The Power of Play: How Letting Yourself Experiment Changes Everything with Darcei Giles

#321: If you've ever felt like you had to choose between the beauty trends you love and the ones that were "meant for you," this conversation will feel like permission to explore it all. Today I'm sitting down with Darcei Giles — the award-winning content creator who's been pioneering inclusivity in beauty since before it was an industry buzzword.Darcei shares her journey from making webcam videos in 2010 to becoming a bridge between Korean beauty innovation and Black beauty consumers. She opens up about the viral series that changed everything, the moment a brand actually listened to her feedback, and why she's spent over a decade refusing to delete her early content.This episode is for you if:You're navigating spaces where you don't see yourself reflectedYou're curious about what real brand inclusivity looks like behind the scenesYou want to understand how to build longevity in a constantly changing industryWe talk about…How a lighthearted video concept became a movement that gave thousands of Black women permission to experimentThe real reason Korean beauty brands are getting inclusivity right (and what American brands can learn)Why Darcei made three TikToks a day for 90 days straight — and gained 100K followersWhat happened when she told a foundation brand "call me" and they actually didThe difference between creating 30 shades and creating 30 good shadesGoing into the lab to create foundation shades that had never existed beforeWhy she keeps her earliest videos up despite the cringe factorWhat it takes to stay relevant for 15 years without losing yourselfHer plans to merge Korean skincare innovation with Black beauty needs in her own future brandEpisode Links:Follow Darcei on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missdarcei/?hl=enFollow Darcei on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missdarcei?lang=enCheck out Parnell Serum Cushion Foundation: https://parnellbeauty.com/products/parnell-serum-cushionGet your She’s So Lucky Merch: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/shes-so-luckySponsors:Cotton: Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Visit thefabricofourlives.com to learn more.LMNT: LMNT is a zero sugar electrolyte drink mix with a research-backed ratio of electrolytes. To try it out go to drinkLMNT.com/balancedles to receive a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.Shopify: Start your online business with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com/balancedblackgirl.Happy Mammoth: Happy Mammoth: Try Hormone Harmony risk-free AND get 15% off your first order with code LUCKY at happymammoth.com.Kendra Scott: Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Exclusions apply, offer ends December 31, 2025.Google Shopping: #sponsored Shop the 100 products that made our year by visiting g.co/shop/holiday100Connect with Les:Follow Les on IG @lesalfredFollow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypodFollow Les on TikTokFollow She’s So Lucky on TikTokSubscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcaseVisit our website at shessoluckypodcast.comPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.