Andrea Brillantes lays groundwork for post-child star success

Having a mansion at 16 and working as a CEO of her own company at 19, Andrea Brillantes has achieved what many adults are still dreaming of. We caught up with her at the intimate and exclusive preview of her vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, preservative-safe, and dermatologist-tested makeup line Lucky Beauty, Inc., where she told us what sets her apart from most celebrity cosmetics beauty owners.

“Super hands-on po ako. May times na pumupunta ako sa ibang bansa at pinapapunta ko pa yung products ko doon at minsan inaabot pa ako ng 100 swatches dito hanggang sa arms at minsan sa legs ko pa,” she said.

For Andrea or Blythe, as how she is called by her close friends, “makeup is a wearable lucky charm.” The Kapamilya actress shared that she wants everyone to feel the good luck that makeup brings. Andrea’s line features six products that give you a glimpse into her makeup routine.

Her company is two years in the making and she feels more empowered to have a small group of employees under her wing.

“It is more of a responsibility now dahil mayroong mga taong umaasa sa akin at lumalabas ang pera, so hindi siya super pretty, pretty lang because it is a business,” said Andrea. Part of what she did was even hire a great legal team to streamline the system and commitment.

Andrea made it big in showbiz over a decade ago when she was just roughly 10 years old. When she started earning money, she went through the spending spree phase, which she quickly got over, thanks to the guidance she got from her veteran peers.

She said when it comes to money, she makes smart decisions with the help of celebrities alike who did well with their finances and businesses. Andrea even asks for advice about big-ticket items like cars and expense purchases.

“Yung mga artista na nakaka-kwentuhan ko, si Ate Dimples (Romana), isa siya sa mga nagsasabi na mag-ipon. Si Tita Sylvia (Sanchez), andami kasi talaga nagsasabi saking mag-ipon ka, ‘wag kang bumili nito, ‘wag kang bumili nito,” she said.

Andrea’s vision is to let her brand grow with her life happenings.

“I hope mas mag-expand iyong brand ko… kung hindi lang ito magiging makeup, pwede manganak din, kasi di ba kay Kylie (Jenner), nagkaroon siya ng baby ng pabango ganyan.”

Ricci Rivero, Andrea’s boyfriend since last year, was there in the event launch to help her out. Their relationship has been going strong after debuting as a couple last September. When asked where their relationship is headed, she said, “Mag-20 pa lang po ako next month. Masaya kami, mahal namin ang isa’t-isa, enjoy lang every day.”

Andrea has also an upcoming show to think about and that is Drag You & Me, which is slated to be streamed on iWantTFC this year. She will star alongside Christian Bables, JC Alcantara, Romnick Sarmenta and real-life Drag Queens Brigiding, Viñas Deluxe and Precious Paula Nicole of the Drag Race Philippines fame.

Despite her petite frame, Andrea is a certified Alpha female. She said she stops at nothing and is reassured about her trajectory in the business.

“Matigas ulo ko eh, like hindi ako tumitigil kapag may gusto akong bagay, gagawin ko lahat para magawa iyon, totoo talaga akong tao at matapang ako, wala akong care! (I’m persistent, like I never stop pursuing what I want to do, I will do everything to make it happen),” she said.  “Basta alam ko, wala akong natatapakan, wala akong nasasaktan, go lang ako ng go. Mayroong mga bashers, pero kasi kung hindi naman totoo iyong sinasabi nila madalas na 70 percent, 80 percent hindi totoo, hindi ako papa-apekto.”