Naked Beauty

This episode is sponsored by smartwater®

Ruth E. Carter is a trailblazing costume designer known for her work on Malcolm X, the Black Panther films, Sinners, and so many more iconic works. She has been awarded Academy Awards, a BAFTA, a Critics Choice Award, the Costume Designers Guild Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But before that, she was exploring Black literature and history in Black Studies-focused enrichment programs in her home state of Massachusetts. When she was a young adult, she was deconstructing clothing and taking notes from grunge scenes, citing Lisa Bonet and Madonna as early beauty and style inspiration. In our conversation, Ruth walks us through her life and career, explaining how the girl who dressed like a grunge artist would introduce Afrofuturism to the world.

During our chat, Ruth tells us about how she has always drawn on her interest in literary, dramatic, and visual arts to design on film sets. She shared the initial culture shock she experienced at her HBCU, Hampton, and how the theater department helped her blend her artistic sensibilities with the coiffed presentation of her classmates. Ruth detailed how she drew on these experiences in her first position in School Daze, and how her dedication led to the first of many creative collaborations with directors like Spike Lee, which would shape her career. Our conversation ranges from the specific way she employs the lessons her psychologist mother taught her, like gaining and keeping people's trust, to spending time with Tina Turner. We discussed so much of her portfolio, and what compelled her to begin archiving her designs, which now make up the traveling exhibition “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.” Ruth is open about her painstakingly detailed commitment to historical accuracy and how her early exposure to ideas about the future being a site of freedom and exploration shaped the visual identity for Black Panther.

Tune in as we discuss:
(03:35) The Sinners Award Season
(08:56) Exploring Malcolm X’s Time in a Massachusetts Correctional Facility
(12:50) The Loss of Personal Celebrity Style
(13:35) How The HBCU Experience Blew Her Mind
(15:15) Her Experience On School Daze And Working With Spike Lee
(23:55) Her Love Of Thrifting
(31:08) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On Sinners Set
(37:20) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On What’s Love Got To Do With It Set
(40:20) Met Gala Experiences And Thoughts
(43:50) Deep Dive Into Her Experience On B.A.P.S Set
(47:44) Early Introduction To Afrofuturism
(52:02) Her Favorite African Designers
(52:50) Ruth’s Personal Style
(54:30) The Power of Tailoring
(1:01:01) Maintaining a Calm Demeanor
(1:05:08) When Ruth Feels The Most Beautiful

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In this very special episode of Naked Beauty, I had the privilege of talking to my grandfather, Calvin George Kemp, about his being 102 years old. He shared his experiences growing up in the segregated Vine City in Atlanta, Georgia. He explained how his father and other elders sheltered local children from the harsh realities of racism, and raised him in a community of Black people where he felt comfortable and safe. Things changed after he was drafted into the United States military, and he faced encounters no one should have. My grandfather, a brilliant and accomplished man, talked about rising in the ranks and fighting for the right to apply his skills and brilliance in Okinawa, Guam, and a host of other countries.

We talked about his memories of historic moments in American history that most people would only learn about in history books. My grandfather was open about the emotional toll of his experiences, including the joy of meeting my grandmother, who inspired him to step up his style. This conversation was a lovely reminder that “acting one’s age” is a choice, and that you can have a full and interesting life, so long as you commit to it. This conversation was intimate and revealing, and I’m excited to share his wisdom on how he’s managed to live a life filled with adventure and love for over a century.

Tune in as we discuss:
(0:10) Life at 103 Years Old
(1:20) What His 20’s Were Like
(1:50) 1940s Pop Culture
(3:30) Growing Up In Segregated Atlanta
(5:55) His Being Drafted Into The Military
(9:40) Encountering Mounting Segregation In The Military
(17:08) Initially Feeling Embittered By Racist Experiences
(21:44) Memories of Historic Black Events
(22:35) Voting For President Barack Obama
(26:40) Meeting His Wife of 45 Years
(27:30) Tips For Having A Long And Happy Marriage
(32:50) Having an Immaculate Personal Style
(37:20) What A Beautiful Life Means To Him

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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
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Jeneé Naylor is an influencer, founder, and CEO who has been sharing her impeccable fashion taste with social media audiences for years. With over a million followers across Instagram and Tiktok, she has proven that she can translate her endless looks and inspiring personality across any medium and to any audience. Jeneé built her digital presence after being pushed out of a successful and stable six-figure C-suite career at Target. Always watchful, she had noticed the writing on the wall and was taking on brand deals to secure her future and build her reputation. Jeneé’s acumen paid off, and she is one of the most influential creators in the fashion industry.

Currently, she is the host of her own style show, Style Unlocked, co-founder of 12 PM, a lifestyle brand, and the stylish girlfriend of millions of fans. During our conversation, Jeneé takes us back to the beginning of her journey in St. Louis and her forays in the creative industry, from opening for Destiny’s Child to styling to becoming a make-up artist. Jeneé offers us a peek into her corporate life, how it ended, and the ways she took control of her future using her keen eye for fashion. With humor and transparency, we learn all about how the woman who once aspired to be Aaliyah’s backup dancer helped usher millions into the new digital age of fashion influencing.

Tune in as we discuss:

(3:55) Growing Up In St. Louis
(6:15) Opening For Destiny’s Child
(7:20) Exploring Styling and Make-Up Artistry
(18:20) How Jeneé Would Describe Her Style
(19:40) Signature Pixie System
(29:25) Why Confidence Is The Key To Every Look
(30:20) Style Rules She’s Rejecting
(33:20) Styling Tips for Busty Women
(34:35) Her Favorite Undergarments
(37:00) Must-Have Fashion Pieces
(41:00) How To Find Your Signature Style
(47:25) How Eyewear Became Armor
(53:49) Signature Make-Up Look
(59:15) Skincare Routine

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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 Jeneé @jeneenaylor

Products Mentioned:
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Haus Labs Foundation
NARS Radiant Concealer
Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow
Westman Atelier Cream Bronzer Stick
Dior Forever Nude Bronzer
NARS Ethereal Aura Blush Palette
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Patrick Ta Eyeshadow Palette (Silver Case)
Hourglass Translucent Setting Powder
La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
FENTY Skin Dew N Plump Hydrating Nectar Glow Serum
Tower 28 S.O.S Spray
YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads
Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum

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We gathered in NYC on the first Tuesday in May to debrief the 2026 Met Gala, and my wonderful guests did not hold back. We started with the artists behind two of our favorite looks: Coree Moreno and Sir John, who discussed their respective visions and approaches to hair and makeup for Chase Infiniti and Naomi Osaka. Then, Crystal Anderson and Sean Garette delivered rapid-fire hot takes on the night's best and worst looks — from Cardi B's "colonoscopy couture," to Beyoncé's sheer dress, Emma Chamberlain's Mugler moment, and more.

I was also joined by Darian Harvin, Recho Omondi, and photographer Steven Simioni to discuss why the Met Gala has lost some of its magic, how celebrity image control works behind the scenes, and the politics of Anna Wintour's guest list. Last but not least, stylist Ivy Coco and content creator Aston closed the show by speaking on body diversity, identity in fashion, and how social media has throttled people's willingness to take risks on the carpet.

This episode was made possible with support from 111 Skin, Merit, and MAC Cosmetics.

Watch the full Naked Beauty Live show on YouTube

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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
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In this very special Mother’s Day Episode, I am joined by two creative powerhouses, Lynn Whitfield and Grace Gibson. Lynn Whitfield is an award-winning and internationally recognized actress with a career spanning decades. Her incredible artistry has consistently championed the experiences of complicated and powerful women whose stories deserved to be told with the depth and care that only Lynn could provide. Grace Gibson is a Rock ’n’ Roll artist forging her own distinct path in the music industry. Grace has had the privilege of gracing stages at Paisley Park and the Apollo Theater with her incredible voice and unique approach to rock. During our conversation, we discussed what it was like for both women to grow up in a family with such strong beauty and creative aesthetic sensibilities. And how they have relied on each other in their pursuit of greatness in their respective careers.

Lynn detailed how her mother and aunts provided her earliest expressions of beauty in Louisiana. We learned about how attending Howard University and being exposed to the Black art scene upended her initially conservative approach to self-expression, and how it challenged what her mother had taught her. Of course, Grace details what it was like to grow up with a mother who is well known for being glamorous, on and offscreen. The pair offered a beautiful look inside their relationship and how they have cultivated a friendship that many mothers and daughters would love to have. In fact, Lynn gushes when she explains that having Grace inspired a more ambitious approach to her personal and professional pursuits. As an ambitious working mother, Lynn talked about the women who modeled the mother-daughter relationship she could have as a successful actress. Grace credits Lynn with showing her the result of true artistic commitment and demanding that she pursue her artistic dream with complete seriousness.

Grace and Lynn offer a beautiful example of what it means to lead by creative example and live a life filled with love.

Tune in as we discuss:
(5:35) Lynn and Grace’s Introduction To Beauty
(13:45) Lynn’s Experience In A Freshly Integrated High School
(33:35) Behind The Scenes of The Josephine Baker Story Filming
(40:55) Why Grace Didn’t Watch The Josephine Baker Story Until College
(43:55) Lynn’s Parents Weren’t Supportive of Her Creative Careers, Despite Inspiring It
(55:15) Why They Are Best Friends
(57:20) On Being A Busy Working Mother
(58:45) How Josephine Premice and Her Daughter Susan Fales-Hill Supported Her
(1:05:00) Helping Your Children Understand Their Mixed-Race Identity
(1:06:20) How Lynn’s Radical Honesty and Work Ethic Inspire Grace
(1:11:45) Their Favorite Beauty Products and Services
(1:20:00) When They Feel The Most Beautiful

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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 Lynn @mslynnwhitfield
Follow Grace @thegracegibson

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