Naked Beauty Podcast

Episode: Deepica Mutyala on Building A Complexion Brand For Everyone

Host: Brooke DeVard
Guest: Deepica Mutyala, Founder & CEO of Live Tinted
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an inspiring, candid conversation between Brooke DeVard and entrepreneur Deepica Mutyala, the visionary founder of Live Tinted—a beauty brand known for championing inclusivity and addressing complexion concerns, particularly for underrepresented skin tones. Deepica shares her upbringing as a South Asian woman in Houston, her viral rise from content creator to brand founder, the cultural influences that shaped her, and the real challenges and victories of building Live Tinted. The episode touches on legacy, representation, entrepreneurship, product development, shifting industry support, and personal growth—sprinkled with humor and honest reflections on everything from dating to self-care.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Deepica’s Childhood, Representation & Beauty Role Models

• Growing Up in Texas:
  • Deepica reflects on her upbringing in Houston, navigating the tension between diversity and a lack of relatable beauty ideals.

    “I wanted so deeply to fit in with them to the point where I dyed my hair. I got blonde streaks, blue contacts…” —Deepica (02:48)

  • She discusses her family’s journey as Indian immigrants and the lack of South Asian representation.
• On Feeling Beautiful and Role Models:
  • “Back to your question about if I ever felt beautiful. No. That’s the easiest way to say it. No.” —Deepica (03:35)
  • Tyra Banks and Kim Kardashian were the closest reference points, with very little South Asian visibility in early 2000s pop culture.
• Desire to Create Change:
  • Rather than being discouraged, Deepica internalized a drive to become the representation she didn’t see.

    “The cool part is I never looked at it as defeating. I kind of told myself I would be the one to kind of change it.” —Deepica (04:51)

2. Cultural Beauty Practices

• Family Traditions:
  • First exposure to beauty via eyeliner as an evil eye protector, and memories of her mother using red lipstick as multi-use makeup.
• Ayurvedic & Hair Rituals:
  • Deepica shares memories of coconut oil head massages, and discusses how many Indian traditions (like oiling and henna) are now mainstream or “co-opted.”
  • Praises the current rise of Indian-owned hair brands, mentioning Fable and Mane, Sahajan, Indwild, and Shaws and Keeks.

3. From Viral Video to Building Live Tinted

• The 2015 Viral ‘Red Lipstick for Dark Circles’ Video (06:53):
  • “I could not have imagined 10 million people around the world would have resonated with that. And that kind of showed me this is a global problem.” —Deepica
• Birth of Live Tinted:
  • Community-first approach before launching products, building around shared complexion concerns—especially dark circles and hyperpigmentation.
  • Focused on solutions approachable for “the everyday girl, not the makeup artist world.”
  • Emphasis on education and relatability, using real people as models for product education:

    “I want people to feel seen with this brand. I don’t want it to feel intimidating, like more inspirational than aspirational.” —Deepica (08:35)

• Product Innovation:
  • Hue Stick: a simplified, multi-use color corrector designed for different skin tones and levels of discoloration.

4. Career Path & Entrepreneurship Philosophy

• Corporate Roots & Startup Lessons:
  • Started at L'Oréal as an intern, then moved to L Brands and Birchbox—emphasizing “get paid to learn” and the value of startup exposure.

    “If you’re not getting the money that you want, get the experience and the learnings and the foundation and the network you want.” —Deepica (12:08)

• Networking & Mentorship:
  • Strategic about voicing her ambitions; benefited from founder support (e.g., Jessica Alba’s encouragement and practical help).
  • Recommends making one’s ambitions known at work, even if it requires extra initiative outside standard roles.

5. Generational Differences in Work Ethic & Managing Teams

• Younger Workforce Observations:
  • Notes younger employees have different priorities: work-life balance, remote work, and a “teach me” attitude toward emerging tech like AI and TikTok.
  • Now leads a 30-person team, half in the field building brand awareness in Ulta Beauty stores.

6. Parental Support & Immigrant Family Dynamics

• Gaining Parent's Approval:
  • The pivotal moment of her father offering investment after her viral success:

    “Don’t think of this as me giving my daughter money. Think of this as me investing in a person I believe in and a business I believe in.” —Deepica (16:14)

  • Deepica, moved, tore up the check, saying all she needed was his belief.
• Cultural Validation:
  • Her parents’ pride became tangible with milestones—Today Show appearance, product on shelves, media recognition both in US and Indian outlets.

7. Scaling Live Tinted & The Ulta Beauty Partnership

• Growth Milestones:
  • Live Tinted as the fastest-growing prestige brand at Ulta; partnership seen as incubative and supportive.
  • Product launches and memorable brand validation moments (e.g., Bobbi Brown becoming an investor after a serendipitous meeting).

    “I was the first check she’s ever given anyone.” (20:24)

• Inclusive Brand Narrative:
  • Notes a shift in industry attention post-2020, with BIPOC support fading and a need to frame the brand as “complexion-first for all” rather than just “inclusive,” to avoid being pigeonholed.

    “Sometimes when you use the word inclusive, people think it’s just for brown and black women. And for me, no, actually, we’re finally inclusive of…everyone.” (22:10)

  • Highlights mainstream success: “It’s very cool for me to see people pulling out a Rhode lip gloss and a Live Tinted complexion stick.” (22:35)

8. Product Development: Philosophy and Challenges

• Complexion Innovation:
  • Recent launch: Houston Complexion Stick (23:36).
  • High-end, Italian-made, semi-matte “second skin” finish for $38—a more attainable alternative to luxury brand offerings.
  • Product design driven by community need, cost challenges, and commitment to delivering inclusivity (equal shade distribution across ranges, even when not yet profitable).

    “I always wanted the little brown girl to know that we intentionally made this brand for them.” (37:59)

• SPF and Skin Tints:
  • Proud of the SPF “no white cast” innovation, acknowledges that the claim is imperfect at the deepest tones but stands by the progress it represents.
  • Skin tint is now Ulta’s #2 bestseller after BareMinerals.

9. Dating, Personal Life, and Balance

• Honest Talk on Dating and Ambition:
  • Building a company has left little time for dating; describes LA’s “dreamer” culture and her new preference for stability and mutual ambition.

    “I’m pro-W2s is what I’ve decided. No more W9s or 1099s and going for a W2.” —Deepica (29:53)

  • Looks for a “peace couple” dynamic over “power couple” theatrics.
• Beauty & Skincare Routines for Date Night:
  • Prefers effortless, fresh looks using Live Tinted’s core products (skin tint, blush, brows, lip balm).
  • Fragrance favorites: Dior J’adore for day, Beyoncé’s Cé Noir by night.

10. Skincare & Wellness

• Routine Staples:
  • Tatcha’s cleansing oil, BeautyStat cleanser, Live Tinted’s hyperpigmentation serum stick with bakuchiol, and Tatcha Dewy Cream.
• Personal Preference:
  • Favors thick, hydrating creams; loves brands like Dew and Sophie Pavitt.

11. Content Creation & Brand Aesthetics

• Balancing Business and Content:
  • Prioritizes Live Tinted’s vision and legacy over personal brand/content; delegates as team grows.
  • Very intentional about brand colors (marigold, copper), symbolic of warmth, inclusivity, and “being in between.”

    “I wanted to be the warm brand, the one that was more welcoming and soft.” (37:40)

12. Relaxation & What Feels Like ‘Home’

• True Relaxation:
  • Finds deepest peace in her family’s Texas home, surrounded by niece, nephew, and home-cooked food.
  • “The most beautiful I feel is no makeup.” (41:47)
• On Beauty & Confidence:
  • Self-love and comfort in her natural skin has grown with age.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Representation:

  “The only solution I’ve heard from people to actually get rid of [dark under-eye circles] is like a derm coming in and doing physical things to your face.” —Brooke (06:36)

• On Product Philosophy:

  “I literally brought in real people to show what it’s like. So somebody could come to our website and say, oh, my God, this girl looks like me. And it feels doable.” —Deepica (08:55)

• On Entrepreneurial Advice:

  “Get paid to learn.” —Brooke (11:51)

• On Her Father’s Support:

  “Think of this as me investing in a person I believe in and a business I believe in.” —Deepica’s father (16:14)

• On Market Shifts:

  “There was so much support for BIPOC owned beauty brands… It’s gone. It’s back to square one.” —Brooke & Deepica (21:15–21:27)

• On Brand Vision:

  “I know Live Tinted will be a mainstream legacy brand… the only way we can get there is the support of Jessica from Kansas City.” —Deepica (22:23)

• On Priorities in Dating:

  “What doesn’t bring me peace is going home to somebody who’s doing nothing.” —Deepica (30:33)

• On Product Development:

  “I couldn’t produce 50 shades… But what I can do is do the same amount of shades for deep, medium and light skin tones.” —Deepica (28:27)

• When She Feels Most Beautiful:

  “When I’m around people who let me be 100% me… The relationships have gotten so much stronger.” —Deepica (42:21)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Deepica’s Background – 00:00–01:50
• Childhood, Texas, and Feeling Beautiful – 02:12–04:50
• Cultural Beauty Traditions – 04:50–06:17
• Color Correcting & Product Development – 06:17–09:44
• Corporate to Startup: Early Career – 09:56–12:46
• Team Building & Gen Z Work Styles – 13:12–14:21
• Parental Support Story – 14:21–17:18
• Parent Pride & Cultural Validation – 17:40–18:35
• Ulta Partnership & Industry Perspective – 19:13–23:22
• Complexion Stick Launch & Product Insights – 23:28–28:08
• Inclusivity & Shade Ranges – 28:08–28:50
• Dating and Personal Reflections – 28:59–32:53
• Date Night Beauty Routines – 32:59–34:19
• Skincare Routine – 34:46–36:20
• Branding & Visuals – 36:20–38:23
• Indian Weddings & Traditions – 38:23–40:14
• Relaxing and Unwinding – 40:26–41:58
• When She Feels Most Beautiful – 42:17–43:18

Episode Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of beauty, entrepreneurship, and representation. Deepica Mutyala’s journey illuminates what it takes to build a brand for everyone—grounded in culture, empathy, and fierce ambition, but also shaped by vulnerability and real perseverance. From viral moments to parent validation, and from product innovation to dating mishaps, Deepica proves that beauty is ultimately about feeling seen, confident, and authentic, both inside and out.