#FashionThatBeautifies: Rissa Mananquil-Trillo Shows How Being Yourself Is The Most Beautiful Thing Ever
The Happy Skin makeup mogul and former model shares her history as an “ugly duckling” and how she learned to “find beauty in flaws” and transcend others’ judgment.
This month of July is Metro.Style's Beauty Month. In our special profiles called #FashionThatBeautifies, we talk to stylish women and how makeup and beauty strengthen and empower them, while relating these to their sartorial choices. Yes, fashion and beauty go hand in hand!
Growing up, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo was teased for being dark skinned and not developing “right” curves at the right age. Because she worked hard at school, her parents expected her to become a doctor or a lawyer. No one dreamed that she would one day be synonymous with beauty—not only as a model, but as one of the Philippines’ first world-class skin-caring makeup moguls.
As co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Happy Skin, Rissa’s brand is on its way to taking on the global market. Having caught the eye of international collaborators such as Disney, Sanrio, and Havaianas, as well as Filipino beauty icons such as Heart Evangelista and Liz Uy, it’s no surprise that Ernst & Young recognized Rissa as the Philippines’ Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017.
But despite all the success, Rissa still remembers the teasing and how it shaped her. “After receiving so many labels about how I looked, what I did was not only to accept those names and labels—I also chose to transcend them,” she says. Now, whether it’s through fashion or makeup, Rissa embraces all the qualities that were once used to torment her.
Click through the gallery below to see how Rissa Mananquil-Trillo shows how she uses fashion and makeup to “find beauty in flaws.”
#FashionThatBeautifies: Rissa Mananquil-Trillo
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Rissa is the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Happy Skin, a world-class homegrown brand that focuses on skin-caring makeup.
The business mogul adds a feminine touch to a sleek black power suit by skipping the shirt and accessorizing with fine jewelry.
Unafraid to experiment with off-kilter details, Rissa can be seen here wearing tasseled jeans and an asymmetrical top. “Don’t be afraid to be different,” Rissa says. “Be more afraid of being the same as everybody else.”
Browning in the sun, Rissa can be seen here in a one-shoulder maillot and statement earrings. Rissa, a proud morena says, “Let’s put an end to colorism where fair skin is associated to status, intelligence, and even wealth. A lot of companies even profit off colorism by putting down dark skin to sell their products. Brown is beautiful. It’s time we celebrated Filipino beauty with pride.”
Rissa and her childhood friends call themselves the “Ugly Duckling Crew” because of the teasing they endured for their looks. Lucky for us, Rissa understood that “A woman’s worth doesn’t lie in looks nor the latest labels.” She created Happy Skin to celebrate Filipina beauty, talent, and products. “I used what was meant to be negative to help create something that uplifts not only me, but also other people who may be going through what I did.”
Valuing the environment, it’s important for Rissa to repeat outfits and shop local. She can often be seen in a timeless suit. “It is never fashionable to look good at the expense of the planet,” she says.
Rissa turns a monochromatic outfit into an eye-catching look by playing with surprising shapes.
“Never underestimate the power of the perfect shade of lipstick,” says Rissa.
“You will never influence the world by trying to be like it,” Rissa says. Here, she stands out in wrapped trousers and a tier-sleeved top, making the high volume details extra sleek by styling them with minimal accessories.
“It’s 2020. How free are we really if we can’t embrace the skin we were born in without fear, shame or judgement? Let’s not just shop or proudly parade in local. Let’s wear our local features with pride, too.”
Watch Rissa Mananquil-Trillo’s Beauty Raid on our YouTube page, too!
