Naked Beauty

“A lot of people are successful because they were just too driven to hear people drown out their dreams. You have to have the strength of conviction, have faith and bet on yourself. If it’s safe and it was that easy, everyone would do it.” - My mother, Jerri DeVard  After more than a decade working in the corporate world, I’ve decided to bet on myself and build out Naked Beauty full-time...

On the surface, hand washing can feel like a mundane routine that’s just a simple and practical part of life. But given that we do it 5-10 times a day, using a hand soap you love can actually make a huge impact! Whether you make your own soap or splurge on a more luxurious option, taking the time to invest in this ritual is well worth the cost. Tune in as I break down my favorites that are sure to...

Some creatives are truly in a league of their own and this guest has always stood out as someone pushing aesthetic boundaries all while being incredibly thoughtful. Artist, singer, designer, muse, creative director, and Tumblr icon KESH has never been too interested in adhering to the typical standards of beauty. She effortlessly rocks red eyeliner and gemstones on her nose, treating her face as a...

Today, at more than 250 episodes into Naked Beauty, I wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect on the question that started it all: When do you feel most beautiful? Tune in for a rerun of the 100th episode of the show, which served as a compilation of answers to this exact question. From glamming it up to sweating it out, from meditating to having a good, long cry, my guests have taught me one...

“It’s outrageous how little we’re considered. In dermatology books, they almost never feature Brown or Black skin tones. That means in a nation where the majority of our kids are Brown or Black, we’re not even preparing for the world as it is right now.” - John Legend When EGOT-winning artist John Legend was approached to start a skincare company, he knew that accessibility and audience would be k...

Starting her career off in a world where beauty and wellness were in the shadows of the fashion industry, Julie Schott would’ve never guessed that people would one day fall in love with her products that seem to celebrate all of life’s imperfections. Since its founding, Starface (you know the pimple patches), has sold more than 77 million yellow Hydro-Stars, which translates to 49 Hydro-Stars sold...

Between my recent move to LA and navigating a few pesky skin issues, sunscreen has been on my mind more than ever before. Which is exactly why this extension of my conversation with Bryan Barron, Paula’s Choice Director of Skincare Research, felt so timely! Tune in to hear: [3:14] Hourglass’s New Equilibrium Retinoid Treatment , which I’ve fallen in love with (use code BROOKE10 at checkout) ...

One of Naked Beauty’s favorite mother-daughter duos, Hannah and Sherry Bronfman, are back on the pod just in time for Mother’s Day! Having migrated from the South Side of Chicago in the 1960s, Hannah’s mom Sherry gracefully thrust herself into the New York City scene of dance, modeling, and theater. And over the past decade, Hannah has been building her career as one of the most recognizable names...

Navigating your career isn’t always a linear path but if there’s one thing my Mom has taught me it’s to know your worth. My Mom, Jerri DeVard, has truly mastered building the career and future that she always imagined. And her influence on my own ambition to create what I want to see in the world - this podcast included - cannot be understanded. Tune in to revisit my chat with her from 2021, where...

Are you overpaying for skincare? Are you even sure of what’s in your skincare and what it does? Which ingredients are worth investing in? Thankfully Bryan Barron, Paula’s Choice Director of Skincare Research, is here to break down exactly what ingredients, packaging, and research we all need to be paying attention to. Tune in as we discuss his personal relationship with beauty growing up...

While corporations are a large part of the puzzle when it comes to the growth of sustainable products and practices, our role as consumers - especially within the world of beauty - remains critical. Tune in as I sit down with content creator Jhánneu Roberts , who is thriving in her pursuit to address sustainability from the perspective of a Black woman, and Jayme Jenkins and Jessica Stevenson, th...

Launching a business in beauty is hard. Period. But launching a business in beauty that can thoughtfully navigate the demands of the industry while caring for our planet? Next level. Which is exactly why Rebundle Extension’s Ciara Imani May and Le Prunier’s Allison Taylor were the perfect guests to speak about the intersection of business and environmental impact. I sat down with Ciara to discuss...

As a beauty lover, it can be difficult to find your footing in the sustainability conversation. I’m diving into all things environmentalism this month and learning more every day. Between reflecting on my own habits, combatting climate fatalism with activist Leah Thomas, and exploring the corporation vs. consumer conundrum of environmental marketing with my friend Ivan Entchevitch, there’s a lot t...

If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of Sabrina Elba on the red carpet, then you know just how glowy and graceful of a human she is. So the fact that I got to sit down with Sabrina right before her and husband Idris Elba’s big night at the Oscars made this episode of Naked Beauty all the sweeter. We discuss beauty prep for big events, hair, lashes, her favorite beauty treatments, and we delve deep into...

Multi-hyphenate and fellow podcaster Elise Peterson is here to talk all about her journey as an artist, mother, and beauty enthusiast. While she started out as an editor for Solange’s Saint Heron platform, I first fell in love with Elise’s gorgeous fine art prints. And today as the host of the Cool Moms podcast, Elise is expanding her creativity via conversations with other inspiring Moms. Links t...

Within the world of environmentalism, Leah Thomas’ voice and work as a Black woman holds a value that truly can’t be understated. However, few happen to know that her love for green beauty is what started it all. Today, in an often whitewashed sector and industry, @greengirlleah is determined to provide hope, accessibility, and dimension to the climate conservation. Tune in as we talk about vegan...

Tune in for this extended chat on all things facial treatment with Dr. Ewoma, who breaks down when it’s time to turn away from all that expensive skincare, the lack of product testing on skin of color, non-ablative vs. ablative lasers, and the importance of having a POC cosmetic doctor.  Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet   Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all...

While the beauty industry has made some progress in terms of authenticity and acceptance, discourse around cosmetic filler still doesn’t feel completely free of judgment. Which is why this episode with cosmetic skin doctor Dr. Ewoma Ukeleghe feels so incredibly important. Not only do we delve into what to look for before starting fillers or botox, but Dr. Ewoma breaks down exactly - and I mean exa...

Recently touted as the largest Black-owned beauty company at Target, Melissa Butler’s Lip Bar is truly in a league of its own. But Melissa’s rise to the top was anything but linear. Starting her career out on Wall Street, the Detroit native quickly grew tired of the pressure to represent her entire community in predominantly white spaces. And as a lifelong beauty lover, she couldn’t help notice pa...

Anyone who follows Candace Marie ( marie_mag_ ), Social Media Strategist and Founder of Black in Corporate , knows that she isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of style and beauty. In fact, when people tell her “I’ve never seen your style before,” she simply replies, “I know.” Tune is as we talk through her journey from growing up in Arkansas to chasing after her luxury fashion dreams in NYC, draw...

I don’t know about you, but our cultural fascination not just with beauty, but with hotness seems to be on the rise. Since moving to LA, I’ve begun to realize just how much we’ve normalized this pursuit of becoming the most visually attractive versions of ourselves. And discovering Reddit channels like HowToBeHot have only emphasized the fascination. But why are we so obsessed with hotness and who...

Continuing my discussion on all things fragrance with Redoux’s Asia Grant, this minisode hones in on one of my favorite DIY beauty topics: essential oils. Asia helps break down the distillation process, essential oil hacks, perfume wheels, and using her synesthesia to design beautiful custom fragrances. Links to Products/Resources Mentioned: Eden Botanicals ( Yuzu and Palo Santo ), Saje Diffuser &...

This is THE fragrance episode you’ve been waiting for. If you’re ready to talk top notes vs. base notes, Eau de Toilette vs. Eau de Parfum, get ready for this fascinating discussion with Asia Grant, the co-founder of fragrance brand Redoux. We dive into her relationship with fragrance growing up, why gendering fragrance is a waste of everyone’s time, the story behind her new bar soap products, lau...

A new year, new beauty habits to create. Tune in as I kick the new year off with a reflection on how we can all be more intentional with curating a joyful, consistent, and realistic beauty routine. From scheduling bedtime rituals, to quick morning regimens, to that all-too-precious alone time, I’m here to break down the small opportunities that we can use to bring more beauty into our lives from h...

If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent a lot of time buying things for yourself (we deserve!) but you still have people on your list to gift. There's nothing better than the gift of self-care & skincare. This gift guide actually goes far beyond this holiday season to inspire thoughtful skincare giving year-round. Listen to this episode for gift ideas by personality type, hear why I’m anti-gi...