A Model’s Journey Through Beauty Rituals By Angelica Yeleshwarapu
Traveling from Los Angeles to Mumbai this past month was a return to my heritage, a chance to rediscover the rituals and aesthetics that shaped me. This journey wasn’t just about revisiting old traditions but finding ways to blend them with the practicalities of my dynamic life today as a model, artist, and Indian-American woman. Skincare, since the beginning, has been one of the many anchors, bridging my two distinct worlds.
Growing up, I relied on Ayurvedic practices— homemade honey face masks, turmeric body scrubs, and herbal oils lovingly massaged into my scalp by my mama. These rituals weren’t just skincare; they were acts of connection and mindfulness passed down through generations. But as I’ve moved between the fast-paced lifestyles of Los Angeles and Mumbai, my daily routine has had to evolve.
Dieux’s Glow Trinity Bundle– composed of the Baptism Gentle Gel Cleanser, the Deliverance Soothing Serum, and Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturizer– has since complemented my traditional beauty roots by offering the simplicity and precision my life requests.
During my trip, Mumbai, with its humidity, dust, and pollution, presented a novel challenge for my skin. I quickly learned that over-exfoliation and aggressive treatments weren’t the answer to combating the negative effects of environmental stress.
Instead, I leaned on the fundamentals: hydration and barrier protection.
Mornings began with a splash of the gentle Baptism, followed by the luxurious Deliverance, rich in cannabinoids and antioxidants to address gaps that traditional routines couldn’t fill. I then sealed my daily ritual with Instant Angel, which left my skin feeling soft yet resilient enough to take on the day. The difference was undeniable—on the days I skipped my routine, my skin felt completely depleted.
Now, even in LA, where the air is crisp and dry, my skin craves the same deep hydration that sustained it in Mumbai’s thick humidity. Dieux’s Glow Trinity Bundle has become my constant, adapting effortlessly between these two extremes.
What I also love about these offerings is their thoughtful approach to minimizing environmental impact. From the use of recyclable, minimal packaging to ethically sourced ingredients, this collection is designed with care—seeking to reduce waste and make more conscious choices while acknowledging the realities of production and consumerism.
This acknowledgment of beauty’s environmental impact reminded me of why skincare has to go beyond personal care and become part of a larger conversation about sustainability and reciprocity, which together hold the potential to drive industry standards and encourage more mindful practices.
As I was walking through Mumbai, I couldn’t ignore the layers of smog clinging to the horizon, nor the beauty ads plastered across billboards selling ‘glow’ in plastic-heavy packaging. It made me think—how often do we nourish our skin at the expense of the planet? That’s why Dieux’s dedication to reducing unnecessary waste and creating with intention resonates so deeply. Instead of feeling trapped between overconsumption and neglecting my skin’s needs altogether, I’m grateful to have a way to engage with skincare mindfully—choosing products that align with both my values and my well-being.
Throughout my time in Mumbai, I paid close attention to how my skin responded. My skin felt hydrated, calm, and resilient—even in the face of thick humidity and pollution. Dieux’s Glow Trinity Bundle felt like a balanced response to the demands of modern life and the challenges of our shared environment.
As I return to Los Angeles, I carry with me a renewed perspective: skincare is more than a routine—it’s an ongoing dialogue between the environments we move through and those worlds which move through us.
