Pau del Rio on Lashes as Self-Expression and the Idea of Being Seen

The founder of the beauty brand Paulash talks about what drew her to the “most expressive” part of our face and what she has learned about how women want to be seen.

Pau del Rio talks about lashes the way some people talk about perfume or a signature lipstick shade, not as a beauty accessory, but as something that reveals personality. They have always represented something bigger. “Lashes became more than just a finishing touch for me,” says Pau. “They framed emotion, confidence, and expression, especially through the eyes, which say so much before we even speak.”

Before becoming an entrepreneur, del Rio was simply a beauty enthusiast-turned-make-up artist from Romblon searching for products she couldn’t find. “Growing up, beauty was always instinctive to me,” she reflects. “I’ve always been drawn to the idea of transformation, not in the sense of changing who you are, but elevating what’s already there.”

That idea of enhancement over reinvention eventually shaped Paulash, her beauty brand, after going through frustrations shopping for natural-looking, non-plastic false eyelashes. It also became personal, through stories and sentiments of her clients, who don’t see it as an afterthought in their beauty routines.

“What I’ve learned over the years is that women, no matter how different their stories, lifestyles, or personal styles may be, often share one common desire: they simply want to feel the best version of themselves.”

It’s a shift that the 28-year-old has watched unfold in real time. “Today, Filipino women are far more informed, expressive, and intentional about their beauty choices.” The modern beauty consumer, she adds, doesn’t just ask what’s trending; she asks whether it fits her.

That distinction also matters to Paulash. Beauty, as she sees it, has often been framed as something women perform for others. But confidence, Pau believes, is built in private, through intention, not perfection.

“Sometimes confidence starts with something small, putting on lashes, doing your makeup, taking care of your skin, simple rituals that remind you that you still deserve to feel good, even on difficult days.”

Del Rio also treads on the contradictions embedded in modern beauty culture: celebrating effortless beauty while spending hours pursuing it and praising natural looks that often require considerable maintenance. Pau is candid about that reality.

“At the end of the day, beauty should never feel
like pressure, It should feel like permission, permission to express yourself, take up space, and choose yourself unapologetically.

For more information, follow Paulash on Instagram.

by CHRISTINA ZABAT. Photographs by BORGY ANGELES. Sittings Editors JOYCE OREÑA and DANYL GENECIRAN. Hair and Makeup by NIX INSTITUTE OF BEAUTY. Multimedia Artist LARA CASTAÑEDA. Produced by BELLA MARISTELA. Account manager SAM PROTACIO. Project implemented by ESAB RAYMUNDO. Shot on location at UMA NOTA MANILA.