Cover of Soualigan Divine Palette. The palette has been created in the shape of St. Maarten and weighs about 500 grams.
PHILIPSBURG--St. Peters-born makeup artist and entrepreneur Antoinette Philips is celebrating her heritage ahead of St. Maarten Day with the launch of a new eyeshadow palette inspired by the island's communities, landscapes and cultural symbols.
The palette, named Soualigan Divine, will be available from November 11 through Philips' beauty brand, VMOUR Beauty. Its 22 shades take their names from places and features associated with the island, including Grand Case, Dutch Quarter, the Salt Pond, Guavaberry and the flamboyant tree. One shade is named after St. Peters where Philips once resided.
Currently based in the Netherlands, where she works as a social worker supporting persons with disabilities, Philips developed the collection as a tribute to the island that shaped her identity. Both the palette's case design and its colours draw inspiration from St. Maarten and St. Martin as a shared island with two distinct national identities.
Soualigan Divine is the second palette released under VMOUR Beauty, which Philips established in 2024. Her first collection, VMOUR Merlot, reflected her interest in wine and makeup with packaging shaped like a wine glass.
The idea for the brand developed from informal makeup sessions with friends, often accompanied by a glass of wine. Encouraged by a mentor to share those moments online, Philips began livestreaming her makeup sessions and gradually built an audience on TikTok, where she shares makeup looks and interacts with followers.
With her latest collection, she has shifted the inspiration from wine to the Caribbean, drawing on the colours and cultural influences of her homeland. The palette combines matte and shimmer finishes, with shades intended for both everyday makeup and more dramatic looks.
“Beauty, to me, is more than just makeup. It's a form of self-expression,” Philips said. “My goal is to offer women tools that can help them create looks that inspire confidence,
celebrate individuality and make every person feel empowered in their own skin.”
VMOUR Beauty describes its products as vegan and cruelty-free. The brand is also hosting a giveaway featuring the new palette, with entry details available through its Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts under @vmourbeauty.
Soualigan Divine is scheduled to go on sale on November 11 at www.vmourbeauty.com. The company said customers in St. Maarten should follow its social media channels for updates on local availability and collection arrangements.
