“Is this brown girl friendly?”
That’s the question that led Monica Ravichandran to create beauty content—and the question that uncovered a market gap that she was uniquely suited to fill. With her vision in place, she’s built a community of women who have become invested in her inclusive perspective and product testing, which makes today’s announcement of her new MOB Beauty lip kit launch all the more special.
“I realized how many people felt the same way I did about red lipstick, so I made sure to involve my community as I went through [the search for the perfect red lip],” she told The Newsette. “Suddenly, it started feeling like it wasn’t just my red lipstick anymore. It became our red, for everyone who’s ever felt like red lipstick wasn’t made for them.”
In advance of the launch (out today!), we spoke to Monica about her past in tech, the importance of inclusive beauty, and her collab with MOB.
How did you get started in the beauty space?
I started as a software engineer, then became a product manager, so I was always used to solving problems, but beauty was the first place where I was the unsolved problem. For the longest time I couldn’t find products that matched my skin tone, or content that made me feel represented and seen. So, I began making videos five years ago documenting my journey—not to be an influencer, but to fill a gap that I saw in beauty.
My content has always been super specific: color theory, brown skin first, culturally rooted. When I started seeing that thousands of people had the exact same pain points, it clicked. This isn’t a niche hobby; it’s a real market gap.
How can understanding color theory help people find their best shade matches?
Color theory is the tool the industry should be teaching, but for some reason, doesn’t. Once you understand undertones in your skin, your products, and how they interact together, you stop wasting money on things that never quite work.Color theory gives you power. It’s like decoding the system and suddenly, you’re not guessing—you’re curating.
Why is inclusive beauty so important to you?
Because inclusion shouldn’t be reactive, it should be proactive. I grew up loving makeup but never seeing myself reflected in it. So, when brands say, “We added more shades because people asked,” I’m like… it shouldn’t be an afterthought.
You’re absolutely right. Speaking of shade inclusivity, how did your collaboration with MOB Beauty come about?
This red lipstick started as a personal mission and series on social media. I’ve watched my mom wear red lipstick her entire life, and feel empowered every time wearing it. Last year, I decided I wanted to feel the same way, especially on my wedding day. So, we went on the perfect red lipstick search for my wedding, but everything was too blue, too orange, too loud. I didn’t want a red that wore me, I wanted one that honored me.
I worked with MOB Beauty to get it right. We went through at least 10 variations of the red lipstick, adjusted depth, and undertone—so it didn’t scream—but still had presence. Finally, I chose a finish that felt timeless, not trendy. I wanted it to feel like a ritual, something you’d wear to a wedding, to work, or a boardroom.
That’s so beautiful. And finally, what are the top three beauty tips you can share with our readers?
Some beauty tips I can share are:
Knowing your undertone solves most makeup problems people have.
“Universal” makeup is just a marketing gimmick brands use to try to sell more product, but that term actually doesn’t exist.
Following recommendations from creators or people who look like you goes a lot further than just buying the next viral, trendy product.
