002 | Growing Up Filipina American in New York — Travel, Beauty, and Career with Kristina Rodulfo
In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri sits down with Kristina Rodulfo, a Filipina American beauty writer, editor, consultant, and creator based in New York. Formerly the Beauty Director at Women’s Health and Senior Beauty Editor at ELLE, Kristina has built a career at the intersection of beauty, culture, and storytelling – advocating for more inclusive beauty standards and championing women of color in the industry.
Together, they explore Kristina’s journey growing up Filipina American in New York City and how her cultural identity shaped the way she navigated both media and beauty spaces. Kristina reflects on discovering and embracing her heritage over time, the influence of culture on beauty perception, and her transition from magazine editor to independent content creator in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The conversation also touches on Kristina’s perspective on innovative and Filipina-led beauty brands, as well as the nuances of navigating culture in both professional and personal spaces – including her intercultural relationship with her Australian husband.
As an avid traveler, Kristina shares how exploring the world has shaped her perspective, from carving out solo days during trips to fully immerse herself in local culture, to the importance of traveling thoughtfully and respectfully. The episode wraps with a fun lightning round where Kristina shares quick insights on beauty, travel, and identity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Notes from Somewhere and Kristina Rodulfo
06:17 Kristina's Filipina cultural heritage and career in media
13:18 Starting a career in beauty media
20:18 Beauty, culture, and identity
26:28 Pivoting to content creation
31:59 Innovative and Filipina beauty brands
38:01 Navigating cultural differences in relationships
44:11 Solo days while traveling