Nativity scene Barnechea

Biography

Belén was born and spent her childhood in Lima, before moving to Washington D.C. with her family. She studied Communication and Marketing at Emerson College in Boston and, after graduating, worked in New York for a season. She moved to Madrid in 2017 and worked in corporate communications for years, until the lockdown, when she decided she would finally pursue her dream and open her own business. That was when the idea for Casa Manjar was born.

About Belén

Have you always been passionate about baking? How important are craftsmanship and your origins to your recipes?

Craftsmanship and my origins are the reason why Casa Manjar exists. I have always wanted to showcase or "highlight" everything my country has to offer. In this case, through desserts. My passion for baking is something I was born with. Since I can remember, gastronomy in my home has been something to which we have given great importance. Long hours around the table with a good dessert is a must at my parents' house.

Do you have a favorite sweet or dessert?

It's very difficult for me to choose… those who know me know that I am crazy about sweets. If I have to pick one, I would say it’s the Casa Manjar chocolate cake. It is a very moist sponge cake with manjar blanco and plenty of fudge. The perfect combination of flavors.

What are your future plans for your project?

The truth is that I dream of having a shop that is a tearoom, inspired by the tearooms in England. Once I achieve that, I imagine opening Casa Manjar across Spain and in Mexico and the USA (the latter two are huge markets where the growth potential really excites me).

Relationship with beauty:

What is beauty to you and how do you experience it in your routine? 

Beauty is expressed in many ways and forms, but if I had to define beauty, I would say it lies in how one treats people. How one lives their day-to-day trying to be a better person and contributing your grain of sand to the world.

What or who inspires you in your day-to-day life? 

My mom, my husband, and my daughter. 

My mom and my husband for how they always give without expecting anything in return, and my daughter because she is the purest love that can exist and has come into the world to teach me so many things.

Who are your beauty icons?

I would say my beauty icon was my maternal grandmother. A classic, elegant, and simple woman. Her beauty was present in all her forms and expressions. Besides my grandmother, I would say my beauty icons are independent, strong, and empowered women. I like a woman who looks natural and is real.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

The best advice I have ever been given, as cliché as it may sound, is that nothing is impossible… that with a lot of dedication, effort, and patience, things happen. This has helped me not to give up when everything seemed to be falling apart. I try to always be optimistic and a fighter.

“In my opinion
the key to success lies
in listening to your body.”

Beauty Questionnaire:

What is your skincare routine?

I drink plenty of water when I wake up. Then, since I like to feel that my skin is luminous and natural, I wash my face with water and ice; this helps me a lot with puffiness. Afterwards, I wash my face with the Biologique Recherche milk cleanser, apply the Barbara Sturm serum, plenty of moisturizer, and then sunscreen. At night, if I feel my skin is dull, I apply a more hydrating mask, otherwise, I repeat all the morning steps.

An infallible trick or product:

Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Serum.

How do you care for your beauty from within?

I try to sleep 8 hours a day, exercise 5 times a week, and be exposed to nature as much as possible. Regarding my personal and professional life, I try to have balance. This is clearly the most complicated part because you want to be able to give 100% to everything, but over time I have learned that it is not viable. As for food, I try not to obsess and eat what my body asks for. In my opinion, the key to success lies in listening to your body.

Is there anything left for you to learn or try in the beauty world? 

So much; it is a world I have become fond of in recent years and I think I still have a lot to discover. 

What are your favorite treatments? 

Beldon Beauty for me means wellness. Any treatment I get has something special about it. If I have to choose, I would say that the body massages at Beldon Wellness or the facials at Beldon Beauty are my favorites. I love how they care for and customize every treatment specifically for you.