CinemaBravo

“I want your makeup routine, or I want your life to be as uncomplicated as possible,” says actress, filmmaker, and beauty entrepreneur Bela Padilla.

With her brand Bela.byBela, Padilla embraces this philosophy, encouraging women to see beauty as a means of enhancement, not transformation. In her latest venture, she launched a line of perfumes and soaps that prioritize natural ingredients and individuality, aligning with her vision for “uncomplicated beauty” that highlights authenticity over conformity.

Padilla’s approach stands out by celebrating the unique quirks and personalities of her customers rather than masking them. “I believe that everyone has their own quirks, talents, look. We don’t want to cover that up,” she shared passionately at the recent press conference for Bela.byBela’s expanded collection, in which she was joined by Lan Ros Tañedo (owner and Operations Manager) and Dennis Valbuena (President / CEO) of DL WEaR PRIVATE CO.

Her products, she explains, are designed to empower users in a way that feels natural and deeply personal—like the gentle flush of her cheek tint or the subtle enhancement of her color-changing lip balm.

Check out these snaps from the press conference during the launch of the two new lines.

Embracing “uncomplicated beauty”

When discussing the inspiration behind her products, Padilla emphasized her vision for “uncomplicated beauty,” aiming for makeup and beauty routines that enhance natural features without altering them.

“During our launch, I even mentioned [that] I want your makeup routine, or I want your life to be as uncomplicated as possible,” she explained. “I believe that everyone has their own quirks, talents, look. We don’t want to cover that up… We only released two makeup products, ’cause we only want to release something that just adds a little bit more.”

Through her beauty brand, Padilla has introduced two makeup essentials—a cheek tint and a color-changing lip balm. “Kasi ang blush naman at lip balm, very basic makeup products,” she shared, explaining her preference for minimalism.

“It doesn’t change, it doesn’t alter your face; it just makes you a little bit happier, a little bit more alive.

“We don’t want you to cover up who you are. We don’t want you to think na without makeup, you’ll look different or that you can’t leave the house. ’Cause I don’t believe in that either!”

Scents as personal expression

Padilla’s new perfume line brings a different perspective on beauty—one that resonates through scent. “Scent is a way for you to introduce yourself,” she said. “Di ba, minsan sinasabi nila, may taong pagpasok pa lang ng kuwarto, naaamoy mo na yung pabango. Parang napatingin ka kasi mabango. So I feel like your scent is your introduction.”

(Sometimes, people say that when someone enters a room, you can already smell their perfume, and it draws your attention because it smells nice.)

The Dani by Bela perfume collection, created in collaboration with one of her best friends Dani Barretto, features five unique fragrances: Nostalgia, Coolector, Campfire, Spring’s Touch, and Summer’s Kiss. Each fragrance is crafted to capture specific moods and memories, making them wearable expressions of one’s personality.

“I think scents should not be borrowed confidence,” she elaborated. “It should be in a way parang part of your DNA na rin.”

(It should be in a way part of your DNA as well.)

A broader concept of beauty

Padilla admitted that launching her own beauty line has evolved her perspective on beauty, especially within the Filipino context. “Definitely, yeah. I mean, this isn’t my first foray into business. I’m part of the Tipsy Pig group. I did things with my brother also. I feel like all of that, plus my showbiz training, led me to this moment,” she shared.

Her journey through the entertainment industry highlighted some challenges with Filipino beauty standards. “I’m sad to say, our idea of beauty is very, very one-dimensional in the Philippines.

“Ako nga, I’m trying to break sana the stigma of pag maganda ka, ibig sabihin kaga’d, maputi ka, mahaba buhok mo.”

(As for me, I’m trying to break the stigma that if you’re beautiful, it automatically means you have fair skin and long hair.)

Padilla recalled that early in her career, she received comments suggesting she was “pretty because she was fair-skinned.” Now, she’s often asked why she no longer maintains that fairness, especially now that she often enjoys the beach.

Soap line: showcasing Filipino ingredients

Bela.byBela’s soap line offers a uniquely Filipino touch by using local ingredients tailored for different skincare needs. “Yung soap, ang dami kasi niyang iba-ibang klase. Ang dami nating kailangan lalo na sa kababaihan,” Padilla noted.

(The soap line has a lot of different types. We have many needs, especially for women.)

Each box contains three types of soap: pinya (pineapple), papaya, and kape (coffee). These ingredients cater to a variety of skincare needs and reflect the Philippine’s rich natural resources. “We have pinya, which is very good for your skin. It’s full of vitamin C. It makes you glow. It’s also antibacterial,” she explained, adding that the kape soap functions as a scrub, ideal for exfoliating.

Padilla’s pride in Filipino products is evident as she expressed her dream to introduce these ingredients globally: “We wanted to go back to our roots, to our core. And for me, the natural ingredient of the Philippines is something we should champion. Not just here, but all over the world.

“Ang dream talaga is makarating yung Bela.byBela soap sa ibang bansa kasi magugustuhan nila ‘to.”

(The ultimate dream is for Bela.byBela soap to reach other countries because they will love it.)

Positive reception and future aspirations

With this thoughtful approach, Padilla is confident in her brand’s impact. “Hindi kami mapapahiya.

(We won’t be embarrassed.)

“It’s really, really good. Especially the scents,” she remarked about the early reception.

Padilla even highlighted that all the perfumes are eau de parfum, ensuring they are long-lasting yet affordable, which she considers an important factor for her Filipino audience.

Now available on various online platforms, including TikTok, Bela.byBela promises accessibility while redefining beauty. Padilla’s vision goes beyond trends; it champions simplicity, authenticity, and Filipino pride, aiming to help users embrace their natural beauty from the inside out.