Naked Beauty

Tarek Ali is no stranger to sharing his healing and trauma with the world. Tarek has been creating content online for over a decade as a YouTuber, advocate, author, writer, and healer. In a radically vulnerable approach to engaging online, Tarek’s audience has journeyed with him as he healed relationships with others and himself. This week we sat down to discuss how his initial goal of being seen, heard, and loved online blossomed ...

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson knows that Black beauty brands and their founders need capital and community to circumvent systemic racism at the heart of venture capital funding. As the Founder and CEO of Braintrust Founders Studio Kendra uses her experience identifying talent and innovation to provide companies the support they require to succeed. In this episode, Karen and I explore how her legacy of building digital communities guided ...

During our initial conversation, Erica Chidi shared so much knowledge about intimacy, wellness, and how to develop positive sexual experiences with our partners and ourselves. That conversation led us to discuss some common myths about sex and vaginal health. Tune in as we discuss:

• Why she believes “sex is food and food is sex”
• How to prioritize comfort during sex
• The differences between water-based and silicone lubricants
• Why our ...

“Our culture isn’t designed for intimacy or time with your partner…it’s about capitalism.”

To have positive experiences with sex and intimacy Erica Chidi knows that we have to “keep in contact” with our bodies. Erica is a Wellbeing Guide and the CEO & Founder of Loom, an app that provides reliable information about women’s reproductive health. It was so interesting to learn about how our sex education never really stops and ...

Exploring beyond the limits of topical beauty treatments, and into the world of cosmetic technology can often feel daunting, or even deceptive in today’s social media landscape. So, I wanted to use this episode to break through the clutter and take you all on an audio tour of an increasingly popular treatment: PRFM or PRP. For those who may not be familiar, PRFM stands for Platelet -Rich Fibrin Matrix. It, along with PRP (Platlet-R...

"My Skin Didn't Start To Change Until I Changed The Energy Around Me." - Alicia Keys, Grammy-award winning artist, beauty entrepreneur and today's Naked Beauty podcast guest! I could not have been more excited for this interview! With braids and makeup choices that have influenced beauty culture for decades, I had the opportunity to go deep with Alicia about her own self-care practice. Tune in as we dive deep into:

• Growing up in...

So often, what we define as “wellness” in today’s world, can end up feeling like an expensive and unnecessary set of demands that leave us drained rather than fulfilled. Fortunately, health coach Daphne Javitch is here for real talk on how to feel more (as she puts it) “resourced”. After a long and painful journey with endometriosis, Daphne was inspired to better understand her body and how to thrive in hectic conditions that are f...

Before there was a “clean” beauty movement, there was Indigenous beauty. Before sustainability and naturally-derived ingredients were cool, there was Indigenous beauty. Jenn Harper, Founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty, is here to remind us that Indigenous culture’s contributions to beauty have always been and continue to be at the center of this industry. Tune in as we discuss her: 

• Anishinaabe roots
• Founder story
• Approach to...

After months of eager anticipation, Beyoncé, Ms.Tina Knowles and a team of hardworking experts have delivered on arguably one of the most important celebrity beauty ventures that we’ve seen in a long time: Cécred (pronounced “sacred”). Having received an invite to attend the debut of this haircare line and going home with all of the products, tune in hear me break down:  

• Why this is the perfect moment for Beyoncé to e...

“It feels like love is being stitched into your head”

When it comes to Black beauty culture, braiding is arguably one of the most important rituals that we can participate in. Not only is it a form of wearable art, but it’s a way to build relationship and community with others. Tune in as I sit down with Naked Beauty producer Mbiye Kasonga and soon-to-be Douse founder Utibe Mbagwu to discuss their favorite braiding styles, what ...

“I had been waiting for her to 36 years…there was a lot to say.” - Crystal Anderson

The relationship between love and beauty is an inseparable one. Whether it is self-love or love for another human being, beauty is almost always the end result. Producer Crystal Anderson and her partner Kiesh Herman couldn’t be a more exemplary model of this truth. Tune in as we discuss the evolution of their relationship, from meeting on Instag...

As the beauty industry continues to overload the market with new products and new “problems”, dermatologists like Dr. Naana Boakye are becoming even more essential to the skincare conversation. Having coined the term “lifestyle dermatology”, Dr. Boakye strongly believes that stress, diet, exercise, and all of our daily habits show up on the skin. Tune in as we discuss how to optimize your nutritional and emotional habits, combattin...

MUA, creator, and  businesswoman Violette has built a reputation as one of the most hardworking and dedicated women in the beauty industry - and for good reason. Despite having no formal training, at just 19 years old, Violette had the vision to create one-of-a-kind pigments and to build a career on her own terms. Today, the red lipsticks, blue eyeshadows, and serums found within her eponymous brand are unlike anything I have ...

Episode Description: As many of us jump into the new year with high hopes of reevaluating and shifting our daily habits, my relationship with alcohol has been top of mind. While drinking has always been in the background of my social and professional life, its side effects have never been particularly enjoyable. And after moving to LA, now more than ever, I’m questioning its necessity. If you find yourself in a similar boat, this c...

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of hosting a number of world-renowned dermatologists that can speak to the common skincare issues that we all face. From addressing hyperpigmentation to creating a solid routine with products that work for your skin type, we discuss it all. Tune in as we tune back to interviews with:

• Dr. Elena Jones on hyperpigmentation, Botox and fillers
• Dr. Ranella Hirsch on the danger of demonizing cer...

The conversation continues with Telsha Anderson-Boone, who discusses how she manifested her perfect cool bride look. As we step into 2024, what vision of your elevated self do you want to achieve in the new year? 

• Naked Beauty x Garin Robe
• Lessons in Style & Motherhood ft. Telsha Anderson-Boone, TA
• Telsha Anderson-Boone Wore a Dance-Ready Danielle Frankel Design for Her Miami Wedding

Episode Description: While many can easily identify Sir John as makeup artist to some of the most influential women in the world, few know exactly how he got there and - perhaps even more interestingly - how he’s managed to stay grounded through it all. With a name that’s fit for a king, one could argue that Sir John was destined for a career focused on highlighting the power and the beauty that surrounds him. Tune in for an incred...

Fashion founder, owner and buyer Telsha Anderson-Boone wasn’t what the industry expected. But as it turns out, she was exactly what it needed. After seeing a lack of curated brick and mortar experiences for up-and-coming labels, Telsha opened T.a. down in New York’s Meatpacking district. Now, three years later, Telsha is a mom, wife and LA transplant ready to expand her brand in new and refreshing ways. Tune in as we discuss being ...