Dee Carrion Featured in ESSENCE’s Spotlight Series
Doechii’s makeup artist Dee Carrion is the latest talent highlighted in ESSENCE’s In The Chair With. The series celebrates hairstylists and makeup artists shaping beauty culture with their artistry and vision. Carrion, known for her bold designs, uses makeup as a tool for transformation and storytelling.
Her work has appeared on magazine covers, fashion stages, and red carpets like the Met Gala. She has created stunning looks for stars such as Kehlani, SZA, Honey Balenciaga, Chappel Roan, and Ayo Edebiri. Beyond her signature soft glam, Carrion is celebrated for pushing the limits with surrealist eye and lip designs.
“Beauty was one of the first ways I learned to shapeshift,” Carrion told ESSENCE. “The face is a canvas and I take that literally.”
A Journey from Childhood Passion to Beauty Innovator
Carrion’s love for beauty started early. She recalls playing with her mother’s lipstick and experimenting with glitter from a pink makeup case gifted by her babysitter. Those playful beginnings grew into a lifelong pursuit of artistry.
Raised in Portland and now based in Los Angeles, Carrion taught herself much of her craft through online tutorials and experimentation. She describes her path as one built on “pure hustle, curiosity, and obsession.” Over time, she grew her platform steadily on the internet, transforming it into a thriving career.
Makeup became her truest outlet for expression. “I’ve always had a fascination with art, and makeup is what became my outlet,” she explained.
The Creative Process and Inspiration Behind Her Looks
Carrion finds inspiration in everyday moments. She draws from color, texture, and even chance encounters to bring her art to life. Working closely with clients, she enjoys taking them out of their comfort zones while elevating their natural presence.
“I love creating looks alongside my clients and doing something they wouldn’t typically do,” she said. “It’s fun to get them outside of their comfort zones.” Collaboration, she notes, is the heartbeat of her work.
Her kit includes staples like Rokael Beauty lashes, HUDA Beauty glosses, Blend Bunny eyeshadows, and Natasha Denona concealers. Yet her true secret weapon is simplicity. “Your fingers are the best brushes you own. Skin on skin—nothing blends better.”
A Beauty Vision Centered on Empowerment
Carrion resists the idea of rigid rules in makeup. “If it makes you feel good, it’s valid,” she affirmed. Her love for trends like glossy lids and undone-yet-intentional looks reflects her playful approach to artistry.
She also emphasizes balance in skincare, focusing on water, sleep, SPF, and knowing when to give skin a break. For her, beauty extends beyond the surface—it’s about connection.
“What I’ve learned from my clients is how powerful collaboration can be,” Carrion shared. “When glam, styling, photography, and direction are in sync, it doesn’t just elevate the look—it elevates the person.”
More than makeup, Carrion’s artistry is about affirmation. “The act of being seen, touched gently, and made to feel beautiful is inherently uplifting,” she said.
