Celebrating Amari’s first birthday, Coleen Garcia talks about beauty that aims to inspire, rather than to impress.
Related: Coleen Garcia Spills One Thing She Wants To Change About Hubby Billy Crawford
An awarded actress and TV host with trademark dimples and an enviably toned body, Coleen Garcia tends to leave people awestruck whenever she walks into a room. These days, she’s even more radiant thanks to her bundle of joy turning one. In September of last year, Garcia and her husband Billy Crawford welcomed their baby boy Amari. “Above everything, I love how he calls for me,” she shares. And while she celebrates her baby’s milestone, Garcia’s documentation of motherhood online also embraces the authentic. “I’m just so tired of seeing unattainable perfection everywhere, it’s so exhausting.
I just want to be the best me I can be,” she says “There’s a difference between trying to impress and trying to inspire. Impressing people is showing them ‘I can do it” or ‘I’m amazing’, while inspiring people is showing others that they can do it, and they’re amazing. And I believe there’s just so much more purpose and fulfillment there.”
An inevitable spotlight follows the 28-year-old as her body goes through many changes and though it may not be obvious on-screen, she’s unafraid to zoom in on the insecurities that come with it. “Many would tell me it’s not as bad, but until now I still can’t fit in most of my clothes. So I still feel it. People don’t see my stretch marks and loose skin unless they come close to me, but I see them every day. It’s not so much what other people think, but really how I feel, and right now I don’t feel 100% yet, but I’m also not rushing or pressuring myself,” she admits.
Her passion for fitness and healthy eating remains but her identification of “a strong body” has evolved. “I’ll probably never look the way I want to, but I’ve come to terms with it. And I’m allowed to feel bad about it sometimes, as long as I pick myself back up.”
Beauty Talks
WHAT IS YOUR BEAUTY PHILOSOPHY?
Beauty starts from within! When you feel good about yourself, you smile more genuinely and feel freer to be who you are. People can sense it, and it’s contagious. Confidence and self-acceptance are everything!
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT THE REALITY OF MOTHERHOOD?
Postpartum mood disorders and insecurities do not discriminate. Regardless of how hard or easy you have it; women can go through this. It’s important for moms—for women, and for people in general—to offer solidarity to each other and remind each other that we’re not alone and that what we are going through is valid and normal.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS YOU TOOK TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND STILL FEEL BEAUTIFUL DURING PREGNANCY UNTIL TODAY?
Self-care is non-negotiable. It’s so important to care for yourself, in all the ways you need to be taken care of because it will eventually lead to burnout if you don’t make it a priority. It could look like a lot of different things, from skincare and workouts to massages and reading time, to taking walks alone in the fresh air.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SKINCARE AND MAKEUP ROUTINE. DO YOU HAVE ANY GO-TO FAVORITES?
My skincare products always change. I have dry skin, so the products I choose are for that type. The one product I’m using that I had repurchased is the Drunk Elephant Vitamin C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream.
Part of my routine is getting a Keralift from Strokes because it makes me put in less effort when I need to look good. It makes a huge difference. I like the brow products from Strokes as well, and the cheek tints from Happy Skin!
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR POST-PARTUM WORKOUT FITNESS ROUTINE?
I do simple workouts that only require bodyweight or light weights, and they’re more on mobility exercises that loosen up my tight muscles. I have to do more work on strengthening my pelvic floor muscles since childbirth messed that up. I focus on having good form above several reps and heaviness of weights. Recovery is also important, so I give myself more than enough time and room to breathe and relax.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO AMARI, TO YOUR PARTNER BILLY AND YOURSELF?
To Amari, I just want to say thank you for being so incredibly sweet, and an absolute joy to love and be around. You light up our lives, and right now you have no idea how big of an impact you have. Mommy, Daddy, and many other people love you so much. One of my prayers is for you to feel this love, all the way up to when you are older than we are now. The past year has been colorful, and although I know I’m going to miss all these fleeting moments so terribly, I’m also excited for all the days to come.
Thank you for working hard, not just at your job, but also as a husband and father. I see all your efforts, and I feel your genuine desire to give us your very best. I love you, and I thank God that He chose us to be together. And lastly, to myself, I just want to remind you totake it easy. Allow yourself to grow, and to feel. Don’t rush things. Enjoy the process and enjoy every moment you are in because you’ll never get it back again. The future is bright, and so is the present.
Love, Coleen.
This feature is as seen on MEGA’s September issue now available in Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio
Photography JERICK SANCHEZ
Makeup MICKEY SEE
Hair RENZ PANGILINAN
Styling ADRIANNE CONCEPCION
Styling Assistant DODLEY GALLARDO
Shoot Coordination MJ ALMERO
Shot on location at NM Studios
