Martine has always lived between two cultures. Born in Manila but raised in Orange County, California, she grew up balancing her Filipino roots with her American upbringing. That duality shaped her identity—and eventually, her vision for redefining beauty.

From a young age, she was enamored with makeup. Trips to department stores meant experimenting with bold looks, while career day in high school became a declaration: she would one day create her own beauty brand. Influenced by her family’s long ties to the entertainment industry—her godmother was an actress, her aunt a beauty queen, and her brother briefly an actor—Martine naturally gravitated toward aesthetics, performance, and self-expression.

A Career Built Online

Like many of her generation, Martine’s career found its early spark online. During college, she ran a quirky blog, blending personal snapshots and internet culture. That digital presence caught the attention of American Apparel, which hired her to navigate the then-nascent world of social media.

The experience was unorthodox and at times jarring—she recalls being told by the CEO to remove her purple eyeshadow in front of the office—but it gave her firsthand lessons on brand identity, authenticity, and the power of cultivating a strong aesthetic.

In 2013, fate redirected her path toward entrepreneurship. Friends Bea and Eric had launched a fashion label in Manila, and their eyewear quickly became a hit. Looking to expand, they teamed up with Martine’s cousin Georgina Wilson, then the host of Asia’s Next Top Model. Georgina needed help crafting a marketing strategy and convinced Martine to join. It meant moving back to the Philippines—an enormous risk given how deeply her life was rooted in America. Still, she took the leap, a decision that would ultimately redefine her career.

From Sunglasses to Lipsticks

The venture, Sunnies Studios, began with eyewear but quickly revealed a gap in the beauty industry. While shooting campaigns with Filipina models, Martine struggled to find lip colors that complemented Southeast Asian skin tones. Many existing products looked chalky or washed out. On set, she would mix shades herself, creating hues that felt authentic and flattering.

The constant demand from consumers—“What lipstick are you using in the campaign?”—sparked the birth of Sunnies Face.

Their debut product, Fluffmatte, was the result of testing over 300 lipstick samples to find shades that celebrated the spectrum of Filipina and Southeast Asian beauty. Nervous but determined, the team launched—and the reaction exceeded every expectation. Lines stretched for hours, supplies meant to last months sold out in weeks, and resale prices soared. For Martine, it was proof that an underrepresented audience had long been waiting for beauty products that spoke to them.

A Practical Approach to Beauty

Despite leading one of the region’s most buzzed-about beauty brands, Martine’s personal approach to skincare is refreshingly simple. She avoids an overwhelming routine, focusing instead on a few essentials that work for her sensitive skin. Hydrating serums, lightweight creams, and sunscreen form the backbone of her regimen. She swears by DIY tricks too, like using frozen green tea bags to de-puff tired eyes.

At night, her rituals shift depending on the day: a cleansing oil after heavy makeup, or a gentle milk cleanser on low-maintenance days. She alternates between physical exfoliants and cult-favorite chemical ones like Biologique’s P50, even joking that its terrible smell is proof of its effectiveness.

Martine also embraces wellness beyond skincare. Dry brushing replaces her morning coffee, while gua sha and lymphatic drainage exercises have become vital parts of her healing journey after experiencing Ramsay Hunt syndrome during pregnancy—a condition that left half her face temporarily paralyzed.

Healing Through Ritual

The paralysis was a deeply personal and difficult chapter. Contracting Ramsay Hunt syndrome in 2020, while pregnant and in lockdown, forced Martine to confront her reflection in a new way. Recovery was slow and emotionally taxing, but beauty rituals provided comfort.

Something as simple as drawing on a cat-eye or swiping on her signature peachy-nude lipstick gave her strength and normalcy. Over time, she embraced her new reality with grace, using both medical treatments and holistic practices to restore confidence and wellness.

Makeup, Hair, and Beyond

Her makeup philosophy today balances ease with expression: sheer bases for everyday wear, paired with a love for bronzed cheeks, feathered brows, and matte lips. Though loyal to Sunnies Face products, she still treasures staples from other brands—Benefit’s Hoola bronzer, Glossier’s Cloud Paint, and Fenty foundations among them.

Hair, however, is where she allows herself to be high-maintenance. Years of trial and error taught her to trust only a few stylists, particularly Anna-Lee Fiorino, who masterfully lightens her naturally dark hair while preserving its softness. Between visits, she keeps things simple with volumizing shampoos and minimal styling products.

Fragrance, once paused during pregnancy, has also made a comeback in her routine. She gravitates toward clean, unisex scents like Aesop’s Tacit or Le Labo’s Another 13, reserving bolder notes for evenings.

A Holistic Vision of Wellness

For Martine, beauty extends far beyond products—it’s about wellness, ritual, and even pleasure. She swears by Moon Juice supplements for energy and calm, indulges in luxe toothpaste for small daily joy, and openly supports conversations about sexual wellness through her investment in a Filipino brand that champions intimacy.

Showers, too, are a ritual, elevated with eucalyptus mists and peppermint soaps that transform the ordinary into moments of care.

Redefining Beauty for Southeast Asia

Martine’s journey reflects more than personal passion—it symbolizes a shift in the global beauty landscape. By addressing the unique tones and needs of Southeast Asian women, Sunnies Face has not only disrupted the market but also redefined representation.

What began as a girl experimenting with makeup in Orange County has grown into a movement that celebrates identity, inclusivity, and the power of seeing yourself reflected in beauty. For Martine, the story is still unfolding—but it’s already proof that following one’s instincts can create change that resonates far beyond the mirror.