In today’s world, the understanding of beauty varies greatly among individuals. While some aim to meet societal standards, others simply seek to feel good about themselves. The concept of beauty has evolved over time in the Philippines, shifting from a preference for a white complexion and model-like bodies to celebrating natural curves and glass skin. Ultimately, beauty is defined by personal experiences.
Camille Padilla, founder and president of Glow Skin Clinic, recently collaborated with BTL Aesthetics Philippines to introduce Exion and Emface. For Padilla, beauty means presenting oneself without the burden of social pressures. “For me, self-care isn’t enough. For me, being beautiful means being able to present yourself as you want to without worrying about social pressures,” she told ABS-CBN News. “And, certainly, beauty is currency. Totoo ‘yun,” she added.
Despite the truth behind the statement “beauty is currency,” Padilla emphasizes ethical business practices. “Do the right thing. I mean, pay the right taxes. Not just that. Pay your people well. …We can’t provide good services, top quality services if I’m not treating my people right,” she shared.
Padilla founded her beauty business in 2014, aiming to create a more relaxing and effective experience than the clinical atmosphere of traditional clinics. Her clinic, located at Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City, offers a range of treatments, including rejuvenation, acne treatments, body tightening, and the latest fat reduction techniques.
Unlike other clinics that rely on celebrity endorsements, Padilla prefers authentic reviews from personalities who genuinely experience the services. “We noticed that it’s really effective to invite personalities and then have them do an honest review of the service. It’s more raw. It’s more natural rather than actually paying someone,” she explained.
Although Padilla is a key figure in the beauty industry, she prefers to stay behind the scenes. “Maybe, you know, if it’s a restaurant, I want to be the chef. But I don’t want to be the front of the house,” she admitted.
As a leader in the beauty circle of BGC, Padilla acknowledges the pressure of aging in a society that values youth. “It’s popular to be young. They always say that one should age gracefully. But, you know, for me, it is okay, perfectly fine, to ride with the wave, go with the flow, and be the youngest version of you using the beauty enhancements that are available in the market,” she stated.
Padilla advocates for the acceptance of beauty enhancements, emphasizing that individuals should not be judged for seeking treatments. “Whatever makes you happy, you should be proud of it. You should be confident in telling people about it. I think it’s changing. It’s changing,” she concluded.
