POP + UNIQUE: Young entrepreneur Aleah Sia merges skincare and makeup in new beauty brand ‘POPIQUE’
A fresh face has entered the beauty market, bringing with it a burst of color and a focus on sun-kissed appeal. Popique, a new brand launched by 24-year-old Aleah Sia, aims to fuse skincare and makeup into a seamless, user-friendly experience. The brand’s emphasis on accessibility and shade inclusivity sets it apart in a crowded field.
Aleah Sia, POPIQUE founder and owner
The Popique Philosophy
At the heart of Popique lies a simple yet powerful concept: embracing natural beauty with a touch of playful color. “POPIQUE is actually derived from the combination POP plus UNIQUE. So, we’re all about embracing the sun, enhancing your natural glow. So, we’re all about clean beauty but with a pop of color. And we’re also about caring about your skin. That’s why we both have skincare and makeup,” Sia explained. This dual focus is evident in the brand’s product line, which includes everything from cleansing balms and moisturizers to multi-use palettes and lip balms. The brand positions itself with the tagline,
Beauty That Makes You Pop.
The brand’s connection to the Philippines’ natural beauty is also a driving force. “The celebration of the sun. In the Philippines, we have a lot of beautiful islands and beaches. And we just wanted to embrace that. Because that’s what makes the Philippines so beautiful. So, we really wanted to celebrate that. That’s why we brought the beach to Makati. Right? It’s like Siargao,” Sia said, referencing the brand’s launch event, which transformed a Makati venue into a beach-themed paradise.
Navigating Challenges and Expanding Horizons
Bringing a new brand to market is never without its challenges. For Popique, the development process was extensive. “We were developing the product for two years. But in terms of product making, it wasn’t challenging because we wanted people to have a complete POPIQUE routine. So, that’s from the cleansing balm, the cleanser in the morning, the toner, moisturizer, sunscreen, and then makeup. So, what was more challenging was limiting your makeup collection. We didn’t want to do that. We wanted to expand it and make it 11 products straight from the beginning so there’s something for everyone,” Sia stated.
Shade inclusivity was also a priority. “For the shades, we wanted everyone to be able to use Popique. That’s why for our face products, we immediately came out with 25 shades. We divided it into cool tone, warm tone, and even olive tone. So, there’s really something for everyone. Even our multi-use palette, the 499 is worth it because you’re getting 3 blushes but you’re still able to mix and match the shades,” she emphasized.
The brand’s manufacturing reflects its commitment to quality. “So, it’s manufactured both in China and Thailand. Our SPF products, specifically the orange products, are manufactured by one of the biggest cosmetic manufacturing companies out there,” Sia noted.
Standing Out in a Saturated Market
Popique aims to distinguish itself through its shade range, user-friendly formulas, and vibrant aesthetic. “One, our shades are for morena skin. Two, I like to say they’re beginner-friendly. You can apply it using just fingers. And it still blends nicely on your skin. It’s really a celebration of the pop and color. A lot of brands, I think, go for the minimalist route. We wanted to really stand out in our packaging. Celebrate colors. And celebrate the beauty. Celebrate the beauty, exactly,” Sia explained.
Among the best-selling products are the Multi-Use Cream Palette, the Kiss Me Multi-Peptide Lip Balm, and the Multi-Complexion Pot. “So, my favorite is the Multi-Use Cream Palette. The blush is really good. The Kiss Me Multi-Peptide Lip Balm. So, I’m getting a lot of comments that it could be makeup because of the color, but it’s also so nourishing and hydrating. You can even use it at night. So, it’s very multi-purpose. Even the Multi-Complexion pot. We’re not calling it a foundation or a concealer. Because it’s supposed to be multi-purpose. If you want more coverage, just build it up. And it gives you this really dewy, natural finish,” Sia says.
With its online presence established, Popique has its sights set on further expansion. “So far, we’re available on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok. And soon, we’re hoping to expand in malls. Hopefully, soon,” Sia shared.
Despite her young age, Sia is a seasoned entrepreneur. “I actually come from a fashion business. So, this isn’t my first retailing brand. But this is my first venture in this area. I’m 24 years old. I don’t think this is the height of my career yet. I’m just getting started,” she happily concluded.
Here’s a list of POPIQUE products now available on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop
- Popique Erase the day Cleansing Balm
- Popique Make a splash Multi-Peptide Gel Cleanser
- Popique Take a Sip Multi-Peptide Toning Essence
- Popique Seal it Up Multi-Peptide Water Cream Moisturizer
- Popique Protect me Lightweight Sunscreen Lotion
- Popique I’m Ready Blurring Sunscreen Primer
- Popique Kiss Me Multi-Peptide Lip Balm
- Popique So Comfy Blur Lipstick
- Popique Face Forward Multi-Complexion Pot (Brighten + Correct, Contour + Sculpt, Conceal + Cover)
- Popique Set & Smooth Baked Powder
- Popique All-over Multiuse Cream Palette
