Dalesha Richardson is one of the stars of the popular YouTube series ‘Dalesha’s Life’, which also stars her live-in (also blind) boyfriend Manny. The two are one of America’s only legally blind interracial couples who are inviting audiences into their lives on a day-to-day basis to watch them live, in the hopes of changing those misconceptions some have about blind people.
It’s A Glam Thing sat down with Dalesha to find out more about her life, her beauty secrets, favorite Instagram filters, trends and if Manny has ever done her makeup!
NICK NORTHSTAR: How would you describe your own personal style?
DALESHA RICHARDSON: I would consider my style comfortable, relaxed, and definitely chill. If I have the option, I usually go for leggings when I’m feeling extra chill or jeans when I’m feeling extra cute.
NN: What are some of your favorite beauty and makeup products that you use?
DR: Well, I’m all about being natural. If the occasion calls for makeup, of course I’ll rock a beat face! But, in my day-to-day life, I prefer to slap on some gloss and call it one.
NN: Have you ever made Manny help with your makeup? Or how does a legally blind person get ready to go out with makeup and all?
DR: Well, first off, Manny doesn’t know an eyebrow pencil from a lip liner! But, when those events do come up where makeup is a must, I usually will ask a professional to lend me a hand. Not seeing well, and not being a makeup expert myself, I feel like it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion.
NN: What is your favorite Instagram filter? Or #NoFilter?
DR: That’s a great question! When it comes to my stories, I usually lean towards the animal filters (cat, bunny, and dog). On my feed though, I love to use the grayscale filter. I love how I look in black-and-white!
NN: Why did you want to start a YouTube channel?
DR: I thought you’d never ask! In 2016, I decided that I wanted to film Manny and me’s everyday life as a legally blind couple. Besides thinking that it would be fun, I felt that maybe I could help people understand what it’s like for a couple to go thorugh life being legally blind. I wanted people to be entertained by our adventures and back and forth banter, while also getting more comfortable with people who have visual impairments.
NN: What Top 3 Fashion Trends do you LOVE right now?
DR: I love the cold-shoulder, long-sleeve look most of all. For pants, I’d have to say that the flare-leg is super cute. I’m also noticing lately that I really like the vertical-stripe look. I never knew stripes could look so attractive!
NN: What Top 3 Fashion Trends do you HATE right now?
DR: This is a tough one because eventually most fashion trends do grow on me with time. I’m not really into the neon look too much yet. I’m also not really a big fan of tops that show side-boob. If I had to pick a third, I’d say that the tie front tops aren’t my favorite. Most of my family says I dress like a grandma though because I don’t usually pick clothes that show too much skin.
NN: What changes in the world overall would you like to see changed moving forward?
DR: I think that, more than anything, I hope that by watching Manny and me do all of the things that other couples do, people will slowly start to become more comfortable and relaxed around people with partial blindness. I want the public to continue being helpful—but only when we ask for it. There’s a big difference between offering to help and assuming we need help.
NN: What is your advice to anyone wanting to start their own YouTube series?
DR: Three words, go for it! All you need is an iPhone and a willingness to be yourself! You’ll probably feel awkward at first but stick with it and it will pass. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for feedback, that really helped me early on.
NN: While you are blind, obviously you get to ‘see’ the true beauty that is inside people, not just on the outside. So what is your overall definition of “Glam”?
DR: I do agree that looks are important, but they aren’t the only thing that counts. Personality, in my opinion, is a lot more important than most people think. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met that are so glamorous on the outside, but so ugly on the inside. Remember that glam goes deeper than what the eye can see!
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