Naked Beauty Podcast with Brooke DeVard

Episode: How To Get The Best Hair Of Your Life With Coree Moreno

Date: February 2, 2026
Guest: Coree Moreno — Celebrity Hair Artist & Natural Hair Expert

Episode Overview

This episode of Naked Beauty brings celebrity hair artist Coree Moreno into the studio with host Brooke DeVard for an unfiltered, deeply practical, and celebratory conversation about all things hair. They dive into Coree’s journey from a precocious child in Maryland to top Hollywood stylist, his philosophies on natural haircare, building collaborative client relationships, debunking beauty trends and myths, and sharing actionable tips for achieving the healthiest, most beautiful hair of your life — regardless of your hair type.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Coree’s Origin Story & Artistic Philosophy

• Early Beginnings:

  • Coree grew up surrounded by beauty in PG County, Maryland, drawing inspiration from his mother and community.
  • He was a curious child: “I was very, very inquisitive…always using my hands to build something or create something from a very, very early age.” [03:25]
  • Fully booked doing hair for teachers and classmates by age 13. [05:57]
  • Early exposure to “elite Black women” instilled an appreciation for taste. [06:22]

• Family Support:

  • Came out as queer at 13, receiving immediate and unwavering support from his mother: “My mom’s been my best friend, like, my whole life. So it was important for her to show up for me immediately.” [07:57]

• Artistry at the Forefront:

  • Hair seen as another “medium”; fuses old school technique with indie/editorial sensibilities.
  • “For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been doing art, so hair just kind of became a medium at a certain point.” [03:08]

Entering the Professional World

• Training & Hustle:

  • Attended hair school right after high school graduation; family fully backed his ambitions.
  • Self-taught in barbering; hasn’t visited a barber in over 15 years. [05:25]

• Mentorship & Breaking into Hollywood:

  • DM’d celebrity stylist Vernon Francois and was invited to assist him in LA; got thrown straight into sets like W Magazine with Serena Williams.
  • “I just appear in LA. Strutting straight into Soho House.” [11:09]
  • Stressed the value of having no ego: “You have to not take anything personally…come into this space and completely remove any idea of being satisfied.” [12:20]

Building a Signature Style and Client Approach

• Dual Worlds:

  • Works with both celebrities and everyday clients and resists separating “Hollywood” from grassroots haircare. [14:11]
  • Emphasizes the fundamentals: “The industry is changing so much, and I want to be at the forefront…remind people…what really taking care of your hair is about.” [14:49]
  • Focused on scalp health, intentional consultation, and holistic care.

• Philosophy on Natural Texture:

  • Refuses to over-categorize by hair typing (e.g., 4A, 4C), preferring personalized approaches: “Even within their hair, they have four or five different textures.” [21:56]
  • Consultative approach—looks at client lifestyle, personal style, and brings out “true essence.”
  • “I want to work with what you got…I want to bring out your true essence in so many ways.” [13:22]

Haircare Tips, Hot Topics, & Recommendations

On Salon Culture & Stylist-Client Dynamics

• Criticized current salon rules (pre-washed hair, deposits, etc.) for undermining the traditional welcoming, nurturing salon experience:
  • “It just feels like we’ve lost the plot. Like, we’re just doing hair, people.” [17:08]
  • Acknowledges fear of judgment keeps women from seeking professional help; prioritizes empathy and transparency. [17:52]
  • “The goal would be not to break up with clients…” [19:25]

Laying Edges — Products & Techniques

• Product Rec: Bask & Lather Edge Control (Amazon/online; “loves water” for reactivation with minimal flaking) [22:25]
• Techniques: Dry, product-free baby hairs first. Fine hair uses soft bristles, thicker needs something firmer. [23:19]

Silk Presses

• Longevity: Can’t stop reversion, but the key is a strong foundation — deep steaming, moisture at the shampoo stage, and tension during blowout. [23:40]
• Unique Touch: “I want the hair to feel like it has movement… a little grittiness, a little texture.” [25:24]
• Tools:
  • Paul Mitchell Denman (wooden) brush for blow drying [26:06]
  • H2PRO Diamond Plate 1-inch flatiron: “It smooths the hair so well…leaves the hair so shiny. It’s my favorite.” [27:45]
• Heat Protectant: Prefer internal moisture (proper conditioning) over typical spray protectants (“so much alcohol…gonna dry you out at the same time”). [26:51]
• Best Practice: Aim for one (max two) flatiron passes if properly prepped. [27:22]

Breakage Solutions

• Step 1: Get a professional consultation.
• Step 2: Use a heavy, oil-rich, mending conditioner (rec: Amika Soulfood or Miriam Quevedo 24K Gold Conditioner [42:12], though the latter is $200-300).
• Step 3: Alternate protein and moisture treatments.
• Rule: Don’t hesitate with trims: “Take off what needs to go and let’s prevail forward, with a new goal.” [30:14]
• Plan ahead: “I’m all about planning with hair … for what we’ll be doing next summer.” [30:14]

Protective Styles

• Healthiest: Wash-and-go and twist-outs / braid-outs for low manipulation (“No combing, no wetting, no washing.”) [33:22]
• Most Damaging: Quick weaves/glued installs that don’t allow for hydration (“If I can’t nourish the hair while it’s in it, it’s not considered protective to me.”) [35:36]
• Blending Leave-Out: Match extension texture to your own at full reversion — kinky straight for best blend. If it’s not blending, wash just the leave out. [31:39]
• Braids & Scalp Health: Use Sacred Scalp Spray for itch/refresh; steam synthetic hair with a clothes steamer for a smooth, reset look between washes. Part size affects longevity more than the hair type. [36:16]

Styling at Home

• Best At-Home For Type 4: Bantu knots, rod sets, two-strand twists, and braid/twist outs — “Reads so luxe on natural hair.” [39:37]
• Couture Vibe: “It’s just so chic to wear your natural hair and its natural texture.” [40:12]
• Bedtime Routine: Satin bonnet + pillowcase; don’t overthink, just protect and refresh with water as needed. [40:56]

General Product Recs

• Universal Pick: Miriam Quevedo 24K Gold Conditioner [42:12]
• Edge Control: Bask & Lather
• Conditioner (value): Amika Soulfood [28:45]
• Flat Iron: H2PRO Diamond Plate

Other Beauty & Self-Care Rituals

• Fragrances: Grounding ritual, re-applied throughout the day. [42:35]
• DIY Gel Nails: “I’ve been getting into doing my own gel polish on my nails.” [43:08]
• Yoga: Crucial for physical and mental resilience: “It gives me this, like, steel that I feel like most beauty people need.” [43:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Building Confidence and Professionalism:

  • “I always knew I wanted to do hair at a high level…whether it was loudly or silently.” [09:07]
  • “You have to not take anything personally…you have to come into this space and completely remove any idea of being satisfied.” [12:20]

• On Hair as Identity:

  • “I want to work with what you got … bring out your true essence.” [13:22]
  • “Having great hair is never accidental. It’s all a plan, honestly.” [31:29]

• On Salon Culture:

  • “It feels like we’ve lost the plot…we’re just doing hair, people.” [17:08]
  • “I always like to create a space where I’m welcoming people in and showing them that it’s okay.” [17:52]

• On Client Relationships:

  • “The goal would not be to break up with clients…[but] my biggest thing is not being honest and not having grace.” [19:28]

• On Artistic Legacy:

  • “It’s becoming super important for me because the industry is changing so much, and I want to be at the forefront.” [14:22]

• On Signature Work:

  • “When I’m doing a blowout, I’m doing a dance around the hair…want the hair to feel like it has movement.” [25:24]

• Self-Expression:

  • “I feel most beautiful, honestly, like, fresh out the shower, doused in all my facial oils. That’s when I feel peak Corey Core.” [53:35]

Timestamps for Essential Segments

• [03:25] – Coree’s childhood passion for hair and early entrepreneurship
• [05:57] – Family support & being fully booked as a teen
• [09:51] – DM’ing Vernon Francois and breaking into Hollywood
• [12:20] – On not taking things personally and industry lessons
• [14:11] – Coree’s approach to working with both celebrities and everyday clients
• [21:50] – Coree’s take on hair typing (“I try not to categorize”)
• [22:25] – Edge control and styling recommendations
• [23:40] – Longevity and fundamentals of silk pressing
• [26:40] – The truth about heat protectant sprays
• [28:45] – Remedies for breakage and the art of strategic trims
• [33:22] – Surprising answer: Wash-and-go as protective style
• [35:36] – Most damaging style: Quick weaves
• [36:16] – Keeping scalp healthy in braids; steamer trick for synthetic braids
• [39:37] – Go-to at-home styles for type 4 hair
• [40:56] – Simple, effective bedtime routines
• [42:12] – Product splurge: Miriam Quevedo 24K Gold Conditioner
• [43:23] – Yoga and work-life balance
• [44:56] – Most iconic moments: Working with Zendaya and Lil Nas X
• [49:24] – The next era: giving back, education, and release
• [53:35] – “When do you feel most beautiful?”: Embracing the everyday self

Final Thoughts

Brooke and Coree’s dynamic is fun, honest, and rooted in mutual respect for the craft and its cultural resonance. Coree’s signature blend of old-school salon culture, Hollywood polish, and deep love for real hair health shines throughout. Whether you're looking to step up your hair regimen, deepen your hair self-love, or simply laugh and learn, this episode delivers practical wisdom and soulful inspiration.

Connect with Coree Moreno:
(See show notes for social links and all product recommendations!)