Naked Beauty

Tune in for an extension of my interview with Ourside founder Keta Burke-Williams, who sat down to discuss tips and tricks for finding your next signature scent. From sampler kits, to researching top notes, to approaching good smelling strangers on the street, there was so much to take away from this conversation!  Products/Resources: Nishane (Ani) , Ourside Fragrances , Fragrantica , Fragran...

Episode Description: Makeup artist Danessa Myricks makes products that simply cannot be ignored. And as a Black makeup artist who was self-taught and launched her career at 30, reinvention and innovation always bound to be at the center of her brand. Tune in for this unforgettable conversation on her pathway to success, advocating for the inclusion of darker skin tones in makeup, using independent...

After eight years of working in beauty editorial, Maya Allen has become one of THE coolest girls in the industry. But that hasn’t been without tons of hard work. On this episode of Naked Beauty, Marie Claire ’s Digital Beauty Editor not only broke down her extensive skincare routine, but her continuous journey to dominating the beauty sphere as well. Tune in for an incredible discussion on travel,...

Paula’s Choice Director of Applied Research & Education Desiree Stordahl is back for a deep dive on vitamin C - a skincare ingredient that has been proven to protect and enhance the skin barrier time and time again. Tune in as she explains what vitamin C actually is, its role in preventing free radical damage, the most effective ways to store it, how it interacts with other skincare actives an...

Tune in as I sit down with friend of the pod Desiree Stordahl, Director of Applied Research & Education at Paula's Choice, to demystify the world skincare. As this industry becomes increasingly more complicated (and even intimidating), Stordahl helps to break down the power behind simple, yet effective holy skincare ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, collagen, and more! Link to Products/Reso...

Like me, Jamie Morse Heidegger’s appreciation for a good sunscreen runs  deep . And as the founder of anti-aging skincare brand Retrouvé, her knowledge of the very best tips, tricks, and products for sun protection is expansive. Tune in as as we discuss why sun protection is now more important than ever, her preference for physical vs. chemical sunscreen, UFP clothing, and more.  Links t...

My recent trip to Tokyo was a strong reminder of why Japanese beauty and culture continues to be such a dominate force in the market. Tune in for a beauty dispatch from Japan, where I break down the beauty products I found at local drugstore Don Quijote, the treatments I got, historical background on Shiseido's innovative marketing and products I'm desperate to see in the US and more!  Links...

While the WNBA has been around for over two decades, the extremely talented athletes and women who make up the league are just now being recognized on a global scale, particularly within the world of beauty. Tune in as I sit down with Washington Mystics’ Ariel Atkins ( @iamarielatkins ) and the Minnesota Lynx’s Natalie Achonwa ( @natachon11 ) to break down “hitting the majors” within their beauty...

Born into the family that once owned cult classic brand Kiehl’s, Jami Morse Heidegger is nothing short of skincare royalty. Today, Jami and her husband Klaus have launched Retrouvé, their own new family venture, that continues to focus on just that. Tune in as I sit down with Jami to discuss her childhood, her decision to sell the brand after becoming a mother and launching Retrouvé with a deep fo...

Fashion expert and Queer Eye, and Next in Fashion host, Tan France, is truly one of a kind. I got to collaborate with my dear friend and host of Driven Minds, Gillian Sagansky, on this special episode where we talk to Tan about everything from struggling with depression to the power of the clothes we wear. You don't want to miss this episode! Stay in touch with the Naked Beauty community on Instag...

One of the ultimate acts of self love is taking care of yourself when no one is around. Tune in for a fantastic extension of my interview with Candice Brathwaite, where she breaks down how she uses elevated products to make even the most casual moments feel special. Links to Products: SLEEPER loungewear , Byredo Bal D’Afrique , Fenty fragrance , Chanel No.5 , L:A Bruket Lip Balm , Visiting Le Labo...

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...

Keta Burke-Williams, founder of “unconventional yet intimate” fragrance brand Ourside was just what the industry of traditionally Eurocentric fragrance needed to shake things up. As the daughter of a Jamaican mother and African American father growing up in Dayton, Ohio, Keta never quite felt like she fit in and was always looking for ways to escape into new experiences, particularly through scent...

With the creator economy projected to be worth $200 billion by the year 2026 , many (including myself) are seeking to pivot out of the traditional 9-5 and into a career of entrepreneurship, centered around media and content. Which is why this episode featuring three of my incredible peer mentors and friends who have transitioned into full-time creators couldn’t be more timely. Tune in as I sit dow...

Episode Description: These days, celebrities, influencers, and brand partnerships seem to be inextricably linked - but not always for the most intentional reasons. Tune in for this bonus episode where artist KESH, a highly experienced brand collaborator, reflects on how she would like to see creators go beyond the cash grab and “mismash of ‘release, release, release,” and instead opting in for mor...

“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...