For decades, the beauty industry has preached a single message to women: fight aging at all costs. Wrinkles became warning signs, fine lines were flaws, and the pursuit of “anti-aging” turned into a relentless cycle of shame and spending. Few know better than Cathi Carrier, a Master Esthetician with more than thirty years in the treatment room, just how damaging that narrative can be.

Cathi has devoted her career to helping women feel confident in their own skin. Her own journey began with teenage acne, an experience that shaped her understanding of how deeply skin concerns can affect self-esteem. “I struggled with acne as a teenager and I understand the impact that can make on one's self-esteem,” she recalls. That early experience inspired her to pursue esthetics and eventually to launch her own line, Purely Bella Skincare.

Purely Bella is built on a simple yet powerful philosophy: “Our skin is more than just appearance, it's a reflection of our journey, our health, and our inner wellbeing”. For Cathi, this is more than branding; it’s a lived experience. She has navigated her own shifts through pregnancy, stress, and the natural process of aging. Each stage, she says, taught her that skin should be approached with “compassion, not just correction”.

It’s also what she has witnessed in her clients over decades. One story she often shares is of Sara, a retired schoolteacher who came into her spa with slumped shoulders, apologizing for her “awful skin.” Cathi worked with her to create a plan that addressed not just surface concerns but also the deeper need for care and self-love. Over time, Sara’s skin began to glow, but more importantly, her energy and confidence returned. “The last time I saw Sara, she was absolutely beaming. She hugged me and said, ‘I finally feel like myself again’”.

This human-centered philosophy is what separates Purely Bella from an industry that often chases trends. Cathi has shifted the focus from “anti-aging” to what she calls “aging beautifully.” In her words: “Aging is not something to fight against, but a natural, powerful journey to embrace. True skincare should nurture, support and celebrate each woman's unique features at every stage of life”.

Her first formulation under the Purely Bella banner, Dream Skin Night Cream, embodies this mission. It combines astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant, with retinol for skin renewal, and lavender oil to support rest. “This product embodies the heart of Purely Bella’s mission… to create high-performance, clean skincare that nurtures both the skin and the soul”.

Science and nature work in balance across her line, developed in collaboration with chemists and tested for safety, stability, and performance. By avoiding harsh chemicals and irritants, she ensures that every product respects both skin integrity and long-term health. For Cathi, skincare is never just cosmetic; it’s wellness, empowerment, and sustainability.

And there’s a deeper layer still: community. A portion of every Purely Bella sale supports the Connecticut Cancer Foundation, in honor of her late father-in-law. “This commitment is more than just a donation, it's a way to carry forward his legacy and support other families who are navigating the challenges of cancer”.

In a beauty landscape often dominated by impossible ideals, Cathi Carrier is rewriting the narrative. Purely Bella does not promise to erase the years, but rather to honor them. It offers women a chance to care for themselves without apology, to embrace their stories, and to find beauty in every stage of life.

As Cathi puts it best: “True beauty begins with self-care, self-respect, and confidence.”