Daisy Marquez in Conversation with FAULT Magazine
Daisy Marquez
Daisy Marquez is a successful US-based beauty influencer and entrepreneur. After revealing her status as a Dreamer, Daisy’s content began to evolve from focusing almost exclusively on beauty and make-up tutorials into more personal narratives. Given that elements of that, particularly parts of her ‘Daisy Diaries‘ podcast and accompanying YouTube series, wouldn’t feel out of place in a telenovela, it’s small wonder that Daisy’s latest venture – Bella Perversa perfumes – was inspired by one of her favourite shows from childhood.
That ability to extract something valuable and impactful out of fantasy goes a long way to summing up Daisy Marquez’s success. From creating videos on topics ranging from birthday parties to make-up tutorials to alleged hauntings, Daisy has since launched the Daisy DACA Foundation, which provides financial assistance to help fellow dreamers renew their DACAs. Her early aspirational content has led to genuine fame and, subsequently, a platform for both her business and philanthropic ventures. It’s a pathway to prosperity that Daisy Marquez hopes can inspire others – particularly those with a similar background to herself.
We spoke to Daisy Marquez about the Bella Perversa brand, her new fragrance, plans for the future and, of course, her FAULTs.
FAULT: What was your inspiration for launching Bella Peversa?
Daisy Marquez: It has always been a dream of mine to have my own perfume. When creating the brand, I wanted it to feel authentic to who I am. Bella Perversa was inspired by one of my favorite novelas growing up, ‘Rubi’. It centers around a femme fatale character who uses her beauty and divine feminine energy to attract what she wants. Scarlet is meant to enhance your confidence and make you irresistibly alluring.
You’ve just launched your first scent – Scarlet by Bella Peversa. Can you talk us through your process for composing the fragrance?
If I’m being honest, I tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to creating something I’m passionate about, so the process took some time. I went through countless amounts of samples, which took over a year to finalize. Surprisingly enough, the ingredient that was missing was coffee! I never intended for my fragrance to have coffee, but it made the biggest difference!
Can you tell us about some of the brand’s unique features?
Not only is the fragrance unique with notes of patchouli, green mandarin, and jasmine petals, but the bottle itself is very unique. The bottle is a beautiful Rubi red to match the custom cap. The entire fragrance embodies luxury and sensuality.
Bella Peversa was set up in partnership with Slate Brands, a NY-based incubator specialising in building beauty brands. How did that partnership come about? And what have you learned from working with them to develop Bella Peversa?
I could only ever say positive things about Slate Brands. I genuinely love working with the team and they have made this journey feel like a partnership rather than a project. I’ve had the opportunity to expand my knowledge on the fragrance industry thanks to them, as well as the marketing and strategy that goes behind a fragrance launch.
You set up the Daisy DACA Foundation in 2023 to provide Dreamers with financial assistance to renew their DACAs. The DACA program provides undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children with a number of benefits, including deferred action from removal and employment authorisation. How personally involved are you with the foundation? Do you review applications yourself and/or have any interaction with the beneficiaries?
Just like all of my other projects, I am very involved in my foundation. I am the only person that gets to review and select the dreamers for financial aid. Not to mention, I don’t have any sponsors, so it’s all funded through me. I am very proud!
As both a successful US-based entrepreneur and a Dreamer yourself, does it frustrate you that there’s still no direct pathway for dreamers to become legal permanent residents or full US citizens?
It is definitely frustrating that there has not been a pathway for dreamers, considering last year we contributed roughly about $420 billion to the economy. Not to mention, we have to renew our DACAs every two years. Just recently, the US Government increased the prices, which makes it even more difficult for dreamers to be able to afford it. Thankfully, my foundation is here to financially assist those in need.
Can you tell us what’s happening with your YouTube channel? As a beauty content creator, do you find it more rewarding to post long-form videos on YT or short clips on TikTok/Instagram?
I’m so glad you asked this! I’ve never really been able to speak about my YouTube channel. I started filming videos when I was 17 and it’s now been a decade which is crazy! As of right now, I’m not uploading content on YouTube, as I focus on building my brand. I will always have love for YouTube and hopefully in the future I get back to it, but at the moment I’m enjoying filming short-form content.
What’s the latest with the Daisy Diaries podcast? Has that chapter definitely closed now, and will you be creating any more content with or about your family?
Yes, that chapter has definitely closed. I never try to force anything in my life and I found myself not passionate about it anymore. As for content with my family, I still continue to upload on other social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.
Going back to Bella Peversa, what are your plans to expand the brand? Are any more fragrances on the horizon?
I can’t say too much, but there might be a sister fragrance coming soon!
What can we expect from you in the near future? Anything you’re particularly looking forward to?
So much more! Bella Perversa will be expanding and as for me, I intend to step into the entertainment industry soon.
What is your FAULT?
I can be very hard on myself. Even if I succeed, I feel like I could’ve done better. I can be my number one fan and my biggest critic at the same time.