Beauty is increasingly being discussed as more than appearance, with women leaders from the fields of healthcare, business, design, beauty and social impact highlighting health, self-worth, boundaries and personal choice as equally important parts of living well.
That was the focus of The Beauty of Being Well, a Tatler roundtable held at Canton Road at Shangri-La The Fort in Manila in partnership with D’Mark Beauty. The conversation brought together women from different industries to discuss how attitudes toward beauty and ageing are changing.
Among those who took part were D’Mark Beauty founder and CEO Nikki Tang, Tatler Philippines managing director Irene Martel Francisco, Tatler Philippines Leadership editor Syrah Inocencio, dermatologist Dr Anna Rufino, Eluvo Health founder and CEO Dr Jaycy Violago-Olivarez, designer Cyndi Beltran, stylist and Modeme founder Monique Madsen, Agrea founder and CEO Cherrie Atilano, Tatler Homes editor Jet Acuzar and entrepreneur Joy Rustia.
A major theme of the discussion was the changing definition of beauty. Rather than focusing solely on altering physical appearance, participants described a broader approach that connects beauty with health, confidence and overall wellbeing.
Dr Anna Rufino said people are becoming more accepting of the features they were born with. In her view, a sense of beauty can be connected to overall wellness and health rather than simply external changes.
Dr Jaycy Violago-Olivarez similarly described modern beauty as something that involves understanding one’s individual needs, purpose and wellbeing. The discussion suggested that looking and feeling well can involve how a person carries themselves and lives each day, not just their physical appearance.
For Nikki Tang, the conversation around beauty is also moving toward longevity and feeling well rather than simply trying to appear younger. She noted that women do not necessarily need to pursue every available cosmetic procedure or treatment, emphasizing that choosing a more minimal approach can also be valid.
The pressure placed on women was another important part of the discussion. Cyndi Beltran pointed to the expectations that women should look good, remain fit and healthy, succeed professionally and manage family responsibilities while appearing naturally beautiful.
For some of the participants, ageing has provided an opportunity to become more selective about those expectations.
Cherrie Atilano described ageing as a period that can bring greater freedom to decide what matters personally and to change one’s mind. She also spoke about becoming more protective of her time and removing unnecessary commitments from her schedule so she can maintain healthier routines, including getting enough sleep.
Monique Madsen discussed another source of pressure: expectations surrounding relationships, age and fertility. She said questions about relationships, marriage and freezing eggs can create pressure, particularly when someone’s life does not follow the path others expect.
Madsen said she eventually became comfortable with a life that differed from the example she had imagined growing up, including being single in her 40s while running her own business.
Wellness was also discussed in practical terms. Joy Rustia highlighted regular exercise, adequate sleep, hydration and taking care of the skin and body as everyday habits that can support health as people age.
Beltran emphasized being intentional about where energy is spent and who receives that attention. She also spoke about being present for her children and making choices about how she wants to use her time.
For Jet Acuzar, maintaining wellbeing has increasingly involved developing a lighter perspective and appreciating small sources of happiness in everyday life. She also reflected on the importance of taking risks and not being overly concerned about embarrassment.
The conversation ultimately treated ageing less as something that needs to be fought and more as another stage of life that can bring experience, knowledge and greater independence.
Dr Violago-Olivarez described ageing as an evolution through which people can gain wisdom and experience. Moderator Yanah Laurel likewise reflected on ageing as a privilege that comes with stories and lessons accumulated over time.
The discussion also connected ambition with rest. Rather than presenting success and wellness as opposing goals, the participants emphasized the importance of knowing when to set boundaries, protect personal time and decide which commitments are genuinely meaningful.
At its core, The Beauty of Being Well moved the conversation away from a single definition of how women should look or age. Instead, the discussion focused on personal agency and the freedom to determine what wellbeing, beauty and a fulfilling life mean at different stages.
The message was that beauty can change with time, ambition can coexist with rest, and ageing can bring new forms of confidence and independence. Wellness, in this context, is not simply about appearance but also about deciding where to place one’s energy and what kind of life to build.
