’s to recommend something or talk aboutmy experience with a particular product. I know many of their personal stories becauseat some point they’ve already become friends. I even made it to the guest list of a superintimate wedding of a friend I made through The Beauty Edit.
I was never a believer in making friends on the Internet but The Beauty Edit completelychanged that. I’ve genuinely learned to love and appreciate many members of ourcommunity who are constantly in touch through the platform, from our customers andreaders, fellow editors and entrepreneurs. I wasn’t even aware of it in the beginning butI think this was a result of genuine and deep interest in and care for people. I’ve ledmany to find a dermatologist or discover their fountain of youth. I’ve had nerdyconversations on ingredients with several skincare junkies. I’ve accompanied many intheir shopping sprees albeit virtually whether it’s to recommend something or talk aboutmy experience with a particular product. I know many of their personal stories becauseat some point they’ve already become friends. I even made it to the guest list of a superintimate wedding of a friend I made through The Beauty Edit.
I also see it as two-way because I also learn so much from many of them. They lead meto brands I’ve never heard of or beauty treatments I’ve never tried just the same. Thefragrance junkies are a different breed with all their niche fragrance knowledge, it’sincredible. Their feedback fuels us to carry on and dream bigger. Many of theconversations with them also inspire the content of The Beauty Edit.
I also see it as two-way because I also learn so much from many of them. They lead meto brands I’ve never heard of or beauty treatments I’ve never tried just the same. Thefragrance junkies are a different breed with all their niche fragrance knowledge, it’sincredible. Their feedback fuels us to carry on and dream bigger. Many of theconversations with them also inspire the content of The Beauty Edit.
I think one of the fundamental gratifications of the body is to care for it. When you thinkof it this way, you realize there how beauty is really beyond mere products that makeyour skin plumper or your lips pinker. They’re always tied to an experience, a memory, athought. And so I also love how we have that opportunity to showcase this world ofbeauty as moving as the memories to which the products are attached or with the depthand even humor it rightly deserves, apart from the fun parts we’re already very muchaware of.
I think one of the fundamental gratifications of the body is to care for it. When you thinkof it this way, you realize there how beauty is really beyond mere products that makeyour skin plumper or your lips pinker. They’re always tied to an experience, a memory, athought. And so I also love how we have that opportunity to showcase this world ofbeauty as moving as the memories to which the products are attached or with the depthand even humor it rightly deserves, apart from the fun parts we’re already very muchaware of.
MS: Can you share some career milestones?
NLM: I could think of three key things. First, when I became features editor of my dream title, Town&Country, after I decided toquit my first job in publishing of 5 years without a plan. This was a calculated risk–I washeavily burnt out and just knew it was the right time to leave. It was a good decisionbecause I allowed myself time to recharge before looking for the next opportunity. Iflourished in Town&Country Philippines because my boss recognized my potential andallowed me to grow. I was promoted and moved positions 7 times throughout the 8years I worked in this publication, and so I was pushed to excel and live up to what’sexpected of me. This also highlights the importance of a mentor or a person whobelieves in you. And this has impacted the way I also now run my company and workwith my team.
NLM: I could think of three key things. First, when I became features editor of my dream title, Town&Country, after I decided toquit my first job in publishing of 5 years without a plan. This was a calculated risk–I washeavily burnt out and just knew it was the right time to leave. It was a good decisionbecause I allowed myself time to recharge before looking for the next opportunity. Iflourished in Town&Country Philippines because my boss recognized my potential andallowed me to grow. I was promoted and moved positions 7 times throughout the 8years I worked in this publication, and so I was pushed to excel and live up to what’sexpected of me. This also highlights the importance of a mentor or a person whobelieves in you. And this has impacted the way I also now run my company and workwith my team.
Second, delving into entrepreneurship, which is a completely different ball game. TheBeauty Edit is a company and to be able to carry on with our mission to inform, inspire,empower, and entertain, we also need to be profitable and make healthy margins. Ialways say I’m an editor first before I’m an entrepreneur. This plays a role in many of mybusiness decisions. It’s a challenge too, which is why it’s important to be very self-awareand aligned to our core values such as integrity, service, and excellence.
Second, delving into entrepreneurship, which is a completely different ball game. TheBeauty Edit is a company and to be able to carry on with our mission to inform, inspire,empower, and entertain, we also need to be profitable and make healthy margins. Ialways say I’m an editor first before I’m an entrepreneur. This plays a role in many of mybusiness decisions. It’s a challenge too, which is why it’s important to be very self-awareand aligned to our core values such as integrity, service, and excellence.
Third, launching The Beauty Edit Box a year after I established The Beauty Edit. Thiswas another risk. There was no premium discovery beauty box in the Philippines whenwe launched The Beauty Edit Box, a longtime dream. We take the curation of eachvolume very seriously, making each a true edit with products apt for the box themes andwe can truly vouch for. Our customers see this quality and the amount of passion that is poured into each curation, and this is why it has been successful since it launched withevery edition selling out in a matter of days.
Third, launching The Beauty Edit Box a year after I established The Beauty Edit. Thiswas another risk. There was no premium discovery beauty box in the Philippines whenwe launched The Beauty Edit Box, a longtime dream. We take the curation of eachvolume very seriously, making each a true edit with products apt for the box themes andwe can truly vouch for. Our customers see this quality and the amount of passion that is poured into each curation, and this is why it has been successful since it launched withevery edition selling out in a matter of days.
MS: What advice would you give women who want to pursue a career like yours?
NLM: Always pursue excellence. If you’re a creative, your purpose will always be tied to twothings: what you’re good at and what you love doing. I think those are God’s tiny cluesto help us figure it out and point us to a direction that would fulfill us.
NLM: Always pursue excellence. If you’re a creative, your purpose will always be tied to twothings: what you’re good at and what you love doing. I think those are God’s tiny cluesto help us figure it out and point us to a direction that would fulfill us.
Remember the one thing that you cannot rush—experience; and the one thing youcannot fake—knowledge. You can’t chat GPT real life. Hone your skills, learn from yourmistakes (you will make them and that’s okay), master your topics, go through theprocess. That’s how experts are made. The reason I am able to sit and talk confidentlynow in panels and at events is because of over a decade’s worth of experience, fromusing products and interviewing experts to attending events and putting in the hardwork. I always tell my team that confidence usually comes from knowledge andexperience–which means you don’t have to pretend or ‘just do it’ because it can belearned and come from a deeper and more practical source.
Remember the one thing that you cannot rush—experience; and the one thing youcannot fake—knowledge. You can’t chat GPT real life. Hone your skills, learn from yourmistakes (you will make them and that’s okay), master your topics, go through theprocess. That’s how experts are made. The reason I am able to sit and talk confidentlynow in panels and at events is because of over a decade’s worth of experience, fromusing products and interviewing experts to attending events and putting in the hardwork. I always tell my team that confidence usually comes from knowledge andexperience–which means you don’t have to pretend or ‘just do it’ because it can belearned and come from a deeper and more practical source.
The experiences, the knowledge, the friends, the colleagues, the connections you makeare the same that you’ll take wherever you go. It’s important to build a good, solidfoundation wherever you are. People remember good output and great work ethic. Workso hard and be so good that people remember you for the kind of output you produceand as your own person apart from the title you hold at your job.
The experiences, the knowledge, the friends, the colleagues, the connections you makeare the same that you’ll take wherever you go. It’s important to build a good, solidfoundation wherever you are. People remember good output and great work ethic. Workso hard and be so good that people remember you for the kind of output you produceand as your own person apart from the title you hold at your job.
MS: What difficult times have you encountered and what is the best lesson you gotfrom those times?
NLM: The most difficult times always involved crossroads and making decisions that involveother people. There’d be noise before the path is clear. What I learned is that for thosewho doubt you, most of the time, nothing you do will ever be enough. Listen to your gut,take your time to process, remember your north star. There are mentors and there aredementors. Know how to tell one from the other.
NLM: The most difficult times always involved crossroads and making decisions that involveother people. There’d be noise before the path is clear. What I learned is that for thosewho doubt you, most of the time, nothing you do will ever be enough. Listen to your gut,take your time to process, remember your north star. There are mentors and there aredementors. Know how to tell one from the other.
MS: What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?
NLM: I quit my first dream job around that time, and was clearly in a quarter life crisis. Inhindsight, I would’ve probably benefitted from knowing that the world was far biggerthan how I saw it and there was more to explore and experience if I only believed inmyself more. I would also tell 25-year-old Nicole to surround and align herself withexcellent brands, kind people, and empowering mentors.
NLM: I quit my first dream job around that time, and was clearly in a quarter life crisis. Inhindsight, I would’ve probably benefitted from knowing that the world was far biggerthan how I saw it and there was more to explore and experience if I only believed inmyself more. I would also tell 25-year-old Nicole to surround and align herself withexcellent brands, kind people, and empowering mentors.
MS: Why should women be celebrated more in the career space?
NLM: We have so many roles whether we’re married, single, in a relationship, and so much isexpected of us in these spheres of our lives. To be able to flourish in a career given allour other roles as a mother, wife, partner, homemaker, sister, daughter, and more is afeat in itself! I was raised by empowered women since my dad was assassinated when Iwas a toddler. My mom never remarried and took the role of working and raising 3children by herself with the help of my grandmother. I guess I knew no other world thanwomen leading it.
NLM: We have so many roles whether we’re married, single, in a relationship, and so much isexpected of us in these spheres of our lives. To be able to flourish in a career given allour other roles as a mother, wife, partner, homemaker, sister, daughter, and more is afeat in itself! I was raised by empowered women since my dad was assassinated when Iwas a toddler. My mom never remarried and took the role of working and raising 3children by herself with the help of my grandmother. I guess I knew no other world thanwomen leading it.
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