For a robust local beauty scene that’s getting bigger and brighter by the day, we can argue that the arrival of Allure Philippines has been long-awaited, and even long-overdue. Last April 30, The Beauty Expert finally landed on Philippine shores with the launch of Allure Philippines. What better way to introduce beauty-obsessed Filipinos to The Beauty Expert, than by inviting them to step into “The House of Experts?”

To create The House of Experts, an entire wing in The Peninsula Manila was transformed into a succession of rooms typically found in a home, but with each room featuring a content pillar of Allure Philippines—skin, makeup, wellness, hair, fragrance, and nails. Inside each room, guests were given the opportunity to get interactive and tackle common beauty issues—whether by getting their skin analyzed, discovering new favorites and bringing home best-selling products from various brand partners.

Ever since its launch in 1991, with founding editor in chief Linda Wells at the helm, Allure has changed the definition and direction of beauty journalism. At Allure, everything we tackle is through an expert lens.

Allure Philippines editor in chief Rissa Mananquil-Trillo explains, “Since its founding, Allure has earned the trust of millions worldwide by taking beauty seriously—through rigorous product testing, expert interviews, scientific reporting, and honest storytelling. It’s never been about selling beauty, but about understanding it, challenging it, and elevating it.” That spirit of expertise, she says, is what defines Allure at every level, and is what laid the foundation for The House of Experts.

The Pond’s and Vaseline garden

Photographer: Ed Simon

The house tour kicked off with a stop at the Pond’s and Vaseline room, the designated foyer or garden, complete with a flower bar by Florio, a drinks bar, and a mini golf course. Anytime we venture outdoors, sunscreen is non-negotiable, with sun protection being a pillar of any skin care routine. UV scanners on hand in the room showed guests where their SPF had already worn off on their face, to show them that it was time to re-apply. The Pond’s UV Miracle Sunscreen and Vaseline Gluta Hya SPF 50 PA+++ Luminous Defense Serum Lotion were stocked on shelves nearby. 

The Healthy Options wellness lounge 

Photographer: Kieran Punay

A few steps away was the wellness lounge by Healthy Options, underscoring the need to take the time to understand and nourish our bodies. To help apply mindfulness to what we eat, the wellness lounge had a grazing table for guests complete with organic butter biscuits and organic cashew coconut clusters, paired with organic apple and blackcurrant juice—bites and refreshments that nourish the body. Products from Danish skin care brand Urtekram were also up for testing, with guests getting the chance to try the Rosemary Spray Conditioner and Soothing Body Lotion. 

The Tadhana dining room

Photographer: Kieran Punay

Next door to the wellness lounge was Tadhana’s dining room. But instead of food on the menu, there was a list of fragrance notes and bottles of perfume for guests to discover their signature scent. A fragrance sommelier or consultant was even on hand to answer any questions. At the end, the sweet treat was a set of Tadhana fragrances, including bestsellers Classy, Lover, Innocent, Rockstar, Scandalous, and Rebel.

The Issy makeup room

Photographer: Kieran Punay

Issy’s makeup room was a must-see for the makeup fanatic. The room, done up in Issy’s signature bold, edgy, and futuristic style, allowed visitors to swatch different colors, try different products, including blush, eyeshadow, contour and highlighter, and the bestselling Active Foundation, as well as build their very own makeup palette. Here, the guests themselves were the experts, deciding which products and colors suited them the best. Needless to say, as in any fabulous makeup room, guests lingered and talked shop—beauty-wise. 

The Pond’s Skin pantry

Photographer: Kieran Punay

A well-stocked pantry is a dream feature of every home. But in The House of Experts, the dreamiest pantry of them all comes in the form of the Pond’s Skin pantry, with skin care products lining the shelves instead of cans, bottles, and boxes. A skin analysis area made sure that the right products were being plucked from the shelves by guests, and a digital commitment wall asked them what their skin promise was for the day. And, of course, what’s a good pantry if it doesn’t have beverages? The room’s Pink Bar kept guests refreshed and hydrated.

The Pure Form meditation room

Photographer: Ed Simon

Next to the pantry was the zen or meditation Room, courtesy of Pure Form. There’s nothing quite like having a special retreat in your home, and Pure Form elevated that concept into one that had guests reflecting on the state of their health. Guests were presented with forms to fill out in a quest to discover which Pure Form supplements were right for them—magnesium and ashwagandha, collagen, probiotics, creatine, or melatonin. Health and wellness, after all, need a primary space in your home, and in your life.

The Cream Silk living room

Photographer: Ed Simon

No house is complete without the living room, or sala, which oftentimes serves as the gathering place for the home. And for Cream Silk, the perfect living room or sala is one that offers a lounge outfitted with pillows made completely of silk, a material long known to be kind to hair, and that features books with hair care tips from experts printed on the cover and spines. Throw in décor that resembles hanging fringes of hair strands, and a photo booth that immediately uploaded the photos taken to the requisite living room photo gallery, and you have the perfect hair care living room suite.

The Lazada game room

Photographer: Ed Simon

From the living room, it was a hop, skip, and jump to the game room, which was set up as a fun, beauty wonderland by Lazada. The highlight was most definitely the claw machines, or gachapon, which tested guests’ arcade skills as they played to grab product samples from established beauty brands Kiehl’s, Lancôme, L’Oréal, MAC, and NARS, plus exclusive vouchers. A slushie and candy cart only made the room more festive, and ensured that guests had a fabulous time.

The Bobbie Nails nail room

Photographer: Kieran Punay

And at the last stop at the House of Experts lay the nail room, courtesy of Bobbie Nails. There was a nail analysis station, with charts that showed you what kind of nail shape you have and the best nail colors for your skin tone. It was a haven for those who consider manicures a must.

From skin, makeup, and hair, to wellness, fragrance, and nails, The House of Experts had it all. And in the world of beauty, so does Allure Philippines. Allure Philippines’ maiden issue, with Bretman Rock and Heart Evangelista, is out now, with two more print issues lined up for 2025. Meanwhile, the Allure Philippines website is live, and will be offering original content daily. You can also follow The Beauty Expert on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok on @allurephilippines.

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