At just eighteen years old, Stella Eskelin (@Eskelinstella) has begun to take the beauty world by storm with her ethereal and expressive makeup looks.
Growing up outside of Helsinki, Finland, her creativity has always been guided by nature, as she strives to find the beauty in her surroundings. Not only are her out ”looks” inspiring, but her avant-garde creations and editorial looks are enviable. With almost forty thousand followers on Instagram, this is just the beginning for her.
Although Stella has grown in popularity from her beauty applications, she has a passion for all things creative. From a young age, she has always had an interest in art, going from one medium to the next. First, it was drawing, then painting, ceramics, and photography. It was only a matter of time that makeup be her next form of artistic expression.
What many people don’t know is that she finds most of her motivation and inspiration within herself. As Stella likes to put it, her brain notices “things around [her] all the time and…everything just culminates into the look.” She knows that some might think she’s just winging it, but she wants them to understand how much thought and effort goes into every look
Stella’s ability to dig deep into her thoughts and surroundings is what makes her work so unique.
Some of Stella’s most stunning looks involve the merging of organic mediums, such as pressed flowers, with playful and whimsical makeup application. Stella quite often finds herself “catching little things that make [her] feel happy and inspired like films, fashion magazines, or even how the sea moves in between the waves.” It’s captivating to see how her mind can join the delicacy of the natural world and the versatility of cosmetic products into an effortless flow of colors, shapes, and textures.
Stella’s influences don’t stop there. When she’s done taking it all in, she looks to other artists to help spark and encourage her imagination. She loves “finding new people to follow and the absolutely beautiful and inspiring looks they do.” It is clear to see how supportive Stella is of other artists as she always tries to promote looks that spark her own individuality. There’s a reason why she not only gains followers but keeps them.
Interestingly, Stella worries about the idea of having a full-time job in the arts. She feels that turning her “sacred hobby” into a career wouldn’t mesh, and it could potentially defeat the purpose of why she first started working with beauty products. She eventually hopes to find a balance between the two and monetize on her talent.
Most importantly, she always wants to remember why she started and stay rooted. Art has continued to be a source of calm and peace, rather than something for Stella to “depend” on. Her love for makeup stems from the ability to pamper and take care of herself. For five years, Stella has struggled with anxiety and depression. Through all of the angst and uncertainty, art has become a vital part of her self-care routine.
Makeup enables her to get out of her head, forget about the negative, and disconnect from everyday life stressors. Fortunately, we get to reap the benefits of this hobby and gaze over her striking looks.
Before the Coronavirus hit, Stella just started work as a freelance makeup artist. She thrives in a flexible and expressive environment, working as often or as little as she wants. She appreciates the ability to learn more about the beauty industry and dip her toes into what could be a career “while it still would feel more like a hobby. ” Unfortunately, her plans were derailed as a result of the virus. She hopes to have the opportunity to continue in the future. (She will undeniably have opportunities aplenty, her killer skills and personality will take her far).
When asked what her favorite products are, Stella emphasized the importance of skin first. Her base products are the most essential when working on a makeup application. She recommends the Milk Hydropgrip Primer, Lancome’s Teint Idole Foundation, Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter, Milk Makeup’s bronzer, and Nudestix’s blushes.
Most courageously and influential is how transparent and honest Stella strives to be. Being true to yourself is challenging, whether you have a following or not. Even though she’s known for her makeup skills, she wants others to see that she has much more to offer. She has a zeal for educating herself on the people around her and dedicates her time to learning about pressing and important issues. She loves to expand her knowledge of history and delve into the world of biology. This seems fitting considering how in touch Stella is with nature, the world around her, and her own personal mindfulness. She always tries her best to be a well-rounded person but struggles with everyday life pressures.
With such talent, it’s motivating to see how humble and modest Stella is. She sometimes regrets having so many followers because she feels that it can put pressure on her to please everyone and, in turn, put a damper on her artistry. However, “all of the positivity [she] receives is what keeps [her] going."
Stella is proof of the idea that we receive what we put out into the world. Day after day, she promotes transparency and authenticity. She is very in touch and active with her followers, always willing to communicate, motivate, give out tips, and help others feel their best.
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