Rishikas_Beauty

Beauty gives me breath — just like love does.

It’s steadied my trembling hands, kept my fine motor skills alive, and turned sterile hospital rooms into temporary studios.

Beauty grounds me. Watching videos from my favorite creators when I’m alone in the hospital helps me feel safe. Filming brings me back in control after a tough therapy or EMDR session. It shifts my mood completely in the most positive way possible.

For 26+ of my 33 years, I’ve been fighting for my life — surviving over a dozen life-threatening chronic illnesses, Cushing’s disease from long-term high-dose steroid use, chemotherapy, countless surgeries and procedures, nerve blocks every two weeks, nerve burns, severe PTSD from abuse, sexual assault, and medical trauma — and endless near-death experiences.

There were times I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror because I was severely underweight from illness. Since Cushing’s, I haven’t been able to recognize myself in the mirror for the opposite reason. My body changed almost overnight, and the reflection staring back often felt like a stranger. I had almost gotten my face back. But because my lungs are now a life-or-death scenario, and because of all the damage and inflammation, my doctor says I will most likely need to be on steroids for the rest of my life. I’m terrified of puffing up again, but I’ve learned I’m still deeply loved regardless.

In all honesty, I don’t know how much time I have left on this earth. But I know I want to make it count. I am addicted to learning, to improving upon my skills, to pushing myself creatively and strategically. I want the network. I want the credibility in this industry. And I want to keep creating — for as long as I can.

I had to leave a career I loved. After earning my Master’s from Johns Hopkins University, a triple major from Rutgers, and working at the Obama White House, Bechtel, and Gap Inc. My body forced me to pivot, but I refused to let it take away my voice, my creativity, or my purpose.

That’s why I founded Empower Beauty By Rishika — to challenge how the beauty industry sees people with disabilities and South Asians, and to make accessibility and representation a foundation, not an afterthought.

And that’s why I’ve applied for the 2026 Sephora Squad. I want to amplify disability advocacy, champion South Asian representation, learn from the best of the best, and use that platform to open doors for the next generation of disabled, South Asian, survivor, and chronically ill creators who deserve to see themselves reflected in beauty.

If my story has ever resonated with you; if you believe that beauty should truly include all of us; I’d be so grateful if you could take a few moments to leave a testimonial for my application. Your words could help Sephora see not just my passion, but the reason I fight so hard for this space.

Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for helping me turn the time I have into something that will last far beyond me.

Here is the link for the testimonials: tinyurl.com/RishikaS

10 months ago | [YT] | 2