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- [00:00]
A
Hello, hello, this is Brooke Devard, host of the Naked Beauty Podcast, and I want to talk to you about Lexus. Have you ever considered how the smallest details can create real emotion? Lexis does like the feeling associated with the sound of a turn signal or the touch of a button as it's pressed. At Lexus, master craftsmen called Takumi are involved not just in physical craftsmanship, but in all of those sensory details. These masters evaluate things like how a door closes, the click of a switch, the acoustic feedback of control. Instead of just instruments, Takumi craftsmen rely on human perception and intuition to create what sounds and feels right. Out of all of the tools that Lexus uses, the most powerful one is understanding what will make us feel something. Because a car that doesn't make you feel something is a car that stops short of amazing experience. Amazing at your Lexus dealer. Hello, hello, this is Brooke Devard and you're listening to the Nick Naked Beauty Podcast. And if you're watching us on YouTube, you're watching the Naked Beauty podcast. I am so excited about today's guest, Kayla Nicole. She is a Pepperdine trained journalist, a media personality, a model, a fitness entrepreneur, and a podcaster. From courtside coverage of the Lakers to strutting down red carpets and fashion week, Kayla has built her career on the art of authentic connection and storytelling. She's been a brand ambassador for Savage, Fenty Revolve, and she's the founder of her own wellness brand, Tribe Therapy. And she's the host of an incredible podcast that I love called the Pregame. Kayla Nicole is someone who has continued to reinvent herself. She's been an inspiration to me and so many women. I'm so excited to invite Kayla Nicole onto this episode of Naked Beauty. Welcome to Naked Beauty, Kayla Nicole. Thank you.
- [01:53]
B
Girl, that was so good.
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A
I mean, you've done so much.
- [01:56]
B
You know, sometimes it feels really good to like hear your accolades back though, you know?
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A
Yes.
- [02:00]
B
Give yourself those flowers every now and then. But thank you so much.
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A
You are a true LA woman. Grew up here.
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B
Yes. Yes.
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A
In a house full of women.
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B
Absolutely. Lots of girls.
- [02:10]
A
Lots of girls in the house. What was your relationship to Beauty like growing up?
- [02:15]
B
Ooh, I think one of some of my earliest memories definitely come from growing up in my grandparents house and going after school. My grandma would pick me up, she'd take me to her house until my mom got off work and she would just let me play. Like I could play in her closet and her jewelry and her makeup and her skin care, which is insane because it's pretty Pricey. My grandma's a bougie lady.
- [02:39]
A
What were you getting into?
- [02:40]
B
I just remember. I mean, I don't even know what the products were back then, but I just vividly remember, though, her literally letting me have free reign. Like, I could just go in there and just play and make a mess and had to clean it up afterwards always. But she just gave me free reign to just, you know, play and figure myself out and explore the world of beauty. And I think that she definitely planted the seed of having, like, a skincare routine and a beauty routine and really taking your time. I, like, I vividly remember she would take these really long baths, and then when she would get out of the bath, it was like, now she has a full skincare routine, and she would sit there and lotion her skin up and spray her perfume. Like, I just remember sitting on her bathroom floor and just, like, kind of, like, watching her in awe. She was gorgeous. She's still alive, by the way. Maybe I should not say she was gorgeous. She still is gorgeous. Yes. She still is gorgeous. But it was like. It just felt so, like, glamorous and regal. That was, like, my first entry into. Into beauty, I think.
- [03:34]
A
Yes. Just watching that routine and the jars and the products. I have similar memories to that.
- [03:40]
B
Yeah. And just seeing it all, like, laid out so beautifully, like, on her bathroom counter, like, it felt like a department store almost.
- [03:46]
A
Yes. And now I know you have half sisters.
- [03:48]
B
Sisters, yes. It's like it's a blended family, child. You got blended over here.
- [03:53]
A
I love seeing, like, you do reels around Thanksgiving where the whole family's together. You've got, like, a big family. But how. How many girls are in the family?
- [04:00]
B
Okay, so I have four sisters, specifically. My dad has a daughter. Her name's Sydney. And then my mom and my stepdad have three daughters together. Jada, Layla, and ava Kayla. Very Dr. Seuss of my mother. I don't know what she was going through, but. So, yeah, four sisters total, and then 15 granddaughters total.
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A
A huge family of lots of women. Yes.
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B
Lots of estrogen.
- [04:24]
A
I have a brother. That's it. I've always wanted a sister.
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B
Oh, my goodness.
- [04:29]
A
Being around, you know, growing up that way. Did you guys borrow each other's clothes, help each other with makeup tips?
- [04:34]
B
Well, unfortunately for me, I'm significantly older than everyone.
- [04:37]
A
Okay.
- [04:37]
B
And then because Sydney, my dad's daughter, grew up with her mom, we would see each other on the weekends. So like, we have memories of, like, visiting with my dad, and, like, my dad is an art professor, so we did a lot of, like, arts and crafts and things like that. But with him, there wasn't too much beauty stuff going on. Then on my mom's side, I am. Geez, how much older? 12 years older than the oldest.
- [04:56]
A
Okay.
- [04:57]
B
So it was kind of like she was playing in my stuff.
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A
Yes.
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B
Which was extremely.
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A
You should let her.
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B
Hell no.
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A
Right.
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B
I was getting. I literally have a memory from high school. My mom took the door off of my room because my little sister. I would let her come in and I would be doing my homework, and the next thing I know, she's in this drawer, and she's in that drawer, and she's touching this makeup and putting
- [05:17]
A
this on, and we're like, get out.
- [05:18]
B
And I told her. I told her. I said, get out now. My mother hears me telling this little. I mean, she was kind of little, but it was my space. But I'm telling her to get out. And all I hear is my mom on the phone, when you get home, you're taking the door off her hinges. And I'm like, she's not gonna do that. The minute my dad got home, he stood the door right on down. I didn't have a door for the rest of the school year.
- [05:39]
A
Oh, my goodness. Yeah.
- [05:42]
B
Sharing was something that I had to learn to do.
- [05:44]
A
Yes. But you know what? What do you think about the term when people say they're a girl's girl?
- [05:48]
B
I hate it.
- [05:49]
A
Right. Cause it's like, if you are a girl's girl, you don't have to. You're a girl's girl.
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B
You don't have to say that. It's so bizarre. Like, men don't have to say, I'm a man's man. Like, what you mean? I'm a human's human, I think is what I am.
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A
Yes. Yeah. Period.
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B
I'm really over that whole girls girl terminology. I don't get it.
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A
Same.
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B
It's not for me.
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A
You also did gymnastics.
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B
Yes.
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A
Since you were little, like a five year old.
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B
Yes.
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A
Now I did gymnastics and, like, quickly was diagnosed with scoliosis. And it was like, this is not going to work for your overall development and health. And, like, got taken right out.
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B
Yeah.
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A
Gymnastics is hard on the body.
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B
So hard.
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A
Takes a lot of discipline, though.
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B
Oh, my gosh. I think that it really planted the seed for the discipline that I have now in the gym. Like, I don't know where I would be if I didn't do gymnastics growing up. One, because of muscle memory, which is really amazing. But two, just, like, having a schedule and A routine and having to, like, eat right at that age, like, you're competing and your coaches are telling you, like, yeah, you don't get to eat McDonald's this weekend. Like, you need to go home and eat chicken and broccoli. Like, instilling that, though, in a kid at that age really, I think, has made me enjoy the discipline in my adulthood at least.
- [06:57]
A
Okay, so for you, it was a positive experience?
- [07:01]
B
I wouldn't say that. What's so crazy about gymnastics? I don't know how long that you did it for, but when you start as young as I started, you know, when you're five and six, it's kind of like fun. And you're doing the little activities and the big, like, you know, that big, like, balloon thing that everyone that you
- [07:14]
A
throw it in, you run underneath and
- [07:17]
B
there's bouncy balls and trampoline. And your parents get to sit in the gym with you right while you're working out. Then you get to a certain level where you really start competing. You get to this level, and then all of a sudden they start telling your parents to sit upstairs in the room with the glass window.
- [07:32]
A
Yeah. It starts getting real.
- [07:33]
B
It's like, well, why can't my mama hear what y' all saying to me? What are y' all in here doing? Cause they're in there damn near cussing your kids out, just so you know. But it's like, that's what's required. Because it's such a rigorous, tough sport, you have to be mentally tough, you have to be physically fit. I think it's the hardest sport out there, to be honest. And I think too, like, if you put your kids in it, it's really good with teaching the fundamentals. Like, you can. You can do gymnastics and then go and do any sport after that.
- [08:01]
A
That's true.
- [08:02]
B
I'm biased, obviously, but.
- [08:04]
A
Yes, but you. And you're disciplined, though, in terms of working out?
- [08:07]
B
Absolutely.
- [08:08]
A
Every day, five days a week, three days, three times a week.
- [08:12]
B
I think when I'm really on it, five days is like, I'm killing it.
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A
I mean, a good week, though, is
- [08:19]
B
four days and then like an active recovery day on the weekend. So, like, taking my dogs for like a two mile walk or a little yoga or something, but five days a week, I'm feeling very accomplished.
- [08:29]
A
And you do it no matter what. In terms of, like, if you're hungover, if you're tired, if your period came, like, you're like, I'm just gonna go in and get this workout.
- [08:37]
B
I just Started deciding that I'm gonna be an adult and when my period comes, I'm gonna work out. Like, that was a recent. Like, enough is enough. Like the period's not going anywhere. Like, we have to stop with this. Excuse me.
- [08:46]
A
They say it helps, though.
- [08:48]
B
That's bullshit. I've never felt any better after working out while my period.
- [08:52]
A
I wouldn't know because I don't do it. Yeah.
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B
You're like, I don't even want to try.
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A
Right?
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B
Yeah, I don't even want to experiment. But I think it depends. It depends on the week. Hungover. No, there's no shot. I'm not. Yeah, I'm not throwing up in the gym for the sake of working out.
- [09:04]
A
Right.
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B
Which is why I try not to get too hungover these days. I know sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail. I failed this week.
- [09:10]
A
There's this huge shift that happens from your 20s to your 30s when it comes to being able to tolerate alcohol.
- [09:18]
B
Yeah.
- [09:19]
A
And I read it because, like, I guess our water, the water content in our body decreases every year. So it has to do with like, basically the dehydration is what makes it like, thirsty. We're thirsty. So now I try to have one glass of water for every drink that I have. Shots, girl.
- [09:34]
B
You're like, I'm not even doing the shots.
- [09:35]
A
You're doing shots.
- [09:36]
B
Oh, I'm doing shots. Well, only because less sugar drinks. The sugar is like, that's what's going to give me the hangover, is the friggin passion fruit mark.
- [09:45]
A
Right.
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B
I can't drink four of those in a night.
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A
What's your shot of choice?
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B
Lately it's been a Don Julio reposado chilled with an orange.
- [09:53]
A
Okay. Yes. On trend. I went to Pepperdine University. It's in Malibu. For people that don't know, this is one of the most beautiful campuses in the entire world.
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B
Stunning.
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A
I mean, I went to visit because I was like, okay, maybe I want to go to college in California. And I got to Pepperdine and I was like, this is a school. It looks like a Four Seasons resort.
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B
No, literally, it was. Did you know that it was. They filmed Zoe 101 there, that old show on. I think it was like Nickelodeon. I used to come on. Yeah, they filmed that there. Like, that's how perfect. It's literally like a set of a TV show.
- [10:24]
A
It's insane. So what was your college experience like?
- [10:26]
B
Well, I say that it was like boarding school. There's no drinking. And not that you have to drink in college to have a college experience. But, like, what are we doing? Like, I'm at my mom's house. I didn't, I didn't drink in high school. I felt like I'm a free bird. I want college experiences, you know, but you can drink. There's no football team again. What are we doing? The basketball team was terrible. And my ex boyfriend played on the basketball team. And it was like, you guys are the worst. Like, the sports were not the best. I think, like, baseball, maybe soccer, water polo was good. So for me, I mean, I'm a sports girly. Like, I need. I needed that. I needed the camaraderie of, like, this is our team and this is our school. We didn't have any of that. And there's just a lot of white people.
- [11:10]
A
Yes.
- [11:11]
B
Like, I didn't feel like it was diverse enough for me. And as someone, I desperately wanted to go to the east coast. I wanted to go to an HBCU so bad. I went on the HBCU college tour. Like, I was just ready to go. And my parents, one, they took me on the tour of Malibu.
- [11:28]
A
Yeah.
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B
And I saw the dorms.
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A
Yeah.
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B
I'm like, wait, my dorm is an oceanfront view?
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A
Yeah. Excuse me. This is like, it's the most insane college camp. It is just. It's unreal.
- [11:37]
B
Stunning.
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A
Yeah.
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B
I mean, I say to this day, I'm like, I don't know if I'll ever have that greater view again, reach
- [11:43]
A
that level of lifestyle. I know.
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B
I mean, other than that, I think I had a good experience overall. Like, I made the best of it. When we wanted a little party, we found it. You know, we would go to usc, ucla, couple parties in the hills, but, you know, you make the most of it.
- [11:57]
A
Yes. Did you have beauty icons growing up? People that you were like, oh, I want to look like this.
- [12:02]
B
Oh, my gosh. I was just posting on my story
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A
today, Nia Long, forever icon.
- [12:08]
B
She looks exactly the same. It's like I just. I aspire. I just hope because we're all black women that we will have the same, you know, DNA makeup and it'll still look that damn good. She looks so good. But for sure, Nia Long. I feel like any leading lady in a 90s Rom com was like my beauty icon.
- [12:28]
A
So tea. And I feel like people really had distinct and unique features in the 90s. I think now everyone kind of gets the same stuff done to their face and everyone kind of looks a little bit alike. But in the 90s, there was, like,
- [12:40]
B
true individuality and the glam was so simple.
- [12:43]
A
Yes.
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B
Like, I was looking at an old clip of Lisa Rae the other day, and it's like, she might have. I don't even know if she has on lashes. Like, it's just like, good skin, good face. And like you said, your features are so distinct, and they really embraced them. It wasn't a time of, like, oh, well, I need to have this very slender nose, and my cheekbones have to be out to here. Like, people were just gorgeous and natural and just stunning.
- [13:05]
A
Yes. I mean, given that you are in the industry you're in, you're also in la, the epicenter of kind of a hyper focus on looks. How do you kind of keep your balance when it comes to thinking about cosmetic enhancements and not taking things too far?
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B
But I'm trying to stay away as long as I can.
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A
Okay. Like, you've done nothing.
- [13:28]
B
The only thing that I've done, and I've gone on record to say this because people try to call me out all the time. I've gotten lip filler.
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A
Okay. It looks very natural.
- [13:36]
B
Well, because I've only. I get it, like, once a year.
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A
Okay. And it's more of, like, syringe.
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B
Half a syringe.
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A
Top and bottom.
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B
Top and bottom. Yeah. It's really, like, just balancing. I feel like I don't even remember now. I think that my top lip is significantly smaller than my bottom lip. So she kind of just like, balances it out.
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A
Okay.
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B
But now it's been like a year and a half and some change since I've got. So I think. I don't even know if it's still in there or not. Maybe a little bit.
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A
It looks. I mean, your lips look beautiful.
- [14:02]
B
Thank you. But that's the only thing that I've gotten. And I'm. I'm afraid. I mean, I'm not gonna lie. I have asked her, like, can I get a little under eye filling? She's like, no. What about a little Botox? She's like, you don't even need it yet.
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A
You don't even need it yet.
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B
And I don't know that I believe
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A
in the preventative Botox.
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B
Preventative Botox?
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A
It's a scam.
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B
Yeah.
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A
People listening. Don't fall for it. I think it's scam. I don't think you need it.
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B
I don't think you need it. And some people. I mean, granted, I do have girlfriends that are doing it now, and they look great. I just don't want to fall into the. In my mind, it's just like. It's a slippery slope. Because once I get to.
- [14:36]
A
It's a slippery slope playing.
- [14:38]
B
And it's like, look here, can you make this part of my face go like this? It's like, you don't even need that to be honest.
- [14:43]
A
And we've all seen people that do take it too far where you can look at them and you can say like, clearly you've just lost perspective on what looks normal.
- [14:52]
B
And it's like, it's a form of dysmorphia too. Like you, you forget what your face looks like. I'll never forget. I just started stopped wearing lash extensions. Like the permanent ones, the individual lash extensions.
- [15:03]
A
That's also an addiction cycle because you just used to the way your eyes look with them.
- [15:07]
B
And when I first took it off, first of all to the men, because you know who you are, I would call a guy and he would be
- [15:13]
A
like, on FaceTime, on FaceTime, like, full
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B
pause, like, are you okay? And I'm like, yeah, I'm fine. What are you sick? No, I'm not sick.
- [15:22]
A
Like, just because of the lashes. I'm surprised they're that observant, to be honest.
- [15:27]
B
But I think also probably, like, psychologically for me, I'm like, well, what is it? Like, what do you mean? Like, you know, super defensive and just like insecure about it. But I love my face, which is. Whatever I'm gonna say it. I love my face. I love my eyes so much. I have similar eyes to my mom. And I feel like you can see them so much more now without these freaking lashes on them. Like waking up every day like, we're kind of crazy. Why do you feel like you need to have a full lash at 6:30 in the morning? Why?
- [15:55]
A
And you just get used to it.
- [15:57]
B
You do.
- [15:57]
A
And it. And you start to just only register your face as pretty with that on. It's the same thing with hair extensions and some people that wear makeup every single day. Which is great if that's your self expression. But I think it's just so important that when you are just you, no hair extensions, no lash extensions, no makeup, you still feel beautiful.
- [16:14]
B
Yeah. And it takes some time to get to get used to it. But falling back in love with your face, it's been so fun for me. Like, I literally was looking in the mirror. I did my skincare routine. My skin is just glowing. I have no makeup on, my brows are not shaped. And to be honest, they needed to be threaded. But I felt like, damn, girl. Like, this is a good face.
- [16:31]
A
I know.
- [16:32]
B
I'm not mad at this face. And I prefer my face, too. Sometimes without makeup, I just feel like it. It looks youthful. I feel like a kid.
- [16:39]
A
Yes. I mean, you're. I'm. I'm like. I'm skipping ahead to the skincare routine because I need to know, you wake up in the morning. What do you do? Okay, what's the rundown?
- [16:48]
B
I have. I have had to become more disciplined because I know that I'm getting older.
- [16:54]
A
Okay.
- [16:54]
B
And. No, but seriously, because there was a time where I would just sleep in my makeup.
- [17:00]
A
Oh, no, but listen, that time has passed.
- [17:03]
B
It's gone. I can't do that anymore because I will break out. And it just grosses me out, too. It's like, girl, do better.
- [17:08]
A
Grow up.
- [17:08]
B
It's disgusting. You know what I mean? We're not, like, drunk coming home from the bar at 22 anymore. Take your makeup off.
- [17:14]
A
Right.
- [17:14]
B
Also, my sheets are far too expensive to keep getting makeup on them. So I take my makeup off without makeup wipes. But that was a part of my skincare routine for a long time. That was like a pillar in the routine. A makeup wipe.
- [17:26]
A
We got to move past the makeup wipe.
- [17:28]
B
We have to get past it.
- [17:28]
A
Yes.
- [17:29]
B
And we have.
- [17:30]
A
So how are you taking off the day?
- [17:32]
B
So I like to use a cleansing balm.
- [17:34]
A
Same love. A cleansing, cleansing balm. What do you use?
- [17:36]
B
I think it's Elemis.
- [17:37]
A
Is the brand the Elemis, the naked one or the scented one? Is it yellow? Yeah. Yeah.
- [17:41]
B
I don't really do this. I don't want too many scents on my face. It overstimulates me. And then it's like, why does every product. Now I smell like a freaking fruit bowl. I don't know. I don't really like that. That's not my vibe.
- [17:50]
A
Yes.
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B
Scentless is the way to go for me.
- [17:52]
A
Yes. Okay. That cleansing balm is fantastic.
- [17:54]
B
Yes. And then I'll do a good little face wash. It's kind of exfoliating. I want to say that it's so Kate. Oh, exfoliate.
- [18:03]
A
Okay. From Kate Somerville.
- [18:04]
B
Yes.
- [18:05]
A
The light green.
- [18:06]
B
Yes.
- [18:06]
A
Very gentle beads.
- [18:08]
B
Yes.
- [18:08]
A
Gorgeous.
- [18:09]
B
I love that one. But some, they have a really strong exfoliating one that will, like, burn. I let my best friend use it one time, and I'm like, okay, well, maybe my skin's a little different. She put it on, was, like, screaming her head off. So I like it.
- [18:21]
A
Yes.
- [18:21]
B
I'm a dry skin girly, so I need a little exfoliation at least, like, once a week to give me a good, like, glow.
- [18:28]
A
Yes. Okay. So you're double cleansing and exfoliating.
- [18:30]
B
Yes.
- [18:31]
A
Then what are we layering on after?
- [18:33]
B
Okay, so one of my favorite products right now, and I feel like it's become like my holy grail product is the Rhode.
- [18:40]
A
Is glazing milk so good.
- [18:42]
B
What is that? I don't even know what's going on.
- [18:44]
A
It's like a thin, like, essence almost. And you just, like, put that on your skin before your moisturizer, and it just makes your skin so soft. It's so good.
- [18:54]
B
It's so tea. My problem is I'm a bit of a skincare hoarder.
- [18:57]
A
You've got a lot of stuff in the cabinet.
- [18:59]
B
I have a lot of things that I know that work, and I kind of just whatever I'm grabbing and reaching for that day, like, you know, until I empty it out.
- [19:06]
A
Yeah.
- [19:06]
B
But I probably have, like, four toners up there.
- [19:08]
A
Oh, wow.
- [19:08]
B
But I love a good toner. Something that's hydrating and gentle again. Dry skin, girly. So I don't need anything that's going to dry me out.
- [19:14]
A
Yes.
- [19:14]
B
So we're gonna go in with our toner. That glazing milk goes on there. Ooh. CEO glow.
- [19:21]
A
Okay, Sunday Riley.
- [19:23]
B
Riley.
- [19:23]
A
Yes.
- [19:24]
B
Have to have it. Have to have it. I want to look like a greased up dolphin at the end of my skincare routine.
- [19:31]
A
That's how you know you did it, right?
- [19:32]
B
Yes. So she's going in there.
- [19:34]
A
What are your go to? Like, nice, heavy, thick moisturizers. Because I also have dry skin, and I feel like sometimes it's hard to find the moisturizers that don't just, like, evaporate and feel like water.
- [19:44]
B
I have been using because I ran out of a moisturizer. I don't know if you're supposed to be doing this every day, but I've been using Sunday Riley the jet lag mask.
- [19:52]
A
Oh, Summer Fridays. Jet lag mask Fridays. That's a fantastic mask.
- [19:56]
B
Yes. It's so good. But I've been using it as my moisturizer.
- [19:57]
A
As your moisturizer, and it's been working out well. Listen, I do the same thing whenever I read that it's like a. Like a mask treatment. I'm like, I'm wearing this all night.
- [20:05]
B
Yeah.
- [20:06]
A
I did the same thing with, like, the. The lip masks. That's just like my lip balm.
- [20:10]
B
That's chapstick. Thank you.
- [20:13]
A
We're not paying close attention to the directions here. I got sidetracked by the skincare of it all. But we didn't even talk about Your foray into, like, media and journalism and all the amazing, like, sports newscasting that you did. First of all, how did you even know that that was something that you wanted to do as a career?
- [20:29]
B
I can think back to a time when I actually toured Pepperdine. That was, like, my last college tour. And they took me to. It was this, like, state of the art newsroom which shout out to the HBCUs. They didn't have that. They didn't have that, man. They didn't have it. And I was just in awe. I don't want to say that I'm a ham, but, like, there's a part of me that felt like I'm supposed to be on camera. Like, I feel like I thrive in front of the lights. It just feels very natural to me. But outside of that, I have always just been drawn to connecting with people. I've always been really, really inspired by the idea of just the power of someone's story. And, like, the opportunity to help people tell their story has always been really intriguing and fulfilling for me. So I think journalism was just like, yes, being on camera is cool, but, like, also I'm able to connect with others, and that's what was really special to me, I think.
- [21:21]
A
Yes. And when did the kind of modeling and content creation start coming into your work?
- [21:27]
B
Well, being at Pepperdine, it was like I was in the Mecca. You know, you're in la. It was easy to be able, you know, do my school work and then also book a couple modeling gigs here and there. I was doing a couple music videos. If y' all do research, you can find it. Which music videos were you in? Video girl. Okay. Exactly. Okay. Music videos.
- [21:46]
A
I want to be a video girl so badly. Growing up, that was like, the who. I'm like, who? Who are the people we looked up to?
- [21:52]
B
All of the model girlies. I don't even know their names. Yeah. Who was like, an iconic video girl, though?
- [21:56]
A
Melissa Ford.
- [21:57]
B
Okay, Melissa. Absolutely.
- [21:58]
A
Melissa Ford was a really big one.
- [22:01]
B
Anyone that was in the Jay Z videos I was obsessed with?
- [22:04]
A
Yes. Okay. There was that girl in the Pharrell front video. Yes. Do you remember that girl? Who is she? Shout out to you.
- [22:09]
B
Yeah, that girl in the green and the yellow.
- [22:11]
A
Exactly.
- [22:11]
B
Wait, was it Lauren London in it too? Was that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [22:16]
A
Lauren London. Yes. I feel like from the first time I ever saw her on, like, some BET thing, I was like, you're everything.
- [22:22]
B
Stunning.
- [22:23]
A
Your tea gorge. Yeah, that's what music videos did you do?
- [22:28]
B
Okay, let me think. Okay. I wasn't in college. Okay. There's a YG video that I was in, and I have this really short. Like, I had cut my hair off. I was living in New York, was going through something, cut all my hair off, came back to LA with a pixie cut and booked a job. So I was in a YG video. I was in it. Trey Songz. I don't know. Are we? Are we? Are we?
- [22:50]
A
I can't keep up. Yeah.
- [22:51]
B
I don't know if we're a team or not.
- [22:53]
A
A lot of the men, I just kind of assume that they're maybe problematic. So it's hard. I've literally stopped, like, taking pictures with men. I'm like, I can't even stand next to me.
- [23:00]
B
That's a good idea.
- [23:01]
A
Actually, I don't. I don't know what's going.
- [23:03]
B
Generally speaking, same. It's like, don't photograph me with any man ever again.
- [23:06]
A
Don't photograph me with the man.
- [23:07]
B
I know, but that was when he was, like, accepted into the community.
- [23:11]
A
So.
- [23:11]
B
Yep. And then what else did I do? I did a pink video.
- [23:15]
A
Okay. So you're really out here.
- [23:17]
B
I was, like, working, and I was making so much money. Like, I'll never forget. Like, I thought that I was so cool taking care of my little boyfriend.
- [23:24]
A
Okay.
- [23:25]
B
Because I had jobs. Like, I was working at the local newspaper. I was working at a bikini store at the little, like, local Malibu Mart. I was modeling. Like, I was not messing around. I was getting a check.
- [23:37]
A
This. This gymnast work ethic has carried you very far throughout. Throughout your life. Yeah. Okay. The fitness of it all with the beauty stuff. Because we were talking about your hair. Your hair is gorgeous. I love this. Half up, half down. Thank you. So many black women specifically do not work out because their hair. Of the hair of it all. I.
- [23:57]
B
Great.
- [23:58]
A
I'm usually in braids, and that's like, easy braids, working out. Don't have to think about it. But yeah, when you're getting your hair pressed and doing all this stuff, it's like, you don't want to ruin your investment. So how have you been able to stay so active in the gym while also keeping your hair looking gorgeous?
- [24:11]
B
I really feel bad when I answer this question because I get it a lot from the girlies. Especially, like, on Instagram, when I'm posting my workouts.
- [24:18]
A
I already know what you're going to say, and it's about to annoy me, but say it. I'm ready. I'm ready to hear it, but I hate it.
- [24:23]
B
Just gonna hold your Hand when I say it.
- [24:25]
A
Yeah, I know.
- [24:27]
B
Come on, pull me.
- [24:27]
A
I know I'm read.
- [24:29]
B
I don't sweat.
- [24:30]
A
You don't sweat. I knew it was coming.
- [24:32]
B
I don't sweat.
- [24:33]
A
I knew it was coming.
- [24:34]
B
Yeah, but actually that's a lie though, because today. So with this style, obviously, like, I have some leave out around the edges here, and we did cardio. Cardio will make me sweat, okay? But it's rare that I'm doing that because I hate running. You know what I mean? Because what am I running from? I'm not in danger. But today I sweat it out. Like, I sweat it out. I sweat the back out, the sides out. And I had to go home and touch it up. So I do get it and I feel for my girls. The only suggestion that I can give and the only thing that helped me today a little bit was just pinning it up off of my body. Like, keep it as far off your body as possible. A good headband. But it just. It's part of the. I don't want to call it a curse, but the lore, the lore of being a black woman in the gym, it is like you gotta just thug it out. But get your hair off your body though, right?
- [25:20]
A
And don't not work out because of it.
- [25:22]
B
Also that. Because your hair looks good. But how do we feel?
- [25:27]
A
How do we feel?
- [25:28]
B
How does our body feel?
- [25:29]
A
Yes.
- [25:29]
B
Do we feel good in our body or are we just trying to keep the press together? You know, I know. I don't feel like that's an equal trade off.
- [25:35]
A
Yes.
- [25:35]
B
And also, like you said, protective styles, low maintenance, protect your hair and you get to work out freely.
- [25:41]
A
So, yes. Now you. I think you talked about a time where you had like a six pack and everyone was complimenting your body, that you were going through it personally. But on the outside, everyone was saying, like, you look so good, you look incredible. But you weren't feeling incredible.
- [25:56]
B
I felt like a shell of myself.
- [25:58]
A
What was happening during that time?
- [26:00]
B
Gosh, this is so many years ago now. It feels like. Like a distant memory, which I'm very, very thankful for because I've been like, you know, really trying to do the work. But I think that was my first time ever knowing for a fact that I was experiencing depression. Like clinically depressed, diagnosed by a therapist. This is depression.
- [26:21]
A
Before you got to the therapist, what were the signs that that told you, I need to talk to someone?
- [26:26]
B
I. A lot of things. Like, this was the first time in my life where I am someone who has this workout routine, has had a Workout routine since I was five, essentially. And I didn't want to leave my house.
- [26:39]
A
Wow.
- [26:40]
B
Like, I didn't want to leave my house. I didn't want to eat. I was literally, like, waking up crying and then going to sleep. Waking up, crying, going to sleep. I would eat. If I did eat, it was so that I could go back to sleep. And then on top of that, it got to the point where it was like, now I can't even sleep well. I'm not doing anything. I'm not tired. My body's like, hey, we're used to movement, and you're just sitting around all day. What are we doing? So then I started taking melatonin during the day, you know, just abusing things that typically were not part of my norm. And then I think, too, just losing a significant amount of weight in the time span that I did to others. I'm like. I said I was getting complimented all the time. It was like, your abs are popping. I was going to the gym maybe, like, once or twice a week, and my trainer was even looking at me like, we're losing weight, and this is not even the goal. Like, I. You're trying to maintain.
- [27:34]
A
Right.
- [27:34]
B
I started asking him. I'm like, yeah, like, I want my butt. Like, that is a. I feel like for me. For me personally, who am I without my butt? I had lost a. I mean, a lot of booty was gone. It was.
- [27:45]
A
Yeah, it wasn't.
- [27:46]
B
It wasn't the same amount of. But it.
- [27:47]
A
It's so important that you say this, because people make the mistake of compliment, complimenting in quotes, people's weight loss, not knowing what people are going through. So it's like, you could. Oh, you look great. You're losing weight, and it's like, you're so tiny. I'm grieving, or I'm dealing with a depressive episode or I'm sick.
- [28:03]
B
Yeah, yeah. You never really know.
- [28:05]
A
Yeah.
- [28:06]
B
I think it's better if we just keep the compliments general. You look amazing, Right? I hope you feel amazing. You know what I mean? But, yeah, it was a tough time for me. I had to have an honest conversation with myself because it was like, typically, I felt like if I had ever felt like that before, not that extreme, but I have found a way to pull myself out of that hole, and I couldn't get out of it. And it was like I was going to church, and I'm praying and I'm talking to my family and I'm talking to my friends, and it's like, it just felt Like a repeat cycle. And I was like, okay, well, what's the other option? Like, there. There's only. What else can I do, right? I gotta talk to somebody else. That's like a, you know, someone who's a professional who can really, like, help me figure out why my thoughts are these thoughts, why my feelings are you. Why am I feeling this way? And so I started going to therapy, and I'm so, so thankful that I did, like, significantly changed my life.
- [28:50]
A
What did the therapist help you understand?
- [28:54]
B
I think one of the earliest lessons that I learned in therapy was just the importance of breaking down why I see the way, why I see the world the way that I see it when it comes to friendship or family or love specifically. I think one of, like, our earliest conversations, she asked me to, like, tell her my earliest memory of my parents arguing specifically, because we were talking about just, like, relationships and things like that. And, you know, I told her the story of, like, my mom, my poor mother. She texted me the other day. She's like, honestly, there's more stories from your childhood. But this is my earliest memory, though, of my parents fighting. And they didn't always fight. They had a really loving relationship. Okay, mom, if you're listening to this, but the earliest memory that I had was they had a little bit of a dispute and my mom was throwing my stepdad's things into the garage.
- [29:48]
A
Classic.
- [29:49]
B
And by the way, they're still together, happily married for 20 plus years.
- [29:52]
A
Okay.
- [29:53]
B
So I'm telling her this story and she's like, okay, well, and what did you take away from that? And I'm like, to be honest, at that age, you don't process those things, but you just think, like, oh, mom and dad are fighting. Mom and dad love each other. But, like, mom and dad are mad, and this is how you fight. And so you carry that with you until you're, you know, 18 in your first relationship. And you think, well, I'm mad and I'm angry and we're fighting, so let me tell your shit.
- [30:16]
A
I do.
- [30:16]
B
You know what I mean? And not that that necessarily happened, but, like, you're almost conditioned to think that the things that you see your examples of love at an early age, that is how love is supposed to be. But as you grow, you learn that those are two humans trying to figure it out too. And so to give yourself the same grace, that you're figuring it out too. So I think that was probably, like, my earliest lesson in therapy.
- [30:37]
A
Wow. And I think what's so powerful about therapy is it's a lot of just asking questions, Right. You talk and then there's a follow up question about like, well, how did that feel for you? Or why do you think you took it that place? Which I think that oftentimes when we talk to our girlfriends, they kind of just validate what we want to hear. And to have a therapist just kind of ask these probing questions is really helpful.
- [31:01]
B
Absolutely. Your therapist is really just like a mirror. Like they're just going to help show you who you are and process things. The homegirls. I don't know. Sometimes we don't get it quite right. We don't get it quite right. We want to, you know, interject our own thoughts and opinions and it comes from a good place. But I think therapy is so, like you said, it's just very pure and like a safe space to figure yourself out. People think like, you go to therapy and they're gonna do the work and they have the answers, but really the answers are in you.
- [31:31]
A
Yes, absolutely. And I think for someone like you specifically, that has such, like, wide. People know who you are, there's a public perception about you.
- [31:41]
B
It's like, Right.
- [31:43]
A
But in some cases makes me sick. I would be sick. And I understand because in a lot of cases, people have a narrative about you that already exists in their head that is just not the reality. And you've talked about how you've wanted to create your own identity independent from anyone you've dated and kind of like re. Establish yourself as your own woman, which to me, I've always known you as your own person. Thank you. I don't associate you with a man. But. But just to deal with public scrutiny on the level that you've had to deal with, it takes really strong, like, mental clarity. Like, that is not an easy thing to go through.
- [32:18]
B
No, it's not. No.
- [32:20]
A
And. And did you find that therapy has helped you kind of process or, like, do you have to separate yourself from discourse about you? Like, do you have to just be like, this has nothing to do with me.
- [32:34]
B
100%. 100%. There was a time though, where I genuinely thought that, like, I was incapable of doing that, though I was very much attached to, like, well, I'm an influencer. My job is to be on the Internet, which means I have to be on the Internet and I have to, I have to keep up with everything and I have to read the tweets and I have to read the blogs and I have to, I don't have to do none of that shit.
- [32:57]
A
But you were Reading all of that stuff.
- [32:59]
B
I was reading everything. Well, also, it's like, it's like somebody coming to your front door and knocking on it. It's like, it's kind of hard to not be like, hello, who is it? You know what? I. It's hard to turn a blind eye now though.
- [33:10]
A
Now you don't look at anything.
- [33:12]
B
I don't follow one media outlet. I mean, other than like, I don't think I follow any. I can't even lie and say that I do. I don't follow them, I don't check them. There's not a tweet, a thread, a blog. If something comes to my front desk, it's because, like my management, my PR has sent it to me. Maybe on occasion someone could slip in, in a DM and I might see it, but like, we have this bizarre attachment to social media and we allow it to control our lives. I don't even think this is just a me thing. I think this is, this applies to anyone in the world, honestly, at this point. But we don't have to, like, it has, it has no control over you. You're the user. Turn it off, log out, get out of there. Yes, I had to really release the control that it had over not just my life, but like the personal perception of myself and my own, like, self worth and self confidence. Like, I had to really, really just detach myself entirely.
- [34:08]
A
Yes, because you talked about the fact that you started to even question how far you would come in your own career because of all of this. What were you questioning? Like, if you had had accomplished enough or.
- [34:20]
B
Yeah, I think, you know, if you hear enough people say the same thing about you enough times, you'll start to believe it. You know what I mean?
- [34:29]
A
What were people saying?
- [34:31]
B
Just making comparisons about, like, I don't have a real job. Like, I don't have a job, I don't have a career. I'm not a billionaire, trillionaire, millionaire, chameleonaire. You know, like, it was like the same story over and over again. When in reality, like, I'm really proud of the career that I built. I'm extremely proud of the community that I've cultivated. Like, yes, I'm proud of who I am. But again, if enough people start poking at you, you're like, damn, well, am I not doing enough? Have I not done enough? Is that why I'm in the position that I'm in now? Like, I do want to be a wife and a mother and a you, all of these things, but is my career the reason why this isn't happening. You know what I mean? Like, you start to question all of those things, but again, it has been immensely beneficial to take back my power and my control. And the reality is, it's like, none of that matters.
- [35:21]
A
Yes.
- [35:22]
B
None of it matters.
- [35:23]
A
Yes. And I feel like you're such a symbol of strength and resilience, which is why we all loved your Toni Braxton moment. And we were all learning the dance and watch. I watched that video, like, on repeat. What was it like?
- [35:35]
B
Even. Just, like, meeting Tony, I still can't even. I don't. I can't even fully wrap my mind around how it even happened. Like, when I did the Halloween costume, like, oh, yeah. I'm like, oh, this is gonna be fun. A fun little moment. I didn't even think, like, fun viral moment. I just thought, like, it's gonna be a fun little moment. Like, maybe, yeah, somebody will make a tick tock off of my one little video.
- [35:56]
A
Right.
- [35:57]
B
To end up on stage with Miss. Miss Braxton. Are you kidding me?
- [36:02]
A
Insane.
- [36:02]
B
Absolutely. She's honestly too, like, the kindest, most generous, thoughtful celebrity I've ever met. Like, so sweet, so warm, so drop dead gorgeous.
- [36:14]
A
We talk about beauty icons.
- [36:17]
B
Still look like you did 20 years ago. She's so. She's the cutest, the sweetest. She's so petite, too. Like, I don't know if you saw. I took a picture next to her. People are like, Kayla, are you six, seven? Like, what's happening? Big sale girl.
- [36:29]
A
But also, you've held your own on stage.
- [36:31]
B
Thank you.
- [36:32]
A
Because do you have a dance back background?
- [36:35]
B
So when I quit gymnastics in high school, I did dance for a couple of years. I danced on, like, the church praise team. I don't know if that counts. I'm definitely not, like, technically trained, but, you know, I like, I love a little boom cat.
- [36:47]
A
Yes.
- [36:47]
B
Yeah.
- [36:48]
A
But I hope you do hear from people and your fans and your community, like, how much you mean to us and how much to you as just like, yeah, the symbol of confidence.
- [36:57]
B
Yeah.
- [36:58]
A
And strength.
- [36:59]
B
I definitely feel loved these days. I definitely do. I always have, though. Like, I feel like black women specifically have been a huge support and, like, the lowest of the lows, highest of the highs. And to be honest, I'm not. I wouldn't be in this position that I'm in now without the people that have, like, followed and supported me. So I do feel the love, for sure.
- [37:19]
A
Yes. There was this really strange discourse. Maybe this is like, about a year ago, two years ago, where people were saying that Black women are like, too hard on each other and they're like, too, like, as influencers, they don't, like, support other black women. And I was like, I find the opposite to be true. I find that Black women are like the most supportive audience that you can have.
- [37:37]
B
Absolutely. Well, I think that Black women, that's what we actually are known for doing.
- [37:41]
A
Yeah, exactly.
- [37:42]
B
And in all facets of the world, with people that are voting, we're showing up on the front lines. We're the one doing the protecting and the advocating, fighting for and the following and the supporting and the buying.
- [37:53]
A
Yeah. And also giving you.
- [37:54]
B
Actually, I'm tired.
- [37:55]
A
Yeah. And also giving you all of the inspiration for all of your mood boards. Also that, like fashion, beauty.
- [38:01]
B
We're also the. And the blueprint.
- [38:03]
A
The blueprint for all of culture. Yeah. I am going to ask you. This is like a fun little segment where I'm gonna ask you for a posing demo because you are the Instagram queen. I can't tell you how many posts you've done or I've just hit immediately save. Oh, you're on so many Pinterest boards. Really. And I feel like you just really know how to pose. Well, now we're seated.
- [38:24]
B
Okay.
- [38:25]
A
But we're gonna interact. Reggie, if we need to, like, change the cameras, this is your camera here.
- [38:29]
B
I'm very America's Next Top Mod. Do you wanna be on?
- [38:33]
A
The scenario is you're like, at a fabulous dinner. Okay. You're wearing your super cute outfit and, like, I just want to get, like, a cute picture for Instagram. But this has to be like the first image in the carousel. Okay. Vibe. Okay, got it. I'm gonna. You already got it. See? Okay.
- [38:47]
B
I'm displaying the whole fit.
- [38:49]
A
Yes. Okay, I'm gonna go capture.
- [38:51]
B
We have a bench at our dinner because it's a long, long table. But you're gonna sit on one hip, probably my left hip, because I like the right side of my hook face. Although I do love both sides. I say that all the time. I don't have a bad side, darling. Okay, so you're going to sit on your hip, not like both cheeks down, but like up on your hip because now you're elevated and your posture is high and your neck is long. And you're going to prop that hand right on your side. And then you're going to take your right arm and just cross it over very delicately. Or if you want to show, like your belt or your pant, you're going to place it back on your hip. But Then your bottom leg, you're going to straighten it. And then your top, you're gonna cross it. And your ankle should. Yes, honey. Yes. We've got our producer doing it. Okay, so you're gonna cross your ankles. And now we have this lovely illusion of your hip to waist, and you're popped and you're like, oh, my gosh. And they're, like, taking your photo and you just, like, you move like butter through it. Oh, my God. Hi. And that's it. How do we look?
- [39:51]
A
Wait, Truly, the posing clinic that I didn't know I needed, but you gave us so much in just those few seconds. So, one, the angling of your body to create the shape for the hip is a major thing.
- [40:02]
B
Yeah, yeah.
- [40:03]
A
I never know what to do with my hands. You're just saying a soft hand on the body, moving up and down the body. That's everything.
- [40:10]
B
Like, when we take pictures, we make the mistake of, like, pose, pose, pose. But if instead you just kind of, like, work through, it becomes less weird of, like, where to put your hands and to move your head.
- [40:22]
A
Okay. But then the other thing that you said was long neck, which. Yes, that is elongate.
- [40:27]
B
Drop those shoulders.
- [40:28]
A
So you drop the shoulders.
- [40:29]
B
It's very regal.
- [40:30]
A
Yes. And then do you like doing a soft smile? Are you doing a smize? What are we doing with the mouth?
- [40:36]
B
I keep telling myself, because now I'm.
- [40:38]
A
Cause you have beautiful teeth.
- [40:39]
B
Thank you.
- [40:40]
A
Yes.
- [40:40]
B
They're veneers.
- [40:41]
A
Show them off.
- [40:42]
B
Thank you. But I have been going to more events and doing more red carpets. But I don't smile, like, and I want to start doing that more. I've paid a lot for these teeth, and people need to see them.
- [40:52]
A
Yes.
- [40:52]
B
So I've been trying to rotate a little smize. A pout is, like, my signature. Like, my mouth is probably going to be a little open. Like a little.
- [40:58]
A
Like a little. Yeah, kind of sucking in a little air. Yes. Red carpets are intimidating. I'm sure you've done your fair share. I've got one coming up on Thursday, and it's like, so many photographers, and it's like everyone's there, too. It's not like you just have, like, your own private moment. It's like, you look to your left, big celebrity over there. You look to your right, big celebrity over there.
- [41:19]
B
Yeah.
- [41:20]
A
How do you approach a red carpet in the actual moment? Are you like, okay, game face on. Like, get in and get this good getty image.
- [41:28]
B
I really admire the people who work a carpet like Zendaya. I feel Like, Zendaya walks onto the carpet as if, like, it's her birthday party. And, like, we're all there to sing Happy Birthday to Zendaya. You know what I mean?
- [41:39]
A
Because we are. It is her carpet. Like, it is your carpet also, dad.
- [41:43]
B
It's like, we cannot even. Ooh, C17. But I have been trying to. You take up the moment. Like, they're gonna rush you. Okay. Next person, they hold up your little sign, and they're like, okay, over here. And it's like, calm down, everyone.
- [41:56]
A
Yeah.
- [41:56]
B
You know, it has to be, like, very much, like, part the Red Sea energy. I'll move when I want to move again. Like butter. And you pose and you smile and you give. You go through, like, a series of emotions. Like, I really have been studying what people are doing. Especially, like, my favorite carpet society is the Vanity Fair.
- [42:13]
A
Yes. Like, I just feel like I love seeing that feed.
- [42:15]
B
Oh, it's so good. And the looks are so good.
- [42:18]
A
And what is the prep like for these big events? Like, how far in advance do you begin doing body treatments and facials and all this stuff?
- [42:29]
B
I'm trying to get to your level. Cause body treatment, you know, facial.
- [42:33]
A
A little lymphatic drainage. I'm trying to get a little waxing.
- [42:36]
B
Okay, well, I get laser.
- [42:37]
A
Okay.
- [42:38]
B
Lymphatic drainage. I've never even done.
- [42:40]
A
I have a place to send you.
- [42:42]
B
Please.
- [42:42]
A
You'll be obsessed.
- [42:43]
B
Do they do, like, the wood rolling and the Saran Wrap in the leaf?
- [42:46]
A
It's a whole thing. She's Brazilian, so she really knows what she's doing. She does facial lymphatic, too. Like, your whole face looks so snatched.
- [42:52]
B
Does she stick her hands inside her mouth?
- [42:54]
A
Yes, she does. She puts on those gloves.
- [42:56]
B
I want to go so bad.
- [42:57]
A
Can we go to massages in your mouth? It is life changing. I'm gonna. I'm gonna literally after this.
- [43:02]
B
I need it.
- [43:03]
A
Sheila's Beauty Center. For anyone listening, I need to step
- [43:05]
B
up my pre carpet care.
- [43:07]
A
Yes.
- [43:08]
B
Yeah.
- [43:08]
A
But also, I feel like there's so much that goes into. Again, I have this carpet on Thursday. It's like, Taylor seems. It's.
- [43:14]
B
Yeah.
- [43:15]
A
I also made the mistake of not hiring a stylist. I was like, let me save some money and just, like, do it myself. Huge mistake.
- [43:20]
B
Do you like your stylist? Do you have one? A referral? I need one because I don't have a stylist either. Like, so I feel you.
- [43:27]
A
It's a lot of work to pull things together, and I don't want to
- [43:31]
B
spoil the surprise for our listeners. But half the time you're not getting paid. You're going to these events. They're not like, hey, let me pay you 5k. No, but you're spending 5.
- [43:39]
A
But you're spending 5.
- [43:40]
B
You're spending 5 for show.
- [43:41]
A
I know.
- [43:42]
B
On hair. The makeup, the dress, the shoes, the nails, the hair.
- [43:46]
A
I know.
- [43:46]
B
Did I mention the hair? Hair is so expensive these days.
- [43:49]
A
For your glam, do you do like a little like Pinterest for like, do you, you just go to your people and you're like, make me look great.
- [43:55]
B
I'm like, hey, so this is what I'm wearing.
- [43:57]
A
Yeah.
- [43:57]
B
You know what I like? I have a very, very specific look though, when it comes to glam, which I wish I did do more research because it probably could give a little more variety. But like, I'm very much.
- [44:08]
A
I love your glam.
- [44:09]
B
I really like a simple glam. I love a cat eye. You're never gonna see me probably without a cat eye. I like a very minimal lash. I don't like my, you know, my under eye concealer to be too bright. I like a little nice contour. Nothing too crazy. Like I'm not like the smoky eye girl with the bottom eyeliner and smoke me out. I don't think I've done that maybe one time. Like I know how I like my face makeup.
- [44:31]
A
So your makeup day to day, what are your go to's? What products do you like for just a regular, everyday cute beat?
- [44:40]
B
The problem with me is there's just no in between.
- [44:43]
A
Okay.
- [44:43]
B
It's like if I sit down and do my makeup, I have one makeup routine that I've been doing since college. I did pageants for two years in college and it's like the technique that I learned doing pageants, I'm still doing the same technique today.
- [44:53]
A
Oh, take us through it.
- [44:54]
B
The products just have gotten a little bit better though. I mean, it's pretty simple, pretty basic. I start with my brows, line them with a pencil.
- [45:01]
A
What pencil?
- [45:02]
B
Are we using something from cv? Yes. Boo makes the brow.
- [45:05]
A
Anastasia.
- [45:05]
B
Anastasia. You really know all of these brands and it's like kind of insane. It's like a freaking brand Rolodex over here. I'm like, I can say like purple. She's like, and got it. Yeah, yeah. Danessa. See, like that's impressive. It's a skill.
- [45:20]
A
If ever there is a place where you can go deep on your beauty routine, it's on naked beauty. Yeah, this is the right place. Okay, perfect. Okay, so brows.
- [45:26]
B
Yes.
- [45:27]
A
A Little pencil.
- [45:28]
B
That's usually the pencil that I would use, but I ran out, so I had to go to CVS on the corner.
- [45:31]
A
CVS has great.
- [45:32]
B
Yeah. I'm using something right now. I don't know what it is. And then I started. I stopped doing this. Remember when we used to conceal the top and the bottom of our brows?
- [45:40]
A
I do remember that.
- [45:41]
B
I stopped doing that, but until recently, because I've been trying to grow my eyebrows out. Now they're a little. They're a little wild, wild west. So I have to kind of like, thank you. But it's only because I'm doing concealer on the bottom and my concealer that I love. Too faced.
- [45:57]
A
Okay.
- [45:57]
B
Is it too faced? That's like the black top.
- [45:59]
A
Yes.
- [46:00]
B
In gold writing.
- [46:01]
A
Yes. A little script.
- [46:02]
B
Yes.
- [46:03]
A
Okay.
- [46:03]
B
Too faced. And then. Okay. I take my concealer down to my lid. Cause I'm not really gonna do a shadow. But I do wanna set it, though, so it's, like, nice and clean for my liner.
- [46:13]
A
Okay.
- [46:14]
B
So I take the concealer down to my lid, blot it out a little bit, and then set it with some setting powder.
- [46:18]
A
What setting powder do you use?
- [46:19]
B
Laura Mercier Translucent Classic. Yes.
- [46:23]
A
And do you do a little triangle puff, or are you doing a brush?
- [46:26]
B
I'm doing a little puff fluffy brush.
- [46:28]
A
Okay. Like a little amazing brush. Yes.
- [46:32]
B
Set it. And then typically, I'm using a black liquid eyeliner. And I think that it's just Maybelline. Another, like, drugstore. Fine. I'm very much a high, low, girly.
- [46:40]
A
Yes.
- [46:40]
B
I don't need too much designer.
- [46:42]
A
Yes.
- [46:42]
B
In my bag. But today I did a brown liner, which I love.
- [46:45]
A
I was gonna say the brown is so soft and pretty.
- [46:47]
B
Yes. When I'm trying to, like, not give, like, nighttime glam, I go with the brown. Yeah.
- [46:52]
A
Okay.
- [46:53]
B
So I'll use a brown eyeliner and then go in with a little brown eyeshadow. Couldn't tell you what the eyeshadow palette is. Yeah, that. I don't know. It's the top of it. It's fading. I've had it for so long.
- [47:05]
A
Eyeshadows, I don't even pay attention to the expiration date. I'm like, once I have an eyeshadow, you're staying with me. I have some pre pandemic eyeshadows I'm still using when it's a hard night.
- [47:13]
B
Your eyes are fine. Also, my eye was watering on the way here today, so I was probably like. Probably like, honey, you might want to switch her out.
- [47:20]
A
Blush bronzer.
- [47:22]
B
Yes. Danessa Myricks. I don't know what it's called. It's this little flap, and it's clear.
- [47:27]
A
The blurring balm.
- [47:28]
B
Blurring balm, yes. And then also Danessa, it's in the tube, and it's gold.
- [47:34]
A
Yummy skin.
- [47:35]
B
Yummy skin.
- [47:35]
A
Yes.
- [47:37]
B
Stunning. And then I go with my foundation, and I think I'm using Dior right now.
- [47:43]
A
Okay. People love the Dior foundation. I've tried it maybe once with a makeup artist, and it's pretty, but people love that foundation.
- [47:48]
B
It's really, really good. I just love it because I don't have to mix too many colors. I can just put it right on my face, and it works very rare for me. I know my makeup artist tells me all the time, she's like this. This has saved me many a times, because that's the hardest part about doing my makeup is getting it to match once it sets.
- [48:03]
A
Cause you have very neutral undertones. You're not like, red or.
- [48:06]
B
Yeah, that's what they tell me.
- [48:08]
A
Yes. And I think a lot of foundations, they almost go to, like, too red.
- [48:13]
B
Yeah, I look gray.
- [48:14]
A
Yeah, it's very weird. So Dior has the.
- [48:17]
B
The perfect shade.
- [48:17]
A
Yes.
- [48:18]
B
And it's a skin finish, I believe, which I prefer.
- [48:21]
A
Okay.
- [48:21]
B
I'm not really like, a matte now. I have four lip liners in my bag. You saw me.
- [48:27]
A
Whatever was sharpened, the makeup forever Limitless brown. I love that I'm wearing it today, but, yeah, I have. I just have, you know, listen.
- [48:36]
B
An eye for it.
- [48:37]
A
There's an encyclopedic knowledge of beauty.
- [48:40]
B
I put on lip liner for two seconds. It's just like. I clocked it.
- [48:42]
A
The number, saw it, clocked it. Have the hex code.
- [48:45]
B
That's impressive. And then I paired it with Rihanna Fenty Beauty.
- [48:49]
A
The gloss bomb.
- [48:50]
B
Yeah. The fire. It's like, kind of like has a little. Little prickly sensation when you use it.
- [48:54]
A
Yes. It's the volumizer one. Yes. It's a great gloss.
- [48:58]
B
Thank you.
- [48:59]
A
What do you smell like? What do you. What are your go to fragrances?
- [49:02]
B
Oh, I knew you're gonna ask me this. So today I specifically wore Jackie Aina Forever Mood. She was here.
- [49:09]
A
Yes.
- [49:09]
B
I really love that scent. Jackie has a lot of amazing scents, but this one for me is perfect because I prefer something that's a little more masculine.
- [49:16]
A
Yeah.
- [49:16]
B
Like a little bit of like a. I don't. It's like an oaky or just like, a warm finish to it. I don't really like a flower.
- [49:24]
A
Floral, lavender, I struggle with florals too.
- [49:28]
B
Yeah, that's not my favorite. I want to smell like a man.
- [49:31]
A
Yes.
- [49:31]
B
Or how I want my man to smell. Maybe perhaps what it is.
- [49:35]
A
Well, that's why I love unisex fragrances.
- [49:37]
B
Yeah, same.
- [49:37]
A
Yes, same. Have you ever had any, like, true, like beauty horror stories? Someone shared a video recently about Hair Queen la. Do you know this place?
- [49:46]
B
Yes, I know you're talking about.
- [49:47]
A
Yeah. Where they.
- [49:48]
B
Ayaan.
- [49:48]
A
Yes, Ayan. She went in and she had her hair bleached. I have like a personal vendetta against that place because I also went and had like a horrible experience. I just moved to LA and I didn't know what I was doing and I was like, oh, I'll get like a sew in here. And it was not. It was not right. But have you ever had like a really bad beauty experience?
- [50:07]
B
I think most recently this is just that top, top of mind. I. I went to go get my hair done at the Style actually, in fact, half up, half down, ponytail with a stylist that I had used before. Maybe like one other time here. Based in la. Not from la, I think that's important to say, but based in la.
- [50:26]
A
Thank you.
- [50:28]
B
And so I go online and I make my appointment and I make it for 8am on a Monday and I shoot her a DM and I'm like, hey, girl, appointments book. See you Monday. She responds and says, I see that you booked the 8am appointment. That's going to be an additional 300 charge.
- [50:45]
A
What?
- [50:46]
B
Exactly.
- [50:47]
A
For what?
- [50:48]
B
Because it's early, apparently.
- [50:50]
A
It was on your website and I booked an available time.
- [50:53]
B
Stay with me.
- [50:54]
A
300.
- [50:55]
B
The service is 250. Because that's exactly. That was my next name. I said, wait, hold on, I'm sorry, wait. It cost me $250 for you to put it half up, half day. And then I'm gonna pay you 300 more because it's 8am as opposed to 9 because that's when her day starts.
- [51:10]
A
Okay.
- [51:11]
B
So I'm talking all these things out in the DM and she's like, well, it says on the website that there's an additional fee for 8am Anything before 9am and sends me a screenshot. And I'm like, well, how was I even able to book the appointment without you making me agree to this? You know what I mean? Like, why, why did the confirmation come through? It's already confirmed me. It's already charged me to my deposit, by the way, 150. So I'm like, okay, well, respectfully Like, I'm not gonna be paying an additional $300 for a $250 service. No, thank you. Can I please have my deposit back so I can, you know, go elsewhere? There's no refunds, ma'.
- [51:46]
A
Am.
- [51:47]
B
There's no refunds on your deposit. You can book another time. And I'm like, well, no, I can't book another time because I have to film Monday at 2:00pm, which means I need my hair done at 8:00am, right. Like, I don't.
- [51:58]
A
We're back to where we were before.
- [51:59]
B
Yeah. So, long story short, she doesn't respond to any more of my DMs, doesn't give me my DEP back, and I later found out, because I had a friend in the salon, that she's reading my messages to the salon. As. As I'm. As we're discussing this, just unprofessional. And the complaint, which kills me. And this goes out to all the stylists out there. At the end of the day, this is a service industry.
- [52:20]
A
Yes.
- [52:20]
B
And for me personally, as someone who lives in la, who is like, I might wake up and have to get glam out of nowhere because I have an event tonight. I will pay extra for the luxury and the convenience every single time.
- [52:33]
A
Right.
- [52:34]
B
I don't think it is luxury or convenient to pay extra for an appointment that you had on your website. I don't make your schedule. You put that spot there. I didn't do it. I ain't paying $300 for it.
- [52:44]
A
That was a full scam.
- [52:45]
B
Yeah. And unfortunately, it's like, when you have experiences like that, you have one time to treat me weird.
- [52:49]
A
Yeah.
- [52:50]
B
I'll never, ever. You will never get my patronage again.
- [52:53]
A
Yes.
- [52:54]
B
I won't be paying for your services ever again.
- [52:55]
A
Yes. And then.
- [52:56]
B
And bless you and hope that 150 takes you to lunch this week or something. Honey. You got it. Because people are like, you should. You should report a small claim. I'm not doing all that. She can have it.
- [53:06]
A
Oh, gosh. Yeah.
- [53:08]
B
Horror story. But trying to get your hair done in la, you would think it would be easy. It's hard out here.
- [53:12]
A
And that's why, when you find your people, you hold on to them.
- [53:14]
B
Oh, my gosh. You hold on to them tight, tightly,
- [53:17]
A
and you value them and you show them how much you value them.
- [53:20]
B
Absolutely.
- [53:20]
A
That is like a sacred bond.
- [53:22]
B
No, seriously. And that's the other thing, too. It's like, I don't even want you playing in my head. That's bad energy. Why are you reading my messages, and I wasn't saying anything crazy. I didn't go off on her. It was very like, may I please have my refund back? And then get a response like, hi, I just want to make sure that the appointment is no longer filled because I won't be there. So I just want to let you know, like, you don't need to show up. I won't be there. No response.
- [53:42]
A
Crazy.
- [53:43]
B
Cuckoo.
- [53:44]
A
Crazy.
- [53:45]
B
But again, not from la, because we get a bad rap. People be like, la, people are weird. She's not from here.
- [53:50]
A
Yeah. I feel like the people from LA are actually some of the kindest, friendliest people.
- [53:56]
B
Absolutely.
- [53:57]
A
Do you feel like as an adult, you've been able to make friends? Because I think that's hard to. To, like, you know, it's like you have your friends you grew up with. Do you feel like in this chapter of your life, you're making new friends?
- [54:08]
B
I think over time, yeah. We have this, like, weird idea that, like, you know, you meet someone and you hang out with them, you know, one time. Now we're friends. For me, at least. I'm a. I'm a. I'm very slow to call someone my friend.
- [54:22]
A
What's your sign?
- [54:23]
B
Scorpio.
- [54:23]
A
Okay. Oh.
- [54:24]
B
Ooh, yeah.
- [54:26]
A
Don't get on her bad side.
- [54:28]
B
Do not. I just posted that something today, too. It's like. And don't mess with my friends. Like, don't be a weird. Then also, do not be weird to my friends. I don't play them games. Yes, I make friends easily, though. But I also think that I, like, really nurture connections that I make with people. I think about one of my best friends. She don't ever make any friends because it's like, he doesn't do a very good job of, like, I hung out with this person. I had a good time. Let me reach out to them in a month from now and be like, hey, are you free? You want to grab lunch? Hey, you want to grab coffee? Like, I feel like I'm a good follower.
- [54:59]
A
Up.
- [54:59]
B
Let's hang out again. Let's, you know, spend some time.
- [55:02]
A
That's good. I love that you do that because it's hard to make time for that with work and everything going on to just make time to nurture new relationships. You have reinvented your career at so many different points. What would you say this chapter of your life and career is? Where. Where are we now?
- [55:20]
B
I just said this at the NAACP panel that we hosted. The social media girl was asking, like, what chapter of your life Are you in right now? And I feel like I am in the season. Audacity. Just doing audacious things. Things that might make me uncomfortable, might scare me a little bit, might scare others a little bit, but just putting myself out there and. And trying the things that challenge me, because I feel like that's such a human experience that we also. We oftentimes don't appreciate enough. Like, we get really comfortable and we kind of just want to sit in, like, cruise control. But, like, there's things that I'm doing in life right now that kind of just make me feel like I'm living on the edge of my seat, and I like it.
- [56:03]
A
That's great. And that's a great place to be where you're taking those risks and trying new things. And we can't wait to see all that's next.
- [56:10]
B
Thank you.
- [56:11]
A
My final question for you is, when do you feel your most beautiful?
- [56:17]
B
When I get a nice, long, hot shower to myself and I do, like an everything shower. Like, I spend so much time just me doing all the things in there. Shaving and exfoliating and, you know, skin double cleansing. I do the oil and then I do the actual sudsy wash, and then I wash my hair and I deep condition it when I do all those things. And then I get out of that shower, I feel like a newborn.
- [56:44]
A
That must be how plastic surgery feels to people. It's like I am anew. I am a new person.
- [56:48]
B
I am a new. Literally, like, who. Who is that girl I see standing straight back? It's me, Cleen. That's literally like my favorite time.
- [56:59]
A
The rebirth of a shower.
- [57:00]
B
Yes.
- [57:01]
A
I love it. I love it. Well, this has been such a pleasure. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your story.
- [57:06]
B
Thank you.
- [57:06]
A
Here on Naked Beauty. And everyone go check out the pregame because it's an amazing podcast. Yes. So good.
- [57:11]
B
Yes, yes, yes. Thank you, girl.
- [57:12]
A
Of course.
- [57:13]
B
This was fun.
- [57:14]
A
Amazing. Thank you guys so much for listening. Listening.
- [57:18]
B
Bye.
- [57:43]
A
Today's episode of Naked Beauty is sponsored by Kohler. And I never thought I would be this obsessed with a toilet, but here we are. Whenever I travel, I am always blown away by how elevated the bathroom experiences abroad are. In Tokyo, the smart toilets are truly next level. In Europe, bidets are just a part of everyday life. When I go to Turkey, the same thing. And every time I traveled, I came home wondering, why aren't bathrooms like this in the uk us so when I was renovating my bathroom, I decided to invest in the Kohler Vale Smart toilet. And honestly, it has been a complete game changer. The heated seat, hands free opening and customizable bidet functions make such a difference in your everyday routine. It's one of those luxuries that very quickly stops feeling like a luxury and just becomes something you genuinely can't imagine living without. But beyond the technology, the design itself itself is stunning. The Veil has this beautiful curved silhouette that feels sleek and modern and incredibly intentional. It really changed the feeling of my entire bathroom and made this space feel more elevated and spa like. I love that Kohler approached this as both innovation and design because it really shows how thoughtful design can transform even the most unexpected objects, like a toilet. Now every time I step into my bathroom, I get that same feeling of luxury and innovation that I experienced while traveling. Discover the Kohler Vail Smart Toilet and learn more@kohler.com and let's get back into today's episode.
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