Sofía Vergara: "Spanish Cosmetic Products Are the Best"

Sofía Vergara is as expected: natural and charming. During the launch of her cosmetic line in Spain, co-produced with Cantabria Labs, she was exactly that. The press conference was initially scheduled for April 28, but a nationwide blackout prevented the popular Colombian actress from promoting her venture into the beauty industry, following in the footsteps of peers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Selena Gomez, Jessica Alba, and Drew Barrymore.

Despite her reluctance to be photographed up close, the Colombian actress looks stunning. "Now that I'm older, turning 53 next week, I need to take better care of myself. I used to go to the gym when I could, eat whatever I wanted... I have to be more conscious," she remarked, adding that she has "knee pain, so I need physiotherapy. Old age things," she insisted, much to the surprise of those present. Nevertheless, she plans to continue "having fun" and, contrary to Carolina Herrera's advice, keep "the same long hair and necklines from 30 years ago."

Over three decades ago, at 17, Vergara was discovered by a talent scout on a beach in her native Colombia while with her parents. Shortly after, she starred in a Pepsi commercial flaunting her curves. Few know that the actress is naturally blonde and only began landing acting roles after dyeing her hair brunette. "It was ignorance: they thought every Latina should look like Salma Hayek," Vergara, multiple award-winner for her role as Gloria in 'Modern Family,' once commented in an interview.

Her profession demands she always maintains a good image, which is why she never leaves home without makeup, as she never knows when paparazzi might appear. Passionate about beauty products, she began using Spanish ones after discovering them, often taking suitcases full of cosmetics when visiting or asking friends to bring them. "I love the products here; I've always known their sunscreens are better than those in the United States, with fewer chemicals and more effective," she said.

Vergara, who has rosacea and has damaged her skin since she was young, "when we tanned with coconut oil, like fried chicken. I don't know how we did that and no one told us it was bad." To mitigate the damage, she started using Cantabria Labs products. "Once, in a conversation with Luis, my manager, I said: 'We should copy this product. Let's copy it and sell it in the United States; it's perfect, there's nothing like it there,'" referring to one of the Spanish lab's makeup products with sun protection. "And Luis said: 'But why do you have to be so Colombian? We don't have to steal it, we don't have to copy the formula, let's find out who Cantabria Labs are and see if they're interested in doing something with us.' And, well, here we are," she explained with laughter about the birth of her line, called Toty, a nickname given by one of her brothers and by which she is known to her loved ones.

They first tested the market in North America two years ago, where it was well-received as affordable luxury products. Now it arrives in Europe, a market with much competition. "I feel the beauty of our brand is that they are products that truly work. So, you don't need to go crazy having 100,000 things. That's what makes me most proud of the brand, that the products we have aren't Mickey Mouse, they're products that work." "These are products I use and trust with the people I care about." She consumes and tests them. In her entrepreneurial journey, she has learned that she is "very stubborn."