We had the good fortune of connecting with Meredith Tompkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meredith, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I fell in love with makeup as a six year old little girl. My grandmother would give me beauty samples from her favorite department stores and I would play with them for hours. It gave me a feeling of freedom, self-confidence, happiness, creativity and pure bliss. This evolved into me putting make-up on my friends in high school. When I got my first car, I discovered the beauty counters at the Mall and I felt like a kid in a cosmetic candy land. From there I became the youngest Southeast Educator for Victoria’s Secret Beauty. Afterwards, I worked for a cosmetologist and began doing make-up at weddings on the side and found my career calling. I went to New York City two decades ago to get trained and then founded my own airbrush makeup business in Augusta, Georgia, Bella Faccia, LLC. I was the first and a pioneer of this make-up technology in Augusta. From airbrush to hairbrush, I have specialized in weddings and special events from Beverly Hills celebrities to million dollar brides. My passion is making women flawless and beautiful on the most important and photographed day of their lives. My motto is “I’m only as good as the last make-up I did,” so I am constantly striving for perfection in my craft.

What should our readers know about your business?
Bella Faccia LLC was founded in 2006. We were the first airbrush makeup studio in Augusta, Georgia. We are now a full service salon and spa. For weddings and special events, we travel to accommodate the needs of our clients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is the home of so many famous restaurants, art & museums, hotels, and shopping. Atlanta is a two hour drive from Augusta, Georgia. My boyfriend, Joseph Neal Jr., is an attorney in the city and loves taking me to all his favorite hang outs. If we had a long weekend stay in Atlanta, it would consist of staying at The St. Regis Hotel and receiving their glorious spa treatments. We would brunch at Le Bilboquet, while shopping in Buckhead Village. Hal’s Steakhouse for dinner and dancing the night away at Johnny’s Hideaway.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My grandmother, Martha Sullivan, for allowing me to play with all cosmetic samples. Stephanie Sakata for being my corporate boss at Victoria’s Secret and hype girl. All my clients over the decades that have trusted me with their looks.

Website: www.bellafacciallc.com

Instagram: @BellaFacciaLLC

Facebook: Bella Faccia Skincare & Beauty Studio

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