From jetsetting all over the world, juggling her various businesses and advocacies, and being a global brand icon, actress and model Heart Evangelista has kept herself more than busy this year. This month, the 39-year-old chinita beauty was launched as the newest celebrity ambassador of GRWM Cosmetics at the GRWM Ball held in Okada Manila last November 22.

Heart said it was not hard to say yes to the brand because of her shared advocacy for animal welfare with GRWM founder and CEO Mae Layug-Madriñan. 

“I have some businesses, some are private, some are out there. I know how it is being very stressful paying attention to the smallest detail and for them to even think beyond them, meaning to think about others, not just others but those who cannot protect themselves like animals, that’s really big of them. I love it that we’re always talking about it because it’s hard.

"Technically, mas makakamura ka kung hindi mo iisipin na itong produkto ito hindi siya animal-cruelty free. Mas makakamura ka pa nga eh. But they would rather pay a little but more but to do it right and that says a lot about their heart and I love working with people like that. To begin with, I like their brand before they even got me. But for us to be working together  and to be standing side by side with their values and principles is even better. So I’m very happy,” Heart explained during the GRWM presscon. 

Collaborating with local brands is a no-brainer for Heart, especially those who are cruelty-free.

“Unang una, ang nag-isip niyan, si Ms. Mae, ay Pilipino din.So lahat ng ginagawa niya, the smallest detail, kung ilang strand ng eyeliner na puwedeng mas makapal, puwedeng mas malaki. Kasi depende yan sa talukap ng mga mata natin. Ever changing yung talukap ko. Pag kumain ako ng may Knorr seasoning, namamaga yun so kailangan mas makapal (gamitin ko). It changes with water retention. She thinks of the smallest details according to our features.

"Even the shade, the tone of our eyeshadows. You have to study it. It’s scientific. You have to study what kind of green will work on yellow skin, what kind of blue will pop on this kind of skin. So lahat yun iniisip yun so it’s a no-brainer. That’s why I love working with local brands kasi hindi mo na kailangan mag-test ng mag-test kasi you know that it will automatically look good on us so nakakatuwa,” she explained. 

Heart said she will always be grateful to her fans and followers, which currently number 16M on Instagram, making her one of the most followed celebrities in the country.

“I would be nothing without the Philippines. If you look at my percentage on Instagram, my following is Philippines. I never intended to leave and not come back. I’ll always come back. This is my home and this is where my dreams came true. Everything else outside is just a little cherry on top. Ito talaga yung kabuuan ng career ko. So they support me, I support them no matter where. Iba rin talaga yung PInoy kaya I’m happy,” she added.

The GRWM ambassador also admitted how much she was inspired by the brand’s CEO.

“Actually, aside from teaming up with different collaborators, Ms. Mae is so inspiring. While we were shooting, she was always just on top of everything, content, budget, everything. And it’s just so uplifting and inspiring to be surrounded by all these content creators that truly love what they do and Ms. Mae is a true example of where it can take you if you really put hard work and passion into it. 

"Imagine in 2021 and where we are today, it’s just wow. In three years, you can be a top-selling makeup brand. That’s amazing. And to be working also with the other content creators who are also out there expressing themselves. It’s so powerful and I’m just so honored that I get to share this moment with all of them,” she said.