For more than a decade, I have been a fan of Albert Kurniawan and his makeup portfolio. I have followed his inspiring journey through his Instagram posts, and I had the privilege of attending two of his branded workshops when he was the chief makeup artist for a premium makeup brand.
You can just imagine my joy at having the chance to listen to his heartwarming story of success at Beautycon 2025. The grand beauty event was organized by SM Beauty, Watsons Philippines, and LOOK, and drew more than 160 brands, celebrities, and beauty enthusiasts to the SMX Convention Center from Aug. 28 to 31.
Albert’s journey is a story of resilience, passion, and belief in oneself rolled into one. Raised in a family that constantly pushed him to excel, his mother was his first makeup inspiration.
“My mom is the first person who made me fall in love with makeup,” Albert shared. Her influence was so profound that Albert named his brand Teviant after her. His family played a pivotal role in shaping his perspective, with his mother being his biggest critic and fan, grounding him in reality, while his father provided guidance in the business aspect of his venture.
“I grew up in a family that really pushes us to the limits. So, it really gave me a lot of challenges also, and I really wanted to prove that I can do it [in life],” Albert said.
His path to success, however, was not linear and came with many hurdles. When Albert decided to move to the Philippines from Indonesia at just 22 years old with only US $100 in his pocket, many wondered how he would survive.
“It was scary. I was bringing just $100 and thinking about how I would make it last,” he recalled.
Yet, he viewed this challenge as motivation to prove himself. His move was a leap of faith, driven by a passion to carve a niche in the beauty industry. His perseverance paid off as he built his reputation, one post at a time. In fact, a single social media post changed everything. A new, soft-glam bridal makeup look he posted garnered 20 inquiries overnight, establishing his unique identity amid fierce competition in the beauty scene.
What set Albert apart was his vision and ability to adapt to local needs. Learning about Filipino beauty preferences, he introduced soft glam looks that resonated with his audience while maintaining his Indonesian roots.
“When I moved here, the beauty trend was minimal makeup, no false lashes, soft eyes. I was so used to full-glam Indonesian styles (which he described as ‘Pakak!’ live!), so I had to think outside the box,” he explained. His innovative approach and belief in his talent allowed him to embrace the Filipino market, which he describes as warm and welcoming.
“Filipinos embraced me. I became more Filipino than Indonesian in many ways,” he laughed, expressing gratitude.
Building his brand, Teviant, was a pure act of creativity and innovation. Albert is involved in every step, from research and development to product formulation. His dedication is evident when he describes how he collaborates with factories worldwide — Italy, China, and the Philippines — to ensure that each product meets his high standards.
“Every batch is tested, and I personally review the formulations,” he stated.
His goal was to develop quality, affordable products that could compete globally. He wants products that are vegan and cruelty-free, aligning with his values and love for animals.
“Our products don’t test on animals, and many are vegan-certified,” he confirmed with pride.
Despite a busy international schedule, traveling from Italy to Indonesia, China, and back to the Philippines, Albert finds relaxation in simple joys.
“I love to cook, especially Indonesian food,” he said. His extensive collection of pets, including 13 dogs, 15 cats, parrots, tortoises, chickens, and peacocks, reveals his compassionate nature and love for animals. “Animals are my stress relief,” he beamed. He believes that staying true to oneself and maintaining balance are key to success.
Albert’s story is not only about achievements but also about mindset. He advocates for self-belief and resilience, encouraging aspiring beauty entrepreneurs to trust their talent.
“Believe in yourself because nobody will believe in you first,” he emphasized. To motivate himself daily, Albert used to write his goals and dreams on his bathroom mirror, turning it into a personal vision board. This habit kept him focused and motivated during challenging times.
His proudest moments include moving to the Philippines with minimal resources and becoming a sought-after makeup artist supporting celebrity clients, then launching his successful brand, Teviant.
“I live my life to the fullest every day. You shouldn’t regret everything that you do every day, and you should give everything to the maximum level. I think my Teviant team and Teviant family know how I work. I like to push people because that’s how I work. I like to push myself beyond my limits,” Albert shared.
He added later on that he also takes pride in being an Indonesian who moved to the Philippines, not knowing anyone and not knowing a single Tagalog word.
“Now, sometimes when I travel, it’s easier to explain I am Filipino than I am Indonesian,” he said with a smile. His journey proves that with determination, you can turn dreams into reality, regardless of the initial obstacles. Having confidence in and showing up for yourself are very important.
As success continues to grow for Albert, he is optimistic about expanding Teviant globally, including making it available in Indonesia.
“Our goal is to bring Teviant to Indonesia and to let Filipinos be proud of a Filipino brand,” he shared. His mission and vision in life seem to align with a quote from Confucius— “Choose your passion as your profession, and you will never have to work a single day in your life.”
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