Nadine Lustre admitted that she used to be insecure about her underarms while growing up, but has since learned to embrace what she once considered flaws.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) caught up with Nadine during her meet-and-greet with Francine Diaz for Nivea Extra Bright at SM North EDSA The Block in Quezon City.
During the event, Nadine opened up about her journey toward body confidence, revealing that she used to be conscious about the lines on her underarms and tried various remedies in hopes of achieving smoother, brighter skin.
Today, however, the actress has adopted a more relaxed outlook and stripped her routine down to the basics.
"Actually, I'm, when it comes to routines, I'm very, very simple," Nadine told PEP in an exclusive interview.
"So I normally just wash. I don't even have like the whole regimen anymore, which I used to have when I was younger.
"I think now, one thing that I've kind of accepted, which is something that I've been insecured with when I was... when I was younger were the lines on my armpits.
"But then, realizing now that I'm older na, it's a normal thing.
"So hindi na ako yung nagkukuskos ng calamansi or kung ano mang scrub just to kind of make the skin more even.
"Ngayon, para it's very simple. I just take a shower and then deodorant and then that's pretty much it. Very disappointing routine, but it is what it is."
Nadine LUSTRE tried every remedy she could find
Like many Filipinas, Nadine went through a phase of experimenting with popular home remedies and whitening products.
Nadine revealed: "Actually, it's more than the calamansi. Parang even lemon, whitening soaps, lahat, like even toner.
"Lahat ng puwedeng gawin before, you know—but obviously less on the, siguro less on the clinical or mga aesthetic, you know, like lasers and whatnot—nagawa ko na...
"Just because, you know, growing up I was very insecure about a lot of things, especially with my skin. So nagawa ko iyan lahat."
Looking back, Nadine said maturity helped her realize that the concerns she once obsessed over were completely normal.
"But it is a normal thing, but eventually, you know, you get older and you realize na it's actually okay. I was just overthinking and I was just too conscious. So, yeah."
NADINE LUSTRE ON Building confidence
Beyond beauty routines, Nadine also spoke about self-confidence and how learning to embrace flaws helped her grow as a person.
The actress described herself as an anxious child who was often afraid to try new things for fear of failing.
"Actually, stepping out of the comfort zone is really one of the scariest thing to do kasi lalo na ako, sobrang... sobrang anxious ako na tao especially when I was growing up, nung was bata pa ako.
"I was always so scared of trying new things. So lagi akong natatakot, lagi akong kinakabahan na parang feeling ko mag-fail ako.
"So there were times talaga na I would rather not do anything than, you know, try to take a step forward."
Nadine said supportive friends encouraged her to take chances despite her fears.
"Pero I just—parang one day, I just kind of realized, I had friends then who kind of helped me get out of, um, get out of my, my zone na parang sabi nila, 'You know, it's always going to be scary, but that's the best part about it.'
"Kasi paglabas mo or pag-step mo, doon mo nga realize na, 'Ah, sobrang okay pala siya.'
"And you'll realize na parang ganoon pala yung feeling and it's really, really so...ang sarap niya sa pakiramdam ano, to get out of that comfort zone.
"...And even 'til now, honestly, I still go through phases na yung parang natatakot pa rin akong mag-start ng something new kasi feeling ko mag-fi-fail ako. Pero gagawin ko lang talaga para ma-experience ko."
Asked what makes her feel "extra bright," Nadine credited the people who continue to support her.
"Ako, I would say I feel extra bright when I'm in front of all of these smiles. Kasi it feels so, so good na they, they wanna see us and they're happy seeing us, so it makes me feel so, so good."
She also left a message for women who are waiting for the right moment to pursue something that scares them.
"It's honestly really, really scary. Like what I said, what I mentioned earlier, nakakatakot talaga doon sa pinaka-first step na yun kasi malaking jump siya, e, especially when you're going out of your comfort zone.
"I do believe in perfect timing, and I do believe in kind of waiting for you to be ready for something, but don't wait too long.
"It's really scary, pero once you take that big step, parang you'll feel na sobrang accomplishment, you'll feel the confidence, and you'll feel good about yourself.
"And it's always fun to try new things, and it's fun to try things that scare you."
For Nadine, confidence did not come from achieving flawless skin but from learning to accept herself, imperfections and all, while continuing to take chances even when they feel intimidating.
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