A few years ago, she hogged the headlines for being the girl who allegedly lost her boyfriend to a friend. “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” producer and businesswoman Rina Navarro is in the spotlight once more, but now as the CEO of Unfiltered Skin Essentials, her beauty line launched early last year.
A self-confessed user of imported brands, Rina thought of putting up her own which will incorporate the same ingredients as the expensive labels she uses. With trusted friends, she set on to simplify the process of beautifying skin via her Unfiltered line of creams and serum for the face which she launched early 2000.
Available online through Facebook, Viber and Instagram, the line is safe for pregnant and lactating women and may be used by thirteen years old and older. So far, it has reached its target market and is selling in spite of the ongoing pandemic. Rina proudly stated that she uses her own products and even before its launching, she made sure Unfiltered got the stamp of approval from her close friends, including those from showbiz.
Singer Jaya uses the products and even sells it. Actress Bea Alonzo, whom Rina fondly calls “twin,” is also a supporter not only of her business endeavor but also of her own personal journey.
Rina said she and Bea have shared pieces of advice about self-worth and not settling. She said the actress would be her only choice to play her in case her life story becomes a movie.
“Mahihirapan ‘yung producer kasi sobrang rami kong pinagdaanan, mga ilang chapter ‘yun — 1,2,3,4,5,” Rina said with a laugh, “pero pwede naman gawing pelikula pero si Bea dapat, kasi kilalalang kilala nya ako.
“Actually gusto ko talagang gawing movie ‘yung buhay ko dati kasi maaga akong nabyuda.
Bago nagka [the film] ‘Bonifacio’ (2014) feeling ko talaga, may rason kung bakita ako maagang nabyuda. Ang gandang love story ata ‘yun. Bata pa sya, nabyuda siya. Kasi ‘yun talaga ako,” she explained, “Kaso lang I was still young. Naisip ko, anong ending? Wala pang ending na maganda. Dapat ‘di ba happy ending e nag sta start pa lang ang journey ng life ko kaya hindi pa sya tamang panahon. Pag nalaman natin ‘yung pinaka purpose talaga siguro pwede na natin [gawing film] pero saka na ‘yun.”
While cinemas remain closed, Rina is more focused on growing her business. Unfiltered is set on launching its serum and lotion for the body. And the brand will also unveil its first endorser who best exemplifies “the core and the essence of being unfiltered,” said Rina.
And what exactly is the “essence” of being Unfiltered?
Rina explained: “Unfiltered is a character, it’s something inside of you. Unfiltered is actually the confidence that you gain, that you build. When you use our products and see that you skin has improved drastically, you also feel good about yourself. Whether in makeup — or without makeup, you are confident enough to face the world, makipag-Zoom.
“And Unfiltered is not just a name, it is also about wellness in the mind. Mental health. We encourage women to embrace their imperfections. Skin care doesn’t mean that your skin has to be perfect, that you have to be white, but all you have to do is just remove all the insecurities. It’s really more on you embracing yourself kahit anong weight mo, anong height mo, even woman or man.
“Again, as we always say, self-care always starts with skin care. When you love yourself, you really need to take care of your skin, kasi it’s part of your everyday life.”
