Ep. 440: The Audacity Era: Kayla Nicole on Doing the Scary Thing Anyway
Kayla Nicole began training in gymnastics at only 5 years old. What started as fun and playful sessions quickly developed into a disciplined regimen of focus. She learned all about the type of commitment it takes to become a competitive athlete by focusing on diet, exercise, and training. She used that early dedication to carry herself through Pepperdine University's prestigious broadcast journalism degree program and into a massive media career that spans genres. Her early media icons were leading ladies in everyone’s favorite romcoms, including the Toni Braxton, with whom she had a chance to perform. These moments aren’t serendipitous; they are the culmination of Kayla’s incredible use of social media to show people her personality and well of talent.
Kayla always knew that she belonged in front of the camera, helping people tell their stories. She got practice in both, working in retail and modeling in L.A. During our conversation, we talked all about her incredible discipline and how it informs everything from her daily workouts to her pursuit of media success. We also chat about what it was like growing up in a family of women, headed by a glamorous matriarch who believes in self-care. We discuss the alluring red carpet events and how support from a therapist helped her surmount a season of depression. Our conversation is candid and funny, and it mirrors the Kayla Nicole her audience has grown to love.
Tune in as we discuss:
(0:00) Welcome Kayla
(7:40) Kayla’s Gym Routine
(11:35) Early Beauty Icons
(12:55) Cosmetic Enhancements
(16:20) Skincare Routine
(23:50) Haircare In The Gym
(25:45) On Battling Clinical Depression
(31:25) Meeting & Performing With Toni Braxton
(38:20) Pre-Red Carpet Beauty & Style Prep
(40:30) Makeup Routine
(50:10) Making Friends As An Adult
(52:10) When Kayla Feels The Most Beautiful
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Products Mentioned:
Skincare:
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Kate Sommerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment Scrub
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Face Oil
Summer Fridays Jet Leg Mask Moisturizer
Makeup:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Eyebrow Pencil
Born This Way Ethereal Light Smoothing Concealer
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Maybelline Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Water Powder Serum
DIOR Forever No-Transfer 24H Wear Matte Foundation
Makeup Forever Limitless Brown Lip Liner
FENTY Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Volumizing Lip Gloss
Jackie Aina Forvr Mood “She Was Here” Eau de Parfum
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Ep. 439: How Toni Bravo Became the CEO of Blush
Toni Bravo is the CEO of Blush and an influencer powerhouse. Based in Los Angeles, the California native has built a loyal community well into the millions because of her impeccable taste and advocacy for inclusivity in the beauty industry. Toni joined Naked Beauty to talk about her life before a viral blush try-on video changed everything. She shared what it was like to grow up as a fraternal twin in the sunny and very diverse Long Beach. We talked about her early forays into filming and editing herself and her family at just nine years old, simply for the love of storytelling. She detailed how influential the women in her life were to shaping the way she saw the beauty in herself and the world around her. It’s precisely this love of telling intimate stories that have shaped her POV into the one beloved by so many.
Toni doesn’t hold back when it comes to the realities of being a successful and full-time content creator, especially when advocating for dark-skinned Black women’s access to high-quality beauty. I was very interested to learn how she maintains strong brand relationships without compromising the truth about product efficacy. She details the commitment and self-trust one has to have to succeed, because your point of view is everything. During our conversation, Toni talked about her interest in product development and why she isn’t limiting herself in anything. Toni also blessed us with a quick tour of her favorite products, from skincare, to haircare, and of course blush! We covered her recent Architectural Digest feature and the intentional design choices that went into making her home, hers.
Tune in as we discuss:
(0:00) Welcome Toni
(2:15) Growing Up A California Girl
(8:01) What It Takes To Be A Content Creator
(10:30) Dealing With Being Recognized In Public
(12:30) The Mental Toll Of Seeing Yourself All The Time
(17:18) What Her Rare Beauty Internship Taught Her
(25:22) Her Top Five Favorite Blushes
(28:40) Toni’s Go-To Lip Combo Tutorial
(37:50) Building Her Dream Home
(39:15) Her Beauty Inspirations
(40:00) Toni's Aunt is Grace Jones
(43:12) Favorite Skincare, Haircare, and Beauty Products
(46:42) When Toni Feels The Most Beautiful
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Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you’re listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)
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Follow Toni @ToniBravo
Products Mentioned:
Blush:
Lip Products:
Skincare:
The Outset Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser
Prequel Facial Gleanser Cleanser
Perfume:
Clothing:
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Ep. 438: How Aora Beauty Founder Nour Tayara Made Sustainability Beautiful
Nour Tayara joined us to talk about his innovative and 100% plastic-free beauty brand, AORA. Before he became a co-founder and CEO, Nour was learning about the power of beauty culture to connect and spark conversation among his community in Beirut. During our conversation, he shared how he found his place in Lebanon’s underground queer scene and shaped his life’s motto to be kind and engaging to everyone, wherever you are. We talk about how Nour supplemented his scholarship by taking guerrilla marketing jobs and how they changed his mind about his electrical engineering major. Nour explains how an incredibly high test score landed him an internship and ultimately a full-time role at L'Oréal, where he worked for 13 years. We cover how, in those 13 years, Nour learned the good, the bad, and the ugly about what it takes to run a legacy beauty brand.
As Nour’s role and responsibilities evolved, he learned more about the waste and overconsumption plaguing the industry. Always prepared to innovate, he pitched a plastic-free brand to his management, which was promptly rejected. While reeling from a series of difficult events, Nour shared that a four-month break in Mexico City ultimately led him to his co-founder. The pair were aligned on building a brand that celebrates Mexican culture and is 100% plastic-free. Join us for an incredible conversation about what happens when you stay open to possibilities for your future and your principles are immovable. Nour details what it means to him to bring color to the clean beauty movement, why Mexico has always been a lifeline, and what it feels like to disrupt an industry.
Tune in as we discuss:
(0:00) Welcome Nour
(2:10) Why Beirut Has An Incredible Beauty Culture
(4:45) Middle Eastern Grooming for Men
(11:27) Nour’s Accidental Start At L’Oreal
(22:30) Buzzword or Buzzworthy In Clean Beauty
(33:00) What It Really Means To Be Plastic Free
(41:30) Exclusive News: AORA Beauty Is Launching On Sephora.com
(45:13) Why We Should All Be Reaching For More Color
(46:10) Top Three Must-Visit Locations in Mexico City(49:30) AORA Makeup Being Used For Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show
(53:55) How Bad Bunny Upends Machismo Culture
(55:35) The Future Of The Beauty Industry
(01:05:30) Easy Lifestyle Upgrades
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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet
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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
Follow Nour @nourness
Products Mentioned:
Sophie Pavitt Mandelic Cleansing Serum
Sophie Pavitt Screentime Sunscreen
Dieux Deliverance 3-in-1 Serum
Dr. Idriss Major Fade Disco Block Sunscreen
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Ep. 437: The Insider Guide to Undetectable Plastic Surgery and Deep Plane Facelifts with Dr. Carl Truesdale
Dr. Carl Truesdale joins Naked Beauty to talk about how he became the go-to plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. During our conversation Dr. Truesdale shared how his scientist and artist parents influenced his early interests, and ultimately his career. As a child he was a science nerd who attended science camp, and a gifted portrait artist. He was always interested in finding the beauty in people’s faces, an interest that would never leave him. While in medical school, Dr. Truesdale was faced with more limited perspectives on beauty and technique that prioritized Eurocentric features. Dr. Truesdale shared with us that he made it his mission to challenge these dated perspectives and provide his clients of color with high quality service that does not fundamentally change what they look like, and ultimately, who they are.
Dr. Truesdale is best known for his natural-looking procedures, especially deep plane face lifts, but our conversation covers many procedures. We get the scoop on facelifts filler, buccal fat removal, fat transfers, rhinoplasty, lip lifts and more. Dr. Truesdale generously explains how many of these procedures work, and what he takes into account before agreeing to perform them on his patients. We also talk about his interest in social media, and why dispelling disinformation online about medicine and science is so important to him. We also discuss the treatments he dislikes, when he’ll reject patient requests, and the signs that tell him a patient should be recommended to therapeutic services pre-treatment. Dr.Truesdale has changed his industry and we are so excited for you to hear how he changed what was possible in his field.
Tune in as we discuss:
(3:45) Growing Up A Science Nerd
(5:05) His Background As A Portrait Artist
(6:20) How He Saw Himself Growing Up
(7:25) Challenging Norms About What It Means To Be Beautiful
(8:50) How Plastic Surgery Helps People
(9:45) The Privilege Of This Work
(10:55) How Aging Changes Our Faces
(11:35) If The Collagen Hype Is Legitimate
(13:15) Aging More Rapidly At Certain Periods In Our Lives
(15:15) What A Deep Plane Facelift Entails
(16:40) Why Lip Lifts Are So Interesting
(19:50) Avoiding Overfilling and Over-Injecting
(21:00) Thoughts On The Lack Of Integrity In The Plastic Surgery Industry
(22:25) The Rising Popularity of Blepharoplasty
(23:50) The Value Of Buccal Fat Removal
(25:55) Why Fat Transfers Are The BBL of The Face
(27:00) Fat Transfer Under The Eye Versus Filler
(27:30) How Long Filler Can Actually Last
(28:35) Lower Face Jowling
(29:39) Why He Doesn’t Love KYBELLA
(30:05) Why Brow Lifts Are Effective Procedures
(31:17) How Rapid Weight Loss Affects The Face
(36:20) Unlearning Eurocentric Teaching Models
(36:45) Why He’s Vocal On Social Media
(38:25) Procedures He May Get Done One Day
(39:25) Thoughts On Ethnic Rhinoplasty
(41:08) The Best Way To Determine How We’ll Look As We Age
(42:15) Red Flags From Patients
(46:10) Advice to Upcoming Plastic Surgeons
(47:15) Self-Care and Gratitude Practice
(50:15) When He Feels Most Beautiful
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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
Follow Dr. Truesdale @doctor.truesdale
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Ep. 436: Hope Giselle Wants Accomplices, Not Allies
Hope Giselle joins us to talk about her incredible journey to becoming a sought-after activist and speaker. Hope began her advocacy work fighting for inclusion and access for herself as an undergraduate at Alabama A&M University. Hope founded the university’s first LGBTQ+ organization and later became the first openly trans woman to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the university. She has since built a decade-long career as an activist, author, speaker, and nonprofit founder (AllowMe). Hope has proven that nothing is off limits to her, and she has committed her life’s work to ensuring the same for all others. During our conversation, we talked about the incredible life she’s built fighting against marginalization, and how she manages to look so good doing it.
During our conversation, Hope told us what it was like growing up in Miami and having others project their beliefs about her gender and sexuality onto her at five years old. We talked about how growing up surrounded by her stylish Caribbean family of Cuban and Haitian descent shaped her ideas about femininity and womanhood. She shared that her journey of defining and redefining herself was difficult, but at 19, a video of Janet Mock opened up new possibilities for her life. Hope talked about the most eye-opening aspects of her transition, especially at an HBCU that skews conservative about gender and sexuality. We have an incredible conversation about why there is sometimes a struggle among cis women, with being in community with our trans sisters, and how we might overcome those barriers. Hope brilliantly outlines the dangers trans people face each day, and the tangible ways we can all fight transphobia and transmisia. Of course, there was beauty talk, about the ways that the LGBTQ+ community has shaped the beauty industry across time. She also gave us her entire skincare, body care, and makeup routines.
Tune in as we discuss:
(00:00) Welcome Hope Giselle
(4:35) What Being Caribbean Taught Hope About Gender Presentation
(8:15) Early Introduction To Definitions of Queerness and Gender Identity
(10:45) How Janet Mock Introduced Her To Transness
(17:45) The Struggles Of Being In Community With Cis Women
(26:10) Facing Violence After Being Outed
(30:40) What Keeps Her In The Professional Activism Space
(36:58) Why Hope Wants Accomplices, Not Allies
(40:55) How To Support Trans People In Your Everyday Life
(47:20) How Queer and Trans People Have Shaped The Beauty Industry
(47:35) Trans Icons Across Time
(55:35) Her Skincare Routine
(58:39) Her Bodycare Routine
(1:00:43) Favorite Makeup Products
(1:04:04) Her MAC Classics
(1:05:49) Hair Journey
(1:12:15) When She Feels The Most Beautiful
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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet
Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you’re listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)
Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic
Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf
Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
Follow Hope @hopegiselle
Products Mentioned:
Face:
Body:
Sol de Janeiro Limited Edition Cheirosa 71 *out of stock
Makeup:
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Ep. 435: Sami Miro on Rejecting Fast Fashion, Botox and Clean Makeup That Works
Sami Miro is the founder of Sami Miro Vintage, a Creative Director, and CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist whose innovative approach to fashion merges circular design, emerging AI, and ethical production. During our conversation, Sami discusses how her sense of self was shaped early, growing up mixed-race (Black, French, and Russian) in San Francisco, raised solely by her father who reminded her of her inherent beauty. Sami’s style is incredibly unique, and in our conversation we talk about style differences between New York and LA, the beauty of individual style, and how vintage helped Sami find her voice, her style, and ultimately her career.
Today, her zero-waste collaborations with brands like Levi's and Nike, her dressing of Beyoncé and her 29 dancers on the Cowboy Carter Tour, and her work with the 2024 US Olympic gymnastics team prove that fashion and sustainability are not at odds, they are inextricably linked.
(00:00) Introducing Sami Miro
(00:02) Sami's Personal Style
(00:04) LA Style vs. Personal Expression
(00:09) Discovering Vintage Shopping
(00:10) Sami's Dad & His Wild Career
(00:17) From Tech to Fashion
(00:21) Building Sami Miro Vintage & Circular Fashion
(00:24) Vintage Denim Deep Dive
(00:26) Fast Fashion & Environmental Impact
(00:38) AI and Sustainability
(00:40) Beauty Treatments & Skincare Routine
(00:47) LA Beauty Standards
(00:48) When Do You Feel Most Beautiful?
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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet
Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you’re listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)
Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic
Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf
Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
Follow Sami @samimiro
Products Mentioned:
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Ep. 434: The Secret to Building a High-Impact Look
In this episode of Naked Beauty, I'm sharing the philosophy that has shaped the way I get dressed for years, and it's probably not what you think.
When I'm getting ready for a big meeting, a wedding, a gallery opening, a red carpet, or even just a night out, I don't start with the outfit. I start with the character. I start with the story. I start by asking myself one question: What category am I walking?
Inspired by the ballroom culture featured in Paris Is Burning, I break down how thinking in categories, not trends, style archetypes, or shopping lists, has completely changed the way I build a look. From corporate executive realness at L'Oréal headquarters to intellectual art girl at a Chelsea gallery opening, I'm sharing the framework that helps me make every styling decision feel intentional, cohesive, and uniquely me.
We'll talk about why most people aren't struggling with clothes; they're struggling with narrative. I'll share how I create a "styling suite" before major events, why the room matters as much as the outfit, how to edit like a stylist, and why the most memorable looks always begin with a strong point of view. Plus, in honor of Pride Month, we discuss how ballroom culture, drag, and queer creativity influence the way we think about beauty, fashion, identity, and self-expression today.
Whether you're getting dressed for a destination wedding, a job interview, a first date, or just trying to feel more like yourself, this episode will give you an entirely new way to think about personal style, because the outfit isn't the point. The character is.
Watch Paris is burning on tubi, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video
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Ep. 433: Madison Utendahl on Healing From Burnout and Becoming The Creative She Always Dreamed Of Being
Madison Utendahl returns to the show on the heels of an incredible career pivot and with her burnout in check. Madison has appeared as a guest on the show in her capacity as the Webby-Award-winning and Forbes 30 Under 30 director of the Utendahl Creative Branding Studio, and founding member of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Refinery29’s 29Rooms, and Museum of Ice Cream. Today she arrives as the Founder of Utendahl Consulting, the magnetic voice behind BURNT on Substack, and a fractional CMO. Madison has proven that she can do it all, and her nervous system tells the story of what happens when she does. During our conversation, we talked all about what having massive ambition and a work ethic in overdrive costs and how she’s healing in public.
During our chat, Madison walks us through her earliest experiences with ambition, success, and burnout in school and work. She shared that she always knew she wanted more from life than others, and that she was willing to do whatever it took to achieve it. And while she has achieved incredible success, Madison has also learned difficult lessons about burnout and how it manifests itself in her body and mind. We talked about how she came to understand when she needs to take a step back and sometimes away from her professional pursuits and pivot to something new. Madison explained that this can mean a career change, shuttering a successful business, or trying non-Western therapies to find peace and healing. In this incredibly transparent conversation, Madison opens up about the highs and lows of building a fulfilling career and defining success on her own terms and with her mental health intact.
Tune in as we discuss:
(00:00) Welcome Madison
(8:55) How Being Raised In New York Shaped Her Work Ethic
(16:00) Her Burnout Triggers(17:50) Taking A Sequential Approach To Life
(26:55) How Burnout Shows Up In Her Body
(33:33) Experiencing Burnout As An Entrepreneur
(40:20) Why She Turned Down A Multi-Million Dollar Opportunity
(43:03) How She Ethically Closed Utendahl Creative
(49:08) How She Became An Artist and CMO
(50:45) Why She Turned To Non-Western Therapy
(54:45) Dealing With Intergenerational Trauma & Anxiety
(59:00) The Hoffman Process and Ketamine Therapy
(01:08:14) How She Navigates Estrangement With Her Mother
(01:10:25) Designing Her Day
(01:24:01) When She Feels The Most Beautiful
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Ep. 432: Costume Designer, Ruth E. Carter, on Building Worlds & Self-Nurturing
This episode is sponsored by smartwater®
Ruth E. Carter is a trailblazing costume designer known for her work on Malcolm X, the Black Panther films, Sinners, and so many more iconic works. She has been awarded Academy Awards, a BAFTA, a Critics Choice Award, the Costume Designers Guild Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But before that, she was exploring Black literature and history in Black Studies-focused enrichment programs in her home state of Massachusetts. When she was a young adult, she was deconstructing clothing and taking notes from grunge scenes, citing Lisa Bonet and Madonna as early beauty and style inspiration. In our conversation, Ruth walks us through her life and career, explaining how the girl who dressed like a grunge artist would introduce Afrofuturism to the world.
During our chat, Ruth tells us about how she has always drawn on her interest in literary, dramatic, and visual arts to design on film sets. She shared the initial culture shock she experienced at her HBCU, Hampton, and how the theater department helped her blend her artistic sensibilities with the coiffed presentation of her classmates. Ruth detailed how she drew on these experiences in her first position in School Daze, and how her dedication led to the first of many creative collaborations with directors like Spike Lee, which would shape her career. Our conversation ranges from the specific way she employs the lessons her psychologist mother taught her, like gaining and keeping people's trust, to spending time with Tina Turner. We discussed so much of her portfolio, and what compelled her to begin archiving her designs, which now make up the traveling exhibition “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.” Ruth is open about her painstakingly detailed commitment to historical accuracy and how her early exposure to ideas about the future being a site of freedom and exploration shaped the visual identity for Black Panther.
Tune in as we discuss:
(03:35) The Sinners Award Season
(08:56) Exploring Malcolm X’s Time in a Massachusetts Correctional Facility
(12:50) The Loss of Personal Celebrity Style
(13:35) How The HBCU Experience Blew Her Mind
(15:15) Her Experience On School Daze And Working With Spike Lee
(23:55) Her Love Of Thrifting
(31:08) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On Sinners Set
(37:20) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On What’s Love Got To Do With It Set
(40:20) Met Gala Experiences And Thoughts
(43:50) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On B.A.P.S Set
(47:44) Early Introduction To Afrofuturism
(52:02) Her Favorite African Designers
(52:50) Ruth’s Personal Style
(54:30) The Power of Tailoring
(1:01:01) Maintaining a Calm Demeanor
(1:05:08) When Ruth Feels The Most Beautiful
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Follow Ruth @therealruthcarter
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Ep. 431: My 103-Year-Old Grandfather’s Advice Changed How I Think About Life
In this very special episode of Naked Beauty, I had the privilege of talking to my grandfather, Calvin George Kemp, about his being 102 years old. He shared his experiences growing up in the segregated Vine City in Atlanta, Georgia. He explained how his father and other elders sheltered local children from the harsh realities of racism, and raised him in a community of Black people where he felt comfortable and safe. Things changed after he was drafted into the United States military, and he faced encounters no one should have. My grandfather, a brilliant and accomplished man, talked about rising in the ranks and fighting for the right to apply his skills and brilliance in Okinawa, Guam, and a host of other countries.
We talked about his memories of historic moments in American history that most people would only learn about in history books. My grandfather was open about the emotional toll of his experiences, including the joy of meeting my grandmother, who inspired him to step up his style. This conversation was a lovely reminder that “acting one’s age” is a choice, and that you can have a full and interesting life, so long as you commit to it. This conversation was intimate and revealing, and I’m excited to share his wisdom on how he’s managed to live a life filled with adventure and love for over a century.
Tune in as we discuss:
(0:10) Life at 103 Years Old
(1:20) What His 20’s Were Like
(1:50) 1940s Pop Culture
(3:30) Growing Up In Segregated Atlanta
(5:55) His Being Drafted Into The Military
(9:40) Encountering Mounting Segregation In The Military
(17:08) Initially Feeling Embittered By Racist Experiences
(21:44) Memories of Historic Black Events
(22:35) Voting For President Barack Obama
(26:40) Meeting His Wife of 45 Years
(27:30) Tips For Having A Long And Happy Marriage
(32:50) Having an Immaculate Personal Style
(37:20) What A Beautiful Life Means To Him
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Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you’re listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)
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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard
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Ep. 430: Jeneé Naylor on how to create a Signature Style, Pixie Maintenance and DIY Beauty
Jeneé Naylor is an influencer, founder, and CEO who has been sharing her impeccable fashion taste with social media audiences for years. With over a million followers across Instagram and Tiktok, she has proven that she can translate her endless looks and inspiring personality across any medium and to any audience. Jeneé built her digital presence after being pushed out of a successful and stable six-figure C-suite career at Target. Always watchful, she had noticed the writing on the wall and was taking on brand deals to secure her future and build her reputation. Jeneé’s acumen paid off, and she is one of the most influential creators in the fashion industry.
Currently, she is the host of her own style show, Style Unlocked, co-founder of 12 PM, a lifestyle brand, and the stylish girlfriend of millions of fans. During our conversation, Jeneé takes us back to the beginning of her journey in St. Louis and her forays in the creative industry, from opening for Destiny’s Child to styling to becoming a make-up artist. Jeneé offers us a peek into her corporate life, how it ended, and the ways she took control of her future using her keen eye for fashion. With humor and transparency, we learn all about how the woman who once aspired to be Aaliyah’s backup dancer helped usher millions into the new digital age of fashion influencing.
Tune in as we discuss:
(3:55) Growing Up In St. Louis
(6:15) Opening For Destiny’s Child
(7:20) Exploring Styling and Make-Up Artistry
(18:20) How Jeneé Would Describe Her Style
(19:40) Signature Pixie System
(29:25) Why Confidence Is The Key To Every Look
(30:20) Style Rules She’s Rejecting
(33:20) Styling Tips for Busty Women
(34:35) Her Favorite Undergarments
(37:00) Must-Have Fashion Pieces
(41:00) How To Find Your Signature Style
(47:25) How Eyewear Became Armor
(53:49) Signature Make-Up Look
(59:15) Skincare Routine
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Products Mentioned:
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow
Westman Atelier Cream Bronzer Stick
NARS Ethereal Aura Blush Palette
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Patrick Ta Eyeshadow Palette (Silver Case)
Hourglass Translucent Setting Powder
La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
FENTY Skin Dew N Plump Hydrating Nectar Glow Serum
YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads
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Ep. 429: Naked Beauty Live: The Morning After the Met with Recho Omondi, Sir John, Coree Moreno, and More
We gathered in NYC on the first Tuesday in May to debrief the 2026 Met Gala, and my wonderful guests did not hold back. We started with the artists behind two of our favorite looks: Coree Moreno and Sir John, who discussed their respective visions and approaches to hair and makeup for Chase Infiniti and Naomi Osaka. Then, Crystal Anderson and Sean Garette delivered rapid-fire hot takes on the night's best and worst looks — from Cardi B's "colonoscopy couture," to Beyoncé's sheer dress, Emma Chamberlain's Mugler moment, and more.
I was also joined by Darian Harvin, Recho Omondi, and photographer Steven Simioni to discuss why the Met Gala has lost some of its magic, how celebrity image control works behind the scenes, and the politics of Anna Wintour's guest list. Last but not least, stylist Ivy Coco and content creator Aston closed the show by speaking on body diversity, identity in fashion, and how social media has throttled people's willingness to take risks on the carpet. This episode was made possible with support from 111 Skin, Merit, and MAC Cosmetics.
Watch the full Naked Beauty Live show on YouTube
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Ep. 428: Lynn Whitfield and Grace Gibson on Beauty, Legacy, & Love | Mother’s Day 2026
In this very special Mother’s Day Episode, I am joined by two creative powerhouses, Lynn Whitfield and Grace Gibson. Lynn Whitfield is an award-winning and internationally recognized actress with a career spanning decades. Her incredible artistry has consistently championed the experiences of complicated and powerful women whose stories deserved to be told with the depth and care that only Lynn could provide. Grace Gibson is a Rock ’n’ Roll artist forging her own distinct path in the music industry. Grace has had the privilege of gracing stages at Paisley Park and the Apollo Theater with her incredible voice and unique approach to rock. During our conversation, we discussed what it was like for both women to grow up in a family with such strong beauty and creative aesthetic sensibilities. And how they have relied on each other in their pursuit of greatness in their respective careers.
Lynn detailed how her mother and aunts provided her earliest expressions of beauty in Louisiana. We learned about how attending Howard University and being exposed to the Black art scene upended her initially conservative approach to self-expression, and how it challenged what her mother had taught her. Of course, Grace details what it was like to grow up with a mother who is well known for being glamorous, on and offscreen. The pair offered a beautiful look inside their relationship and how they have cultivated a friendship that many mothers and daughters would love to have. In fact, Lynn gushes when she explains that having Grace inspired a more ambitious approach to her personal and professional pursuits. As an ambitious working mother, Lynn talked about the women who modeled the mother-daughter relationship she could have as a successful actress. Grace credits Lynn with showing her the result of true artistic commitment and demanding that she pursue her artistic dream with complete seriousness.
Grace and Lynn offer a beautiful example of what it means to lead by creative example and live a life filled with love.
Tune in as we discuss:
(5:35) Lynn and Grace’s Introduction To Beauty
(13:45) Lynn’s Experience In A Freshly Integrated High School
(33:35) Behind The Scenes of The Josephine Baker Story Filming
(40:55) Why Grace Didn’t Watch The Josephine Baker Story Until College
(43:55) Lynn’s Parents Weren’t Supportive of Her Creative Careers, Despite Inspiring It
(55:15) Why They Are Best Friends
(57:20) On Being A Busy Working Mother
(58:45) How Josephine Premice and Her Daughter Susan Fales-Hill Supported Her
(1:05:00) Helping Your Children Understand Their Mixed-Race Identity
(1:06:20) How Lynn’s Radical Honesty and Work Ethic Inspire Grace
(1:11:45) Their Favorite Beauty Products and Services
(1:20:00) When They Feel The Most Beautiful
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Ep. 427: Atiya Walcott On How to Be Intentional, Cool, and Incredibly Fashionable
Atiya Walcott is one of the most distinctive voices in fashion content, known for the cinematic quality of her videos, her mastery of silhouette and layering, and an approach to getting dressed that is equal parts intention and joy. In this episode, we get into all of it: her film school background, her relationship to beauty, what quiet luxury really signals, and why the way you dress is one of the most consequential creative decisions you make every single day.
Our conversation begins with Atiya's early relationship with fashion. We talk about what it was like to grow up as a dark-skinned Black girl at predominantly white institutions, and the journey toward finally seeing herself as beautiful. Atiya shares how she builds a look from feeling first, why tailoring is the single biggest unlock for anyone who wants to dress better, and what her favorite fashion films reveal about the kind of creative she is. She also gives us her full skincare routine, her favorite lip combo, and the one piece of advice she'd give anyone who wants to develop personal style.
Products Mentioned: Skincare: Sofie Pavitt Face (Mandelic Serum, SPF, face mist), Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser, Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum
Makeup: Haus Labs (foundation, foundation brush, contour stick), Nars (lip gloss)
Fashion Films Mentioned
Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) — French musical with the most beautiful color palette you've ever seen
Daughters of the Dust (1991) — Julie Dash's landmark film; required viewing for Black beauty and style
How to Steal a Million (1966) — Audrey Hepburn at her most impeccably dressed
Do the Right Thing (1989) — Spike Lee's visual masterpiece
Atonement (2007) — that green dress
Book Recommendation: How to Dress for Success by Edith Head
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Ep. 426: How to Build an Empire Without Losing Yourself ft Cyndi Ramirez
Since Cyndi Ramirez Fulton opened Chill House on New York's Lower East Side in 2017, the brand has grown from a cult downtown spa into a nationwide product line, culminating in a 2025 acquisition by Kiss Beauty Group, with Cyndi still at the helm. On today's episode, Cyndi takes us back to growing up in Queens as the daughter of a Colombian esthetician and how that environment shaped her relationship with beauty and her entrepreneurial instincts. She opens up about her years in New York nightlife, the scrappy blog that helped her find her voice, and how she landed on the idea for Chill House after not being able to find a spa that was right for her.
Cyndi is refreshingly honest about the parts that don't make it onto the glossy Instagram grid: the economics of the spa business that were "always a little broken," the fundraising struggles that led to the Kiss deal, and the very real guilt and joy of building a business alongside a family. We also get into the pivot to Chill Tips press-on nails, why press-ons have genuinely changed her life, and her favorite beauty products for navigating two very different climates.
Cyndi’s Favorites:
Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner
Chill House bestsellers: Sea Siren, Bougie Butter, and Acid Wash
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Ep. 425: Bozoma Saint John on Trusting Your Destiny
This episode is sponsored by smartwater®
During the Essence Black Women in Hollywood event, I spoke with the indomitable Bozoma Saint John live. Bozoma grew up between Ghana, Kenya, Washington DC, and Colorado Springs, a childhood of constant reinvention that taught her to read rooms fast and never apologize for taking up space. At 14, she wasn't crying because she didn't feel beautiful. She was crying because her classmates didn't recognize her beauty. That clarity and fierce, unshakable self-knowing have followed her everywhere. Her confidence carried her into boardrooms where she was the only Black woman, onto the cover of the New York Times with her cornrows, and through the grief of losing her husband, Peter. Later, it carried her into the unexpected joy of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which led directly to On Brand with Jimmy Fallon. And, eventually, into the decision to sell her corporate stock from every company she'd ever worked for to self-fund her brand, Eve by Boz — on her own terms, by her own rules.
Bozoma has no peers. And she will tell you that herself, in this special episode of Naked Beauty.
Tune in as we discuss:
(2:34) Growing Up Across Ghana, Kenya, DC & Colorado
(5:43) Why She Never Doubted She Was Beautiful — Even at 14
(10:05) Immigrant Parents, Pre-Med Dreams & Landing at Spike Lee's Ad Agency By Accident
(13:36) The Emotional Cost of Being the First and Only Black Woman in Every C-Suite
(16:24) Why Personal Brand Building Means Saying "I" Out Loud
(21:40) The Hollywood Pivot: What Made RHOBH a Yes
(23:57) Moving to LA Four Months After Her Husband's Death
(29:01) What Season 14 of RHOBH Taught Her Going Into Season 15
(30:30) Showing Fibroid Surgery & Her Fertility Journey On Camera
(33:46) Her Go-To Glam Routine & The African Sapo Net Gospel
(37:18) Self-Funding Eve by Boz With Her Own Corporate Stock
(40:24) What Raising Her Daughter Lil Has Taught Her That The Boardroom Never Could
(43:20) Engagement With Keeley Watson: Love After Loss & True Partnership
(46:52) How To Know When It's Time To Walk Away
(51:41) Bozoma's Advice For Anyone Who Feels Stuck
Today’s episode was made possible by smartwater
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Products Mentioned:
African Sapo Net (exfoliating sponge)
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Ep. 424: How To Feed Yourself (Properly) When You have Way Too Much Going On
Erica Chidi is an author, founder, culinary school graduate, and one of the most genuinely knowledgeable people in the wellness space — and today, she's sitting down with me for an honest, friend-to-friend conversation about one of the most relatable struggles out there: how to actually feed yourself well when your calendar is back-to-back all week. I open up about my own journey navigating nutrition since being diagnosed with Graves' Disease, sharing the shifts I’ve already made, like cutting out sugar and processed foods, adding protein powder, and keeping a rotisserie chicken on hand.
Erica brings her signature clarity and warmth to the conversation, introducing a concept she calls "nutritional redundancy," the liberating idea that being comfortable eating the same nourishing meals on repeat is a feature, not a bug. She breaks down exactly why protein is non-negotiable for women's health, how to build a breakfast that stabilizes your blood sugar and changes the entire trajectory of your day, and why women should stop taking nutritional cues from gym bros on the internet. We get into the tinned fish renaissance, the right way to think about supplementing, the nuances of GLP-1 medications, and why getting regular bloodwork is one of the most powerful things you can do to shift your relationship with your body from superficial to substantive. This episode is packed with practical, actionable wisdom.
Tune in as we discuss
(00:00) Intro & Brooke's Graves' Disease diagnosis
(02:00) Dietary changes that reduced inflammation
(08:00) Guest intro: Erica Chidi on eating well while busy
(09:00) "Nutritional redundancy" — the habit that makes healthy eating easier
(11:00) How morning protein stabilizes blood sugar & reduces cravings
(13:30) Erica's high-protein breakfast rotation
(17:00) What to eat if you're not hungry in the morning
(20:00) Easy high-protein lunch ideas for busy women
(21:30) Why tinned fish is the ultimate quick meal (+ the SMASH acronym)
(25:30) Why women's nutrition needs are different from men's
(27:00) The plate rule: protein + fat + fiber every meal
(29:00) Function Health app: how to track your labs & biological age
(32:30) GLP-1 medications: benefits beyond weight loss
(37:00) Lightning round: Erica's top pantry & fridge staples
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Products Mentioned:
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Ep. 423: Alicia Keys on Self Trust, Solo Travel, and Intentional Skincare
Grammy-award-winning artist and beauty entrepreneur Alicia Keys has arrived at Naked Beauty, and we couldn’t be more excited. With braids and makeup choices that have influenced beauty culture for decades (most recently the Super Bowl halftime show), we sit down with Alicia to talk about where her relationship with beauty all started.
Tune in as we dive deep into:
*Growing up biracial in Hell’s Kitchen and the musical that is inspired by her upbringing
*How Alicia’s mother and grandmother’s lack of self-care inspired her to choose differently
*Her love for solo travel
*The birth of Keys Soulcare and the power of its affirmations
*Learning to embrace what serves you best
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Ep. 422: How Amy Liu Built her Sensitive Skin Brand Tower28 at 40
Before Amy Liu built Tower28, the company that currently sells products every 10 seconds in Sephora, she was working in the beauty industry and struggling with sensitive skin. With encouragement and investments from close friends, Amy leveraged her 15+ years of experience to bet on herself and build Tower 28, a company that keeps sensitive skin at the core of its product development. During our conversation, Amy shared that she dealt with chronic eczema and sensitive skin her entire life. However, despite working in major roles at companies like Kate Sommerville and Josie Maran and having firsthand experience of how product efficacy could change her life, she still didn’t feel ready to leap. Shortly after turning 40, Amy was in conversation with a former business school classmate who asked what she was waiting for. This friend affirmed her skills and experience, and then offered to invest in her dream. She reached out to other friends and family, all of whom were excited to support her vision for Tower 28. In the seven years since launching, Tower 28 has blossomed into a brand beloved by everyone from essential workers to “gym rats,” to celebrities, and influencers like Hailey Bieber and their recent collaborator, Toni Bravo.
Amy offers us a glimpse into her life as CEO, mom, and lifelong advocate for clean beauty in this chat. She shared what it was like growing up in Los Angeles, in a predominantly white community, instead of a Chinese-American neighborhood. Amy details her parents' decision to move to America and why her dad, an entrepreneur, tried to dissuade her from starting a business. It’s exactly this persistence that has allowed her to become a strong leader, despite having been exposed to some of the worst bosses you might imagine. Amy’s leadership skills are defined by not only what she has done but also by her commitment to educating others. In the summer of 2020, she decided to develop Clean Beauty Summer School, a professional-development program that gives BIPOC founders industry access and education that they might otherwise not have access to. Amy has built a brand that is 100% compliant with the National Eczema Association and regularly gives back to minority founders. Amy Liu’s story proves that a true commitment to inclusivity benefits every single one of us.
Tune in as we discuss:
(2:35) What Amy Learned In Her First Beauty Role At Smashbox
(4:15) Growing Up In Los Angeles Without Close Proximity To Other Chinese People
(6:00) Her Belief That The Beauty Industry Shapes Confidence
(7:05) Her Family’s Immigration Origin Story
(10:48) What She Learned From Her Worst Bosses
(15:00) Why Turning 40 Emboldened Her To Start Tower28
(17:30) How A Friend’s Investment Pushed Her To Take The Leap
(21:10) The Organic Marketing Initiative That Helped Them Thrive During COVID-19
(26:00) Why Eczema Affects 25% Children
(30:00) The True Cost Of Creating Products For Sensitive Skin
(34:18) The Secret Behind The Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer
(37:22) Her Mission To Support BIPOC Clean Beauty Founders
(46:07) Amy’s Favorite Beauty And Wellness Products
(49:29) Her Advice To Anyone Wanting To Take A Professional Risk
(51:44) When She Feels The Most Beautiful
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Products Mentioned:
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Ep. 421: Stop Buying Things You Don’t Need: Develop a True Sense of Style and Better Closet in the Process
Today's episode is all about what I've learned from doing the 75 Style Hard challenge, created by fashion TikToker Mandy Lee (Old Loser in Brooklyn). The rules are to get dressed intentionally every day for 75 days, buy nothing new, document outfits, and set personal style goals. For me, daily styling has revealed that fit issues were the main reason I avoided many items in my closet, so tailoring has been the key to success in this challenge. I've realized I wear durable fabrics most and I've leaned into using hair, makeup, and accessories to refresh outfits. Tune in as I discuss the novelty effect, impulse buying, and the importance of “domesticating” clothes into a signature style, because ultimately, style is a relationship with what you already own.
Check out my hack for boho braids with clip ins
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