Bela Padilla is changing the beauty industry, one simple yet powerful product at a time.
Her brand, Bela By Bela, aims to make beauty accessible and uncomplicated by offering products designed to enhance, not hide, natural beauty.
From the release of her Dot Perfection cheek tint to her recent launch of Dani By Bela, a perfume collaboration with Dani Barretto, Bela is steadily shaping a beauty line that embodies her vision of inclusive self-expression.
The Dot Perfection cheek tint, one of the standout products from Bela By Bela, is a cream-based formula that adjusts to the user’s skin tone.
“You only need a small dot to achieve a natural, healthy glow,” said Bela. This minimalist approach is a key part of her philosophy: beauty should be simple and shouldn’t alter who you are. “We don’t want to cover up your natural look. We just want to make you feel a bit better.”
Bela’s journey in beauty entrepreneurship is rooted in the concept of “borrowed confidence,” but she sees it from a positive angle.
“Makeup is borrowed confidence because it makes someone feel good. But it shouldn’t completely change the way you look,” she explained. Bela wants her products to complement one’s natural self without overwhelming it. That’s why Bela By Bela started with two essential items—lip balm and cheek tint.
“We don’t want to change who you are; we just want to enhance what’s already there,” Bela explained.
The brand is also focused on inclusivity, ensuring that its offerings cater to all skin types and tones.
“Beauty in the Philippines has often been one-dimensional,” she acknowledged. For Bela, part of her mission is to break the traditional definition of beauty, which has historically been tied to fairness and long hair. “I see the beauty standards changing slowly, and we want to be part of that change,” she said.
Through her campaigns, she has made an effort to feature people of different ages, skin textures, and colors.
Her dedication to inclusivity extends beyond her products. She and Dani recently introduced Dani By Bela, a perfume line that carries a personal significance.
“Dani has been my best friend for about 15 years, and we’ve always wanted to work together,” Bela shared. “We looked into different ventures, but this perfume line felt right, given the timing and my ability to focus on it.”
The partnership underscores Bela’s belief that fragrance is a form of personal expression, not borrowed confidence.
Bela stands out for promoting empowerment and self-acceptance in a society where rigid beauty standards prevail. Instead of conforming to a fixed ideal, she encourages embracing individuality. “Your idea of beauty changes as you meet new people, travel, and grow older. When I was young, I thought beauty was just one thing, but now I see it differently,” Bela shared.
The actress underscored that Bela By Bela is more than just a beauty line; with its focus on simplicity and self-expression, it’s a movement toward a more inclusive and empowering definition of beauty.
