Words | flor leaño
THE IMPRESSIVELY SASSY MARI JASMIN
Some cover girls usually bear the snobbish looks that can make one want to move back as they pass by. All eyes following them in awesome admiration but only a few approach them for fear of getting a raised eyebrow or feeling too self- conscious because of the model’s intimidating accent or royal-looking gestures. Mari Jasmine is not one of them. She did not arrive with grandstanding arrogance but with welcoming smile. Her eyes seem to overflow with gladness that also goes with her sunny disposition. She makes the people she works with comfortable and makes them feel that she cares. She ordered coffee at the set and wanted to order for others, too. How thoughtful!
Sweet, smart, and stylish…These words sum up Mari Jasmine. Well, let’s peek into her vogue world and you’ll definitely pick up something sensible to think about.
Mari Jasmine is the personification of bubbly with an aura of sophistication making her the perfect choice for ETC Channel’s “Etcetera” fab squad. The show offers upbeat fashion and beauty tips fit for the modern women. Her Aussie accent is indeed one of her assets but her sensible views make her stand out more. Born to a Japanese mother and English father, and raised and educated in Sydney, she said that modeling is something she did not plan. She was not after the glossy world of flashbulbs and centerfolds. Initially, she said that all she wanted was to get the chance to travel more often. “Only modeling can give you the opportunity to travel a lot and immerse into the culture of a country for three months or so but allows you to enjoy what you love doing at the same time”, she said with all enthusiasm. She has traveled around Asia for modeling, and recently settled down here. “I tried it out, and ended up staying,” she said.
When she’s not shooting for her TV show, she’s either attending castings or modeling or working on her blog http://marijasmine. com, where she shares healthy recipes. She’s into natural, wholesome ingredients and obviously, she has the knack for photography. Her photos (both hers and those she took) speak of thousand words— multi-faceted and candid. All are illustrious enough for a second look. A good book both expands her horizon and gives variety to her busy life. She has just finished Search Inside Yourself, penned by Chade-Meng Tan, one of Google’s earliest engineers and personal growth pioneer. This page-turner offers a proven method for enhancing mindfulness and emotional intelligence in life and work. She considers the outdoor her haven and can’t wait for the time she goes surfing again. When the sea is far and if her schedule permits, going to coffee shops gives her the instant boost.
Being sporty, staying fit isn’t a big deal for her. “I grew up with sports and tried soccer and tennis among others,” she said with obvious enthusiasm. She’s eager to try boxing but for now, yoga helps in maintaining her svelte figure, ready to travel any time at places her heart chose to be for three months or so. Yes, she’s up and about, always on the go for a thrilling adventure. But all the time, she remains preppy in her beauty regimen. She never goes to bed with her makeup on. “Most of all, you have to stay hydrated to look your best,” she suggested. She may not drink a lot of water but she makes sure that coffee, which is rich in anti-oxidant, keeps her hydrated. A woman’s makeup kit, she said should never run-out of sunscreen. It’s a skincare must-have that can also function as a makeup base. On cold weather, she uses Cetaphil because it’s gentle on the skin and if she wants to splurge on a serum, she picks up Murad.
The following year will still be travel time for her and she’ll definitely share them with her thousands of followers. She’ll also give them something healthy to ponder on as she will share her health journal. As she finds hosting another major turf, she’ll continue improving her hosting craft while eyeing for international hosting stints. When asked about her success formula, she sounded as if she had not achieved anything grand proving that she remains humble in spite of the success she’s enjoying. “If you want to succeed, you must be organized because everything starts from there. It leads you where you want to go,” she said.
MAKEUP BY OWEN SARMIENTO
STYLED BY RYUJI SHIOMITSU AND JL CRESPO
HAIR BY ETHAN DAVID
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MJ SUAYAN
