Naked Beauty Podcast: “Smart Girl, Dumb Beauty Questions ft. Brooke Devard”
Host: Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli
Guest Host: Naima Reza (host of Smart Girl Dumb Questions)
Date: October 27, 2025
Brief Overview
This episode is an engaging crossover between "Naked Beauty" and "Smart Girl Dumb Questions," featuring Naked Beauty’s Brooke DeVard in the interviewee seat. The lively conversation, led by host Naima Reza, explores pressing beauty trends, shifting standards, the influence of capitalism, practical skincare tips, and personal self-care philosophies—all through an honest, critical, and often humorous lens. The episode is rich with product insights, cultural analysis, and hard-earned wisdom for anyone navigating the confusing world of beauty.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Brooke’s Recent Trip: Beauty, Motherhood & Self-Care
[00:00–10:21]
- Brooke recounts an immersive, women-only getaway at Palm Heights, Grand Cayman, organized by “Spread the Jelly,” a collective reimagining motherhood and vulnerability.
- Custom-curated details: each guest’s room included personalized fashion and beauty books (e.g., Kevyn Aucoin’s Making Faces, African hair-braiding), showing tailored hospitality and connection.
- Workshops included “Living in a Soft Body” (Erica Chidi) and postpartum fitness (Kirsty Godso).
- Brooke’s takeaway: “I left the trip feeling so rejuvenated…”
- Memorable Karen Story: Brooke narrates her first “Karen experience” involving a baggage mix-up. On staying calm:
“When you are in those situations... you have to stay calm, because I think that they really want to rile you up.” (09:00)
“Does it make you feel better to act this way?” [To Karen] (09:51) - Segue: The episode aims for "the opposite of Karen energy.”
2. Defining Beauty in the Age of Instagram
Interview begins [10:21]
The Concept of “Instagram Face”
[12:00–13:24]
- “Instagram face” defined as poreless, angular, highly-sculpted, and racially ambiguous. (Brooke: “A little racially ambiguous... a fair skin but could be…mixed with something else.” 12:03)
- Amplified by celebrities, filters, and cosmetic surgery.
- Social media has unified certain beauty ideals but also made unique beauty more appreciated (e.g., actresses with unconventional features).
Are Filters Democratizing or Oppressive?
[14:09–14:39]
- Brooke: “Definitely more oppressive. Filters are creating a very unrealistic beauty standard... warping people’s perception of what’s normal.” (14:22)
3. Changing Beauty Standards & Generational Shifts
[16:07–21:29]
- The pressure for “ageless” beauty: Most women want to look like themselves “10 years earlier.”
- Early influence: Kids now start using skincare/makeup at ages 8–9, risking overuse of harsh actives (retinol, exfoliants).
- Do Millennials “look younger” than Gen Z?
- Brooke: “I think Gen Z just looks more polished, older—it’s the contouring... we didn’t know what we were doing at 15!” (19:28)
4. Family, Culture & Affirmation
[20:47–25:05]
- The role of parents in affirming beauty, especially for black girls growing up in white environments.
“My parents really affirmed that for me...I always felt beautiful because my parents affirmed that for me.” (Brooke, 20:49)
- Naima discusses the impact of colorism and evolving perspectives on beauty across cultures.
- Dangers of fetishizing mixed-race beauty: “The mixed race compliment is a dig to either race on its own.” (Naima, 23:35)
5. Who Sets Beauty Standards? Magazines vs. Social Media
[25:05–29:50]
- Instagram (“the new Vogue”): Algorithms curate entirely different experiences based on interests.
“There are so many creators and influencers that have way more reach than Vogue.” (Brooke, 25:24)
- Trend origination: Still some “top-down” (runway, Pat McGrath) but also pronounced “bottom-up" via Instagram and influencers.
- Donni Davy (Euphoria makeup) gleaned trends by observing real teens online.
6. The Pendulum of Trends & Capitalism’s Role in Beauty
[29:50–31:12]
- Trends swing back and forth: big brows, thin brows, baggy jeans, skinny jeans, Brazilian vs. full-bush...
- Capitalism drives cyclical trends (“No, we’ve changed the pockets—a new skinny jean you need to have!” 30:02)
- Advice: “I don’t believe in participating in trends…I think it’s kind of just a rat race.” (Brooke, 30:14)
- “Best style: consistency and uniqueness…not falling victim to the algorithm.” (30:36)
7. What’s Trending Now? Predictions & Product Picks
[31:07–33:42]
- “No lash” look (full glam, no mascara/falsies) is in. Thin brows returning.
- Lip liner remains strong (“for Black and brown communities, lip liner has always been a thing…” – Brooke, 32:12)
- Minimalist “clean girl” aesthetic and focus on skin (Hailey Bieber “clean girl” look).
- Prediction: Skincare routines will simplify, with more multi-use products and less “10-step” approaches.
8. Product Truths, Scams, and Lightning Rounds
[33:42–37:34]
Debunking “Clean Beauty” Myths
- Parabens: Overblown danger; many products are paraben-free already. Some preservatives necessary for shelf stability.
“Splurge, Substitute, or Skip”
- Hair oils: Sub with basic oils (neem, almond, ayurvedic staples).
- Lymphatic drainage: Splurge professionally, unless confident in technique.
- Ingestible collagen: Science-backed, but eating well is just as good.
- Face yoga vs. Botox: Face yoga is beneficial (for muscle tone), but not a true Botox alternative.
“Face yoga really does help to strengthen the muscles in your face…” (Brooke, 36:16)
9. Skincare 101 – Order, Essentials, and What to Ignore
[39:09–45:05]
Routine Order
- Day: Cleanser (optional am), toner/essence, serum (treat targets), moisturizer, always sunscreen.
- Night: Double cleanse (oil then foam), exfoliant, targeted serum (e.g., retinol, vitamin C, azelaic acid), moisturizer.
Notable Debunks
- Eye cream: Not essential, “definitely hope in a jar,” but can help with sensitive or puffy eyes.
- “Layer from thinnest to thickest” for maximum efficacy.
- “Less is more”—overdoing (especially mixing actives) can be harmful.
10. The Science (and Marketing) Behind Products
[45:05–55:00]
- “Clinically tested” vs. “dermatologist approved”: Only the former means measurable scientific backing (check for third-party trials).
- Expensive isn’t always better: High-end brands may fund R&D and offer innovations, but mid-market or Korean/Japanese brands often offer better value and efficacy.
- K-beauty lauded for effectiveness and affordability. “The jig is up—it doesn’t have to be a $100 cream to drive results.” (Brooke, 53:40)
- Peptides, salmon sperm: Next-big-thing ingredients, especially in Korean skin care (Brooke testing Medicube’s salmon sperm cream).
11. Influencer Culture & Capitalism in Beauty
[55:06–56:08]
- Free products = targeted marketing. Brands seed with influencers for authentic reach.
- Both hosts (and their dermatologists) advocate for simplified, targeted routines and healthy skepticism about marketing claims.
12. Motherhood, Instagram Detox & Content Creation
[56:08–58:00]
- Brooke describes deleting all social apps to reclaim mental clarity postpartum.
“You can get so disconnected from your own tastes and your own opinions because you’re ingesting so many other people’s opinions...It was kind of just remembering, like, I know what I want to do.” (Brooke, 57:19)
- Podcasts felt more intimate and nourishing than algorithmic feeds.
- Launch of Naked Beauty’s fragrance, inspired by LA’s citrus and serenity, formulated to “smell different on everyone depending on their body chemistry.” (Brooke, 58:10–58:55)
13. Fun and “Dumb” Questions
[39:09, 59:14]
- “Fuck, Marry, Kill” for beauty:
- Brooke: "Kill makeup, marry skincare, fuck hair care" (39:14)
- Both agree: Skincare offers the deepest daily satisfaction.
- “What are you dumb about?”: Brooke confesses she’s lost with architecture and home renovations—her husband’s field.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Does it make you feel better to act this way?” – Brooke to the “Karen,” instantly diffusing a tense confrontation. (09:51)
- “Instagram is the new Vogue.” (25:08, paraphrased)
- “You can get so disconnected from your own tastes and your own opinions because you’re ingesting so many other people’s opinions...” – Brooke on her Instagram detox (57:19)
- “Less is more when it comes to beauty.” (Naima, after 62:00)
- “If you ever have to deal with a Karen... stay calm, put up a mirror, and defuse the situation.” (Brooke, 09:20)
Segment Timestamps
| Time | Segment | |--------------|------------------------------------------| | 00:00–10:21 | Brooke’s Palm Heights trip + Karen Story | | 10:21–12:01 | Smart Girl Dumb Questions intro | | 12:01–16:08 | “Instagram face” & Filters debate | | 16:08–19:47 | Generational beauty shifts | | 19:47–25:05 | Cultural affirmation & mixed-race beauty | | 25:05–29:50 | Who sets the trends? | | 29:50–33:07 | The commerce pendulum and style advice | | 33:07–36:13 | Trending now (lashes, brows, skin) | | 36:13–37:34 | Quick-fire: Splurge, Substitute, Skip | | 39:09–43:34 | Skincare basics & routines | | 45:05–55:00 | Product science, scams, K-beauty | | 56:08–58:00 | Motherhood, Instagram detox, rebirth | | 58:00+ | Fragrance, fun Qs, wrapping up |
Useful Takeaways
- Beauty “rules” are cyclical, profit-driven, and often arbitrary—find your own groove.
- Skincare trumps glam—consistency and self-knowledge matter more than trends or products.
- Simplify your beauty routine. Consult actual experts (dermatologists).
- Korean (and often Japanese) skincare offers innovation without luxury mark-ups.
- Approach marketing claims with healthy skepticism; check for third-party trials.
- “Instagram detox” can be transformative—listen to your inner voice.
- Best style is uniqueness, not algorithmic conformity.
For more:
Check out Brooke DeVard’s “Naked Beauty” podcast and Instagram @BrookeDeVard, and Naima Reza’s “Smart Girl Dumb Questions” for continued, candid beauty conversations.
Compiled and summarized for maximum clarity, nuance, and listener utility.