Naked Beauty Podcast: Rerun Episode Featuring Bozoma Saint John on Creating Your Own Beauty Standard

Host: Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli
Guest: Bozoma Saint John
Release Date: March 31, 2025

1. Introduction to Bozoma Saint John

In this riveting rerun episode of the Naked Beauty podcast, host Brooke DeVard engages in an insightful conversation with Bozoma Saint John, a renowned marketing powerhouse and beauty icon. Brooke highlights Bozoma's illustrious career spanning Netflix, Uber, Apple, and Pepsi, emphasizing her dynamic presence on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The episode delves into Bozoma's journey of redefining beauty standards amidst a multifaceted career and a rich cultural background.

2. Perception of Beauty Growing Up

Bozoma shares her unique upbringing, marked by frequent relocations across continents—from Connecticut to Ghana, Washington, D.C., Orange County, Nairobi, and Colorado Springs. This multicultural experience profoundly influenced her perception of beauty.

Notable Quote (02:52):
"I was born in Middletown, Connecticut...we moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, by the time I was 12. So I moved around a lot. And all of those cultures had different standards of beauty."

3. Diversity and Self-Validation in Beauty Standards

Bozoma discusses how her diverse upbringing prevented her from conforming to a singular beauty standard. With limited representation in places like Colorado Springs, she relied on her family—especially her mother and sisters—as her primary benchmarks for beauty.

Notable Quote (05:08):
"We were our own barometer for what beauty meant...no way for me to diminish my own beauty against somebody else's because we were so different."

4. Passing Down Beauty Routines

Bozoma attributes much of her beauty regimen to her mother's influence, who was a glamour girl, model, and fashion designer. She highlights the importance of foundational skincare practices like exfoliation and moisturization, emphasizing the use of shea butter (inku) from Ghana as essential for maintaining healthy skin.

Notable Quote (09:16):
"The foundations of moisturization are universal to all Africans in the diaspora...that ritual of scrubbing off dead skin, moisturizing with shea butter...was the basis of all beauty for us."

5. Navigating Career and Beauty in Corporate Environments

Bozoma reflects on her career trajectory, emphasizing the significance of abandoning rigid plans to embrace opportunities. She recounts her first job interviewing for Spike Lee's team, illustrating how being open to diverse experiences can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths.

Notable Quote (13:18):
"Throw away your plans, man...be open to the idea that perhaps the plan you have for yourself is too small."

6. Maintaining Authentic Self at Work

A core theme of the conversation revolves around Bozoma's commitment to authenticity in the corporate world. She vehemently opposes the notion that climbing the corporate ladder necessitates conforming to conventional beauty standards. Bozoma shares experiences of being judged based on her appearance, reinforcing her stance on embracing one's true self.

Notable Quote (21:40):
"I didn't show up last Tuesday deciding to wear that multicolored suit when everybody else was wearing black...I showed up with the leather pants and the spikes when I was an assistant brand manager at PepsiCo."

7. Experiences with Beauty Policing and Discrimination

Bozoma candidly discusses instances of beauty policing, such as comments on her hairstyles by senior colleagues. She underscores the importance of resisting external judgments and fostering a culture of acceptance.

Notable Quote (23:10):
"He said, 'Oh, I know that this is gonna be an easy day with you because your hair is not all wild today.'...it gets harder the higher you climb."

8. Fitness and Self-Care Routines

Transitioning to self-care, Bozoma reveals her journey from being a student athlete to embracing fitness later in life. Motivated by personal health concerns like high blood pressure and the desire to feel better, she underscores the transformative power of regular exercise.

Notable Quote (33:31):
"On my 41st birthday, I decided to make a change. I'm doing this for myself...I don't want to die early from a stroke."

9. Beauty Routines and Product Recommendations

Bozoma breaks stereotypes by advocating for straightforward skincare routines using accessible products like Eucerin. She emphasizes that effective beauty care doesn't necessitate expensive brands, promoting a philosophy of practicality and authenticity.

Notable Quote (37:28):
"I'm just going to go to CVS and buy my Eucerin and I'll be all right."

She also shares her love for vibrant makeup, particularly lipsticks, and details her personalized approach to makeup application.

Notable Quote (38:35):
"I have to keep them around my desk, right? Because look, wait, let me show you how many lipsticks I have around my desk right now."

10. Hair and Beauty Culture Across Cultures

Bozoma contrasts beauty standards in Ghana with those in Los Angeles, highlighting greater diversity and acceptance in Ghana. She argues that when one's culture sets the beauty norms, there's less pressure to conform to external standards.

Notable Quote (42:59):
"In Ghana, black women aren't trying to impress white people...the standards are different because you're the majority."

11. Final Thoughts on Beauty and Self-Acceptance

Concluding the episode, Bozoma emphasizes the importance of internal beauty and self-acceptance. She encourages listeners to nurture their inner selves, highlighting that true beauty emanates from within.

Notable Quote (34:06):
"The external beauty comes from within...drink your water, eat the vegetables, eat your fruit. Let that skin underneath be the most beautiful part of you."

Additionally, Bozoma shares heartfelt moments about feeling beautiful through her daughter's compliments and her own self-appreciation.

Notable Quote (48:37):
"Sometimes I just look at myself in the mirror and appreciate what this body has been through...it's pretty perfect."

Conclusion

This episode of Naked Beauty with Bozoma Saint John offers a profound exploration of beauty standards, self-care, and authenticity. Bozoma's candid reflections provide invaluable insights for listeners seeking to navigate their own beauty journeys amidst diverse cultural and professional landscapes. Her emphasis on internal wellness, authenticity, and resilience serves as an empowering message for women striving to create and uphold their personal beauty standards.

Note:
As a special takeaway from this episode, host Brooke DeVard shares her newfound appreciation for African Net sponges, inspired by Bozoma's beauty tips, further bridging the conversation between cultural practices and modern beauty routines.