The stories we tell—and how we tell them—shape how we see the world.
Before the age of viral content and endless scrolling, we fell in love with storytelling through the pages of magazines. We flipped through editorials that weren’t just pretty pictures, but a portal into lives, ideas, and dreams we never knew we needed. These stories taught us about style, self-expression, and the power of words—stories that stayed with us long after the ink faded.
But as the media landscape has evolved, so too has the way we write, publish, and consume stories. The pressure for clicks and quick wins is real, yet the heart of journalism—the pursuit of truth, empathy, and meaning—remains as important as ever.
At Bylines & Beyond: The Editors Forum, The Beauty Edit’s first in series called UN/CONVENTION/AL, Pola Del Monte—a multi-awarded writer, editor, and content creator, also known as Miss Chief Editor—asked a question that set the tone for her session. She asked us to pull up an image that shaped our idea of beauty when we were young.
As we Googled photos from our memory banks—perfume ads, TV shows, supermodel spreads, shampoo commercials—Pola projected vintage beauty ads from the ’90s. They were glossy, nostalgic, and, at first glance, familiar. But as she spoke, we began to see the messaging behind the glamour: skin-lightening creams that promised fairness as a ticket to beauty, campaigns that mocked those with darker skin, and ads that wouldn’t stand a chance in today’s world.
It was a moment of reflection and reckoning. We realized how deeply the stories of the past had shaped our own views—and how much responsibility we carry as editors and writers to tell a different, better story today.
“What if we at least make space for stories that can transform? In fact, we should make space for stories that matter.”
Fleeting Yet Significant
Print magazines were our sacred texts—cut up, dog-eared, and worn thin—because their editorials and articles spoke to us in ways we still remember. They were the introduction to the lives we dreamt of, where limitless creativity was waiting to be shown to the world—a fantasy we all craved to turn into reality.
Fast forward to the digital era, and we are now exposed to more content delivered at lightning speed. Shows like America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway offered us a thrilling peek behind the curtain, revealing the high-stakes hustle of the fashion and beauty industries. Some would say that the pressures of the job might have been exaggerated; it only fueled our desire—we craved the challenge even more.
That’s the power of storytelling, especially for those experiencing it during their formative years. These narratives extend beyond the written word and the screen, and their impact runs deeper than the glossy pages. Every spread, every sentence is crafted with intention, done to present what deserves to be seen, heard, and felt.
“It can be a fleeting moment—30 seconds, a few minutes of reading—but it can impact your life,” says Del Monte, underscoring just how powerful even a brief article can be for its reader.
A common misconception about beauty writers is that we exist solely to drive consumption. While product coverage is often associated with the job title, it barely scratches the surface of what the role truly entails. As writers and journalists, our work involves extensive research—not just to inform, but to encourage reflection and, when necessary, a shift in perspective. In an industry as dynamic as beauty, there’s always a need to push boundaries and redefine the narrative.
A graduate of the University of the Philippines and Harvard University, Del Monte’s work has been featured in publications like CNN, Vogue, and The New York Times. There’s no one better suited to speak on the power of meaningful, impactful storytelling than Miss Chief Editor herself.
“What if we at least make space for stories that can transform? In fact, we should make space for stories that matter,” Del Monte emphasizes.
A Simple Guide
So, how does Miss Chief Editor navigate the endless possibilities of storytelling? For Del Monte, it all comes back to a simple yet powerful acronym inspired by her title: M.C.E.—mercy, continuity, and effect.
Mercy—this is where a story holds compassion and understanding. As storytellers, we hold the power to choose kindness over judgment, guiding readers through narratives that reflect deeply human experiences. We witness characters stumble, falter, and fall, which leads up to the redemption we hope for them to have. Empathy seeps into the pages—and into us—leaving a lasting imprint.
“I think that mercy or humanizing a subject is also a good way to get views, but people also want to be part of it,” shares Del Monte.
Continuity invites us to ask: Will this story still matter a year from now? A decade? Does it carry a message that extends into the future? While there’s rarely a clear answer, Del Monte urges us to think long-term. Form a healthy balance between what can be trending and what can be impactful in the future. As she aptly puts it, “We’re contributing to a body of literature about beauty, about lifestyle, but also society.”
Effect might be the most challenging—and perhaps the most ambitious—aspect of storytelling. Even Del Monte admits it’s something she continues to strive for. Creating real change through words is rare, but when it happens, the impact can ripple across generations. These are the stories that don’t just inform or inspire—they empower. And as Del Monte believes, you don’t have to look far to find those kinds of stories.
With Power Comes Responsibility
Whether or not we do make immediate impact, the great thing about the beauty industry is that it fosters community. People of all kinds share their insights and collectively encourage one another, regardless of their differences. Here, we let go of competition for a vision that champions respect and trust. For editors, these are powerful reminders of why we first picked up the pen and paper—to tell stories that unite and inspire.
Photographs by Angelou Luque
