Even the rich and famous can't escape the pressure to look perfect, and Heart Evangelista is no exception.
But with nearly three decades of experience in showbiz, Heart's perception of beauty has undergone a significant shift.
The Kapuso actress opened up about this transformation in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on August 22, 2024.
For Heart, what was once a focus on outward appearance has now evolved into a deeper appreciation for authenticity and inner wisdom.
"Siguro milya-milya yung evolution ng dating iniisip ko kung ano dapat ang beauty, kung ano dapat yung tingin ko sa sarili ko o tingin ng iba," she told PEP at NEW Lounge's After-Party at Electric Garden in Bonifacio Global City.
The party was held to celebrate the opening of the upscale wellness lounge's new boutique in Beverly Hills, California.
Heart continued, "When I came in showbiz about almost 27 years, I came in as just me.
"I didn't, you know, know what to do. So I would cover up the things I wasn't comfortable, my insecurities, my flaws.
"But as time goes by, and especially in showbiz, you go through a lot of heartaches, triumphs, pero parang hindi mo pa rin kayang magpakatotoo.
"But for me, the real beauty is just being yourself—the good and the bad.
"Whether you're accepted or not, whether you're bashed or not, this is who you are. And I feel like the niche people will appreciate your beauty when it's like that."
Read: Heart Evangelista reveals anti-aging beauty treatment
HEART EVANGELISTA: THE BEAUTY IN AGING
Heart also affirms that beauty can be perceived through one's eyes. As the well-known adage says, "The eyes are the windows to the soul."
What does she want others to perceive when they gaze into her eyes?
Heart answered, "I wish they can see somebody who is strong. I wish they could see somebody na hindi nila pwedeng apihin.
"But the honest truth, when you really look into my eyes, parang, 'Ah kayang-kaya... Kayang-kaya ko ito.'
"But honestly, no matter what you wear, how you stand, no matter how you project yourself, you'll always see the heart of a person through their eyes. It is true."
Moreover, Heart’s new perspective has deepened her appreciation for aging gracefully, recognizing the wisdom that age brings as the most empowering gift.
"I used to be afraid of aging, and I still am, but it's really just aging gracefully. But really, the true beauty of aging is the wisdom.
"There's nothing more sexier than seeing a woman full of wisdom, not too sweet, not too strong, but just the right amount of spice.
"And I feel like you only attain that when you go through life."
HEART EVANGELISTA: CELEBRATING NEW LOUNGE
Meanwhile, Heart expressed her pride in witnessing the growth of New Lounge.
She said, "I'm so proud. Actually from the very beginning, alam ko yung story nila, how they started, nandun na ako noon.
"And it's nice na, it's always nice to be part of a brand or family na for many years.
"Kasi yung kwento nila, kwento ko na rin di ba?
"So when they were planning out L.A., kinu-kuwento na nila sa akin yun, and kinakabahan siya ganyan, and now na-launch na."
Speaking about the beauty lounge's owner, Rachelle Bravo, Heart said, "So I'm so proud of her kasi kahit yung mga hindi alam ng tao, alam ko yung hardships niya so nakakatuwa."
As for Heart's go-to lashes from the beauty lounge, she shared, "Definitely it's the 'LA,' I love it. But I'm also very torn because I love 'Icon.'
"'Icon' has, like, a darker shade of like strand. So it's very powerful.
"But if you want talaga na yung talagang striking, it would be 'LA.'
"This [what I'm wearing now] is 'Icon' with a tinge of 'LA' on the side. So I do mix. Actually may sarili akong mixture."
new lounge owner: "heart helped us a lot in our growth"
For her part, Rachelle expressed her gratitude towards Heart for all the years of support.
Rachelle shared with PEP and other members of the press that Heart initially started as a client in August 2018, before becoming their ambassador.
Rachelle recalled, "Actually, client namin nag-start si Heart. Hindi siya, ano talaga, endorser.
"Tapos, the first time she tried our lashes sumisigaw pa siya na parang, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe you guys exist!'
"Tapos, when she tried it, sabi niya, 'I need to meet you, Rach.' Tapos, ano pa yun she would post for us, organic lang.
"Tapos, nahiya ako kasi nga, it took a year before we actually took the leap na kunin siyang endorser.
"Tapos, yun, ever since she's still with us. And then, I think she's very parang... she has helped us a lot in our growth and she brought a lot of awareness to the brand itself."
Thanks to Heart's unwavering support and the brand's expansion over the years, Rachelle was able to fulfill one of her greatest dreams for her business: launching a boutique overseas.
For a local business, opening in a prime location like Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is a significant achievement as this luxurious area in Los Angeles, California, is home to Hollywood A-listers.
Rachelle shared that this passion project has been years in the making, and she foresaw the entire venture through a "vision" long ago.
She recalled, "I saw myself in a coffee shop, black and white stool, white marble table, and then, beside me sa pedestrian lane.
"And then Jessica Yang is walking towards me. And then I realized na, 'Oh, we're shooting a campaign.'
"Tapos next clip in my vision, I saw Rodeo Drive sign. Tapos from then on, sabi ko, 'Shocks, magkakaroon ng New Lounge Beverly Hills.'
"It still doesn't make sense back then. Kasi noong time na yun, we only have like seven branches. And then there's no means and, I mean, access for us to do it.
"And then fast forward 2021, we started pursuing the project.
"We got our company visa last year. Tapos around September of 2023, of last year, I saw the coffee shop."
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