Meet Smriti Sinha (Simi)

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Smriti Sinha a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Smriti, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?

I’ve always had a natural emotional radar—a deep empathy and emotional intelligence that helped me understand people beyond their words. Growing up, I was the one who could de-escalate conflicts, read the room, and articulate what others were struggling to express. Emotional debates? I didn’t ‘win’ by overpowering—I won by communicating in a way that I connected with them. That intuitive grasp of emotions and communication became my quiet superpower.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Born and raised in India, our generation has seen the most transitions, right from TV being a common man’s household appliance to stepping into the era of mobile phones and now living in the age of everyday changing AI. It was my upbringing by my parents which gave me undying enthusiasm and attitude of changing myself, my roles and my aspirations with time and amidst the chaos which life naturally offers. Today, I approach every situation with optimism, knowing that there’s always something valuable to take away from it and build something soulful from it.

Hi, my name is Smriti Sinha – love to be called as Simi, and my transition from a Software Technical Lead to the founder of a skincare brand in making has been something I call outlandish. I started my career in India as a Software professional in a multi-national company where I worked for 12 years through various roles and cross-functional teams. I was always recognized for being a great team leader who can get difficult jobs done with her power of articulation, communication, emotional intelligence, and technical skills.
I always had a passion towards creativity and beauty, to shape that passion into reality I took onto beauty school(while simultaneously doing my job) and got certified as a Professional Makeup Artist after long course hours and multiple beauty looks with the science behind it.

In 2016, I moved to US for my technical work assignments. In 2018 I took the leap of faith by resigning from my well established career to take care of my newborn baby as my organization was unable to sustain the duration of maternity leaves as per Californian laws. I tried hard to get back to work but was sad to see the face of work where the managers ask women to be at work with no time boundaries when it came to deliverables. This made me think “Do I really want this kind of life for myself and my baby wherein he will miss both his parents from 4 months of age because we both will work non-stop in over-demanding hours?” The answer obviously you might have understood was a big ‘NO’. I wanted something of my own which gives me satisfaction of work-life balance and what other way than to take up my passion and creativity by stepping into the world of beauty. I got my International makeup certification determined to rebuild my career with the same passion and dedication I had in India.

Today, I am a Certified makeup artist in both – USA and India and work independently as a freelancing Makeup Artist across San Francisco Bay Area, California. Working on special events, bridals, models and runway looks, I travel nationwide to deliver quality beauty experiences. Making every client feel radiant and confident on their special day.

Alongside my freelacing business, I am also working on the launch of my skincare brand in India with my business partner. A clean, nature-inspired skincare brand that blends ancient wisdom with modern science. Each product is getting thoughtfully sampled with natural ingredients, and derma testing. A lot of market research is what I am currently invested into plus the study of various ingredients.
Makeup artistry wasn’t just a career switch—it was a reclamation. It let me connect with people deeply, one face at a time. I wasn’t just enhancing features—I was witnessing transformation, vulnerability, and power. I learned that beauty is deeply emotional. And that became my compass.

Makeup artist – https://www.instagram.com/makemeupsimi/
Skincare brand – under progress and formulation.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities have truly shaped my journey:

1. Emotional Intelligence
The ability to read people, listen deeply, and respond with empathy has been my compass—whether I was leading engineers, calming a nervous bride, or crafting a skincare line that feels like a hug in a bottle.
Advice: Emotional intelligence isn’t just innate—it’s built. Pay attention to how people feel around you. Ask questions. Stay curious. Empathy is a muscle—use it daily.

2. Adaptability Across Roles
From software to makeup to skincare, every pivot felt natural because I trusted my curiosity and didn’t box myself in. Each skill, no matter how unrelated it seemed at first, added to the bigger picture.
Advice: Don’t be afraid to evolve. Follow your “weird” interests. Try things. Let your journey be nonlinear—magic often hides in the mess.

3. The Art of Observation
In code, I learned to spot patterns. In makeup, I learned to see faces as stories. In research and skincare, I learned to connect dots others miss. Observation helped me build meaning—and products—with intention.
Advice: Slow down. Watch. Journal what you notice about people, trends, textures, behaviors. Insight starts with awareness—and awareness starts with stillness.

You don’t need it all figured out. You just need to stay open, stay honest, and keep showing up. The skills you build along the way—especially the ones no one sees—will one day become your superpowers.

One of the hardest chapters was when my baby was diagnosed with Arrhythmia at just 6 months old. Nothing prepares you for watching your child’s tiny heart skip in terrifying rhythms while you’re expected to hold it all together. It shattered me. I remember moments of helplessness so deep, I questioned everything—my strength, my faith, my sanity.
At the same time, I was navigating personal emotional turmoil in close relationships. I felt unseen, stretched too thin, and unsure who I was becoming in the middle of all the caregiving, career pivots, and suppressed grief.
But here’s the thing: pain rearranges you. It strips you down and asks, “Who are you when things fall apart?”
And my answer—eventually—was: “I am still here. And I will alchemize this pain into purpose.”
So now, when I show up—whether it’s as a makeup artist, a researcher, or a founder—I’m not just bringing skills. I’m bringing the whole human behind them.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I pause—not to escape, but to exhale.
I’ve lived through enough chaos to know that pushing through isn’t always strength—sometimes, it’s stillness that saves you.
Whether it was sitting beside my baby in the hospital, managing career transitions, or handling emotional and financial strain, overwhelm wasn’t rare.
I say out loud: “I feel overwhelmed right now.” Naming the emotion reduces its power. I’ve never pretended to be okay when I’m not. Honesty is a form of release.
When everything feels urgent, I ask: What actually needs my energy right now? What can wait? Sometimes, I write it down. Other times, I call a friend who doesn’t expect me to be strong. You don’t have to do it all. You just have to take the next kindest step. Start by breathing. Then, ask yourself what your overwhelmed self needs—rest, release, or reorganization. Listen to that.
And remember: Overwhelm doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you care deeply. Just don’t forget to care for yourself too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.makemeupsimi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makemeupsimi/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smritiux/