Jodi Sta. Maria is a woman of many roles.
In her owns words, she is "a mother to my 13-year-old son, Thirdy. I'm an actress. I've been in this profession for the past 21 years.
"I'm also a BS Psychology student and I'm graduating next year.
"I am also an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist, and I'm a travel bug.
"And yeah, I'm God's work in progress, that's it!"
As an actress trained to see beauty as an essential part of her day and with her hands full most of the time, how has Jodi managed to squeeze beauty time in her schedule?
Jodi said, "I think, of course, with my profession being an actress, it was required from us to look good and be presentable whenever we face poeple."
She spoke as the newest face of Ever Bilena during her launch event last April 4, at Lazat Fil-Asian Restaurant & Bar in Quezon City.
She continued, "Siyempre, in school, I would see my schoolmates na naka, well, not naka-makeup, but they have their go-to casual makeup look. So, siyempre, ako rin dapat.
"And then, as a mother, siyempre naman, I would want to look good for my son Thirdy.
"You know kasi, when you look good, it somehows adds to your confidence and you feel empowered.
"Everything just aligns."
The Glow of Motherhood
Looking good for her son Thirdy was something Jodi realized early on when her child was still a baby.
"I would say kasi, during the first months ng life ni Thirdy, I didn't really get to have time to make pa-beauty," the celebrity mom recalled to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) after the event.
"Because, you know, when you just had a child, sobra kang busy na—minsan nga, may mga moments na parang, kahit ikaw nakakalimutan mo na maligo.
"Kasi parang kailangan bantayan mo bawat hinga, bawat kibot, kung anong gusto niya gawin, di ba?
"So, parang naisip ko naman na, I had Thirdy when I was 23 years old, I was thinking to myself, parang, wait lang naman, kung hindi naman ako mag-aayos, ang bata ko naman maging losyang. Dun nag-start yun."
Motherhood opened Jodi's mind to a deeper sense of beauty.
She eventually learned that natural beauty stems from taking care of yourself.
Jodi related, "I think it's no longer about just the physical. Parang it's more of that internal disposition that you have in life.
"Na you're not beautiful because you're wearing makeup or you're not only beautiful because you're wearing a certain hairstyle.
"But it's really how you relate to the people closest to you, and how much of yourself do you give to those around you.
"Parang beauty can also mean being selfless. Motherhood made me realize that I can actually be selfless. Parang it’s no longer about you, but, you know, it’s about this life in front of you.
"But that doesn't mean hindi mo na aalagaan yung sarili mo, because first and foremost, you have to take care of yourself also because we cannot give what we don't have."
Jodi then emphasized the importance of self-care, and dropping the "mom guilt" each time you feel like pampering yourself or unwinding.
The Kapamilya actress continued, "Self-care is really important because if we do not take care of ourservles, then we would be depleted.
"It would affect every single thing we do—our career, the relationships that we have. So, I think it’s really important na alagaan natin yung sarili natin in any way that we can.
"Kung ano man ang self-care para sa iyo. If it means taking a trip or maybe even taking a break or maybe huminga ka lang for five minutes or distance yourself from negative and toxic people, then by all means, do it...
"It's important that you listen to your body, na you take cues from your body.
"If you're tired, resting is part of self-care.
"If a situation is stealing peace from you, then you take yourself out of that certain situations...
"Kung medyo stressed ka, gawin mo yung bagay na sa palagay mo stress buster for you.
"Listening to music, reading a good book or maybe just spending time with people you love, and surrounding yourself with encouraging, positive and uplifting people.
"At the end of the day... hindi naman tayo puwede magbigay yung mga bagay na wala sa atin.
"Importante na alagaan ang mga sarili natin."
Practical Beauty Tips
For Jodi, beauty should not take too much time and effort.
Knowing what's right for you, your face, and your skin is understanding and listening to your body.
The actress said, "I think it’s important that you know the profile of your face and what you know you can enhance more.
"Siguro, never sleep with your makeup on, so that you don't get pimples or you don't get oily skin.
"Siguro the best is also to wash your face with soap and water.
"Be mindful of the products that you use and listen to your skin. Your skin is telling you na parang, 'Okay, with this product, I get pimples,' then stop using it.
"And not because it's a fad or it's uso, you should be using it.
"So, it's always good to listen to your body."
What is Jodi's go-to beauty look?
"Hindi mawawala ang kilay. Kanina ko pa sinasabi na kilay is life.
"Di ba, sa ating mga women, importante yun na parang mawala lang lahat, basta huwag lang kilay.
"And lip and cheek tint. Bakit? Kasi sa isang tube, kumbaga, dual purpose na siya.
"Yun yung lang basic ko na makikita nila sa makeup kit."
Who does Jodi see as a beauty icon?
"I think I would say, I really like Audrey Hepburn. Kasi talagang she's iconic and she's very classic, and she's someone who is confident.
"Kapag tinignan mo totality niya, siya yung classic, sophisticated, and beautiful, and grasiosa."