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

Summary

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She’s So Lucky – "The Power of Play: How Letting Yourself Experiment Changes Everything"

Guest: Darcei Giles
Host: Les Alfred
Date: December 2, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this inspiring episode, beauty content creator and inclusivity pioneer Darcei Giles joins host Les Alfred during New York Fashion Week to explore how the spirit of play and experimentation has shaped her life and career. The conversation dives into Darcei’s creative journey, the evolution of beauty standards (especially for Black women), bringing inclusivity to K-Beauty, and the importance of staying adaptable in the digital creator world. Darcei opens up about her viral “Black Girl Tries” series, her passion for Korean culture, shifting industry dynamics, and her plans for the future—offering warmth, humor, and actionable advice throughout.

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Key Topics and Insights

1. Darcei’s Creative Origin Story and Love for Experimentation

[01:16–03:43]

• Darcei began YouTube in 2010, inspired by fun beauty hauls and tutorials made by other teen girls, at a time when content creation was just a hobby.
• Quote:
  “I know a lot of people like, they like to delete their old, like, cringy videos...But I feel like it's part of my journey, so I'm like, I'm just gonna keep it up.”
  — Darcei Giles, 01:42
• Creativity is a lifelong throughline for Darcei: from writing music and stories, to dreaming of becoming a novelist, and eventually channeling storytelling into video.

2. The Early Days of Beauty Content and Community

[03:43–04:34]

• Les and Darcei reminisce about the authenticity of early YouTube: low production, pure passion, and self-taught editing.
• Darcei notes the lack of pressure and the joy of creative problem-solving.
• Quote:
  “I've been editing my own videos for over a decade and totally self taught, never went to school for it. And, and I think that's beautiful that people are able to create like that just on their own now.”
  — Darcei Giles, 04:21

3. “Black Girl Tries” – Breaking the Mold with Play

[04:34–08:29]

• The iconic series began as a tongue-in-cheek play on “transformation” videos, with Darcei exploring beauty trends not “meant for” Black women—like K-Beauty and goth makeup.
• The experiment uncovered joy and confidence, inspiring other Black women to step outside beauty “rules.”
• Quote:
  “At the end, every time I did it, I discovered that I'm like, oh, I kind of like this eyeshadow...And I started to get messages from other black girls saying, like, oh, I was too afraid to try this makeup style until I saw you trying it.”
  — Darcei Giles, 06:10

4. The Power (and Permission) of Play in Beauty

[06:50–08:29]

• Beauty should be fun and washable—intimidation and “rules” hold people back from exploring.
• Most surprising experiment? Goth makeup:
  “I looked really good at the end, so that one really surprised me.”
  — Darcei Giles, 08:22

5. Challenging and Evolving Beauty Beliefs

[14:43–15:35]

• Darcei reflects on unlearning restrictive color myths (“pink isn’t for Black girls”), now joyfully embracing pink across lips, eyes, and cheeks.
• Quote:
  “Through the Black Girl Tries series, I actually discovered how much I love pink...I feel like I wouldn't even have touched those colors before.”
  — Darcei Giles, 15:30

6. Discovering Korean Culture: From Anime Endings to Visiting Korea

[16:01–17:35]

• Introduction to K-pop came from an anime ending theme, which led to exploring Korean music, dramas, and eventually travel (eight trips to Korea!).
• The role of YouTube in sparking deep cultural interests.
• Quote:
  “It was on YouTube that I discovered everything too. So YouTube also helped me find my love for Korean culture.”
  — Darcei Giles, 16:49

7. K-Beauty and the Transformation of Skincare Conversations

[17:51–21:19]

• K-pop’s American boom caused parallel interest in K-Beauty—mirroring Darcei’s own journey.
• Shift from “drying out skin” and harsh acne care to moisture-focused, gentle skin health (e.g., “glazed donut look”).
• Sunscreen habits have evolved; Korean sunscreens praised for quality and no white cast.
• Quote:
  “Now it's all about, like, moisture and, like, soothing the skin and, you know, getting that, like, glazed donut look...people are into sunscreen now.”
  — Darcei Giles, 20:32

8. K-Beauty Starter Recommendations

[21:14–23:31]

• Favorite brands: Medicube (devices, serums, creams) & Biodance (viral sheet mask).
• Tips for those with sensory sensitivities: overnight masks in tube form.
• Quote:
  “My favorite brands right now for skincare are Medicube and Biodance...I love that mask. The only thing is that I have not mastered wearing it overnight yet.”
  — Darcei Giles, 21:28

9. Partnering with Korean Makeup Brands for Inclusivity

[24:05–26:58]

• Describes working with Tier Tier: from receiving a PR box with no shades for her complexion, to going viral asking for more shades, to consulting on the expansion from 9 shades to 40 (!).
• Brands that genuinely listen to their audience stand out.
• Quote:
  “They're really involved in their community. They're very community based. And because of that, when they put out products, it's exactly what the consumer wants...now they have 40 shades.”
  — Darcei Giles, 26:17

10. K-Beauty Formulation and Skin Health for Darker Skin

[27:07–28:18]

• Korean foundations often combine skincare—hydrating formulas reduce need for heavy products, support even tone.
• Darcei now often skips foundation, using only concealer thanks to better skin health.
• Quote:
  “Ever since I started using Korean skincare, my skin has improved...I can actually wear less makeup.”
  — Darcei Giles, 28:01

11. Industry Progress and Remaining Gaps in Inclusivity

[34:00–36:33]

• Fenty set a new standard but there’s still room for improvement (blush, bronzer, lip liners, etc.).
• Real, lasting change requires inclusivity in product development teams.
• Quote:
  “It's not just about foundation or concealer. It's also things like bronzer and contours...once we have more people of color, people of darker skin tones working at the companies, then the change will happen from the ground up.”
  — Darcei Giles, 35:34

12. Evolving as a Creator & The Algorithm Game

[41:41–46:14]

• Longevity comes from adaptability; Darcei pivoted from YouTube to TikTok after 11 years, learning new formats by studying trends and relentless practice (3 TikToks a day for 90 days; 100k followers).
• Viral hits were often playful, experimental “hacks.”
• Quote:
  “My longevity is because I'm really good at evolving...I'm very good at kind of, like, morphing into the next thing...I decided that I was going to make three TikToks a day for 90 days and I gained 100,000 followers.”
  — Darcei Giles, 42:16 & 43:58
• Draws parallels with artists like Beyoncé: experimentation = relevance.

13. Behind the Scenes: Creating New Shades with Parnell

[46:18–49:44]

• Invited by K-beauty brand Parnell to co-create 10 additional darker shades through hands-on testing and feedback.
• Insight: Korean labs are not used to building new undertones or shades from scratch—Darcei’s involvement was a game-changer.
• Praises Korean brands’ openness to learning; some now hiring Black Americans to aid product development.
• Quote:
  “What I'm also really happy about is that I feel like when I work with the Koreans, they're very, very open to, like, whatever I'm saying, and, like, they want to learn about it...American brands can actually take notes from Korean brands.”
  — Darcei Giles, 48:30

14. What’s Next for Darcei

[38:23–39:21, 49:19]

• Plans to create her own brand, fusing K-beauty principles and Black beauty needs.
• Dreams of writing fiction—loves world-building, thrillers, and romance.
• Quote:
  “I feel like I'm a good person to really expand the beauty industry in a way that has never been done before...something that has really not been done before. So I'm really excited to kind of dive into that.”
  — Darcei Giles, 38:38

15. The Reading Slump & Book Club Side Conversation

[39:57–41:34]

• Darcei and Les bond over their love of thrillers and romance novels but admit to a recent reading slump—longing for a story they “can’t put down.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On evolution and letting yourself play:
  “I'm always, like, pushing myself to try something new.” — Darcei Giles, 07:14
• On finding her audience:
  “I couldn't believe I had created this community of other black women who were interested in the same things as I was, because growing up, it was like, just me.” — Darcei Giles, 06:23
• On brands and genuine inclusivity:
  “The difference between the other brands and Tier Tier ... they're a brand that actually listens to their consumers.” — Darcei Giles, 26:07

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Darcei’s beauty journey begins: 01:16–03:43
• Early YouTube era: 03:43–04:34
• Birth of "Black Girl Tries": 04:34–08:29
• Challenging beauty standards and discovering pink: 14:43–15:35
• Korean culture origins: 16:01–17:35
• K-Beauty’s rise and skincare shifts: 17:51–21:19
• K-beauty: Practical recs: 21:14–23:31
• Working with Tier Tier for inclusivity: 24:05–28:18
• Industry change and needed representation: 34:00–36:33
• Adapting as a creator, TikTok bootcamp: 41:41–46:14
• Creating shades with Parnell: 46:18–49:44
• Future plans and fiction writing: 38:23–39:21, 49:19

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Episode Tone & Style

In typical “She’s So Lucky” style, Les and Darcei mix vulnerability, gentle humor, and hands-on wisdom, creating a supportive and energetic vibe. Darcei is candid, relatable, and deeply insightful, making the episode both practical and uplifting for anyone seeking to live more courageously and authentically.

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Find Darcei Giles

• Social: @MsDarcei (all platforms; unique spelling: D-A-R-C-E-I)
  [50:01]

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If you’re ready to shake up your routine, try something bold, or redefine beauty on your terms, you’ll find Darcei’s story both motivating and actionable—full of laughter and practical tips for embracing the power of play.

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Transcript

[Les]

The following podcast is a Dear Media production.

[Host 2]

Welcome back to she's so Lucky.

[Les]

My name is Les.

[Host 3]

I'm your host and I appreciate you tuning in.

[Les]

And this show is all about the.

[Host 3]

Different ways that we create our own luck.

[Host 2]

I'm really excited to welcome today's guest to the show. She's an award winning content creator who has really been a pioneer in inclusivity in the beauty space.

[Les]

Space. So please join me in welcoming Darcy.

[Host 3]

Giles to the show.

[Darcy Giles]

Welcome. Hey.

[Host 2]

I'm so happy to have you.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, I'm really happy to be here.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Well, I'm sure you got a jam packed week. We're recording this during Fashion Week. You're here visiting New York. There's a lot going on.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. So this is actually a really nice break.

[Host 2]

Okay, good, good. Is this your first fashion week or have you done.

[Darcy Giles]

No, it's my first fashion week ever.

[Host 2]

So how is it?

[Darcy Giles]

It's great, but like, my feet are killing me. Yeah.

[Host 2]

Long days in cute shoes.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, we'll do it.

[Host 2]

So I would love to start off by talking a bit more about your journey and interest in beauty, because you've been a creator in the beauty space for. For a while. But what initially planted that seed of.

[Les]

Your interest in beauty?

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, so I actually, I started my YouTube channel in 2010, and back then, no one was really making money off of it. It was just kind of like a fun hobby that people did make YouTube videos. And back then I was a teenager, so I was watching a lot of other teen girls making content. They would do like drugstore hauls and like cute little makeup tutorials. Like, definitely not a full beat or anything like that. I was watching them and I was like, wow, that looks really fun. And so I decided to start my own beauty channel. The first video I did was like my curly hair routine or something. It's still up on my channel right now. You can watch it. And it's really cringy. And I'm. I think I'm talking like this or something, like in this, like, cute little voice. I know that a lot of people like, they, they like to delete their old, like, cringy videos. They're like, I don't want to look at that anymore. But I feel like it's part of my journey, so I'm like, I'm just gonna keep it up. I feel like even things that I did like two years ago, I'm like, ew. But it's still part of how I got here.

[Host 2]

Oh, yeah. I feel the same way about podcasting. And even the old episodes where people.

[Les]

Are like, I'm going to start from the beginning.

[Host 2]

I'm like, cool. If you want to hear that horrible mic quality and me saying every other word and not really knowing what to do, that's great because it also makes the things we do now sound and look so much better.

[Les]

Yes.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

So going back to when you first started creating content, what was it about that that you really enjoyed? Was it the creativity? Was it about the community that was beginning to form? What kept you in it in those early days?

[Darcy Giles]

I think that it was mostly the creativity. I think I've always been a very creative person. So even before that I used to write music. Actually one of the first times I came to New York City, my mom took me to cut a demo album. So I have like a lot of fond memories in New York City and I. Yeah, I've always been like a very creative person. Writing songs, writing stories. At one point I wanted to be a novelist. I think I just wanted to do like anything creative. It didn't really matter what.

[Host 2]

Yeah, yeah, like that, that storytelling element.

[Les]

Yeah.

[Darcy Giles]

And like YouTube was perfect because like when I was younger and I was like a little kid, it didn't exist. And the job that I have now didn't exist.

[Les]

So.

[Darcy Giles]

So like I couldn't even have dreamed something like this.

[Host 2]

And especially those early days of YouTube. I mean, I remember being a consumer of beauty content in those really early days and there was something about it that just felt so, for lack of a better word, real.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Because it truly was people doing it solely because they liked it. It wasn't a career, there wasn't really an incentive. Everything was on like a webcam. People didn't really have cameras back then.

[Darcy Giles]

No. Yeah, My first videos were on my MacBook webc. I don't even remember how I edited them. Like I don't remember what software I use, but I figured it out somehow. I've been editing my own videos for over a decade and so I got really good at it and totally self taught, never went to school for it. And, and I think that's beautiful that people are able to create like that just on their own now.

[Host 2]

So going back to your channel, one of your long running series I think a lot of people know you for is the Black Girl Tries series where you would try various different, you know, styles, trends, things that people may not necessarily associate with black women in beauty and you would try it out and you would share that with your audience. So I would love to go back to that Very first black girl tries, when you decided to put it out there, and what that experience was like.

[Darcy Giles]

Kind of started out as a joke, honestly. There was a trend going on already of people trying other people's makeup routines, but it would always be someone that they looked like. Right. So it was kind of like a transformation into that person. So I was like, well, what would happen if I tried the makeup tutorial of someone who didn't look anything like me? And I had always loved K pop and K dramas and Korean culture ever since I was a kid. And then I had started to get into K beauty because a lot of Korean makeup artists were also making YouTube videos. And I would watch them, and I would watch those videos and be like, oh, that's so beautiful. But, like, it wouldn't work on me. Right. Because our skin tones are completely different. And as you know, like, you could put on a color that looks great on someone with lighter skin and it looks terrible on you. So I thought it would be a funny video if I tried following a Korean makeup tutorial. And it was really funny, actually. But at the end, every time I did it, I discovered that I'm like, oh, I kind of like this eyeshadow. I'm like, oh, this lipstick actually kind of worked on me. And it became a series that people loved because not only was it trying something different, but at the end, you also, like, would discover something. And I started to get messages from other black girls saying, like, oh, I was too afraid to try this makeup style until I saw you trying it. I couldn't believe I had created this community of other black women who were interested in the same things as I was, because growing up, it was like, just me. Like, no one had even heard of, like, K pop or even Korea sometimes, but. But, yeah, I. I had no idea that all those people were out there. So it really surprised me that I created that community.

[Les]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Host 2]

And I think the great thing about beauty is it can be really playful and experimental, but sometimes there is that intimidation factor when it comes to trying something new or maybe going against some sort of beauty rule or guideline that we've heard, when really, at the end of the day, the worst thing that can happen is, like, you don't like it. You wash it off.

[Darcy Giles]

Exactly.

[Host 2]

But sometimes we need permission to even try.

[Darcy Giles]

Yes. Yeah. Yeah, That's a great point. You know, it is just makeup, and, like, you can totally just wash it off if you don't like it. So I'm always, like, pushing myself to try something new.

[Host 2]

Have there been Things that you tried where you thought going into it, like, this is going to be crazy, and then you actually ended up loving it.

[Darcy Giles]

I think my favorite experience in the Black Girl Tri series was when I tried goth makeup. So I'm like, very much like a pink princess. I love like everything pink and like very feminine and so goth kind of like turns out on its head. Right. And typically you don't see a lot of black women that are goths, but I actually did have a friend who was. And so I. I used her as inspiration in the video. And in those videos, I also try to do like a lot of research into like the culture and things like that. Even though it is very light and funny, I am doing research behind the scenes. That one was the most fun for me, definitely. And I looked really good at the end, so that one really surprised me.

[Host 2]

Yeah. To try on a different style, especially something so opposite of what you.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, it's like I became a different person.

[Les]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Like a Persona.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

That is fun.

[Les]

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[Host 3]

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[Les]

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[Les]

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[Host 2]

I'm also curious in all of your time in creating beauty content, being in the beauty space, if there were any beliefs that you previously held about beauty or maybe certain beauty standards that you previously adhered to that you now no longer adhere to.

[Darcy Giles]

So I just said that I'm a pink princess, but I was not always like that. I feel like a lot of black women have that experience of growing up where they think that like certain colors aren't for them. Like oh this red lipstick's not for you. This pink blush is not for you, or this eyeshadow is going to be too ashy or something like that. And then that kind of creates this environment where you don't even try. Right. So through the Black Girl Tries series, I actually discovered how much I love pink. And I wear pink lipstick and I wear pink eyeshadow. I like pink everything. And I feel like I wouldn't even have touched those colors before.

[Host 2]

So being able to discover things.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

That you never thought you'd like.

[Host 3]

I feel like there are just so.

[Host 2]

Many unspoken and spoken kind of rules and expectations of what it is we're supposed to use, what it is we're supposed to like, and how we're supposed to present. And it can feel so refreshing to either go against that or to figure out what it is that you like for yourself without having other people's voices in your head.

[Host 3]

I want to come back to what.

[Host 2]

You said earlier about your interest in Korean culture, because that is also something that you talk about a lot in your content. And I want to go back to what some of your earliest exposures were to Korean culture and what initially fascinated you.

[Darcy Giles]

It was definitely the music. At first, I got into K pop really young, back when it wasn't popular in America at all. I think I was, like, maybe 13 or 14 when I first discovered it. And it's kind of like an odd way of discovering it too, because, like, at the time, all my friends were into anime and. And I like this one specific anime. And, like, the ending theme song was sung by a Korean artist. And so then I found more of that artist's music. And then I started watching K dramas, and it kind of just like snowballed into everything. It was on YouTube that I discovered everything too. So YouTube also helped me find my love for Korean culture. I started to love of the food and the makeup, and it's just gone from there. And now I've literally been to Korea eight times.

[Host 2]

And, like, your interest snowballed. That's so interesting that it all came from liking a theme song.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 3]

Also, kudos to you for doing the.

[Host 2]

Detective work of being like, who is this? And then going down.

[Darcy Giles]

I feel like Also, when you're 14, like, you have so much time.

[Host 3]

Yeah.

[Darcy Giles]

Like, back then, I used to know, like, everyone's like, all the celebrities, birthdays and where they grew up and, like, what their mom's name was. I'm like, now I am, like, who? I don't even know who's on the radio right now.

[Host 2]

No, that's so real. But I feel like back then A lot of that stuff used to be such common knowledge. I also think we're inundated with so much information that maybe we hear it, but it doesn't stay.

[Darcy Giles]

There's so much right now.

[Host 3]

Yeah.

[Darcy Giles]

The industry's just flooded from every which direction. Yeah.

[Host 2]

Related to that. I would love to talk a little bit more about K Beauty, specifically because I think, especially over the past few years, you're a very early adopter of it, but it has increased in popularity in the States over the past few years, particularly with skin care. And I would love to talk more about why that is, why you think so many people are beginning to be interested in and flock to Korean skin.

[Les]

Care over the past few years.

[Darcy Giles]

I think, interestingly enough, people are actually. A lot of people are actually going, like, the same route that I did into the Korean culture. So, like, I found that, like, around 2020, that's when, like, BTS and Blackpink became really popular here. And then once people discovered that, then we're like, oh, wait, there's more. There's the shows, there's the. The beauty, there's the food. Right. And I feel like a lot of other people are also snowballing into it the same way that I did, and it just becomes a part of. Of our culture now as well.

[Host 2]

Actually, now that I think about it, I feel like I had a very similar trajectory when it came to fitness, because a lot of what I used to do was very much in the fitness space. And it was because in the early days of YouTube, I was so into makeup and beauty videos. And I remember one time watching this beauty video, and the creator had mentioned a fitness. Instagram or not Instagram, YouTube channel that she really liked. And this is probably back in, like, 2010, 2011, so very early.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

And I was like, oh, I kind of probably should work out more. Let me check out this channel. And then I ended up going to that channel just because the creator mentioned it. And then it ended up unlocking this whole fitness journey that became a career, that became this podcast. And, yeah, it's like one little seed gets planted, and it can unlock so much for people.

[Darcy Giles]

Exactly. And, like, fitness really is a part of beauty as well. Right. I find that, like, whenever I. I'm my healthiest, I look the best, too.

[Les]

Yeah. Yeah, for sure.

[Host 2]

And I think I got us on a little bit of a tangent talking about fitness. But coming back to K Beauty and specifically Korean skincare, I do also think, at least from what I see in my feeds, when people are sharing those types of content. I do also think that conversations around skin care have changed quite a bit. And Korean skincare becoming more prominent in the States has also changed conversations around skin care. Because when I was younger, I feel like a lot of it was all about acne care and how can you dry out your skin?

[Darcy Giles]

Dry out and exfoliation as much as possible.

[Les]

Yes.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

As much like Saint Ives, scrub your face off salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, just, like, burn it all off.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, no, exactly. And now it's all about, like, moisture and, like, soothing the skin and, you know, getting that, like, glazed donut look. And a lot of that is what Korean skincare is based off of. Also, I feel like people are into sunscreen now.

[Host 2]

Yes.

[Darcy Giles]

Because growing up, I was not into sunscreen at all. And now I'm like, I gotta make sure I put on my sunscreen. That's also a big thing in Korea, for sure.

[Host 3]

And also, Korean sunscreens are so much better.

[Darcy Giles]

Oh, yeah.

[Host 2]

So much better than American sunscreen.

[Darcy Giles]

Amazing. And then, like, not only is it protecting your skin, there's no white cast, and it makes your skin look good after, so.

[Host 2]

Yeah, exactly. So someone is watching or listening to this, and they're like, oh, wait, that sounds good. But I haven't dabbled into Korean skincare yet.

[Les]

How do you.

[Host 2]

What do you recommend? Or, like, good starter products or things to look into?

[Darcy Giles]

So, like, my favorite brands right now for skincare are Medicube and Biodance. And I like the. The Bio dance mask that went super viral. Love it. I love that mask. The only thing is that I have not mastered wearing it overnight yet. I tried, and, like, at 2:00am, I just, like, rip it off my face. Sometimes I. I'll rip it off my face and I don't realize, and I'll just wake up and it's on the floor and I'm like, who did that?

[Host 2]

Like, but my mask off.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, obviously it was me. But yeah. And Medicube, their device is amazing. You don't have to get the device, but if. If you can afford the device, I would totally get that. I use it, like, before every photo shoot, make sure my face is snatched. But also they're like serums and creams and everything are also a lot more affordable. And I use those daily.

[Host 2]

Those are such good wrecks. I love the. The Bio Dance mask.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

As well. And there was one. I. I usually am good with keeping it on overnight. One night I got really ambitious and I put on mouth tape and then I put the Mask on over it. And that was, like, a little bit too much. I. I felt a little claustrophobic.

[Les]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

So when I use the mask, I'm like, okay, no mouth tape tonight.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

That's too many things on my face.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. Like, have you seen, like, the morning shed trend?

[Host 2]

People do a lot.

[Darcy Giles]

I don't know how people do that. I can't. I cannot do that.

[Host 2]

Or how you stay asleep with that many things going on.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. And, like. And I'm a side sleeper, so. Yeah, I don't think I could do it.

[Host 2]

I need to try the Medicube device. I have the Medicube. I have a few of their products. I have the poor pads. Like, the pads, which I really like. And then I also recently got their mask. The one. The, like, collagen night wrapping mask.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. Like the one in the tube. Yeah.

[Host 2]

Where you put it all over your skin and it dries down.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

For people who maybe have a hard time sleeping with the sheet mask, that could be a good alternative because it's a little more.

[Darcy Giles]

It's lighter chill.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Yeah. And it's hard. You can't, like, rip it off in the middle.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, it's a lot harder to rip off.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. That one feels more like. It's like your skin, so it's a lot easier to sleep in. Yeah.

[Host 2]

And especially if people have, like, sensory things.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, that's me.

[Host 2]

That. Yeah.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. I, like, can't even wear jewelry, really. I, like, have one ring on right now.

[Host 2]

And so transitioning a bit out of Korean skincare. I'd also really love to talk about Korean makeup because you have worked with a lot of Korean makeup brands and also given important feedback related to what they offer. Inclusivity, shade ranges. Can we talk a little bit more about your journey with Korean makeup specifically?

[Darcy Giles]

I've been using Korean makeup for maybe, like, six or seven years now. Maybe like, since 2018. And a lot has changed since then. There have been, like, previous attempts from Korean brands to expand into the US and I've seen brands create those 30 shades, 40 shades. And what tends to happen is that they'll create those shades, but they're not being marketed properly to the consumer that could use it. And so eventually they just discontinue it or even, like, remove themselves from the United States completely. Right. And I kept seeing that over and over again, and it was getting really frustrating. But one day I went to an event and it was like, a local store in Toronto, and they sell a lot of K Beauty, and they were having an event there. And I was the only black person that was at this event. And so they were giving out. It was like nine shades of the Tier Tier foundation. It was like their new launch of nine shades, because typically Korean foundations have like three shades, four shades. So nine shades was actually a lot. And everyone was getting like the big PR package. And I was the only one that wasn't getting the PR package because it didn't come in my shade. I know the girls who work there, so I was like, can I just get one anyway, like, just for fun. It was a beautiful package and I'm like, I can just like put it up on my. My shelf or something, right? So I brought it home and then I'm like, you know what? I'm just going to try it for fun. And so I made a video of me trying it and it's a gorgeous foundation. Just a beautiful foundation. I was like, hey, like, tier Tier. This is a great foundation and I love it. If you are planning on making more shades, like, call me. Right? And that's exactly what happened. And I was absolutely shocked that happened. That is never happened before. The difference between the other brands and Tier Tier and what created that, that whole snowball effect was that they're a brand that actually listens to their consumers. This was the first time that I had ever had a brand really reach out to their consumers. Like, they do polls, everything. They're really involved in their community. They're very community based. And because of that, when they put out products, it's exactly what the consumer wants. And I like, literally never seen that before. So it was amazing. And now they have 40 shades from that nine. They have 40 shades now.

[Host 2]

That's amazing. Yeah, 40 shades with, like all different undertones and things of that nature. That's incredible.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

All from, like, you being honest and being like, hey, yeah, let's figure this out.

[Darcy Giles]

It was the first time it, like, really stuck, you know, and now it's just become a phenomenon. And everyone wants the tear to your foundation.

[Host 2]

I'm curious if you've noticed any differences with the formulation. Like, we kind of talked about some of the differences with skin care and focusing more on hydration and nourishing the skin. Have you found makeup to be similar?

[Darcy Giles]

Oh, yeah, for sure. Like, they. There's like serum foundations. It's all very skin care based as well. So I think Koreans, like, fundamentally really care about their skin and the condition of their skin. And so when they're putting on makeup too, they want to make sure that the makeup is Good for their skin as well.

[Host 2]

And I'm also thinking about that as a black woman, I know I've experienced things like hyperpigmentation or just having a hard time finding things that match because it's like different parts of my face will kind of have different shades or if something's too harsh, then it'll leave a dark mark. And I think that's something that a lot of us deal with and that a lot of us have at the forefront of our minds. Whether we're looking for skincare or makeup, it's going to help those things.

[Darcy Giles]

Ever since I started using Korean skincare, my skin has improved, which is great. It's gotten, like, more even and a lot more clear. And because of that, I can actually wear less makeup. So that's great. Like, a lot of the times I don't even wear foundation. I'll just like, put on concealer, you know? Yeah.

[Host 3]

The dream to not need as much because I'm lazy.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. I'm like, I don't. I don't want to put on foundation.

[Host 2]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Les]

As a Kendra Scott partner, I'm sharing with you how I make this holiday season special. For me, the holidays are all about little moments that feel meaningful, like matching outfits with my family. The traditions, baking, spending time with loved ones and gifts can definitely be a part of that. But it's important to remember that you make the season bright, you make the season sparkle, and you make the season special with holiday gifts from Kendra Scott. Kendra Scott is my go to because there's something for everyone on your list, whether that's your best friend, your sister, your co worker, and yes, even yourself. Because we support self gifting here and their holiday collection this year is so good. Whether you love fashion, jewelry, demi fine or fine jewelry, there's a piece that fits your vibe. Now, I have been living in the Bella collection. I love the Bella studs, the tennis necklace and the tennis bracelet. They just go with every outfit with. But there's truly a piece for everyone. However you're celebrating, remember that you're the one who makes the season special. You make it bright. And with Kendra Scott, you can make the season Sparkle. Visit Kendra Scott.com Gifts and use the code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off one full price jewelry item exclusion supply expires December 31, 2025. That's Kendra S C-O-T-T.com Gifts with the code SSL20.

[Host 3]

This episode of she's so Lucky is sponsored by Cotton. So I'm currently sitting here in my favorite denim outfit, which happens to be made from 100% cotton. And I swear when I wear this it feels the most me. It is my favorite outfit in my closet. It is comfortable, it is the epitome of my style. And there is just something so classic about wearing denim that is made from real cotton fibers. It feels good, it looks good, and it always fits the moment When I'm shopping for new pieces. I try to prioritize natural fibers as much as possible and I have to say cotton pieces make up a majority of my wardrobe. I love how comfortable cotton is, I love how easy it is to care for so it doesn't make laundry day a hassle. And natural fibers just feel better on my skin. They're comfortable, they're breathable, and I have great cotton pieces for every season. And lately as I have been updating and redecorating my apartment, I have also been prioritizing getting home items made from cotton as well. I'm talking towels, sheets, throw blankets, little home details. I'm constantly checking the composition tags to make sure that the items I bring into my home are made from cotton. It's really become my go to because I want my home to feel intentional and high quality cotton just makes that easy. And one thing that I have learned, particularly in my current apartment refresh, is that what something is made out of truly matters, both for how it feels on your skin and how it lasts over time. And cotton is special. It's a natural fiber that literally comes from the earth. It starts as a flower, blossoms into a cotton ball and becomes the soft, breathable fabric that we all know and love. Cotton is the fabric of our lives for a reason. And here are a few things that I love about choosing cotton. 1. It feels gentle on my skin. Cotton is breathable, it's soft and it's comfortable to wear all day. When I reach for anything that's going to be touching my skin, I'm talking denim, T shirts, bedding. Choosing cotton feels like a no brainer. I also love that cotton lets you flex your personal style. It is so versatile. From your favorite T shirt to denim to flannel to a comfortable oversized sweater. Whatever mood or season I'm in, there is something made of cotton that fits the occasion. Some of my favorite sweaters that I wear this time of year are made from cotton. Something else that I love about cotton pieces is that they last. Cotton is durable, it's easy to care for, keeps its shape and it doesn't pill. I want pieces that can keep up with Me.

[Host 2]

Whether it's the jeans that I'm wearing.

[Host 3]

When I'm running to catch the subway, the cotton throw blanket that I'm cozying up with on the couch every night, or the cotton rich towels in my bathroom that hold up after every wash. Cotton is durable and it always holds up for when I need it. And part of this partnership that I currently have with Cotton is that I really appreciate their commitment to education. Their mission is to help you feel confident. I want you to feel confident about what you're putting on your body and what you're bringing into your home. And when you choose natural fibers that feel good and last a long time, you're making your everyday life a little bit easier. So the next time you go to buy clothes or pick up something for your home, do a quick check and look for cotton on the tag. Sometimes it's 100% cotton, and sometimes it's cotton rich. Anything above 60% counts. But either way, knowing what is in your fabrics helps you make better choices. For you, cotton is the fabric of our lives. To learn more, visit thefabricofourlives.com you'll find simple breakdowns of cotton benefits, care tips, styling inspiration, and helpful info that makes choosing cotton so much easier. Again, that's thefabricofourlives.com.

[Host 2]

As we talked about, you first started creating beauty content in 2010. We're now in 2025. Even from somebody who is not a beauty creator, but is just like a consumer and a watcher, it feels like the beauty space has changed so much. But I'm curious for you, having been a creator at the forefront of it for the past 15 years, how you feel the beauty space has changed and how we talk about beauty has changed.

[Darcy Giles]

It's changed so much in so many ways. The best part is in terms of inclusivity, I think we've gotten a lot better. There's still a long way to go, but we've gotten a lot better. I used to be a competitive dancer and I have old dance photos of me with, like, the flash on a nightmare. Wow. It's just, like, completely ashy. And I grew up in Canada, so I remember when we first got Sephora, I didn't even have to, like, look at the shades, really. I would just go to the end and pick that one and it would always be my shade. So I was usually the darkest shade of foundation, which is crazy now because, like, ever since Fenty came out, I think there's maybe like at least 10 shades darker than me in The Venti Foundation. And now that's actually kind of of the standard. Yeah, Right.

[Host 2]

The bare minimum.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. So it's definitely changed a lot in. In terms of that. I think we can still do better with things like blushes and lip liners and even lipsticks, sometimes eyeshadows, things like that. Because it's not just about foundation or concealer. It's also things like bronzer and contours. Right. Everything the entire industry needs to change. And, like, also the people who work there. Right. It's. It's from a fundamental place. And once we have more people of color, people of darker skin tones working at the companies, then the change will happen from the ground up.

[Host 2]

Yeah, absolutely. And being in the room and testing things, because we do still sometimes see examples of brands coming out with products where it's like, okay, this clearly does not work. Whether it's a shade of something, whether it's a sunscreen that still has a cast, whether or not. And at some point, it's like, okay, is this rage bait? Is this. Are you all doing this on purpose?

[Darcy Giles]

I don't know.

[Host 2]

In this day and age.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

And so, yeah, I definitely agree that there's. There's been progress, but it does feel like there's a. Definitely a. A ways to go.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, for sure.

[Les]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

I'm also curious, from a beauty content perspective, the ways that you feel things have changed. Because it did, at least from my perspective. Feels like in the early aughts, a lot of things were about education. The early days of beauty content were, like, very educational. And it feels like we got away from that for a while. People are kind of craving it again. I don't know if I'm seeing it yet, but I'm curious if you feel. If you've felt that same shift.

[Darcy Giles]

Oh, yeah, for sure. Like, when I was first watching YouTube videos, that's how I learned how to do makeup, because it was all educational. I feel like now, honestly, it's really kind of like everyone's trying to feed the algorithm. Right. And it's kind of like, how far can we push this thing? Like, how far can we push the boundaries to create a video that's going to go viral? And we've kind of lost that. That educational standpoint. I would love for that to come back, but I feel like if you're watching, like, the makeup artists and stuff, you still get that.

[Les]

That's true.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Yeah. The people that are kind of the professionals in the space, and it is hard because it. I think ultimately everybody would love to serve the end consumer and have the end consumer in mind. But then to your point about the algorithms, it's like, okay, well, are they going to see it if we don't give the algorithms what they want? Or there is sometimes this pressure to be super punchy out of the gate of I have two seconds to capture people's attention so that they can even see the thing that I'm trying to teach them. And how do we do that? And it's like. Like such a delicate balance.

[Darcy Giles]

Exactly.

[Host 2]

Are there any ways that you are excited to continue kind of expanding your creativity or create in new ways in the future?

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, for sure. I actually have some plans that you can share. I do want to create my own brand in the future, so I am working on it. I'm working on ideas. I feel like I'm a good person to really expand the beauty industry in a way that has never been done before. Just because I have that unique background of also loving Korean skincare and Korean beauty and kind of meshing it together with my own black beauty. I think that it would create something really beautiful, something that has really not been done before. So I'm really excited to kind of dive into that.

[Host 2]

Super excited for that. Are you thinking more so skincare, makeup? Is there anything you're gravitating towards? Both, ideally.

[Darcy Giles]

Both, yeah. I feel like makeup is my first love, so I want to start with that.

[Host 2]

Okay. That's really exciting. You're gonna have to keep us posted how your progress is on that, because I know all of us are going to want to support. Yeah, yeah. You also mentioned earlier that you had wanted to be a novelist at one point. Is that something you're still interested in?

[Darcy Giles]

Oh, I hadn't even thought about it. I was always interested in, like, creative writing. Actually took creative writing in university. I would actually love to, like, write a book, but it would be a fiction book. I'd want to create, like, my own little world, you know? Like, I'm very into, like, world building.

[Host 3]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host 2]

What kinds of books are you liking to read right now?

[Darcy Giles]

I always get obsessed with, like, thrillers. I love a good thriller. Either that or romance. And if there's both, perfect.

[Host 2]

You're in the right place. You're in the right place. I love a good romance. Have you read any good ones this year?

[Darcy Giles]

I have a book club with my friends. One person gets to pick a book each month, but rarely do we ever pick romance. I should pick a romance next time.

[Host 3]

You should.

[Host 2]

I've been in the biggest reading slump this year because I have not been reading romance, and I'm realizing that I know other types of books just don't hook me the way.

[Host 3]

Romance.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. I need a good romance. Let me know if you see anything.

[Host 2]

I know I need to because I've been dabbling more so in fantasy. I've been reading the Fourth Wing series this year, which I enjoy. It's not that I don't enjoy fantasy or that I haven't even enjoyed those books, because I have, but there's something about the reading experience. I enjoy the book when I'm reading it, but it's not grabbing me to the point where I'm doing other things. And I can't wait to get back to reading the way romance does.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. And I feel like that's, like, really what hooked me in as. As a kid, too. I remember, like, I used to just, like, read one book in a. In a day.

[Host 3]

Yeah.

[Darcy Giles]

Right. I'm like, what happened?

[Host 2]

Like, you can't get enough. Exactly. Versus, like, some of these other books. I'm like, yeah, this is okay. When I get to it. And then I. I never get to it.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 3]

I'm not, like, excited.

[Darcy Giles]

Yes.

[Host 2]

To do it. Yeah.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. I gotta find a book like that.

[Host 2]

Exactly.

[Host 3]

Same.

[Host 2]

It's been a while.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

I feel like this has been like. Like one of the biggest reading slumps I've had in a long time.

[Host 3]

Gotta get back into it.

[Les]

Maybe the hall.

[Host 2]

I feel like around the holidays, I tend to be better about reading. So I don't know, maybe the end.

[Darcy Giles]

Of the year you have more time.

[Les]

Yeah.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Also talking more about your trajectory as a creator, kind of getting back to that, because you have been in this game for a really long time, and the past couple years specifically have been really exciting to watch for you, whether it's your platform growing so much, winning a Streamy award winning. I think it is just such a good testament to, like, playing the long game and really sticking with things that you love even as they change over time. Can you talk more about your longevity as a creator and what you think has. Has helped you continue to thrive in the space for so long?

[Darcy Giles]

I think my longevity is because I'm really good at evolving, and I feel like there are. If, like, if you are more stagnant in something, then you're kind of going to get stuck in that same place. And I feel like I'm very good at kind of, like, morphing into the next thing. So, for example, I started on YouTube and I was on YouTube for, I think, 11 years before I Decided, okay, I'm going to start a TikTok. And I had no idea how to make a TikTok. I'd been making long form videos for over a decade and then all of a sudden this new app comes out and, and everybody's on it. And I resisted for a while, but then I'm like, okay, I really need to make a TikTok now. And I, what I did was I went on the app and I tried to like study. I'm like, what's going on here? When you first sign up for a TikTok, they just show you like people dancing. And I'm like, I can't dance. Like, how am I gonna like make a tik, right? So I actually did kind of start doing like more funny stuff, but it wasn't really like going anywhere. And then I discovered, oh, like, people are making beauty videos on here. I'm like, I can do that. It's just like making a short YouTube video. And I decided that I was going to make one. No, three. Three TikToks a day for 90 days. I was like, I'm in TikTok boot camp right now. And I did that. I made three videos a day for 90 days and I gained 100,000 followers. Wow. In those 90 days.

[Host 2]

That is boot camp. But that's also like dedication. Yeah, that's amazing. What was the mix and types of videos that you were doing at that time?

[Darcy Giles]

I feel like it was whatever, like beauty trends were going on at the time. A lot of time. Like at that time, a lot of it was hacks. Like, do you remember that? It was like really dumb hacks. Like one of them was like, you put your tweezers on your nose and that's how you know where to draw your contour. It was just ridiculous. I made that video and I put it on YouTube shorts as well. And I think it caught like 50 million views or something ridiculous. Because people just wanted to see me put tweezers on my nose or like putting like, like tape on your eyes and doing eyeliner. Like little like makeup hacks. People were really into those at that time, like around like 20, 21, 2022.

[Host 2]

I also think there's so much of that that's just related to curiosity where people are like, I wonder what would happen if. But I kind of don't feel like doing it, so I want to see someone else do it.

[Darcy Giles]

I don't think anyone's actually doing that in real life, but it's just funny to watch me do it.

[Host 3]

I guess that's such a good testament.

[Host 2]

To being willing to try new things. And I think sometimes that can be really scary for people when you've done something that's working. Sometimes when you do have to pivot or you do have to shift directions or try something new, it can feel there can be that resistance there.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

And. But I do think, to your point, to have longevity, you have to lean into it, because. Yeah, every industry is constantly changing. You constantly have to be acquiring new skills and ready to try new things.

[Darcy Giles]

When I look at, like, like, music artists that I look up to as well, that have had, like, really long careers, like Beyonce, for example, I feel like she's also very good at evolving and changing, and her music is always different, and she's always trying something different, and that's why she's still relevant today.

[Host 2]

Yeah, that experimentation.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Because if she was still doing the exact same things that she was doing in 2003.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Les]

That would be so boring. People would be over it.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 3]

But we get excited to see what.

[Les]

She'S going to do next.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 3]

Well, we're also excited to see what you're going to do next.

[Darcy Giles]

Thank you.

[Host 2]

One other exciting collaboration that you had that I would also love to talk.

[Host 3]

About was your collaboration with Parnell and also having to extend their shade range. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. So working with Parnell was a really unique experience because I actually never, like, actually created shades before with Tear Tier, I was their brand ambassador, and that was awesome. I love working with Tear, but with Parnell, I really got to be, like, hands on. And so they had created 30 shades at the time. Even their darkest shade was a shade too light for me. So I definitely gave them some criticism online, but they came back to me and they're like, can you help us make 10 darker shades? And of course, I said yes. And because I'm in Canada and they're in Korea, they would send me the lab samples to my house, and I would, like, test them on myself. And I have literally, like, 10 swatches all over my face. And, like, I would mark them and make sure I didn't mix anything up. And I would tell them, this one's too pink, this one's too yellow, this one's too orange. Can we change the undertones? And the most interesting thing was, is that when everything was done and then I went to the lab in Korea, I talked to the chemists who work there, and they were saying that they had never done anything like that before. If you go to Korea, there's like three shades in every brand. So when a brand goes to the lab, they're like, oh, can you make us? All the shades are numbered, so they're like, can you make a shade 21 shade 23, shade 24? And the lab's like, sure. And we'll, like, make it in this particular formula. Right. But this is the first time that they had ever had to completely make new shades from scratch, and they were constantly having to change the undertone this up. They had never experienced, like, what do you mean? We have to go back and change it again? They're like, what? Because normally it's just like, well, it's very standard by the numbers. And what I'm also really happy about is that I feel like when I work with the Koreans, they're very, very open to, like, whatever I'm saying, and, like, they want to learn about it because they don't know, and there's no way that they could know. Right. And I feel like sometimes American brands can actually take notes from Korean brands, because the Korean brands are just so open to everything. And I've noticed that they've started hiring Americans. Like, sometimes when I go to have a meeting with a Korean brand, there will be an American there, and a lot of times a black American will be working at the company, like, in Korea. So they're really trying to scout people to be in their offices so that they know exactly how to make these shades and they know how to market to the American market.

[Host 2]

What a cool experience to get to.

[Host 3]

Be so close to the development process.

[Host 2]

Did that give you a whole different.

[Host 3]

Kind of understanding and appreciation for makeup?

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, for sure. Like, I had never experienced anything like that before behind the scenes, like, stepping into the lab. So that was really fun. And it also inspired me to create my own products one day.

[Host 2]

That's what I was thinking. I was like, oh, that was preparation for what you've got coming up.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah. I was like, oh, let me write this down.

[Host 2]

Exactly. So that you could see a behind.

[Host 3]

The scenes of the process before you.

[Host 2]

Get to do it.

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah.

[Host 3]

That is so cool.

[Host 2]

I'm glad you got that experience.

[Host 3]

Darcy, thank you so much for joining me today.

[Darcy Giles]

Thank you for having me.

[Host 2]

I would imagine that a lot of our audience already follows you and already is familiar with your content. But in case someone is just meeting you today, can you please let them know where they can find you?

[Darcy Giles]

Yeah, you can find me at Ms. Darcy on literally every platform. My mom gave me a really unique spelling. It's D, A, R, C, E, I. And thank you mom, because nobody ever takes that username, period.

[Host 3]

You were destined for this. It was already already written.

[Host 2]

Thank you so much for joining me.

[Darcy Giles]

Thank you for having me.

[Host 3]

Yeah, I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

[Host 2]

If you did, please make sure that.

[Host 3]

You leave us a rating and a review and make sure you're subscribed wherever you like to listen or watch. You can catch us on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Thank you again for tuning in and.

[Les]

I'll see you next week. Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of she's so Lucky. If you're ready to create your own luck, hit that subscribe button wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube so you don't miss an episode and head to the show. Notes for resources, links and discount codes. And if you are really feeling lucky, we would appreciate your rating and your review. It really helps us be able to improve the show, to get great guests and to understand what you want to hear more of. Thank you for tuning in and I'll see you next week.

[Maddie]

Hey everyone, it's Maddie here, host of the Bad Broadcast. If you're looking for some good, clean positivity, I'm not your girl. Because over at the Bad Broadcast, we dive deep into all the things we love to hate. Bad dates, bad bosses, bad roommates. All while finding the humor in it. We also chat pop culture, relationships, food, and all things nostalgia. Think of it like a sleepover with your best friends where you get to vent, laugh, cry, and watch your favorite chick flick. You can listen to the Bad Broadcast every Monday wherever you get your podcasts, or you can now watch the full episodes on YouTube. Remember to be safe, be kind, be hot, and I'll see you on Monday.

[Host 3]

Please 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.