I first stumbled upon Bella Vérité while looking for non-toxic mascara options that I didn’t already know and love. I’m always excited to discover places where I can explore new beauty gems, interact with brands that I can’t get just walking into any beauty store, and of course source eco-friendly, ethical, and cruelty-free beauty. The site checked all those boxes. So when I finally got my hands on some items, I was excited to try them and see how they stacked up against my existing arsenal of beauty go-tos.
Not surprisingly, they are now part of that arsenal, with 7 items solidifying permanent spots in my beauty and health routines. While some are splurges, most are average price. All are worth the coins.
01
Honest Hazel Eye Gels
These eye gels had me at aloe vera, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Whenever my allergies get so bad they start to irritate my eyes and the area around them, I lay these soothing little pads down and let them go to work. I also use them in the morning when my eyes are a little puffy and feel weary. As the site instructed, I keep them in the fridge, which I think makes a big difference in how soothing they feel.
I can’t stress enough that multi-use sticks are your best travel companions. I like this one for both lips and cheeks. The day you have to put red lipstick on your cheeks and you realize how less than ideal many lipsticks are on the face because of their sticky formulations, you’ll wish you had this stick. The deep color gives me the perfect pop for my pout, and I can apply just a little to warm my face against a full beat or subtle makeup. I suggest applying with a brush.
One of our expert dentists told me that if you rinse your mouth with just water for 15 minutes it will improve the health of your mouth, oil pulls aren’t special. But something about rinsing that long with water is just unappealing, not to mention does nothing for severe morning breath. I prefer the cool minty flavor of these coconut pulls. Initially, the idea of rinsing with oil was weird to me. There were all these instructions, and 15 minutes seemed like an eternity. Then I stopped being a baby and really leaned into it. Now I love it, and the small packets are great for travel because they save room in my beauty bag.
It has taken a long time for me to find a blemish stick or roller that comes even close to my old tried-and-true Bullet acne spot gel. When I get an acne blemish, it scars. So it’s ever so important that I don’t pick at it or do anything to make it worse. But I’m only human and pimples are bullies. I let this wonderful little aid fight that battle for me, applying just a little at night before bed. I’ve had monstrous pimples start healing in just 24 hours. This blemish stick is giving the old Bullet a run for its discontinued money.
When it comes to lip treatments I often try to save money by making my own sugar and lemon scrubs. But every now and then I just want someone else to do the work for me, so I splurge. There are a lot of things I can put on my lips at night but when I specifically want something that will sooth and treat while I sleep, a homemade lip scrub is not ideal. I like the ease of use most about this night lip serum. It’s hydrating, and it smells really sweet, which is important if it’s going to be on my face.
If you’re looking for junk free mascara that also delivers in volume and drama, this is the one for you. I love a great mascara but I’m pretty vocal about the trouble I have with it because of how curly and unruly my lashes can be. This mascara builds on primer better than many of its chemical-filled counterparts, and lengthens even the short hairs on the inner-corners. Tip: make sure you scrape off the excess mascara before you apply to your lashes. It can build up on the wand because of all the natural ingredients.
Dry brushing has a bad rep in the beauty world for touting benefits in regards to fighting cellulite. But that didn’t stop me from wanting to give this spiky little brush a try. Turns out, it’s wonderful for dry brushing after a day after the beach. Instead of using baby powder, which can get messy, I use this little baby to get sand out of unwanted places, including the back of my neck and between the toes. It’s also good for applying oily scrubs so you can avoid slippery hands in the shower.
My first memory of fragrance is my mother’s Carolina Herrera—a strong, white floral scent that was distinctively hers.
While not my favorite fragrance profile, it was my introduction to the power of scent, and the importance of perfume as part of a Black woman’s self-care routine. Just like Octavia Morgan discovered that fragrances could be more than just a marketing product, I learned that a single spray could capture an entire identity, and that scent was truly the identity of Kim Smith (hi, mom!).
Morgan’s journey into the fragrance world is a testament to innovation born from personal experiences, but also a challenge. Like mine, Morgan’s earliest fragrance memory also includes watching her family matriarch — her grandmother — dabbing perfume with almost ritualistic precision, which has continued to inspire her work. “That moment taught me that fragrance was more than just a scent, it was a feeling, a presence, a signature,” she tells ESSENCE.
As a registered nurse with a deep passion for clean beauty, she didn’t stumble into the fragrance industry—she deliberately carved her path. Traditional fragrances weren’t just a minor inconvenience for her; they were causing serious sensitivities that demanded a comprehensive solution.
“One of the biggest challenges has been breaking into an industry that has historically been dominated by legacy European fragrance houses with deep-rooted traditions and gatekeeping,” Morgan explains. The beauty industry is notoriously difficult to penetrate, especially for Black women entrepreneurs. Morgan faced numerous dismissals: “Your vision is too niche.” “The market isn’t ready for a Black woman-owned, gender-inclusive fragrance brand.”
But Morgan’s background in nursing proved to be her greatest asset. Where others saw limitations, she saw an opportunity for scientific innovation. Her medical training equipped her with a unique perspective on ingredient safety, formulation, and the potential impact of beauty products on human health. Each fragrance became a carefully researched blend, free from the common irritants that plague mass-produced perfumes.
Her breakthrough came through Ulta’s MUSE Accelerator program in 2023, a highly selective initiative designed to support BIPOC founders. The program wasn’t just a business opportunity—it was a validation of Morgan’s vision. OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles became the first Black woman-owned prestige fragrance brand at ULTA Beauty, a milestone that represents far more than personal achievement.
“That moment wasn’t just a personal win,” Morgan reflects. “It was a win for representation, for independent creators, and for the next generation of Black perfumers and beauty entrepreneurs.”
The launch includes four signature eau de parfums—Midnight Orchard, Legendary, Dark Rose, and L’affaire—available in 50ml and 10ml sizes, plus a discovery kit. But these aren’t just fragrances. They’re statements of identity, carefully crafted to challenge every conventional boundary in the beauty industry.
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“Genderless means freedom from labels, expectations, and limitations,” Morgan emphasizes. Her approach goes beyond mere marketing rhetoric. Each fragrance is designed to complement the wearer’s individuality, rejecting the rigid gender categorizations that have long dominated perfume marketing.
Technology plays a nuanced role in Morgan’s creative process. While acknowledging AI’s potential in analyzing ingredient compositions, she remains steadfastly committed to the human essence of perfumery. “While AI can help analyze ingredient compositions,” she explains, “no algorithm can replicate the emotional connection we have with scent. The soul of fragrance remains deeply human.”
The brand’s philosophy transcends product creation. “When someone wears an OCTAVIA MORGAN fragrance, I want them to feel seen, empowered, and effortlessly themselves,” Morgan explains. It’s about creating an experience that challenges traditional boundaries of gender, beauty, and self-expression.
The challenges Morgan faced extend beyond product development. As a Black woman in an industry historically controlled by European houses, she had to navigate complex systemic barriers. Funding, industry connections, and market access aren’t easily obtained for independent creators, especially those from marginalized communities.
Looking ahead, Morgan’s vision is both ambitious and transformative. “Decades from now, I want people to look back at OCTAVIA MORGAN and say that it redefined the fragrance industry—not just by creating beautiful scents, but by breaking boundaries in inclusivity, clean beauty, and self-expression.”
More than a brand, OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles represents a movement. In a world of mass-produced scents, Morgan is creating something revolutionary—a fragrance experience that celebrates individuality, breaks down barriers, and tells stories through scent.