My Bellacara Makeup Session
I’m completely overwhelmed by beauty products. There are too many, and I don’t know what I need. When Angela owned Bellacara, I would buy whatever she said she couldn’t live without in her Stylebook articles. I want to be told what I need without spending the time and effort and trial and error of figuring products out for myself. Now, on the flip side, I LOVE telling you exactly what you need when it comes to a great baby gift or what to wear for fall photos! 😉 That’s the beauty of boutique shopping. You get the local love, experience, and the expertise you don’t find at big box stores.
With a big birthday this week (hello, 40!) I thought it would be the perfect time to pop into Bellacara for one of their makeup lessons and get some much-needed new makeup, but more importantly, makeup know-how.
Let’s blame it on the big bday, but my skin has been a hot mess. I’ve always struggled with problem skin, but it’s worse now than ever before, so my aim was to find some products that would help with coverage - lessening the redness and covering the breakouts and evening my skin tone.
If you haven’t met her in person yet, Celthia is WONDERFUL! As you’ve read here, she was doing makeup at Bellacara for four years before buying the business at the end of last year. In addition to the store, she has her own business, Makeup By Celthia. I called and made the appointment for a makeup lesson ($200), and then when the time came, I brought the makeup that I have in with me. We discussed what I was looking for, and then she worked her magic. I wanted to buy everything she used, but here are the big winners and essentials for me that I’m loving. I’ll be returning soon for my next round.
Alchimie Forever Kantic Calming Cream - a moisturizer that helped calm the red immediately; it was unbelievable. It smells so nice and was super light.
Skinceuticals Sunscreen - even after a melanoma this summer, I’m still not great about daily sunscreen. The Daily Brightening or the Sheer Physical UV Defense are great options. There are too many good sunscreens available to not wear them. Also, remember how I said I’m clueless with makeup? Celthia told me to put all skincare products on before makeup and to go from the lightest products to the heaviest. I always thought sunscreen was the last step after makeup, but now I know that it should be going on before.
Before this session, I had a few pieces of Westman Atelier makeup because 1) Angela told me to, and 2) everyone I know who wears it swears by it. I’m excited to have added some more gems from this clean skincare line that is absolutely worth the hype and the investment. You savvy Stylebook readers may already know how incredible it is, but here’s what we picked for me:
Vital Skincare Complexion Drops - I’m a minimalist with makeup, and I’ve never liked foundation. This magical product gives light coverage that is strong like a serum but works like a skin tint that deeply nourishes, hydrates, evens tone, soothes, and gives a dewy look. Total game changer for me.
Super Loaded Highlight - clean highlighting cream for cheeks that immediately warmed my face and made it glow.
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Celthia told me this is one of the line’s top two products (the other one is the Contour Stick). A translucent gel highlighter that perks up dull skin and can be used on cheeks, lips, lids, and the bridge of the nose for a “radiant clarity.”
Vital Pressed Skincare Powder - Not just any powder, it’s skincare. This seemed boring compared to the other wow products we used, but it serves a vital purpose: setting everything we applied in place and making it last. This powder has Vitamin C, Probiotics that enhance the skin and protect from blue light (!!) while minimizing the look of pores.
I loved the lip, brow, and eye shadows she recommended, and she showed me how to use them for more of a day look and what to do for a night look. We didn’t bother with mascara because I’m a DiorShow mascara fan for life.
My only regret was not having somewhere to go after my lesson. If you are in need of a refresh, you should check it out!
