Naked Beauty Podcast: "Lymphatic Drainage, Gut Health, and Holistic Skincare"

Host: Brooke DeVard
Guest: Shani Hillian, Licensed Esthetician & Founder of In Groove
Date: September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into holistic skincare with celebrated esthetician Shani Hillian. Brooke and Shani discuss the cultural influences on their beauty journeys, holistic and simplified approaches to skin and hair care, the intimate relationship between gut health and skin, debunking myths in beauty trends, and realistic self-care as modern women and mothers. Shani shares personal anecdotes, research-backed advice, and practical routines that listeners can bring into their own wellness rituals.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Holistic Beauty Roots & Jamaican Influence

• Family and Culture: Shani’s approach to beauty and wellness was shaped by her Jamaican heritage and a grandmother who relied on garden-grown ingredients.
  • "Everything came from the yard. And that's essentially how I started my journey." — Shani (03:36)
• Natural Ingredients: Use of aloe (“sinko Bible”), home-grown vegetables, and DIY skin and hair treatments started in childhood and remained a foundation.

2. Career Path in Beauty

• From Tomboy to Skin Expert: Shani initially envisioned a career as a hairstylist, modeled in New York, and witnessed the toll industry life took on skin health.
  • "I saw a lot of models who really had tough skin… I just went back to how I was raised with making masks and doing all of that... I want to do this full time." — Shani (04:46)
• Passion-Driven Work: Making masks out of genuine care, not for profit or recognition, reaffirmed her calling.

3. Beauty Rituals Are Not Gendered

• Inclusive Self-Care: Shani and Brooke discuss how self-care isn’t limited by gender, and how their families (including sons) practice grooming rituals.
  • "Men should upkeep themselves also." — Shani (08:57)

4. Simplicity as the Core Skincare Philosophy

• Paring Back Routines:
  • "If you have a simple routine, you can build on that. We don't need to apply so many products… you’re just wasting your money." — Shani (09:36)
• Must-Have Steps: Cleanser is the most important foundational product.
  • "If you're going to invest in anything, the cleanser is very important." — Shani (10:20)
• Cleansing Technique: Proper technique means washing for at least 60 seconds, using oil cleansers first (especially for makeup wearers), followed by water-based cleansers.
  • "You have to do a minimum of 60 seconds." — Shani (11:17)

5. Product Recommendations

• Oil Cleanser: In Groove Every Mood Oil Cleanser (by Shani)
• Water-Based Cleanser: Epilogic pink cleanser; La Roche-Posay, Caudalie—accessible French drugstore brands.
• Drugstore Picks: Don't overlook quality at approachable price points.

6. Shani’s Natural Hair Routine

• Postpartum Regrowth: Honest discussion about hair loss during pregnancy and the recovery journey.
  • "My hair felt… fell out completely… I cut it all off and started fresh." — Shani (14:57)
• Product Lineup:
  • Innersense shampoo & conditioner
  • L’Oreal Curl Expression mousse
  • Innersense I Create Hold gel
  • Deep conditioning each wash (Slick, aloe as pre-poo)
• Protective Styles: Cautions that not all hair types benefit from protective braid styles; personalized assessment is key.

7. Gut Health & Skin Connection

• Defining the Microbiome:
  • "The gut microbiome is basically like, a combination of the good bacteria and the bad bacteria that balances literally the inflammation in your body." — Shani (19:57)
• Personal Experience: Found that a strictly vegan diet led to health challenges, e.g., kidney stones due to excess oxalates.
• Individualized Diagnostics: Advocates for medical testing (e.g., stool tests) to identify sensitivities and root causes for issues like bloating, rather than self-diagnosing.
  • "I went to my doctor and then I sought… integrative nutritionist, and it was amazing." — Shani (23:59)
• Balance, Not Deprivation:
  • "I truly believe in balance. I don't do it all the time… you don’t want to overdo anything." — Shani (25:02)

8. Food Choices – Myths & Reality

• Dairy & Cheese: Not universally “bad”; personal tolerances vary.
• Sugary Treats: Indulgence is fine in moderation; lifestyle habits matter more than single foods.
• Fermented Foods After Antibiotics: Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir recommended for supporting gut recovery.
  • "If you take just like a tablespoon or two of sauerkraut, that's going to be equal to like a supplement of probiotics." — Shani (28:22)

9. Body Care & Lymphatic Drainage

• Dry Brushing Myths Debunked:
  • "People should open up and massage their lymph nodes first before they dry brush so that you can probably detox your body." — Shani (32:37)
  • Key lymph node areas: behind ears, collarbone, armpits, groin, behind knees.
  • Massage for about 10 seconds to prep for dry brushing.
• Sweating as Detox: Promotes exercise, sauna sessions for skin glow, detox, improved blood flow, and collagen production.
  • "If you want a good glow, go work out for a little bit… it's the oxygen, it's the blood flow." — Shani (34:52, 35:22)

10. Professional Practice & Product Philosophy

• Returning to Practice: Shani gives facials part-time at Carrie Lindsay Beauty in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. (37:00)
• Launching In Groove:
  • Sought multi-purpose, minimal, travel-friendly products for her brand.
  • Oil cleanser formulated to be effective for all skin types (non-comedogenic, hydration-focused, aloe inspired by Jamaican roots).
  • "I just wanted it to be simple with multi nutrients." — Shani (38:45)

11. Knowing Your Skin Type

• DIY Test: Cleanse with water-based wash, leave skin bare for 30 minutes & observe.
  • Shiny T-zone + dry cheeks = combination
  • Dry = dry, No change = normal, Oily all over = oily
• Oily Skin Myths: Oily skin still needs oils; choose the right blend and quantity.
  • "The more oils that are in a formulation, the lighter the oil will be." — Shani (39:40)

12. Self-Care and Motherhood

• Balance & Boundaries: Saturday mornings protected for solo time—yoga, rest, or quiet reflection.
  • "It's my time, and that's what I'm going to do for myself." — Shani (43:18)
• Most Beautiful Moments:
  • "I feel most beautiful when I'm stripped down to the bear… I can just be me with no makeup, with no anything." — Shani (44:15)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Everything came from the yard. And that's essentially how I started my journey." — Shani (03:36)
• "Men should upkeep themselves also." — Shani (08:57)
• "If you're going to invest in anything, the cleanser is very important." — Shani (10:20)
• "You have to do a minimum of 60 seconds." — Shani (11:17)
• "My hair fell out completely… I cut it all off and started fresh." — Shani (14:57)
• "The gut microbiome is basically like, a combination of the good bacteria and the bad bacteria that balances literally the inflammation in your body." — Shani (19:57)
• "I went to my doctor and then I sought… integrative nutritionist, and it was amazing." — Shani (23:59)
• "If you take just like a tablespoon or two of sauerkraut, that's going to be equal to like a supplement of probiotics." — Shani (28:22)
• "People should open up and massage their lymph nodes first before they dry brush so that you can probably detox your body." — Shani (32:37)
• "If you want a good glow, go work out for a little bit… it's the oxygen, it's the blood flow." — Shani (34:52, 35:22)
• "I just wanted it to be simple with multi nutrients." — Shani (38:45)
• "The more oils that are in a formulation, the lighter the oil will be." — Shani (39:40)
• "It's my time, and that's what I'm going to do for myself." — Shani (43:18)
• "I feel most beautiful when I'm stripped down to the bear… I can just be me with no makeup, with no anything." — Shani (44:15)

Segment Timestamps

• [02:44] Shani’s Jamaican familial beauty roots
• [04:46] Shani’s career transition, modeling, and expertise
• [06:48] Beauty rituals for sons & gender inclusivity
• [09:36] Argument for pared down skincare
• [11:17] Proper face cleansing method and timing
• [12:14] Shani’s product recommendations (cleansers, brands)
• [14:36] Shani’s natural hair journey and routines
• [19:57] Gut microbiome explained and holistic health links
• [23:29] Importance of medical guidance for gut issues
• [25:02] Balanced approach to indulgent foods
• [28:22] Foods for gut healing post-antibiotics (sauerkraut, kimchi)
• [32:37] Lymphatic drainage myths and best practices
• [34:52] Sweating & exercise for skin health
• [37:00] Where to get Shani’s facials (Brooklyn)
• [38:45] Shani’s approach to product formulation for In Groove
• [39:40] How to choose and use facial oils
• [43:18] Shani’s self-care strategy as a working mom
• [44:15] When Shani feels most beautiful

Memorable Moments

• Sparkling parallels between Brooke and Shani’s lives as beauty professionals and mothers.
• Open discussion of postpartum hair loss and real postpartum recovery tips.
• Candid myth-busting on diet fads, restrictive wellness, Botox, and “detox” rituals.
• Shani’s direct, friendly, and practical advice throughout; Brooke’s warm, relatable interviewing.

For more information on products and resources discussed, see the show notes.
Book a treatment with Shani at Carrie Lindsay Beauty in Brooklyn or explore In Groove products for streamlined, holistic skincare.

This summary captures the episode’s holistic, inspiring tone and practical wisdom—perfect for listeners seeking reliable, balanced guidance on modern beauty and well-being.