Why Belle Mariano and Kira Balinger Are Adding Purple to Their Beauty Routines
From interactive booths to berry mocktails, CloseUp debuted a purple serum toothpaste that merges oral care and color correction.
Purple is truly having a moment. It’s not just the Color of the Year—it’s also becoming a staple in color correction, with shampoos that cancel out brassy tones and concealers that neutralize yellowness or brighten dull spots on the face. The hue is also becoming a popular choice for oral care.
At the Mall of Asia Grounds, CloseUp introduced two new serum toothpastes: White Now Purple Serum Toothpaste and White Now Clay Detox Cleanse, with actors Belle Mariano and Kira Balinger celebrating the launch.
Along with the guests, Mariano and Balinger learned about the science behind teeth whitening through a series of vignettes and demonstrations. At one of the experience stations, a pearl necklace was dunked halfway into a stain solution, representing the reality of everyday discoloration from food and drinks. It was dipped into a CloseUp White Now solution, revealing how the purple serum toothpaste can lighten or restore teeth color.
“I think the color-correcting technology that CloseUp has gives a quick whitening boost for moments when you want to look your best, while still supporting your oral-care goals,” says Mariano.
Kira Balinger with the CloseUp White Now Purple Serum Toothpaste and White Now Detox Cleanse Toothpaste. Photo courtesy of CloseUp
The 23-year-old actress also designed her own pouch keychains at the Charm Bar together with Balinger, while attendees also enjoyed berry-infused drinks inspired by the toothpaste flavors at the mocktail station.
One of the highlights of the event was when the actresses took turns assisting the cashiers of Watsons. The first 50 buyers got to meet the actresses up close as they helped ring up purchases of the White Now dup.
“The effect is really on the surface of the teeth,” shares Gladys Marquez, head of research and development at Unilever Personal Care. The pigments in the toothpaste, when you brush your teeth, create a layer on the surface of your teeth. Such that your eyes, instead of detecting yellow tones, will start detecting white.”
Marquez also shares that the purple serum toothpaste is also a “strikingly purple” color that even its bubbles and foam are the same color. The idea takes its cue from color theory. She also explains that the pigments coat the teeth’s surface, shifting how light is reflected so yellow tones appear less visible.
Bella Mariano and Kira Balinger with the Unilever Personal Care Team. Photo courtesy of CloseUp
Marquez also shared a reminder for maintaining a whiter smile. “Having staining from colored food and drink is inevitable—we can’t really restrict ourselves from what we want to consume. My tip is to brush your teeth regularly and use products that are effective in whitening your teeth.”
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