Naked Beauty

In this week’s episode, I sat down for a beauty tell-all with beauty veterans Jill and Carlene of the Breaking Beauty Podcast. During our conversation, Jill and Carlene discussed their pre-podcast careers in broadcasting and editorial, which informed their approach to Breaking Beauty. It was such a great opportunity to learn about how they developed the podcast and came together to tell behind-the...

In today’s episode,  I’m joined by the fabulous Sean Garrett, renowned esthetician and skincare creator, for a Met Gala recap. We talked through all the behind the scenes details of the night, from the star-studded pre-parties to the dazzling outfits and the powerful display of black excellence. We broke down our favorite and least favorite looks of the night, from Janelle Monet to Hailey Bie...

This week’s guest is everyone’s favorite entertainment host, Scott Evans. During our conversation, Scott shared how his career has been in the making since high school. He discussed how his roles at major media outlets prepared him to lead a team of three to critical acclaim. From his decision to lock his hair, to advocating for his makeup finish, Scott is no stranger to speaking confidently onscr...

Achieng Agutu’s larger-than-life online presence has inspired millions to live boldly and confidently. However, few would guess that the Kenyan star struggled against expectations that she would live a humble and modest life. During our chat, we talked about how her parents encouraged her to reject these ideals and live a full life, no matter what others thought.  Achieng never misses an oppo...

In this special 'Ask Brooke' episode of Naked Beauty, I answer beauty questions from the Naked Beauty community! Tune in to hear my top tips for dealing with breakouts, pregnancy skincare, and covering the appearance of pores under makeup.  Listen for…  The best skincare tips to treat and prevent breakouts (2:09) La Roche-Posay Pigment Clear Dr. Barbara Sturm Foam Cleanser Pimple patches...

You may know Weezy for her wild stories on her podcast Decisions, Decisions, but there’s so much more to the serial entrepreneur than meets the eye. Since the last time Weezy was on the show, she’s opened a Pilates business, grown her podcast production company, written a book, and fallen in love, so we had a lot to talk about. Tune in for a conversation about self-love, Weezy’s experience as a mi...

In this episode of The Naked Beauty Podcast, we explore the world of nails and nail art, tracing its evolution from a trend seen primarily in the black community during the 90s to a global phenomenon today. I spoke with Tembe Denton Hurst, author of 'Fresh Sets,' a coffee table book showcasing nail art from around the world. We discuss the history of nail salons, the impact of Vietnamese immigrant...

“I couldn’t compare myself, so there was no way for me to diminish my own beauty against somebody else’s” - Bozoma Saint John  When it comes to tapping into your most authentic self, Bozoma Saint John is unmatched. With an exceptionally fruitful career at companies like PepsiCo, Beats, Uber, and now Netflix, one might think that Saint John has always played by the corporate rulebook. That cou...

If Doechii’s Paris Fashion Week looks had you obsessed, this episode is for you! I had the pleasure of talking with her makeup artist Chelsea Uchenna and hairstylist Malcolm Marquez about their collaboration with the icon in the making. Despite growing up on opposite sides of the world, both artists had innate creative sensibilities, decided early on that they would have careers in beauty, and wer...

It’s official, Naked Beauty is the winner of the iHeartMedia’s Best Fashion and Beauty Podcast Award! Join my producer Mbiye and me for a recap of the night we found out that we won, from the looks we wore to the after-parties we went to. Thank you so much to the Naked Beauty family for all the support you’ve shown me over the years – this award would not have been possible without you!  Than...

Hi beauties! This week, Naked Beauty is headed to Austin as a nominee for Best Beauty Podcast at the iHeartMedia Podcast awards. I can’t wait to share more updates from Austin, but today we have an incredible conversation for you with Annie Jackson, co-founder of Credo Beauty. We discuss the importance of transparency in beauty products, the harmful impacts of certain ingredients, and how Credo Be...

In this episode of Naked Beauty, I dive into the ongoing battle for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as it relates to beauty. This conversation is multifaceted, so I knew we had to talk with some industry experts who have been championing inclusion throughout their whole careers. I talked with my mother, Jerry Devard, to gain her insights from a corporate viewpoint, as well as Sir John, glob...

Hi beauties! It feels so good to be back from maternity leave. So much has changed since our last episode of 2024 – my daughter Jade has made her arrival and we’re all adjusting to being a family of four. When I went on maternity leave, I chose to take a 6-week break from social media so I could really soak in this chapter in our family’s life. I learned so much in my time away from social media,...

In the last episode of the year, I was the Naked Beauty interviewee. Our incredibly talented producer, Mbiye Kasonga, and I sat down to reflect on the previous two years we’ve spent working together. She asked me about my interest in storytelling and my experiences after a full year of working for myself and taking creative risks. It gave me a chance to talk about my early interests in audio story...

“For me, my flaws are what make me and I've learned through years to embrace that, and I like them now.” Issa Rae, actress, producer, and serial entrepreneur talked about all things beauty and self care on this week’s episode. Issa shared what it was like growing in L.A. and how a trip to Senegal reaffirmed her beauty when she was still in high school. We talked about her iconic looks on Insecure...

In today’s episode of Naked Beauty, I spoke to three writers from top beauty brands: Glossier, Dieux, and Sol de Janeiro for a deep dive into all things beauty copywriting. In the crowded landscape of beauty, tone, and voice are key ways for brands to break through the noise. I’ve been wanting to do an episode on this topic for so long - tune in for conversations with Laura Casciola of Dieux...

Sir John and I had a fascinating conversation with Dita Von Teese, the Queen of Burlesque. We talked about her childhood and the Hollywood starlets that inspired her to transform into the pinup girl of her dreams. Dita shared with us how her start dancing in the rave and strip club scene empowered her to always be her unique self. We also got the inside scoop on her Vegas show, a compilation of he...

Welcome to another Beauty Rant/Beauty Rave, and this time I had to dedicate an entire episode to the beauty cycle I’m currently in the grips of: lash extensions. What started as a simple birthday set of lashes has turned into a whole lash journey and I unpack it all, lash blindness included. I go over some practical advice on maintaining extensions, discuss the importance of communicating effectiv...

In our follow-up conversation Elaine and our mothers discuss the many lessons that motherhood teaches us about ourselves before and after giving birth. Elaine talked about the Birth Fund, and what spurred her to provide midwifery care to families across the U.S. She explained some of the differences between the traditional medical model and midwifery, which can provide lifesaving care that mends o...

Episode Description: In this heartfelt episode of Naked Beauty, I sat down with Elaine Welteroth, an acclaimed journalist and founder of Birthfund, along with our iconic mothers for an intimate conversation about motherhood. Elaine and I are deep into our second pregnancies, a time that sparks a lot of reflection, so we thought it’d be great to reflect with the women who influenced us the most: ou...

“I think self-love and happiness are habits” - Law Roach In this episode of the Naked Beauty podcast, Sir John and I spoke with the one and only Image Architect Law Roach. We explore his remarkable journey in transforming celebrities into fashion icons, delving into his path from the south side of Chicago to styling stars like Zendaya, Celine Dion, and Megan Thee Stallion. We also discuss his new...

Author, journalist, TV presenter, fellow podcaster and creator Candice Brathwaite-Aboderin is here on the pod and ready to talk through the evolution of her relationship with beauty. From her tomboy phase where she was completely uninterested in appearances, to her dancehall girl phase battling breakouts for the first time, to life as a mom helping her kids navigate anti-black beauty standards, Ca...

Brigette Romanek is an Architectural Digest-recognized interior designer who has furnished the homes you’ve likely drooled over on Instagram. Given my recent move and renovation journey, I’ve been dying to get her on the show, and just as I expected our conversation was spectacular. We delve into her self-taught journey, collaborations with high-profile clients like Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyoncé, an...

Sir John and I had an incredible conversation with Robert Meyer, a skincare expert, and top Shiseido training executive. Robert talked with us about what his decades-long career, at some of the most influential beauty companies, has taught him about beauty and the consumer experience. Specifically, how Shiseido successfully translates 150 years of Japanese beauty history to consumers around the gl...

I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Zambia with my husband, son, and growing baby, and I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by all the beauty I saw. In this beauty dispatch from Zambia, you'll hear about the beauty insights I gained, from marveling at the local wildlife and skincare traditions to making Mongongo oil with the Booma Women’s Cooperative and of course, shopping in the local mar...