Beauty content creator and speaker Monica Ravichandran plans to do her own makeup for her three-day destination wedding, BUT she’s not just another DIY bride—she’s a first-generation Indian, Gen-Z beauty innovator with a global audience. Known for her expertise in color theory, Monica has used her platform to push for more inclusive shade ranges and educate both consumers and brands on how color works across different skin tones. Now, Monica’s taking her beauty expertise and boss babe energy to launch her very own lip kit that features her own wedding day shade. A custom-created red lipstick that’s designed to work beautifully on olive and neutral skin tones, this project has roots in her own life story.

Finding The Perfect Red Lipstick

Monica’s mom wore red lipstick her whole life, but Monica always felt the specific shade wasn’t meant for her. “Because we have different skin tones and undertones, I always felt her red lipstick washed me out,” she says. “When I was deciding what I’d be wearing for my wedding, I decided that I wanted to wear a red lipstick.” As a result, Monica created a series on social media to find the ONE, only to realize most red lipsticks were benchmarked off the same “universal blue red.” “After trying lipstick after lipstick, MOB Beauty reached out to me to help make my perfect red lipstick & the rest is history.” The coolest part? The chemist who made her mom’s favorite red lipstick shade has now made hers.

@monica.raviii Replying to @andrea I’m SO excited to introduce to you the @MOB Beauty X Monica Lip Kit & Blush Collection that I made with MOB beauty for my wedding this month! The red lip kit & blush will launch August 12 & all products will be INDIVIDUALLY sold on August 14! This is a LIMITED EDITION SMALL BATCH launch so once the lip kits sell out, they will not restock. There is a pre sign up link in my bio which will notify you when it drops August 12! Thank you for being apart of my story and I can’t wait to hear what you think 🥹 #perfectredlip#redlip#mobbeauty#browngirlmkeup#desibride#2025bride#makeupforbrownskin ♬ Manifestation – Perfect, so dystopian

A STEM Mindset in the Beauty World

For a bit of background on the creator, before becoming a full-time beauty expert, Monica studied computer science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and worked as a software engineer and product manager. That technical background truly shaped her approach to makeup. She’s spent hours in labs in Italy studying undertones and formulas to understand why certain shades fall flat on different skin tones.

Beauty Tips for Brides of Color

Her top advice for brides of color is to stay true to what makes you feel confident. “Wear makeup and colors that make you feel like you—no matter what the norm is,” she says. That may mean steering away from so-called “universal” shades and instead choosing products tailored to your unique undertones.

Weather-Proofing Your Makeup

Humidity and unpredictable weather can be a challenge for destination weddings, so Monica recommends sealing makeup in layers. “Apply setting spray between each step,” she says. Her go-to products include Danessa Myricks primer, Estee Lauder foundation, and One Size setting spray for a flawless finish that lasts from ceremony to reception.

Her Big Day

Beyond the beauty looks, Monica is most excited for what just about every destination bride is: celebrating with her fiancé, family, and friends over good food, great company, and momentous occasions with the perfect red lip to pair.