Glow On, Mama: How Nikki DeRoest & ciele Cosmetics Are Redefining Beauty Through Motherhood + SPF

From red carpets to real life, celebrity makeup artist and ciele Cosmetics co-founder Nikki DeRoest knows that beauty isn’t just skin deep—it’s also deeply personal. With over 20 years of experience working with stars like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Phoebe Dynevor, Nikki has built a career around helping women feel confident in their own skin. Now, as a new mom, she’s turning her spotlight toward a different kind of transformation: the one that happens through motherhood.

In this exclusive Q&A, Nikki opens up about how her beauty routine became a lifeline during pregnancy and postpartum, why SPF-infused makeup was non-negotiable, and how ciele is helping women feel like themselves again—one swipe, dot, or drop at a time. From melasma to mom-life, she’s sharing her secrets for keeping your glow intact, no matter what stage of life you’re in. —Noa Nichol

How has your beauty routine evolved from pre-pregnancy to postpartum—and what role has SPF played in that transition?

Pregnancy and postpartum are such transformative times, not just emotionally and physically, but in your skin too. I started noticing pigmentation really early on – things like melasma and darker sun spots that were totally hormone-related. SPF became even more of a non-negotiable for me. Before, it was incredibly important, of course, but during pregnancy it became this essential first step. I layered it under everything, and adding ciele was a second layer of extra protection. It made me confident that I wasn’t adding any more sun damage to my skin.  I also would say I take the time and wear my full makeup routine during and post pregnancy MORE because you are going through so many emotions, hormones, and changes, and feeling good in my skin felt really grounding and uplifting.

What’s one makeup product you swear by for instantly feeling like yourself again after a sleepless night with a newborn?

A good skin tint or foundation that gives you glow and coverage without feeling like makeup. That’s my hero product, always. Especially postpartum, when your sleep is basically nonexistent and you look in the mirror and hardly recognize yourself. Something like our tint & PROTECT SPF50+ makes a huge difference. It evens out skin tone, adds radiance, and just makes you feel pulled together. Even if nothing else gets done that day, putting that on makes me feel human again. 

What inspired you to co-found Ciele Cosmetics, and how did your personal skin and sun journey shape the brand?

As a makeup artist and someone who’s always been skincare-obsessed, I truly wanted to create something that would elevate and push cosmetic standards toward the next frontier. I’d spent years studying ingredients and had struggled with adult acne, so wanted to focus on creating a line without any ingredients that are known to clog pores or be problematic for acne prone skin. Developing with a core ingredient of SPF to protect the skin from further irritation and damage was a priority. I just kept thinking, why hasn’t anyone made makeup that already has this all built in – and actually feels good, looks good, and performs like the products I use on set? That was the spark. I wanted something that looked editorial, felt luxurious, and had that added layer of protection baked in. 

ciele is makeup that meets protection – something that delivers on pigment and payoff, but also supports your skin. It was about raising the bar and building the essential pieces of a complexion wardrobe – the things you reach for daily that make you feel like yourself. We wanted ciele to feel like makeup you can trust. Whether you have acne, pigmentation, sensitive skin, or just want something easy and high-performing, we created it to be more than just beauty.

As a celebrity makeup artist, how do you balance high-glam looks with the real-life needs of everyday beauty—especially for new moms?

For me, it always starts with creating that perfected, healthy-looking complexion—whether I’m working on a high-glam red carpet look or my own five-minute mom routine. That’s actually how I think about product development too: I want everything in Ciele’s line to perform for both worlds. On set, I’m layering products to serve a purpose—skin prep, glow, coverage, longevity—and in my personal life, I need that same performance in fewer steps. Especially now as a new mom, I have so much less time, so my products need to work harder and multitask. Ciele gives me that skincare-meets-makeup payoff, so whether I have five minutes or I’m doing a full glam, I know my skin will look its best.

What’s your go-to five-minute face using Ciele products for busy days when you’re short on time but want to feel put together?

Honestly, it’s all about simplifying. I start with tint & PROTECT SPF50+ for even skin. I add a little of our bronze & PROTECT and blush & PROTECT for color and glow. It’s an instant refresh. A quick brow brush-up, a touch of mascara if I have the energy, and a hydrating lip tint with a natural lipliner. That’s it. It gives you color, polish, and protection, without overthinking it.

How do you approach beauty and skincare differently now that you’re thinking not just as an artist, but as a mom?

Becoming a mom shifted my whole perspective on beauty. It’s about efficiency now, and also about trust—I only want to use products that are good for my skin, that feel safe, and that simplify my routine. I used to love trying a million new products, but now I’m more intentional. I also want to model that for my child—that beauty can be simple, joyful, and rooted in taking care of yourself. Professionally, it’s reinforced my belief that the best makeup starts with healthy skin, which is why Ciele’s philosophy of makeup-meets-protection feels even more meaningful to me now.

Melasma and pigmentation are common postpartum concerns—what ingredients or rituals have helped you most?

Skincare is really the first line of defense—ingredients like vitamin C, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and azelaic acid have been key in helping to fade pigmentation and even out my skin tone. But none of that matters if you’re not protecting your skin daily. That’s where SPF comes in—it’s what seals everything in and prevents new spots from forming or existing ones from getting worse. I can’t say it enough: SPF, SPF, SPF! I also love having makeup with SPF built in, because it layers extra protection, and gives me that added reassurance. And of course, patience is key—healing your skin takes time.

Can you share a behind-the-scenes story from working with Rosie, Phoebe, or Kate that still inspires your artistry today?

One thing that always stays with me is how the women I’ve worked with—whether it’s Rosie, Phoebe, or Kate—really know what works for them. They understand their features, their style, and they’re not afraid to speak up about what makes them feel their best. It’s a good reminder that beauty is about confidence and individuality, not just technique. That mindset inspires me both on set and in creating products for Ciele—I want everything we make to help people feel more like themselves, not like they’re wearing a mask.

What’s one myth about clean beauty or sun protection you wish more people understood?

That clean and clinical can’t coexist. There’s this outdated idea that clean beauty doesn’t perform as well or that SPF will always leave a cast or feel heavy. It’s just not true anymore. With the right formulations and if done correctly, you can have clean, high-performing makeup with SPF that actually protects your skin and looks incredible. That’s the whole mission behind Ciele.

How has becoming a mom changed the way you think about beauty, both personally and professionally?

Motherhood has made me appreciate simplicity and intention in beauty even more. Personally, I want products that fit into my life—not ones that complicate it. Professionally, it’s deepened my understanding of what many women want: makeup that enhances, protects, and respects their skin. I’ve also come to value how powerful those small beauty moments can be—how taking five minutes for yourself, putting on a product that makes you feel good, can completely shift your mood and confidence. There’s also this newfound awareness of how precious time is—so when I design or choose products, I think about how they can make getting ready feel easier, faster, and more joyful.