For young CEO Aleah Sia, beauty should be both fun and functional. That philosophy led her to create Popique, a new homegrown beauty brand that fuses skincare and makeup with a bold, vibrant aesthetic.
“Popique is actually a combination of ‘pop’ and ‘unique.’ We’re all about embracing the sun and enhancing your natural glow,” Sia told Manila Standard Life.
Unlike minimalist beauty brands that stick to a few staple products, Popique launched with 11 products from the get-go—from cleansers and toners to multi-use makeup.
“We wanted people to have a complete Popique routine. So that’s from cleansing balm to sunscreen, and then makeup,” she explained.
The brand’s manufacturing is split between China and Thailand, with its SPF products produced by one of the largest cosmetic manufacturers in the industry.
While creating the products wasn’t the biggest challenge, Sia shared that narrowing down the makeup collection was.
“We didn’t want to limit our shade range. That’s why for our face products, we immediately launched 25 shades—covering warm, cool, and even olive undertones,” continued Sia.
She also explained that Popique’s identity is deeply inspired by the Philippines’ tropical landscape.
“We have so many beautiful islands and beaches. We wanted to embrace and celebrate that. That’s why we brought the beach to Makati,” the 24-year-old owner stated.
This sunny inspiration translates into Popique’s packaging and product philosophy.
“A lot of brands go the minimalist route, but we want to stand out. We celebrate colors,” she added.
Sia designed Popique to be inclusive and beginner-friendly, particularly for Filipinos with morena skin tones.
“Our shades are tailored for Pinoy skin. And the products? You can apply them using just your fingers, and they’ll still blend nicely,” Sia stated.
When asked what her favorite is among the Popique products, she shared that it is the multi-use cream palette — a trio of blush shades in one compact.
“For P499, you get three colors that you can mix and match,” she said.
Another standout is the Kiss Me Multi-Apply Lip Balm, which doubles as makeup while providing deep hydration.
At 24, Sia is no stranger to retail. While Popique is her first venture into beauty, she comes from a fashion business background. But she sees this as only the beginning.
“I don’t think this is the height of my career yet. I’m just getting started,” she said.
For now, Popique is available on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, with plans to expand to malls soon.