Before Amy Liu built Tower28, the company that currently sells products every 10 seconds in Sephora, she was working in the beauty industry and struggling with sensitive skin. With encouragement and investments from close friends, Amy leveraged her 15+ years of experience to bet on herself and build Tower 28, a company that keeps sensitive skin at the core of its product development. During our conversation, Amy shared that she dealt with chronic eczema and sensitive skin her entire life. However, despite working in major roles at companies like Kate Sommerville and Josie Maran and having firsthand experience of how product efficacy could change her life, she still didn’t feel ready to leap. Shortly after turning 40, Amy was in conversation with a former business school classmate who asked what she was waiting for. This friend affirmed her skills and experience, and then offered to invest in her dream. She reached out to other friends and family, all of whom were excited to support her vision for Tower 28. In the seven years since launching, Tower 28 has blossomed into a brand beloved by everyone from essential workers to “gym rats,” to celebrities, and influencers like Hailey Bieber and their recent collaborator, Toni Bravo.

Amy offers us a glimpse into her life as CEO, mom, and lifelong advocate for clean beauty in this chat. She shared what it was like growing up in Los Angeles, in a predominantly white community, instead of a Chinese-American neighborhood. Amy details her parents' decision to move to America and why her dad, an entrepreneur, tried to dissuade her from starting a business.  It’s exactly this persistence that has allowed her to become a strong leader, despite having been exposed to some of the worst bosses you might imagine. Amy’s leadership skills are defined by not only what she has done but also by her commitment to educating others. In the summer of 2020, she decided to develop Clean Beauty Summer School, a professional-development program that gives BIPOC founders industry access and education that they might otherwise not have access to. Amy has built a brand that is 100% compliant with the National Eczema Association and regularly gives back to minority founders. Amy Liu’s story proves that a true commitment to inclusivity benefits every single one of us.

Tune in as we discuss:

(2:35) What Amy Learned In Her First Beauty Role At Smashbox

(4:15) Growing Up In Los Angeles Without Close Proximity To Other Chinese People

(6:00) Her Belief That The Beauty Industry Shapes Confidence

(7:05) Her Family’s Immigration Origin Story

(10:48) What She Learned From Her Worst Bosses

(15:00) Why Turning 40 Emboldened Her To Start Tower28

(17:30) How A Friend’s Investment Pushed Her To Take The Leap

(21:10) The Organic Marketing Initiative That Helped Them Thrive During COVID-19

(26:00) Why Eczema Affects 25% Children

(30:00) The True Cost Of Creating Products For Sensitive Skin 

(34:18) The Secret Behind The Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer

(37:22) Her Mission To Support BIPOC Clean Beauty Founders

(46:07) Amy’s Favorite Beauty And Wellness Products

(49:29) Her Advice To Anyone Wanting To Take A Professional Risk

(51:44) When She Feels The Most Beautiful 

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Follow Amy @amyliu_t28

Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray Hypochlorous Acid

Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer

Celluma Pro LED Light Therapy

Shani Darden Smooth & Glow Essentials

MARA Universal Hydrating Face Oil 

Sophie Pavitt Mandelic Clearing Serum

RŌZ Foundation Shampoo 

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Today's episode is all about what I've learned from doing the 75 Style Hard challenge, created by fashion TikToker Mandy Lee (Old Loser in Brooklyn). The rules are to get dressed intentionally every day for 75 days, buy nothing new, document outfits, and set personal style goals. For me, daily styling has revealed that fit issues were the main reason I avoided many items in my closet, so tailoring has been the key to success in this challenge. I've realized I wear durable fabrics most and I've leaned into using hair, makeup, and accessories to refresh outfits. Tune in as I discuss the novelty effect, impulse buying, and the importance of “domesticating” clothes into a signature style, because ultimately, style is a relationship with what you already own.

Check out my hack for boho braids with clip ins

Shop Bellami Clip-ins

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In this special encore episode of Naked Beauty, you'll hear three generations of women in my family talk all things beauty! I interview my Mom and Grandma on their perspective about beauty & style. My Grandma preaches on the necessity of Spanx, how growing up in the 1940s has informed her standards of beauty, and the importance of having a space to feel beautiful at home. My Mom explains natural hair is nothing new, and encourages me to embrace my youth & wear those short & tight dresses while I still can!

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Molly Sims is a true Renaissance woman. From gracing the covers of French Vogue to acting to founding the YSE beauty brand, she’s done it all in the beauty and entertainment industries. After years of hearing that she should model, she accepted an opportunity to take a semester off from Vanderbilt to give it a try in Europe. Her career ramped up quickly, and she soon found herself building a new and unexpected career overseas. Molly is very transparent about that time in her life, and how modeling quickly changed her relationship to her body. Her time in fashion enabled her to build a robust portfolio, which she leveraged into an on-screen career on MTV’s House of Style, Las Vegas, and more. She’s also worked behind the scenes as a producer on multiple shows and has built strong communities across nearly every major social media platform.

No stranger to pivoting, Molly realized that she no longer wanted to be the face of a brand; she wanted to build something of her own. This realization was coupled with serious bouts of melasma and hyperpigmentation that may have been caused by ageing and or pregnancy. None of her usual treatments and products were working for her, but like always, she accepted this as a personal challenge to solve. She quickly realized that the skincare market for women over 35 was missing affordable products with scientifically backed results. Women with similar skincare needs were not being marketed to, and Molly knew just how to fill that gap: enter YSE Beauty. Built on years of professional experience working with makeup artists and skincare professionals, Molly built a brand that is now in hundreds of Sephora doors. During our conversation, Molly shared other examples of how she has faced challenges head-on and refused to accept any subpar answers. We talk openly about our health challenges and how we’ve had to advocate for ourselves when we know that something in our bodies is not quite right. Molly also talks about why she is called the Barrier Queen, her favorite beauty treatments, and why you should never ever settle. 

Tune in as we discuss:

(18:45) Did She Feel Beautiful Growing Up In Kentucky

(24:15) Being Thrown Into The Heroin Chic Era

(25:15) On Thinness Being Mandatory

(27:07) How Modeling Changed Her Relationship To Her Body

(32:52) Why Create YSE Beauty

(33:35) How Motherhood Shaped Her Professional Choices

(40:41) YSE Is Clinical And Regulatory Focused

(44:50) Marketing Without Anti-Aging Language

(46:00) Lessons On Using Retinol

(50:42) Cutting Over Filling or Surgery Vs. Filler 

(52:45) Peptide Injections Are The Next Big Thing In Beauty 

(53:20) The Importance Of GLP-1 And NAD Wellness Transparency

(1:00:35) When She Feels The Most Beautiful

(1:03:05) Reminder To Never Settle

Naked Beauty Listeners get a discount on YSE beauty with code NAKED15

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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet 

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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Molly @mollybsims

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In today's episode of Naked Beauty, we're discussing a trend I'm sure you've seen across your timelines: The Morning Shed. This trend might seem like a harmless way to optimize your beauty routines, but I wanted to examine it more closely, especially as extreme beauty interventions become more and more common. In this mini episode, Charlotte Palermino joins me to explore what this trend says about our endless search for perfectionism through beauty.

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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Charlotte: @charlotteparler

Products Mentioned:

Naked Beauty Rollers

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Coree Moreno is a renowned hair artist who regularly works on editorial and red-carpet events, including the MET Gala. Some of his impressive celebrity roster includes Zendaya, Queen Latifah, Natasha Lyonne, Lil Nas X, and more. But how did someone who began doing hair at 13 in PG County come to sculpt hair for Hollywood’s A-List? Coree grew up as a creative and inquisitive child who had a front-row seat to his mom’s hair rituals. Before graduating from high school, he was preparing to enroll in cosmetology school. Besides experimenting with colors and cuts on himself, he served prominent women from his community. Working with elite Black professionals in PG County provided Coree a foundation for working with chic women with very high standards, which he would build on in Hollywood. Coree’s expansion to L.A. was the result of a bold DM to the iconic Vernon François, stating his interest and availability to assist when the opportunity arises. The opportunity arose two weeks after he sent the DM, and he was assisting Vernon with Serena Williams’ hair on a W Magazine set.

​When Coree describes how supportive his family was about his decision to pursue hair full-time and when he came out, it’s clear why he’s so confidently chased his dreams around the globe. During our chat, Coree talks about developing his artistic point of view over the past 18 years. We also discussed current hairstyle culture, and what he thinks about new hair rules and the changing relationships between clients and stylists. I couldn’t miss an opportunity to get Coree’s professional opinion on Black Girl Haircare 101, like the best edge styling products, the steps to a great silk press, fixing breakage, and his protective style hot takes. We got personal and explored how yoga changed his life, his favorite escapist video games, and why working with Lil Nas X was one of his most iconic creative assignments. Unbelievably, this is Coree’s first podcast interview, but with his breadth of knowledge and desire to pour into the next generation of stylists, we know it is the first of many.

Tune in as we discuss:

(5:00) His Mom’s 90s Beauty Practices

(5:20) Why Hairstylists Are Losing Recipes

(10:45) How A Cold DM to Vernon François Led Him To Assisiting In LA

(13:40) What He’s Learned Working With Talent On Set

(17:15) What Working With Queen Latifah Is Like

(23:29) Products & Tools To Lay Edges By Texture

(25:45) How To Fortify Your Silk Press

(29:33) Achieving A Press With One Pass

(30:55) Tips For Fixing Breakage

(34:16) How To Blend Stubborn Leave Out

(35:30) Best Protective Style For Growth

(37:45) Most Damaging Protective Style

(39:00) How To Protect Your Scalp In Braids

(40:05) A Hair Steam Trick When Wearing Synthetic Hair

(47:35) Why Yoga Has Been So Transformative Personally & Professionally

(58:31) When Coree 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 Coree @coree.moreno

Products Mentioned:

Bask & Lather Edge Control

Wooden Denman Brush

H2 Pro Diamond Plate

amika Soulfood

Cecred Scalp Line

Miriam Quevedo Sublime Gold Luminous Conditioner

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*Encore episode*

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 far from ideal. Tune in to hear how she navigated and continues to navigate this journey, as well as her thoughts on: 

• - Self-care as a discipline and leadership skill 
• - The importance of physical and emotional elimination 
• - Health as a means of living with ease 
• - Addressing pain vs. masking it 
• - The belief that mood follows action 
• 
  

Products/ Resources Mentioned: 

Skincare: Marie Veronique (barrier restore serum,  barrier lipid complex), Furtuna Skin (Nightly Renewal Cream, Replenishing Balm) 

Supplements: Mary Ruth’s (Morning MultiVitamin, Nighttime Multi Mineral), Seed Probiotics, Wooden Spoon Magic Magnesium Spirulina Powder, Epsom Salt for Baths)  

Resources: Daphne Javitch’s Doing Well. Naked Beauty Listeners get a 1-week free trial with this link. 

Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet 

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 Daphne: @doingwell

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Nia Reneé Hill is an accomplished actress, entertainment executive, producer, and master of reinvention. Like many of us, her earliest attempts at reinvention happened after she started a new school in LA. She was immediately introduced to a new set of beauty and style expectations that were different from what was allowed at her prim and mandatory-uniform Catholic School. Growing up traveling between parents and cities, Los Angeles and Atlanta, provided her with the foundation to assess and adapt to new surroundings quickly. While her mother was stricter in how she allowed Nia to self-express, her father, a well-known comedy agent, was more lenient. Her early exposure to the entertainment business, coupled with music video inspiration on BET, Nia quickly carved out her own path personally and professionally.

During our conversation, Nia shared that while she studied acting in college, her father dissuaded her from pursuing a career in acting. The Harlem Renaissance inspired her to move to New York during the early 2000s. After interning at the famous Apollo Theater, she embarked on a career as an executive and landed roles at Comedy Central, The Chappelle Show, and even MTV. Despite a successful career and blossoming relationship with her now-husband, Bill Burr, she was unfulfilled. She transitioned to a full-time stay-at-home mother, but still felt called towards creative work. Nia decided to invest fully in herself and her interests, only to find that she was the career of her dreams. Her current role, as a purveyor of the best in Black fine dining, is created in her image; truly original, funny, and endlessly entertaining. 

Tune in as we discuss:

(5:40) Why Nia Isn't Pursuing A Professional Comedy Career

(6:30) Why She Didn’t Feel Beautiful Growing Up

(8:45) Growing Up Between Atlanta & LA

(9:08) Her Nepo Baby Experience

(10:30) How Summer School In LA Helped Reshape Her Identity 

(11:15) Finding Style Inspo On BET

(11:45) Her Experience In Y2K Harlem 

(12:10) How The Harlem Renaissance Inspired Her Move

(12:40) A Mild Diddy Run-In

(13:05) What Early 2000s Braid Shops Were Like

(14:10) Defining Her Second Wind Career

(15:00) From Acting & To Media Exec

(16:16) Recovering From Corporate Unhappiness

(17:50) Why She Felt Unfulfilled As A SAHM

(19:08) The True Cost Of Investing In Herself

(21:00) Why Vanity Inspired Her Public Rebrand

(25:08) Building Her Team With Personal Connections

(26:28) The Day-To-Day Stylist Rundown

(31:45) How People Responded To Her Evolution

(38:52) Invest In Yourself, Even If It’s Small

(39:59) Beginning Her Fine Dining Journey

(44:40) Why She Chooses To Highlight Black Chefs

(47:55) LA Food Lightning Round

(54:41) Nia's Advice For People Who Feel Stuck

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple 

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 Nia @niasalterego

Products Mentioned:

Ami Cole Lip Oil

Makeup Forever Hydra Glow

MAC Chestnut Lip Pencil

EADEM Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm

Forlle'd Hyalogy P-effect Refining Lotion

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Lotion

Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant

Purple Rain Prada Beauty

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Sir John, Naked Beauty’s favorite cousin, is back for another insightful episode. Sir John has been part of the Naked Beauty family since his first visit as a guest and later as a recurring co-host. Each time he visits the pod, we leave the conversation with master tips for makeup application and building an aligned creative career. Since his last visit, Sir John has continued to expand his career globally and now works as Medicube’s Global Creative Director. We learn exactly what it means to be a creative director and how his time in Seoul has helped him better understand what it means to consider your heritage in your everyday life. We also cover what's inspiring us right now, and how to determine good art from great art, in beauty, film, music, and more. As always, Sir John drops gems about how he has become an icon in the beauty industry without compromising his personal or professional boundaries. 

Our chat begins with Sir John, explaining why he doesn’t create New Year's resolutions and instead prioritizes radical self-care and discipline each day. We talk at length about caring for ourselves mentally and physically, especially overcoming emotional setbacks, and what it’s like having to be “on” professionally. Having such a public-facing career means that he has learned why being authentically yourself at work isn’t necessary, and how to be honest about working through grief on the clock. The greater part of the episode considers the parallels between corporate and creative careers and includes great advice for burgeoning creatives. For example, we provide actionable tips for how to stand out at work and how breathwork can soothe pre-Zoom anxiety. And, Sir John’s most important lesson? Never lose the thug in yourself.

Tune in as we discuss:

(1:26) Why Sir John Doesn’t Make New Year's Resolutions

(1:48) Radical Self-Care Includes Discipline

(4:15) How Brooke Has Put Other Creatives On

(5:00) You Shouldn’t Be Your Full Self In Corporate Spaces

(6:40) The Difference Between Code Switching And Translating

(7:05) What It’s Like Working With Global Companies

(7:30) How South Korea Celebrates Its Heritage In Everyday Practices

(8:07) Being Medicube’s Global Creative Director 

(9:15) Drawing Inspiration: The Chanel Subway Fashion Show And Sinners

(15:01) Overcoming Mental Setbacks

(18:10) The True Cost Of “Pulling A Look” For Events

(23:10) Why Zoom Meetings Are Anxiety-Inducing

(25:15) Career Advice: Be More Enthusiastic

(27:00) Understanding The Gen-Z Stare  

(31:48) Reducing Stress Is A Key To Good Health

(34:48) Sir John & Brooke Play Boundaries Bingo

(36:35) Unlearning Saying Yes When You Really Mean No

(41:26) Why Sir John Doesn’t Work Weekends

(46:28) Grieving AJ Crismson, His Friend & Beauty Pioneer, Before A Major Shoot

(49:54) Why You Should Call Out Disrespect Immediately

(50:50) Why He Won’t Work With Nicki Minaj

(54:01) Don’t Lose The Thug In You

(59:45) Sir John’s Holistic Beauty Cabinet 

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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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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Sir John @sirjohn

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Happy New Year, Beauties! I wanted to start 2026 by shifting focus from productivity to seeking inspiration from creative figures. Instead of advocating for work ethic and goals, I introduce you all to my 'creative board of directors' to offer perspective. Diana Vreeland, Andre Leon Talley, Zora Neale Hurston, Walt Whitemand, and Thich Nhat Hanh are the 'creative ancestors' who help guide the way I live and work. In this episode, we explore the wisdom I've gleaned from these people, from keeping one's imagination fresh like Diana Vreeland wrote about, to the importance of not shrinking oneself, as taught by Andre Leon Talley. I reflect on Andy Warhol's views on combining commerce with creativity, and highlight the spiritual resilience of writers Zora Neale Hurston and transcendentalist Walt Whitman. To conclude, I drew on the wisdom from the mindfulness teachings of Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh regarding the importance of being present. Tune in for a reminder to embrace the present moment, stay curious, and relish the current season of their lives.

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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 special year-end episode of the Naked Beauty Podcast, I’m the guest! My producer, Mbiye Kasonga, interviewed me, and we reflected on the challenges and triumphs of 2025, including my return from maternity leave, the impact of the LA fires, and the balance between my corporate and creative responsibilities. We also touched on the major beauty trends of 2025, the wonderful range of guests we’ve had, and my thoughts on the evolving podcasting landscape. Mbiye asked some great questions, and I really dug deep in this episode to share my insights on the joys of community, creativity, and the pressures of constant innovation. The episode ends with our personal reflections on beauty and exciting predictions for 2026.

Tune in as we discuss:

(00:00) Introduction and Year-End Tradition

(01:21) Reflecting on 2025: Fires, Maternity Leave, and Podcasting

(04:37 Balancing Work, Creativity, and Personal Life

(12:58) The Evolution of Podcasting and Industry Insights

(27:00) London Trip and Memorable Experiences

(32:04) Meeting Sabrina Elba: A Class Act

(32:51) Impact of Naked Beauty Podcast

(34:22) Balancing Work and Motherhood

(37:55) Influence of Patriarchy on Beauty Standards

(42:40) Personal Beauty Trends and Discoveries

(47:56) Reflections on Beauty and Future Trends

(01:01:03) Concluding Thoughts and 2026 Beauty Trend Predictions 

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple 

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 Mbiye @mbiye_k 

Products Mentioned:

• The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 
• Shark Beauty Cryo Mask 
• Neat Crowns Wigs

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