There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and oftentimes, thinking, talking, writing about beauty seems downright frivolous. Think about it: how can you ask for hair tips when there are wars erupting all over the world? How can you justify buying that lipstick you’ve always wanted when the price of gas is what it is?

But then again, beauty, when it comes down to it, is never just about beauty. It’s not just about how you look, but it’s also about how you feel. Beauty—and its practice—has many layers, and to take it at—pun intended—face value is doing everyone a disservice. Because after all, beauty is about confidence, about wellness, about self-care, and ultimately, how you feel about yourself in relation to the world.

Allure Philippines asked several celebs at the BENCH S/S 2026 show about their personal views on beauty in these trying times.

Do you see beauty as a form of self-care or as a necessity?

Both. I think it’s self-care, and I think it is a necessity because it is always the best thing to take care of yourself because that is what improves your confidence everyday.

Atasha Muhlach, actress

I think that it’s self-care, and whatever you put in your body, whatever you eat, whatever element and energy that you surround yourself with, that’s more than enough for you to feel beautiful. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be expensive to be beautiful or the way we bring ourselves.

Chelsea Manalo, beauty queen

Does beauty have to be expensive, especially in today’s economy?

Sa tingin ko po, hindi naman dapat po maging expensive yung pagiging maganda, or the way natin dalhin yung sarili natin. Kaya naman po natin, maging simple lang po tayo, lalo na po sa economy natin na nahihirapan na po lahat ng tao. I think simplicity is the best choice. Hindi po dapat siya maging expensive.

Angelica Lao, actress

It’s definitely a change to have certain prices go up, especially nowadays. And I will admit, it takes a toll on many different people including me as someone who constantly buys products for beauty or maybe fashion. But again, it’s subjective. We have our own little ways of expressing beauty and we can express it without having to spend money.

Kai Montinola, actress

Have rising prices changed the way you approach beauty and self-care?

I think for me, the rise in prices, of course I always strive to be economical and practical. So the good thing is, it’s shifted me to focus more on Filipino brands. There are a lot of up-and-coming brands that are amazing and I’ve loved exploring them some more. With what’s happening in the world today, I think everyone should really prioritize our local economy because we’re all we have left, right?

Maria Gigante, beauty queen and host

Rising prices definitely made me more kuripot and more intentional when it comes to purchasing products and that includes beauty products. So yes, I am more intentional now because I want to be more practical.

Angelina Cruz, actress

When the world feels heavy, what does beauty mean to you personally?

Personally, beauty for me is so important because I feel like when you feel beautiful inside, you’re able to be kinder to other people. You’re able to love more and give more of yourself. So I really believe in filling my own cup so that I have more to give to others.

Max Collins, actress and model

I guess beauty for me would be learning how to love myself, even on the darkest days. Especially quite recently, obviously there are a lot of challenging dialogues around the world, around social media, but you know, it’s always about how you see yourself and how the closest people see you. And that’s all that matters, the opinions that you know are in your best interest also.

Michelle Marquez Dee, beauty queen and actress

Frequently Asked Questions

Filipino perspectives on this tend to be both — beauty practices are increasingly understood as part of daily wellness and confidence-building, not just aesthetics. Celebrities like Atasha Muhlach and Chelsea Manalo describe beauty as inseparable from how one feels rather than simply how one looks.

Across income levels, higher product and living costs have prompted more intentional spending on beauty. Actresses like Angelina Cruz and Kai Montinola describe becoming more selective and practical, prioritizing fewer, more considered purchases rather than abandoning beauty routines altogether.

Yes. Several Filipino public figures, including beauty queen Maria Gigante, cite the growth of local Filipino beauty brands as a meaningful response to global price increases — recommending that consumers shift to homegrown alternatives that support the local economy without sacrificing quality.

According to multiple Filipina voices interviewed at the BENCH S/S 2026 show, beauty expression does not require significant spending. Chelsea Manalo describes inner wellness — diet, energy, and environment — as central to feeling beautiful, framing self-presentation as accessible regardless of budget.

For figures like Max Collins and Michelle Marquez Dee, beauty during difficult periods is rooted in self-acceptance and emotional resilience — the ability to feel good about oneself independent of external validation or product consumption, and to use that inner security as a source of generosity toward others.

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