The Glow Club: New Zealand’s First Filipino Cosmetic Store
We’re more than a store. We’re a community for beauty, empowerment, and inclusivity.
The Glow Club isn’t just about makeup or skincare, it’s about creating a space where everyone feels seen, celebrated, and inspired. As New Zealand’s first Filipino beauty store, we take pride in sharing our unique beauty culture, while giving smaller brands and local creators a platform to grow. Our mission is simple: make the products people love accessible, and support diverse voices in the beauty industry.
Our Story: From a Pandemic Idea to a Community Hub
When the pandemic hit, I found myself stuck at home, missing the beauty products I relied on. Trips back to the Philippines were impossible, and the products I trusted simply weren’t available in New Zealand. I realized I wasn’t alone, many Filipinas here must be feeling the same gap.
What began as a personal challenge soon turned into a bigger opportunity: a chance to bring familiar, trusted beauty products to the community that needed them most.
A Platform for Small Brands
The Glow Club is about more than selling products. We’re committed to giving independent brands the spotlight they deserve.
Inclusivity drives everything we do, and that means creating space for small creators to thrive. These brands may not have the same reach as big names, but they bring something special, and we’re proud to support them.
From Instagram to Our Website: Expanding the Glow
Instagram gave us our first stage, but we quickly realized we needed more. We wanted a better way to connect with customers and make shopping easier. With Shopify, we launched our website, a space where people can browse, discover new brands, and learn the stories behind the products.
It’s more than just an online store. It’s a hub for engagement, community, and connection.
Opening Our Physical Store
Even with our online success, people kept asking, “When are you opening a store?” We wanted a space where customers could experience The Glow Club in real life, a place that felt welcoming for everyone, from seasoned beauty lovers to those new to Filipino brands.
After months of planning and challenges, we opened our doors in Newmarket on March 30th. The support was overwhelming, proving that the community we built online was ready to meet us in person.
Growing Together
Six months in, The Glow Club isn’t just surviving, we’re thriving. Every challenge has taught us more about our customers, our team, and the beauty of running a small business. The dream of dedicating myself fully to The Glow Club grows stronger every day, even while balancing a full-time job.
Supporting Women and Our Community
We’re 100% women-led, and proud to create something bigger than just a store. Our goal isn’t just to sell beauty products, it’s to build a space where women uplift each other and feel confident in their own skin.
As a Filipino-owned business, we’re also committed to making Filipino beauty accessible, not just in New Zealand, but wherever it’s needed.
To Every Woman Out There: Just Start
You don’t need permission, you just need to start. The hardest part is always the first step, but once you take it, everything else begins to fall into place.
The Glow Club wasn’t built in a day. It was built on persistence, resilience, and belief in a dream worth chasing. If you’re thinking about starting something of your own, don’t wait for the perfect moment, the perfect moment is now.
