She’s a supermom! Influencer Desi PerkinsCurrently, a pregnant woman with her second child together with her husband. Steven PerkinsDezi Skin, her skincare line, has enjoyed great success. Her following is growing, with an combined total of 7.6 million people on Instagram and YouTube. Perkins, 35, is a content creator and celebrity makeup artist. She also launched her own brand Dezi sunglasses in summer 2020.
The YouTuber started her YouTube channel from scratch and has built her brand over the past 12 years. She began with content creation, makeup collabs, and she used the lessons she gained to build Dezi Skin.
She’s been busy expanding her family, too. Perkins announced she’s expecting a baby girl on Instagram in March, making their 21-month-old, Ocean, a soon-to-be big brother.
Keep scrolling to find out more about Perkins – how her pregnancy is going, what’s next for her and more.
Our: How is your pregnancy progressing? How is this pregnancy different to your first?
Desi Perkins: I would say I’ve now been able to experience two very different pregnancies. My first pregnancy was like a Disney pregnancy. After a long struggle to conceive, everything felt like a happy end. I felt beautiful and I’m now realizing with my second pregnancy that I had minimal symptoms with my first. My second pregnancy has me experiencing symptoms I didn’t even know were possible in pregnancy. Frankly, I’m surprised that as women there is a lot that can happen in pregnancy that we aren’t aware of. I’ve had complications this time around and am currently on bed rest until things look better or I’m ready to have the baby. However, I’m still just as excited to meet our baby girl. I can tell she’s going to be a fighter.
Us: What are Ocean’s latest milestones? Is he ready for the role of big brother?
DP: I keep a digital “first” and “milestones” note in my phone where I have all his special moments and I include pictures and videos, even voice notes so I can remember all the amazing things he does. He is now saying “I love you” which melts my heart. I can see he’s a very empathetic kid, he has been taking care of me. He often picks flowers for me and brings them to me every morning. His dad teaches him how a gentleman should be.
Us: What’s new with your brands DEZI and DEZI SKIN?
DP: I’m so proud of how far we have come in a short time especially being a small self-funded team. Along with all the new launches, I want to expand my brand and hopefully take them into shops soon. It would be great to have a place where customers can try on sunglasses, especially since they are so expensive. Many exciting things are on the horizon!
Us: What’s your secret to your success in growing followers? What is it that makes your content so engaging for your followers?
DP: The secret is simple, it’s consistency. TikTok is changing how people connect, especially now that it’s so popular. It’s not necessarily about being a big influencer, it’s about having something to share and most of the time there’s people who want to watch, you just have to remain consistent. If you have a skill, please share it. You may think your day to day is boring but I promise I love watching, for example “stay at home moms day in the life”. These apps are the next tv, so create your reality show.
Us: Was there an important moment in your life that helped you grow your followers?
DP: I set a goal of posting every day for a month. I was very strict about it. I was eventually discovered by Vegas Nay, one the largest makeup accounts of the time, and she reposted me. I’ll never forget how my phone blew up! It was a very important moment in my life. That moment was a huge turning point for me. It gave me the confidence that I was on the right path.
Us: What’s the best advice you can give on becoming an influencer/YouTube star?
DP: Don’t start off trying to do or be what someone else is because you think that’s what works. Be yourself from the start so you never have to stay in the box you create for yourself if you don’t. You need variety in the world. Always remember that.
We: What are three interesting facts about you that no-one knows?
DP: Hmm, I have a fear of cotton balls lol. You can’t get me to tear one apart ever. It makes me feel so uncomfortable just thinking about it. I’ve been working since I was 14 and a half. I was going to be an elementary school teacher when I graduated college. Instead, I decided to teach makeup and now I am teaching my son.
Us: Which celebrity (if any) has reached out and/or claimed to be a fan to help you get together? What was the conversation like? (We noticed Shay Mitchell was a supporter!
DP: I’ve been so fortunate to work with so many celebrities. It’s wild to think about. Shay Mitchell is such a cool, down to earth person. She is also super supportive. It can be very surreal to work alongside people who have had an impact on your life through music or movies. I’ve worked with J. LoShe has been on the show quite a few times and it is clear that she has made a big impact. Selena was her role and that was the moment I was introduced. Kim KardashianIt was a pleasure to work alongside her. She treats people with respect. I met her before I was even on social really and I don’t even know if she knows this but I talked to her at an event that a friend invited me to and she was just so nice and took time to have a conversation with me when there was nothing I could do for her in return. I think that’s when you can tell if someone is a good person. Years later we got to film together for YouTube and I did her makeup and I wasn’t that nervous because I already knew she was cool.
Us: Who is your greatest inspiration (celebrity wise)? What do you love most about the accounts you follow?
DP: Hmm let’s see.. well I don’t think there is one particular celebrity I look up to for everything. I admire many people for different reasons. I admire RihannaHer ability to take fashion risk and her confidence are admirable. I admire her for breaking barriers and getting into makeup. I admire. The RockFor his work ethic. He makes so many movies I don’t know how he does it. I admire him. Jen AtkinStarted as a celebrity stylist and has grown OUAI into a hugely successful hair brand. She is also a person who will not hesitate to help me if I need business advice. She is a true champion for everyone, which is not easy to find. It’s a very interesting list, now that I think about it haha.
Us: What’s your goal? What are you trying to achieve and/or spread the word?
DP: My goal in life is to live an authentic, fulfilling life and share real life experiences with others that make them feel valued. My most proud moment is creating my YouTube fertility journey. The greatest impact I could have on people was when I made them feel seen. I want to continue doing that through all my projects.
