The Truth About Allure Philippines

When Allure Philippines launched last April 30, we made a promise: to be the country’s most credible voice in beauty. But credibility isn’t built on glossy pages or good lighting—it’s built on choices. Quiet, deliberate ones that define who we are when no one’s watching.

Here’s a truth you won’t find in our credits, but you’ll feel on every page.

At Allure, “The Beauty Expert” isn’t a slogan—it’s a standard. We don’t feature experts for their following but for their foundation: degrees, clinical experience, and proven work. Every credential is verified, every title earned. When faced with the choice, we’ll always prioritize a practicing, accomplished professional over someone non-practicing with a large online following—because authority is built through expertise, not engagement.

Our stories are written with independence in mind. Editorial decisions are never influenced by advertisers. Every paid feature is clearly labeled “Allure Partnerships.” Whether it’s a PHP 500 sunscreen or a PHP 15,000 serum, what earns a spot on our pages is performance, not payment. We don’t bribe our audience with giveaways to chase engagement. Our community may be smaller, but it reads, reflects, and responds—because respect matters more than reach.

We also refuse to erase reality. Our retouching policy means no smoothing away pores, stretch marks, or scars—because imperfection isn’t the opposite of beauty; it’s proof of it. We don’t promote unhealthy standards that make you question your self-worth. Instead, we work with artists who share that vision: those who celebrate texture, individuality, and authenticity—because truth photographs better than perfection ever could.

Diversity isn’t a buzzword for us—it’s a baseline. Every issue represents a spectrum of skin tones, hair textures, body types, and ages, not just among our cover stars but within our creative teams. When we shoot, it’s never just about the model or celebrity—you’ll also see the makeup artists, hairstylists, and photographers whose craft shapes every story.

Even our process mirrors our principles. We request plastic-free packaging for product send-ins, accept gently used testers for pull-outs, and remind everyone on set to bring refillable bottles. Sustainability isn’t an accessory—it’s accountability. We avoid vague, feel-good labels like “green” or “earth-friendly” unless they’re backed by data and honesty.

All these quiet choices form the backbone of Allure Philippines. Because truth—the theme of this issue—isn’t a headline. It’s a habit.

In The Truth Issue, our cover star Nadine Lustre stands at the intersection where perfection ends and truth begins. She reveals what beauty looks like when you loosen the grip of impossible standards and step into honesty. In choosing truth over perfection, she breaks free from the expectations that once bound all of us—proving that real beauty begins the moment you allow yourself to be unfiltered. Because truth isn’t a compromise; it’s the place where beauty finally breathes.

This issue faces truth head-on: celebrating stretch marks, cellulite, and acne; breaking silence around women’s pleasure; questioning filters and digital perfection; confronting beauty’s plastic footprint; and revealing the real cost of looking “enough.”

In The Beauty of Becoming, burn survivor Larra Lasam, double amputee and lawyer Raissa Laurel-Subijano, and content creator Norikuh remind us that scars, loss, and difference are not flaws—but proof of the strength it takes to begin again.

From the newsroom to the stage, Morena, Unmuted spotlights Jervi Wrightson, Gab Pangilinan, Samantha Lee, and Jamela Alindogan, while in Funny, Fearless, Filipino, six of today’s most compelling comedians and creators—Macoy Dubs, Baus Rufo, Charuth, Lottie Bie, Issa Villaverde, and Raco Ruiz—show how laughter becomes a mirror of identity, truth, and the courage to be unfiltered.

And finally, this issue marks a historic first: the launch of Allure Philippines’ Best of Beauty Awards. For nearly 30 years, that red seal has been the world’s most trusted mark of performance and credibility. To bring it home—tested, proven, and trusted on Filipino skin—is a milestone we’re deeply proud of.

Because truth doesn’t demand perfection—it asks for integrity—and that’s the light we choose to carry as Allure Philippines.