Naked Beauty

Alexis McGill Johnson is president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. A longtime champion of reproductive freedom and racial justice, Alexis leads one of the most recognizable names in healthcare and politics. Before she led health equity initiatives, combed through data to understand who needed her help, and led Planned Parenthood, she was inspired by the women she loved. Growing up, Alexis loved the hair salon because she got to share space with the grown women in her community and learn about their private lives. During our conversation, she talked about how powerful access to women she knew, and seeing women like Condoleezza Rice on television, expanded her idea of what was possible for her. She shared the story of her grandmother’s daring flight away from a future of sharecropping to New Jersey for love and freedom, which shapes her own bravery. Alexis isn’t just telling the women she serves to draw on bravery in the face of harrowing political elections; she’s doing it.

In our conversation, we explored how Alexis became interested in advocacy and organizing, and why she believes voting is the best way to protect our power. We discussed the state of reproductive health care, the consequences of abortion restrictions, and the urgent need to address Black maternal mortality. Alexis also shared that while Planned Parenthood is over a century old, its mission to provide accessible and affordable health care to whoever needs it has not changed. She also shared how listeners can get involved with their local Planned Parenthood centers. We also talked about how “movement hope” sustains her more than optimism. Beyond her incredible professional career, Alexis opened up about motherhood and how her politic of autonomy work in practice with her daughters. Alexis takes the future of our right to make decisions about our bodies seriously, and in this conversation, she offers us the tools to do the same.

Planned Parenthood Midterm Voting Guide

Los Angeles Closet Sale Tickets

Tune in as we discuss:

(1:10) Voting Is Power and Power Is Sexy

(3:00) What Inspired Her To Pursue A Career In Organizing

(6:15) The Power of the Beauty Salon

(7:15) The State of Reproductive Health

(8:30) Horrific Stories of People Denied Access to Healthcare

(9:40) Planned Parenthood’s 110-Year-Old Mission

(11:00) Black Maternal Mortality Rate & Solutions

(15:10) Why She Has Movement Hope, Not Optimism

(17:55) How Her Grandmother’s Bravery Sustains Her

(19:35) Alexis’ Self-Care Routine

(23:35) Taking Advantage of Silence

(25:05) Distinctions Between Her Public & Private Personas

(29:10) How To Get Involved With Planned Parenthood

(30:45) What Planned Parenthood Protesters Want

(32:25) How Motherhood Impacts Her Work

(35:40) When She Feels The Most Beautiful

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Follow Alexis @alexismjpp

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Nina Parker knows pop culture. The Emmy-nominated television host, podcaster, fashion designer, and reality television host has led pop culture coverage for the past two decades. Nina has built her journalism career on E!, TMZ, VH1, CBS, and now Crooked Media’s Keep It. Her work has given us a front-row seat to the biggest moments and full access to Hollywood's biggest names. Whether she’s interviewing A-listers on the Met Gala’s red carpet or mediating disagreements on Love & Hip-Hop, Nina brings her expertise and signature style to every moment. But before she commanded screens across multiple television and podcast shows, she learned what it meant to be powerful in Sacramento, California. Nina shared how her parents taught her to prioritize her brilliance by encouraging her to pursue higher education and enrolling her in competitive public speaking.

Nina learned her strengths and how to use her voice against misogyny in the newsrooms where she eventually worked. She shared which beauty and pop culture icons sparked her interest in the entertainment industry, and why. Nina’s relationship with beauty wasn’t as straightforward as her building her personal power. Nina was open about how she used her power to push back against misogyny at TMZ and, inadvertently, impress her newsroom bosses. We also discussed the heightened standards of beauty and professionalism placed on Black women, which are only further complicated for plus-sized women. Nina walked us through the behind-the-scenes of building a strong glam team that always delivers and how the business has changed with the influx of influencers. Nina also shares her favorite thing about Gen Z, her well-researched skincare journey, and her decision to get Botox at 44.

Tune in as we discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:15) Why She Felt Powerful, Not Beautiful Growing Up

(10:00) Influencers On The Red Carpet

(14:10) Tips On Public Speaking

(15:35) New Pre-Date Rules Of Engagement

(19:25) Navigating Beauty Standards at TMZ

(22:00) Black Women’s High Beauty Standards

(27:30) Building The Perfect Glam Team

(30:15) How She Builds Beauty Looks

(34:07) The Golden Age of Hollywood

(35:10) Inspiring Black Women In Hollywood

(36:42) Nina’s Morning Skincare Routine

(39:30) Why She Decided To Get Botox At 44

(45:50) Morning Skincare Routine

(50:00) How A Skincare Routine Changed Her Glam Process

(51:15) Her Nighttime Skincare Routine

(01:06:25) On Setting A Goal To Enjoy Something Every Day

(01:08:45) When She Feels The Most Beautiful

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Follow Nina @theninaparker

Products Mentioned:

Clean Skin Club Towels

Mugworts Essence Toner

Numbuzin No.9 NAD+ PDRN Glow Boosting Toner

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Brightening Toner

Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum

Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum

Hypochlorous Acid

Dr.Reju-All Advanced PDRN Blue Capsuled Copper Peptide Serum

Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

iS Clinical Active Peel System

Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair

Eucerin Radiant Tone Dual Serum

Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion

Saltair Vitamin C Body Serum

Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel

Prequel Urea Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk

Saltair Body Lotion

Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Gel Oil

Brown Sugar Babe Body Oils

FORVR MOOD NDA Eau de Parfum

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I had the incredible opportunity to partner with Shiseido for a live conversation with everyone’s favorite triple threat, Kelly Rowland and Face Architect Joomee Song. During Shiseido’s inaugural Benefiance retreat, we talked about everything: beauty, business, travel, and motherhood. We had such a great time talking about our respective visits to Japan, our approaches to aging, and of course our first impressions of the Benefiance eye cream. We even got some great beauty tips from the live audience!

Tune in as we discuss:

• How we use our nighttime skincare routines to practice self-care
• What it’s like aging in the public eye
• How our under-eye area changes as we age
• Generational examples of beauty and self-care
• What every good eye cream must have

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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 :)

Check out http://nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic

Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with us: @brookedevard x @kellyrowland x @joomee_song x @shiseido

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You may not know her name, but you've seen Zerina Akers' work. The Emmy Award-winning costume designer and celebrity stylist is best known for her work on Beyoncé's Black Is King. In this conversation, Zerina takes us back to her roots. She remembers growing up between her aunt's strict professionalism and her Panamanian grandmother's early beauty lessons. She shares what interning in the fashion closet taught her about hierarchy, hustle, and never looking idle. She also gives an honest breakdown of how stylists get paid. Brand deals, the emotional labor, and the weeks of unpaid prep behind a single red carpet look may surprise you.

Zerina is also candid about her own style evolution at 40, including a closet that suddenly feels outdated, a changing body, and the search for a silhouette that feels powerful. She shares her wardrobe organizing system, her ruthless twice-a-year purge, and why she believes in investing in designer pieces with resale value over fast fashion. She also gets personal about her wellness routine, her skincare staples, her ancestral prayer practice, and how she protects her energy.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Meet Zerina Akers and The Show Must Go On

(2:52) The red dress that started it all

(4:13) Beauty lessons from her aunt and Panamanian grandmother

(7:09) Self care when your job is serving others

(8:50) Interning in the W Magazine fashion closet

(14:12) How a celebrity stylist organizes her closet

(17:43) June Ambrose, Missy Elliott and Megan Thee Stallion's "Hiss"

(21:09) Styling Chaka Khan

(22:40) LA style vs New York style

(26:07) How to find your signature style

(28:37) Closet purge and buying designer to resell

(35:02) Tailoring and the details that elevate a look

(38:55) Style at 40 and an outdated closet

(43:38) Behind the looks of Beyoncé's Black Is King

(48:36) Why music videos outlast the red carpet

(51:37) How celebrity stylists get paid

(56:53) The emotional labor of styling

(1:01:03) Wellness, fitness and meal prep

(1:05:27) Zerina's skincare routine

(1:11:28) Prayer, protecting your energy and "I never say no"

(1:15:04) When Zerina feels most beautiful

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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Zerina: @zerinaakers

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Blakely Thornton is an original. A self-described Pop Culture Anthropologist and Out 100 Honoree, Blakely has built a digital career that uniquely spans comedy, entertainment, and style. On social media, fans flock to him for his honest, no-holds-barred commentary on their favorite topics. Others tune into Yestergays to hear him and his podcast co-host critique fashion and celebrity culture with his signature wit. Celebrities are smitten with him, often tickled by their engagements at red carpet events like the Met Gala and ultra-exclusive gyms. This very public, creative life wasn't what Blakely imagined for himself as an athletic kid growing up in Dallas, Texas. Blakely was a closeted football player at UPenn, majoring in finance and hoping to follow in his parents' footsteps into a respectable, stable career. Headed towards a traditionally corporate career, Blakely worked at Ralph Lauren and pursued the corporate finance life until he didn’t.

Eventually, Blakely decided that he wouldn’t spend another twenty years as anything other than his full self, and it has paid off. Instead of trying to find ways to inject creativity into a 9-5, Blakely leverages his taste and honesty into a living. During our conversation, we cover everything pop culture, from GLP1s to what makes an It Girl to how much attention Zendaya is actually generating for films and fashion houses. We cover the other side of being very popular online, like the mean comments on Reddit, being seen only as a product, and being expected to carry the emotional weight of a fanbase. Blakely is open about the mental and emotional safeguards he needs to manage the opinions of hundreds of thousands of fans, and why he turns to working out to maintain his peace of mind. We also chat about misogynistic beauty standards, how he makes friends with so many celebrities, and why Heated Rivalry was so impactful.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Blakely

(3:30) The Met Gala Experience

(5:45) Growing Up in Dallas

(7:40) The Trauma of Predominantly White Prep Schools

(16:25) Coming Out As An Adult

(17:15) Heated Rivalry’s Impact

(21:30) America’s Obsession With Beauty Standards

(32:55) Gay Beauty Standards

(43:15) What Makes Someone an It Girl or It Boy

(51:00) The Beauty of Tactile References

(53:20) Pop Culture Lightning Round

(1:02:50) When He 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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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Blakely @blakelythornton

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Ashley Zsaton, DNP, ACNP-AG, learned about hair politics early. Growing up biracial in Milwaukee, she wasn’t always accepted for wearing her natural curls. Her search to understand what people meant by "good" and "bad" hair led her to become a board-certified nurse practitioner and hair loss specialist. As co-founder of the Hollywood Hair Institute, California’s preeminent hair transplant & aesthetic treatment center, Dr. Zsaton established herself as a leading hair restoration specialist and trichologist. Her medical background also includes supporting patients in critical conditions in the ICU and in ophthalmology, where her research led to the national publication of a school-based vision screening program. But before she began her medical career, she was trying to develop a healthy relationship with her own hair. A move to the Dominican Republic opened her eyes to the incredible beauty and versatility of naturally curly hair.

In the Dominican Republic, Dr. Zsaton was exposed to a country filled with curly hair styled and cared for in all manner of styles. She brought this newfound passion for hair back to the States, and when she decided to pursue a career in medicine, her husband encouraged her to follow her interest in scalp care towards medical aesthetics. Fast forward to now, and Dr. Zsaton is changing lives by helping people access the hair restoration treatments that are best for them. During our conversation, we discussed every hair restoration treatment from PRP to Follicular Unit Extraction to Minoxidil. Dr. Zsaton walked us through what a good surgical candidate profile looks like, and which alternatives may be a better fit for her patients. In fact, Brooke walked us through the exact routine Dr. Zsaton prepared for her and detailed how effective each product has been in growing her hair. Dr. Zsaton doesn’t hold back when it comes to telling us which hairstyles may be causing the most damage, for men and women, and which products aren’t doing anything helpful at all. She gives us a peek into the aesthetic innovations she’s explored in Turkey and Korea that she’d like to offer her patients here in the States. Dr. Zsaton offered an unfiltered, honest look at the limits and possibilities of hair restoration.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Ashley Zsaton, DNP, ACNP-AG

(1:45) Scalp Care's Rising Popularity

(3:00) How Good Hair vs. Bad Hair Conversations Impacted Her

(3:30) Her Hair Health Journey

(3:45) How the Dominican Republic Inspired Her Natural Hair Journey

(4:00) What Inspired Her Medical Career

(5:40) Defining Hair Terminology

(8:30) Which Hairstyles May Cause Hair Loss

(9:00) What To Do When Your Braids Are Too Tight

(11:40) Differences In Types of Hair Transplants

(15:00) Determining Hair Transplant Candidacy

(17:10) How Iron Impacts Hair Thickness

(19:25) Determining PRP Candidacy

(22:25) Why Minoxidil Is Underrated

(24:00) Why Ashley Hates Biotin

(25:25) Hair Loss Starts Earlier Than We Think

(27:24) Which Hair Conditions Cannot Be Fixed

(30:20) Tips For Men With Hairline Concerns

(32:00) Brooke's Full Hair Restoration Protocol

(39:30) Why Keratin Treatments Can Be A Good Solution

(43:43) Aesthetic Innovations in Turkey & Korea

(47:15) Ashley's Haircare Regimen

(49:40) Caring For Healthy Bleached Hair

(52:00) When Ashley 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 :)

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Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Ashley @ashleyzsatondnp

Products Mentioned:

Cécred Hair Reconstructing Treatment Mask

Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner

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KJ Dillard is the definition of a multi-hyphenate. Before he became a Summer House fan favorite, KJ was a professional skateboarder, genre-defying musician, and model. How has he managed to achieve all of these dreams so fervently? He won’t allow anyone to put him in a box. Growing up in Kansas and Arizona, KJ learned early on how to adapt to different circumstances. Initially, he was part of a well-to-do community, but his parents' divorce shifted everything, and he soon found himself in an entirely new world. KJ leaned into his interests and started a band with friends from church, where he rapped and sang as their frontman. He also began to take skateboarding seriously, even though it wasn't very popular. KJ became engrossed in skate culture, obsessing over its rebellious nature and style. His interest blossomed into a nearly ten-year career as a professional skateboarder, during which he inadvertently invented a never-before-seen trick and attracted the attention of the entire skating community. Like that accidentally career-defining moment, KJ seems destined for greatness, no matter the medium.

As the first Black male Summer House castmate, KJ had to learn to navigate the new world of reality television with millions of eyes watching. Ever graceful, he’s taking the lessons and carrying them into another season. In our conversation, we talk about what it means to give yourself grace when you live and date in the public eye, and how he manages the pressure of being “the first.” KJ models the kind of transparency he hopes inspires other men to open up and share more deeply about what they’re feeling. He opened up about his childhood experiences with living with undiagnosed ADHD and having to live with his grandmother. KJ shares that his love for skateboarding has never left him and now serves as a space for self-care. We also cover his return to music and how excited he is to try a new genre and sound. As is his nature, KJ is turning back to the creative outlets that brought him joy as a kid, except now he’s sharing them with the world.

Tune in as we discuss:

0:00 Welcome KJ

4:05 Preparing For The Spotlight

5:00 Growing Up In Arizona and Kansas

5:25 How His Parents' Divorce Changed Their Lives

6:25 His Early ADHD Symptoms

7:25 KJ’s Relationship With His Grandmother

8:10 Comparing His Life To His Cousins

9:35 Why He Chases Success

10:00 KJ’s Introduction To Skateboard Culture

11:50 The 90s Black Skateboarders Who Inspired Him

12:45 Unspoken Skateboard Rules

13:30 His Favorite Skateboard Looks

15:50 Iconic Skateboard Brands

17:45 Accidentally Inventing A Skateboard Trick

20:25 Navigating Reality Television

23:15 His Awkward Tyler The Creator Meetup

30:00 Pre-Public Appearance Prep

30:45 Why KJ Gatekeeps Some Things

31:50 His Signature Look

33:45 When He Became Interested In Music

39:15 Microagressions In The Fashion Industry

40:12 Dating In The Public Eye

41:25 What He’s Learning About Himself

42:20 Emotional Vulnerability Among Friends

43:55 KJ’s Self-Care Routine

45:45 When He Feels The Most Beautiful

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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

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Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow KJ @kellyjustindillard

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Tabitha Brown was destined for greatness. Her natural ability to connect with people, paired with her professional training as an actress, only strengthened her self-belief. A viral video catapulted her onto the screens and into the lives of millions of people worldwide, cementing what she always knew would happen. Since then, Tabitha has become a two-time Emmy Award-winning host, four-time bestselling author, children’s entertainment creator, multi-NAACP award winner, and serial entrepreneur across beauty, food, haircare, and fragrance verticals. Before her rise to fame, Tabitha was hustling in L.A., building connections and a portfolio of work in pursuit of her acting career. She came from North Carolina with a dream and a supportive family, determined to build the life God had promised her. Along the way, divinely aligned opportunities charted a path toward the success she knew she was destined to have and capable of maintaining.

During our conversation, we discussed the importance of strong faith and a strong work ethic. Tabitha explained that she decided she wouldn’t just have a viral moment, but would build on her skills and experience to create a sustainable career. She walked us through her decision to move to L.A. twice, both times to pursue her creative dreams, and how she prepared for success while doing so. We dove deep into her business acumen and how she's found success across many industries while staying true to her vision and sense of purpose. She shared her entire hair journey, the many big chops, working with her husband, and how to handle online negativity. When Tabitha says, everything must be aligned, she means it. Every aspect of her business reflects who she is and what she loves; whether that’s her commitment to a vegan lifestyle, her love of children, or her lifelong love of haircare. Tabitha gave us full access to the dietary, beauty, and haircare choices that make up the woman we all admire.

Tune in as we discuss:

(00:00) Welcome Tabitha

(02:35) Why Relaxed Hair Seemed Necessary Before The 00s

(03:35) Age-Appropriate Hairstyles

(06:00) On Chasing Her Dreams In L.A. Twice

(10:15) The Sign From God That Reinvigorated Her Creative Dreams

(13:15) Why Even "Natural" Talents Must Study Their Craft

(16:20) How Tabitha Leveraged Her Virality Into A Sustainable Career

(20:45) Managing Online Backlash

(22:30) Her Natural Hair Journey From 1998 To Now

(26:30) How Being Vegan Impacts Her Hair Health

(29:15) Tab's Favorite Donna's Hair Recipe Products

(36:30) Balancing Partnership In Marriage & Business

(38:25) What Building A Fragrance Is Like

(43:00) Why Scheduling Breaks & Vacations Are Non-Negotiable

(45:40) Her Skincare Routine

(46:50) Her Makeup Routine

(50:00) 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 https://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 Tabitha @iamtabithabrown

Products Mentioned:

FENTY BEAUTY Cheeks Out Blush

FENTY BEAUTY Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Shampoo

Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Conditioner

Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Leave-In Conditioner

Donna’s Recipe Strength Oil

Donna’s Recipe Biotin Hair Vitamin Gummies

Donna’s Recipe Whipped Vanilla Cream Curl Enhancing Gel

Donna’s Recipe Whipped Vanilla Cream Curl Defining Mousse

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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 exactly - what she does to her own face to achieve a stunning “natural glam” look. Tune in for her radical transparency on filler, the U.K. 's extremely liberal qualifications for cosmetic injectors, upcoming beauty trends and so much more.

Links to Products/Resources Mentioned: Klur Symmetry Fluid, Beauty of Joseon, Isntree Watery Sunscreen, Shiseido Skin Filler Serums, Obagi Acne Toner

Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Check outhttps://www.nakedbeautypodcast.com/ for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you’re listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Dr. Ewoma: @drewomaukeleghe

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Before she became Lady London, Zaire Stewart was a fly toddler exploring New York City’s unique beauty culture. At just three years old, she was being carted to Dominican hair salons, getting her hair washed and pressed by the same women she still visits today. Her mother kept her dapper in DKNY and Moschino as they traveled between the Bronx and New Jersey. Greatly influenced by the beauty and brilliance of the women in her family, an aunt with an interest in global politics and anti-apartheid messaging recommended her name; it’s no wonder Lady London is such a cultural force. In 2018, Lady London developed an interest in music, built on a foundational love of literature from childhood to college. Lady London joined Naked Beauty to talk about how she discovered she had presence and how she wielded it into a nearly decade-long career and fanbase of more than a million people.

During our conversation, we talked about how she learned to maintain her composure as a public figure and how her confidence can’t be shaken by industry execs or online trolls. Lady London shares that her confidence was well earned, as it took her some time to accept that she could be beautiful and smart without downplaying one or the other. We get some tips on how to model that self-assurance during the Show & Tell portion of the show, when Lady London demonstrates how not to be baited. Of course, we learn all about her beauty rituals, tips, and favorite perfumes. We got other advice from Lady London, including how she mentors women coming into the industry behind her, and what she’s learned from the hip-hop legend pouring into her. Lady London is a creative force, poet, rapper, executive producer, mentor, and hobby enthusiast. As we learn in this interview, with Lady London, there is always more than meets the eye.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Lady London

(2:20) Growing Up Nerdy In The Bronx and New Jersey

(3:25) Her Early Style Icons

(4:20) New York Beauty Culture

(6:45) Growing Into Beauty

(8:55) Discovering That She Had Presence

(12:35) Show & Tell: Tips For Not Being Baited

(20:10) Her Beauty Routine

(21:15) Getting Protein As A Pescatarian

(24:30) Makeup Routine

(26:20) Hair Care & Health

(31:15) Rejecting Male Perspectives On Beauty

(34:45) Female Rap Friendships

(36:25) Her Approach To Mentorship

(38:20) Committing To Perseverance

(42:30) Self-Care Practices

(44:45) What's On The Horizon

(45:20) When Lady London Feels The Most Beautiful

Shop K18 Future IQ at Sephora or get 10% off your first purchase at K18hair.com with code BROOKE.

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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 https://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 Lady London @ladylondon

Products Mentioned:

Bio-Oil

Bond No. 9 New York Fragrance Tasting Collection

Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity

Mind Games Perfumer Extraordinaire Discovery Set

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In the second half of my conversation with Kevin "KevOnStage" and Melissa Fredericks, we talk about all the ways they take care of themselves and one another. We cover therapy and how a combination of individual and couples therapy has helped them thrive in this season of their marriage. Before the pair were beloved by millions, they were a young couple searching for good marriage advice. They took what they learned and shared it with other couples during local gatherings at a BBQ joint, hoping they would all stay together. Their approach to learning and teaching out loud has only grown as they share this information on their own podcasts, a New York Times best-selling book, and here on Naked Beauty.

During our conversation, we discuss how the pair manages to be open with their audiences while also setting firm boundaries. Kev and Melissa also open up about how they push one another to be their best selves, and explain why they’ll never be the other’s “yes man.” While talking about grieving his brother, Kev revealed that it was Melissa who pushed him to work through his grief onstage and using comedy. Melissa was sure that he could challenge his art and build something beautiful, and given the positive reception to his shows, she was absolutely right.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Kev and Melissa

(1:05) Kev’s Skincare Routine

(3:45) Melissa’s Skincare Routine

(5:15) Melissa’s Monthly Facial Routine

(6:25) Why It’s Important To Discuss Their Relationship Publicly

(8:05) Setting Boundaries With The Public

(10:00) What Role Therapy Has Played In Their Lives

(12:00) On Choosing A Marriage Therapist

(17:30) Managing Grief Through Comedy

(20:05) How Melissa’s Support Influences Kev’s Comedy

(24:55) How They Practice Self-Care

(27:30) Melissa Rediscovering Literature

(29:50) When Does The Couple Feel Most Beautiful

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Products:

Dove Soap

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum

Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum

Kennedy Ryan Novels

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Kevin "KevOnStage" and Melissa Fredericks are the hardest-working couple in independent media. The pair has turned their natural humor and 20+ years of partnership and parenting into a creative empire. Military brats who spent their childhoods traveling the globe, the pair met in high school and quickly became friends. Both athletic and churchy, with a special love for FUBU, Kev and Melissa began dating and never looked back. Kev and Melissa joined Naked Beauty to talk about their early connection and how it has grown into the partnership loved by their audience of millions. During our conversation, we talked about what moving around so much taught them about adaptability and how it prepared them for the flexible creative careers they have now. We dived deep into 90s style, and what they remember most about their high school selves.

No conversation with the Fredericks would be complete without hearing them discuss their process for chasing their ambitions across the country. Trading in a stable life and career for an uncertain future is no easy task, but the pair reminds us that there is no reward without risk. Kev and Melissa walk us through the details of their journey to Los Angeles and how they decided together when and how to make the cross-country move. Clearly that choice was the correct one as they’ve built television shows, a media app, joint and separate podcasts, and creative content that is always flowing. We cover the most surprising accomplishments and how they celebrate every single win, despite their busy schedules. We even played a fun game of “guess that beauty product,” and learned that Kevin definitely pays attention to Melissa’s makeup routine. Kev and Melissa are incredibly funny and talented individuals, but together, they are powerful.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Kev and Melissa

(2:10) Growing Up Military Brats

(2:45) What Moving Around Taught Them About Adaptability

(4:40) Did They Feel Beautiful Growing Up

(6:40) Beauty Diversity In The 90s

(7:20) High School Sweetheart Style

(9:15) Melissa's Nostalgic Hairstyles

(10:20) Individual Style Metamorphosis

(12:50) What Attracted Them To One Another

(15:55) Making The Decision To Chase Their Dreams In L.A.

(20:10) The Accomplishments That Most Surprised Kevin

(22:35) Melissa's Accidental Influencer Path

(26:04) Celebrating Every Single Win

(28:45) The Benefits Of Not Being Recognized In L.A.

(32:30) Why Red Carpet Posing Is A Skill

(36:55) Show & Tell: Beauty Product Guessing Game

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Shan Boodram is a certified sex educator, board-certified sexologist, and the leading figure in a new kind of sexual education. Wielding an MS in Psychology and a longstanding curiosity, Shan helps people move towards greater intimacy between their partners and themselves. Born and raised in a predominantly white neighborhood in Canada, Shan’s initially poor experiences with sex led her to educate herself on how to prevent these kinds of experiences from occurring again. She built on this curiosity and self-education with professional training and a growing desire to build a new kind of sex ed. Shan joined Naked Beauty with her usual candor, granting us access to her personal experiences with desire, intimacy, sex, and pleasure. During our conversation, Shan made it clear that her goal isn’t just to get people talking about sex, but to take back their power from dominant narratives about sexual development and education to empower ourselves.

Shan walks us through how her loving relationship with her husband exposed her to unconditional love she didn’t realize she was missing. She offers couples tips on how to have a fruitful sex life while managing the responsibilities of long-term partnership, parenting, and the daily drudgery of life. We covered the more unpleasant side of relationships, like how couples can move away from resentment and towards repair. Shan also provided us with specific examples that we can employ immediately to have better sex with ourselves and our partners. Shan even offered a live demonstration of her favorite sex positions and toys that are sure to please.

(0:00) Welcome Shan

(3:55) Navigating Beauty In Predominantly White Spaces

(6:55) Novels That Shaped Her Early Understanding Of Intimacy And Sex

(12:40) Masturbation & Self-Pleasure

(18:25) Her Favorite Sex Toys

(23:50) Tapping Back Into Self-Intimacy

(33:20) Shan's Pre-Intimacy Ritual

(40:00) Incompatible Sex Drives In Relationships

(41:25) Managing Her Shifting Sex Drive During Pregnancy

(42:50) Conversations Couples Should Have About Sex

(45:25) Moving From Resentment To Repair

(48:20) Lightning Round: Easy Sexual Upgrades

(54:25) Show & Tell: Sexual Positions Demonstration

(01:05:57) When Shan Feels The Most Beautiful

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Follow Shan @shanboody

Products Mentioned:

Dr. Poucher All Over Balm

FENTY Beauty Hydra Vizor Sunscreen

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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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Follow Kayla @iamkaylanicole

Products Mentioned:

Skincare:

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Kate Sommerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment Scrub

Rhode Glazing Milk

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 Makeup

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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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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Follow Toni @tonibravo

Products Mentioned:

Blush:

Tower28 Downtown Dauqiri

Tower28 Sunset Shirley

Danesssa Myrick’s Primadonna

Rhode Date Cake

Rhode Sun Soak

NARS Exhibit A

HAUS Labs Acai Sky

HAUS Labs Glassy Tangelo

NYX Buttermelt

Milani Baked Blush

Lip Products:

Benefit Dark Cherry Lip Stain

Summer Fridays Lip Stain

Marviano Brick Mocha

RHODE Toast

Wallace Daisy Pink Lipgloss

Skincare:

The Outset Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser

Tower28 SOS Gel Cleanser

Prequel Facial Gleanser Cleanser

Panoxyl 4% Cleanser

Rhode Caffeine Reset Mask

Perfume:

Balmain Rouge

Orabella Salted Muse

Orabella Eternal

Clothing:

Damson Mader Striped Pajamas

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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 http://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:

Moma design store lamp

Sophie Pavitt Mandelic Cleansing Serum

Sophie Pavitt Screentime Sunscreen

Dieux Forever Eye Mask

Dieux Deliverance 3-in-1 Serum

Dr. Idriss Major Fade Disco Block Sunscreen

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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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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

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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 canvas for true self-expression. This level of “divine creativity” as KESH puts it, is what made me - along with so many others - fall in love with her. From spray painting the back of her classmates’ uniforms in Croydon, to collaborating with American Apparel, to creative directing a Good American shoot with TLC, tune in as we discuss KESH’s creative journey, inspirations, use of beauty as a form of armor and so much more. Enjoy!

Links to Products/Resources Mentioned: Simi Haze Eye Gems, Lady Vengeance (2005), TLC for Good American (directed by KESH)

Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

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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 :)

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow KESH: @kesh

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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 https://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:

Face:

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

Salt Water Vanilla Body Butter

TIRTIR Ceramic Milk Ampoule

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Good Molecule Daily Moisturizer

Olay Super Serum

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum

Body:

Sol de Janeiro Limited Edition Cheirosa 71 *out of stock

Lush Golden Egg Glitter Mist Spray

Makeup:

TIRTIR Foundation

About Face The Performer Foundation

YSL Lipstick

ONE/SIZE Oil Sucker Spray

ONE/SIZE Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray

MAC Lip Pencil Chesnut

MAC Time Check Lotion

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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?

Products Mentioned:

• Saie Cream Blush Compact (coral)
• Saie Setting Spray
• Ilia Beauty Cream Blush Stick
• Kosas Dream Beam Mineral Sunscreen
• Quince Organic Bamboo/Eucalyptus Throws & Bedding
•

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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 outhttps://www.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

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