Getting hit with detention for putting on makeup during class is probably a big part of my origin story. I’ve been a beauty gal from the jump, and could wax poetic over skincare, makeup, and hair for obscene amounts of time. The beauty realm is where my obsessive scientific interests intersect with creative expression and the immediate confidence-boost that turning out a look can give a person. I’m a firm believer that when you feel good about yourself, you can take on the world and no one can tell you shit—or anyway, that’s my mindset whenever I draw on a liquid liner wing sharp enough to cut someone.
Currently, I’m the Associate Director of Communications at Scentbird, where I manage all things copy-related for the Scentbird platform, as well as Deck of Scarlet cosmetics, Goodhabit skincare, as well as the Confessions of a Rebel and Sanctuary fragrance brands. When I’m not doing that, you can find me working on freelance editorial content for some of my favorite publications, like Byrdie, Refinery29, The Plum, Who What Wear, Cosmopolitan, Bustle, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Apartment Therapy, Popsugar, and Women’s Health among many others.
I started my career at InStyle magazine, where I was a beauty editor for seven years, reporting out and writing countless skin, hair, and makeup-related stories, interviewing really cool celebrities, and hosting live on-camera segments for the brand’s social platforms. While I have worked on pieces surrounding fashion and entertainment in addition to beauty, I was also pretty passionate about covering topics surrounding sexual health, mental health, and relationships, because, hello, we should be talking about these things. I pivoted into copywriting, working with Tarte Cosmetics and Pat McGrath Labs, respectively, along with various projects for select beauty brands.
I’m based in Los Angeles, but will always be a New Yorker at heart, though you might catch my Mississippi accent slipping into conversation from time to time. I’m half-Filipina, half-Ukranian, and fully want to know in excessive detail about your skincare routine. I like long walks on the beach after slathering myself in a good SPF, clever pop culture references, singing along (badly) to Broadway soundtracks, and the Oxford Comma.