Christella Merveille-Ilunga Model and Pageant Winner Discusses Beauty Tips
- S2E5
- 37:04
- February 3rd 2026
In this episode Ida Fanelli sits down with Christella Merveille-Ilunga—Registered Behavior Technician, educator, advocate, model, and former Miss Grand Rhode Island & Massachusetts 2022.
Christella shares her journey from teaching and behavioral health to the world of modeling and pageantry, highlighting the challenges, pressures, and opportunities that come with redefining beauty standards. As the founder of Hair’s Culture Cosmetics, she also discusses her mission to promote confidence, self-expression, and safe, non-toxic beauty.
Key Topics Covered
- Mental health, advocacy, and hidden pressures within the modeling and pageant industries
- Common misconceptions surrounding pageantry and modeling
- Redefining beauty standards and embracing individuality
- Makeup and cosmetics as tools for empowerment, self-confidence, and self-expression
- The importance of safe, non-toxic cosmetics
- Practical, budget-friendly beauty and wellness strategies
What You’ll Hear
- The truth behind beauty pageants and modeling pressure
- Christella’s journey from teaching and behavioral health to the runway
- How and why, she founded Hair’s Culture Cosmetics for safe, non-toxic beauty
- Why real beauty is rooted in confidence—not perfection
A powerful conversation about confidence, resilience, and breaking stereotypes in the beauty world.
To contact Christella
- Instagram: @christellamilunga | @heiressculture
- LinkedIn: @ChristellaMerveilleIlunga
- Email: [email protected]
- 👉 Subscribe, like and share you can watch this episode on multiple platforms.
- Follow me here: linktr.ee/idafanelli
- Keywords
Christella Merveille Ilunga, Miss Grand Rhode Island, Miss Grand Massachusetts, Beauty pageant interview, Model interview podcast, Where Science Meets Self-Care, pageant winner interview, modeling industry insights, breaking beauty standards, plus-size & mid-size modeling, non-toxic beauty products, Hair’s Culture Cosmetics, holistic beauty and wellness, beauty queen empowerment, behavioral health and beauty, autism advocacy and education, global literacy advocacy, women empowerment podcast, balancing career and pageantry, skincare and self-care, holistic self-care podcast, podcast about beauty and wellness, inspirational women interviews, confidence and empowerment stories, redefining beauty standards
Tags: Christella Merveille Ilunga, pageant winner interview, holistic beauty, non-toxic cosmetics, behavioral health advocacy, women empowerment
#Pageants #Modeling #BeautyQueen #HolisticBeauty #Wellness #SelfCare #Podcast #MissGrand #BehavioralHealth #SkinCare #NonToxicBeauty
Where Science Meets Self-Care
Where Science Meets Self-Care with Ida Fanelli is a radio show that blends evidence-based knowledge with holistic wisdom to support skin health, overall wellness, and mindful living. Hosted by Ida Fanelli, the show explores topics such as holistic aesthetics, skincare, ingredient awareness, first aid tips, detox strategies, nutrition, healing foods, energy healing, and the power of the mind, along with personal experiences where her lifelong knowledge has guided her through challenges. And since she’s married to a beekeeper, Ida also shares fascinating insights into the healing gifts of bees and honey. All of this is designed to help listeners care for both body and mind. Occasionally, Ida invites special guests to share how they’ve helped people improve different aspects of their health, offering fresh perspectives and practical inspiration for living a more balanced, radiant life.
Ida Fanelli, your host, is an award-winning holistic esthetician, reflexologist, IPL technician, and energy healer with over 30 years of experience in the beauty and wellness field. With a strong foundation as a medical laboratory technologist for 12 years, Ida blends science with soul—offering a unique perspective that bridges clinical knowledge and holistic self-care.
Since 1994, through her home-based practice, Esthetics by Ida, she has helped clients achieve radiant skin and inner balance through customized treatments and integrative approaches. Her expertise spans skin health, holistic skincare, detox methods, reflexology, energy therapies, light therapy, wound healing, microcurrent, and food as medicine—always rooted in evidence-based practices and compassion.
Meet the Host
Ida Fanelli, your host, is an award-winning holistic esthetician, reflexologist, IPL technician, and energy healer with over 30 years of experience in the beauty and wellness field. With a strong foundation as a medical laboratory technologist for 12 years, Ida blends science with soul—offering a unique perspective that bridges clinical knowledge and holistic self-care.
Since 1994, through her home-based practice, Esthetics by Ida, she has helped clients achieve radiant skin and inner balance through customized treatments and integrative approaches. Her expertise spans skin health, holistic skincare, detox methods, reflexology, energy therapies, light therapy, wound healing, microcurrent, and food as medicine—always rooted in evidence-based practices and compassion.