“Deepica grew up in Sugarland, Texas in a traditional Indian family. She moved to New York to pursue a career in the beauty industry, where she started out in marketing before winding up in the spotlight as the face of Birchbox’s internet tutorial videos. Passionate about the representation of Southeast Asian women in beauty and media, she launched her own YouTube channel and has become a regular contributor on the TODAY show. After nearly 10 years in NYC, Deepica is preparing for a cross-country move to Los Angeles, where she hopes to continue on her path of hosting and entertainment. ”
Kimono, Helena Quinn
Top, Rachel Roy; Skirt, ZARA
On the roots of her passion for beauty
When I was sixteen, my dream job was to work at a makeup counter, and my dad was like “no, you’re not getting a job, you need to study for the SATs.” Doing makeup was always a passion of mine; I was always the girl doing her friends’ makeup, but I’ve never been professionally trained as a makeup artist. It was really important to my parents that I get a graduate degree, so I decided that I could major in marketing in college and then go to business school, and work on the corporate side of the beauty industry.
On Working in the Beauty Industry
During college, I got an internship with L’Oreal, but then I didn’t get the full-time job offer and I was devastated. I ended up at Limited Brands before moving to Birchbox. At Birchbox, I worked my butt off and did everything they asked me to do to show them that I was ride or die. As a result, whenever there was an opportunity that I expressed interest in, I got to do it. At some point, one of the editors discovered my personal beauty blog I had been writing, and asked if I would be interested in writing for site. That’s how it all started—in addition to my role in the marketing department, I was creating content for them and became a regular face in their videos on YouTube.
On Her Goals for the future
I used to say, “I’m going to have that product line, that’s the dream,” but I’ve realized that I need to stop focusing on specific concrete end goals, because I don’t think that there always needs to be one. As long as I feel like I’m building momentum towards something, and I feel growth and I feel challenged, that’s more my focus. What I can say is I hope that in five years, I’m doing something that’s breaking barriers, that’s game-changing for women, South Asians, in the media, and just continuing to do things that I feel are challenging myself.
“I truly believe that you don’t have to have all the products in the world, and sometimes I feel so obnoxious because I get all these products sent to me. The reality is, there’s so much you can do with products you already own. If you don’t have brow products, take a brown eyeshadow and use it to fill in your brows—you can even use it to contour. There’s so much you can do with what you have—it’s just about figuring out what works for your face.”
On Personal Style
I look for things that are comfortable, feminine, and anything that makes me feel confident and bold. So right now my go-to thing has been graphic tees printed with quotes about women’s empowerment, tucked into a flowy skirt with mules. So you feel feminine and pretty, but also like a boss bitch. I like to combine the two. If I go into a room and feel confident in what I’m wearing, then I feel like I can really control the room.
On HER Daily Makeup Routine
I would say that 90% of the time I’m doing my makeup in Ubers, so my day-to-day is quick and easy and I’ve mastered my five-minute face. I like things that are in stick format because it’s easier to throw into your bag. My biggest makeup tip is instead of masking the things you don’t like about yourself, focus on enhancing the things you do like about yourself. For me I love a bold lip and full brows and a little mascara, so even though I have dark circles, my five-minute face is not worrying about that.
On Her Favorite Way to Apply Makeup
I love Beautyblenders because they’re a one-stop shop. I’m looking at all the brushes I have right now and it just makes no sense. I think that a beauty blender just gives you this flawless application on your face and is a really efficient way to do your makeup. Again, I’m really about multi-tasking stuff—things that make my life easier.
Top, Rachel Roy; Skirt, ZARA
Dress, Marques Almeida
On Her Favorite makeup products
Glossier Boy Brow is a favorite of mine. And any type of makeup that comes in stick form, like Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color, and foundation products. I just got the Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation Stick and it’s awesome. I was using the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick, but the Smashbox one is cool because one end is foundation and the other end is a contour stick, so it’s 2-in-1 which is really convenient. Lips wise, there’s too many products I love—Glossier Generation G, Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss, NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment, Honest Beauty Truly Kissable Lip Crayon—but definitely a bold lip.
ON Her Favorite Skincare products
Neutrogena makeup remover wipes are my absolute fave. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is life, it makes you look the perfect amount of dewy and even sun-kissed. It’s so chic, it just feels like your skin has life. I also use SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, Caudalie Vine[Activ] Overnight Detox Oil, and Chanel Hydra Beauty Crème.
On her favorite hair product
I just did a video with Oribe Dry-Texturizing Spray today and it’s my jam. It smells incredible, it works as both a dry shampoo and a texturizing spray. It gives me those just-right, effortless waves, and I’m all about effortless.
T-Shirt, Forever21
More of Deepica's Favorite Beauty Products
Tarte Tarteist Pro Amazonian Clay Palette
It Cosmetics You Sculpted! Universal Contouring Palette
Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom Cologne
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara
Deepica's Favorite Books
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Deepica's favorite places
My absolutely favorite park in the world is Washington Square Park, it just makes me so happy. It’s magical and enchanted.
I never venture into Brooklyn, but I recently went to the William Vale and it’s now my favorite rooftop scene. The bar is beautiful and the view is incredible. The best part about Brooklyn is the view of Manhattan.
Charlie Bird is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the good vibes and the location, and they play good music.
Anfora is my favorite wine spot, it’s good for having meetings or just catching up with girlfriends.
I love Rosemary’s for brunch
T-Shirt, Babbuthepainter; Pants, Express; Earrings, Express
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