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

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

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.

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.”

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

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

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.

Find Darcei Giles

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

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.