The Vanity Table: Atty. Leni Robredo In Her Element
In the maiden issue’s Vanity Table, former Vice President Leni Robredo invites us into her home in Naga City, where scent, skin care, and simplicity shape her daily rituals.
We’re welcomed by former Vice President Leni Robredo in a manner that’s simply, so very her. Even with her hospitable team around, it is Robredo herself who greets us, opening the white wooden door to her living area with a smile that reaches her eyes. After six years in the capital serving in the country’s second-highest office, being home in Naga is always a “grounding” experience, she shares. And the moment we step inside, we understand why.
The air carries a soft, soothing scent—a signature of her home. Essential oil diffusers and reed sticks are tucked into corners, filling the space with refreshing notes of peppermint, eucalyptus, and citrus. Her latest favorite? A linen spray from Amparo’s Apothecary, a homegrown brand from Baguio City she recently discovered at the Katutubo Pop Up Market, which brings together the best local brands. “Scent is so important to me,” she says. “For self-care, I am a big fan of essential oils.”
Bath Origins Pure Essential Oils, Young Living Essential Oils, Pili Ani Essential Oil Blend in Sweet Dreams. Photo: Kieran Punay.
Over breakfast, she shares another side of herself—one not often talked about in public. Her journey into beauty and skin care began later in life, only truly embracing it at 50. “I used to just wash my face,” she laughs. It was her niece, dermatologist Gaile Robredo-Vitas, MD, who convinced her to start a proper routine, including sunscreen.
Makeup, too, came into her life unexpectedly. Unlike most who start with lipstick or powder, her first-ever product was eyeshadow—an essential in her early days as a public defender at the Public Attorney’s Office. “My eyes are deep-set, so a touch of color made me feel more put together for court,” she recalls.
MAC Art Library Nude Model Eyeshadow Palette, MAC Sheertone Blush in Gingerly, Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation in 6 Neutral, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder in 2 Medium, YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in 129 Carmine Retro, Maybelline Volum’ Express Hypercurl Mascara, Dr. Sensitive All Day No Sebum Blur Powder in Natural. Photo: Kieran Punay.
One product, however, has become a signature: Rouge Dior Lipstick in 782. It was originally a gift from a friend, but after falling in love with its shade, she made sure to track it down whenever she could—often asking friends or family to pick up extra tubes when traveling. And while all her daughters share an interest in beauty, it’s her youngest, Jillian, with whom she bonds over makeup the most.
Her life’s work has always centered around people, and as it turns out, so does her vanity table.
Leni Robredo’s 7 Beauty Principles
1. To get everything done, her non-negotiable is waking up early.
“No matter how late I’ve slept the night before, I am usually awake by 6:00 or 7:00 AM. I am guilty of checking my phone first thing in the morning, since the quiet allows me time to gather my thoughts and leave instructions to my staff as needed. There is a lot of work to do, whether it’s our regular engagements with stakeholders and communities, speaking engagements, or, during times of disasters, relief and rehabilitation operations.”
2. She keeps her daily prep time to an hour or less.
“I understand that part of my job is to look decent and presentable, but I only allow myself about an hour for preparation, since I usually have a long day ahead of me. After a quick shower, I prepare to leave the house with just a basic makeup look and a ponytail.”
3. Being Vice President changed her perspective on beauty.
“As the highest-elected woman in government at that time, I understood that everyone would pay extra attention to my physical appearance. Coming to work looking decent and put-together was my way of showing respect for the position I held.”
4. Still, she knows that it’s what’s on the inside that truly matters.
“Cliché as it may sound, it is true that beauty radiates from within. Perhaps this is why we usually find ourselves drawn to people who have a positive outlook. It makes a lot of difference when someone goes through life with kindness and warmth.”
5. She ends her day as quickly as she starts it.
“When I get home at night, I take off my makeup, hop in the shower, do skin care, and put on fresh clothes. I use the nighttime to catch up with my children. Being ‘unready’ is already a luxury after a busy day.”
6. Her skin care routine is derm-certified.
“My niece, Gaile, is a dermatologist, and she explained to me that it’s more important to look at the composition of a product rather than to look for a specific brand. In the morning, I wash my face using a mild cleanser. This is followed by a dab of toner, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, then sunscreen. I do the same routine in the evening, but I double-cleanse using a gel cleanser first, apply a thin layer of tretinoin after, followed by a serum, then moisturizer.”
7. Her favorite beauty base is definitely a unique choice.
“Having the right attitude towards life serves as a good ‘base’ for anyone. Be kind and try not to sweat the small stuff. I tend not to respond to negativity, because I feel it is counter-productive. My work is already hard enough, so, whenever I have the choice, I gravitate towards positive people and experiences.”
