Naked Beauty

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 her life's work that includes original and iconic Bob Mackie costumes and, of course, her incredible beauty and skincare routine. Our chat illuminates Dita Von Teese’s lasting ability to give people permission to be their full and eccentric selves.

Tune in as we discuss:
Why what you build is more important than what you’re born with
Defining feminism as one that allows women and lgbtq+ people to embrace their eroticism and power
Burlesque’s surprising American roots and eccentric history
The beauty rules she’s learned from incredible older women
Her skincare secrets
How the history of perfume inspires her scents

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Atiya Walcott is one of the most distinctive voices in fashion content, known for the cinematic quality of her videos, her mastery of silhouette and layering, and an approach to getting dressed that is equal parts intention and joy. In this episode, we get into all of it: her film school background, her relationship to beauty, what quiet luxury really signals, and why the way you dress is one of the most consequential creative decisions you make every single day.

Our conversation begins with Atiya's early relationship with fashion. We talk about what it was like to grow up as a dark-skinned Black girl at predominantly white institutions, and the journey toward finally seeing herself as beautiful. Atiya shares how she builds a look from feeling first, why tailoring is the single biggest unlock for anyone who wants to dress better, and what her favorite fashion films reveal about the kind of creative she is. She also gives us her full skincare routine, her favorite lip combo, and the one piece of advice she'd give anyone who wants to develop personal style.

Products Mentioned:

Skincare: Sofie Pavitt Face (Mandelic Serum, SPF, face mist), Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser, Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum

Makeup: Haus Labs (foundation, foundation brush, contour stick), Nars (lip gloss)

Fashion Films Mentioned
Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) — French musical with the most beautiful color palette you've ever seen
Daughters of the Dust (1991) — Julie Dash's landmark film; required viewing for Black beauty and style
How to Steal a Million (1966) — Audrey Hepburn at her most impeccably dressed
Do the Right Thing (1989) — Spike Lee's visual masterpiece
Atonement (2007) — that green dress
Book Recommendation: How to Dress for Success by Edith Head

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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 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 Atiya: @atiyawalcottfits
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Since Cyndi Ramirez Fulton opened Chill House on New York's Lower East Side in 2017, the brand has grown from a cult downtown spa into a nationwide product line, culminating in a 2025 acquisition by Kiss Beauty Group, with Cyndi still at the helm. On today's episode, Cyndi takes us back to growing up in Queens as the daughter of a Colombian esthetician and how that environment shaped her relationship with beauty and her entrepreneurial instincts. She opens up about her years in New York nightlife, the scrappy blog that helped her find her voice, and how she landed on the idea for Chill House after not being able to find a spa that was right for her.

Cyndi is refreshingly honest about the parts that don't make it onto the glossy Instagram grid: the economics of the spa business that were "always a little broken," the fundraising struggles that led to the Kiss deal, and the very real guilt and joy of building a business alongside a family. We also get into the pivot to Chill Tips press-on nails, why press-ons have genuinely changed her life, and her favorite beauty products for navigating two very different climates.

Cyndi’s Favorites:
Haus Labs Foundation
Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner
Olaplex Leave In
Crown Affair Mousse
Westman Atelier Brow Pencil
Chill House bestsellers: Sea Siren, Bougie Butter, and Acid Wash

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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 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 Cyndi @cyndiramirez
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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, launching a Black-owned brand during the pandemic, and more.

Links to Products/Resources Mentioned: Redoux, Mountain Rose Herbs, Tom Ford (Black Orchid, Tuscan Leather, Neroli Portofino, Soleil Blanc), Byredo (Gypsy Water, Bal d’Afrique, Eleventh Hour, 1996), Frederic Malle (Portrait of a Lady, Baccarat Rouge 540), D.S. & Durga

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Follow Asia: @asia_grant

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This episode is sponsored by smartwater®

During the Essence Black Women in Hollywood event, I spoke with the indomitable Bozoma Saint John live. Bozoma grew up between Ghana, Kenya, Washington DC, and Colorado Springs, a childhood of constant reinvention that taught her to read rooms fast and never apologize for taking up space. At 14, she wasn't crying because she didn't feel beautiful. She was crying because her classmates didn't recognize her beauty. That clarity and fierce, unshakable self-knowing have followed her everywhere. Her confidence carried her into boardrooms where she was the only Black woman, onto the cover of the New York Times with her cornrows, and through the grief of losing her husband, Peter. Later, it carried her into the unexpected joy of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which led directly to On Brand with Jimmy Fallon. And, eventually, into the decision to sell her corporate stock from every company she'd ever worked for to self-fund her brand, Eve by Boz — on her own terms, by her own rules.

Bozoma has no peers. And she will tell you that herself, in this special episode of Naked Beauty.

Tune in as we discuss:
(2:34) Growing Up Across Ghana, Kenya, DC & Colorado
(5:43) Why She Never Doubted She Was Beautiful — Even at 14
(10:05) Immigrant Parents, Pre-Med Dreams & Landing at Spike Lee's Ad Agency By Accident
(13:36) The Emotional Cost of Being the First and Only Black Woman in Every C-Suite
(16:24) Why Personal Brand Building Means Saying "I" Out Loud
(21:40) The Hollywood Pivot: What Made RHOBH a Yes
(23:57) Moving to LA Four Months After Her Husband's Death
(29:01) What Season 14 of RHOBH Taught Her Going Into Season 15
(30:30) Showing Fibroid Surgery & Her Fertility Journey On Camera
(33:46) Her Go-To Glam Routine & The African Sapo Net Gospel
(37:18) Self-Funding Eve by Boz With Her Own Corporate Stock
(40:24) What Raising Her Daughter Lil Has Taught Her That The Boardroom Never Could
(43:20) Engagement With Keeley Watson: Love After Loss & True Partnership
(46:52) How To Know When It's Time To Walk Away
(51:41) Bozoma's Advice For Anyone Who Feels Stuck

Today’s episode was made possible by smartwater

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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Bozoma @bozomastjohn

Products Mentioned:
Lancôme Foundation
MAC Blush
Oil of Olay Moisturizer
Eucerin Lotion & Heavy Cream
African Sapo Net (exfoliating sponge)
Eve by Boz Haircare
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