Podcast Summary: Smart Girl Dumb Questions – "Is It Self-Care … or Capitalism?" with Brooke Devard
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Host: Nayeema Raza
Guest: Brooke Devard
Podcast Description: "Smart Girl Dumb Questions" is a curiosity party where host Nayeema Raza poses simple questions to influential thinkers to unravel the complexities of modern life. Listeners can also bring their own questions by emailing Nayeema.
1. Introduction: The Intersection of Beauty Standards and Capitalism
Nayeema Raza sets the stage by expressing her skepticism towards the commercialization of beauty and self-care. She shares her personal apprehensions about invasive beauty treatments and introduces Brooke Devard, a seasoned beauty industry expert, to delve deeper into these concerns.
Notable Quote:
Nayeema Raza [00:25]: "...I'm just genuinely scared of penetrating my body with anything that sounds like it may harm me."
2. Defining "Instagram Face"
Brooke Devard elaborates on the concept of "Instagram face," describing it as an idealized, poreless complexion with sculpted features that often appear racially ambiguous. This aesthetic is heavily influenced by filters, makeup, and cosmetic surgery, creating a homogenized beauty standard.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [02:06]: "...Instagram face is poreless skin. Right. The skin is super smooth, like not a pore in sight... very angular, lifted face."
3. Evolution of Beauty Standards
The conversation traces the shift from diverse beauty representations in the 90s to the current trend of uniform beauty as propagated by social media platforms like Instagram. Brooke notes a recent move towards appreciating unique beauty, citing Amy Lou Wood from "The White Lotus" as an example of distinctive beauty traits being celebrated.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [03:45]: "I was thinking about the popularity of Amy Lou Wood in the White Lotus... I do think that there is, lately, more appreciation for unique beauty."
4. The Impact of Filters and Social Media
Brooke discusses how filters and apps like Facetune create unrealistic beauty standards, contributing to a more oppressive beauty environment. She emphasizes that these tools distort perceptions of normality, making natural beauty standards harder to achieve.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [04:25]: "Definitely more oppressive. I think filters are creating this very unrealistic beauty standard."
5. Beauty Routines Among Gen Z
Nayeema brings up the trend of young girls, some as young as eight or nine, adopting complex skincare routines. Brooke acknowledges both the benefits and risks, highlighting concerns about the appropriateness of certain ingredients for young skin.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [08:28]: "I think it's good to learn to take care of your skin at a young age. But I also think it can't be good for your skin..."
6. Multiracial Beauty and Cultural Appropriation
The discussion touches on the blending of beauty standards across cultures, leading to ethnically ambiguous features. Brooke cautions against the appropriation of specific cultural beauty traits, pointing out the problematic nature of complimenting mixed-race individuals.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [12:38]: "I think it's important to celebrate features that are unique to certain cultures... The mixed race compliment is a dig to either race on its own."
7. Instagram vs. Traditional Media as Beauty Arbiters
Brooke argues that Instagram has surpassed traditional media like Vogue in setting beauty trends. With the rise of influencers and user-generated content, beauty standards are now more democratized but also more fragmented.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [15:14]: "The power that magazines used to hold... is kind of moot now because of Instagram."
8. Current Beauty Trends and the Pendulum Effect
The conversation explores how beauty trends oscillate between extremes, such as skinny jeans to wide jeans or thin brows to thick brows. Brooke attributes this to both natural cultural shifts and capitalistic endeavors to sell new products by constantly changing standards.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [19:18]: "I think there's this kind of pendulum swinging, like baggy jeans, skinny jeans... it just keeps going back and forth."
9. Navigating Beauty Consumption in a Capitalist Market
Brooke advises against blindly following trends, advocating for personal style and consistency over chasing fleeting fashion cycles. She recommends prioritizing unique tastes and resisting the rat race of ever-changing beauty standards.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [20:13]: "I don't even believe in participating in trends. I try to do what I like completely independent of what's happening in the trend cycle."
10. Comprehensive Skincare Routines
Brooke provides an in-depth guide to effective skincare routines, emphasizing layering products from thinnest to thickest. She demystifies terms like toner, serum, and exfoliant, offering practical advice on product selection and usage.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [30:24]: "Layer your products from, like, thinnest to thickest. I think that's really helpful."
11. Perspectives on Cosmetic Surgery and Botox
The discussion shifts to the controversial topic of cosmetic procedures like Botox. Brooke expresses skepticism about Botox as a preventive measure, criticizing it as a capitalistic myth that enforces continuous maintenance. She values natural expressions and the authenticity of showing emotions without constraints.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [37:27]: "I think that that is total bs. I'm like, so against this, like, myth that you can... prevent this with Botox."
12. Evaluating Beauty Products: Science vs. Branding
Brooke distinguishes between products that are scientifically backed and those that are primarily driven by brand prestige. She encourages listeners to investigate ingredient efficacy and rely on resources like Paula's Choice Ingredient Dictionary to make informed decisions.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [42:44]: "You have to look into the fine print. And actually even on Sephora, a lot of websites, you can see like, there's a little asterisk next to clinically proven."
13. Personal Anecdotes and Final Thoughts
Brooke shares personal experiences, including an Instagram detox during motherhood, which led her to prioritize mental clarity and authentic content creation. She also introduces her fragrance line, "Naked Beauty," inspired by her move to LA and the serene moments under orange blossom trees.
Notable Quote:
Brooke Devard [46:08]: "I just kind of shut it all down, deleted all of my social apps, and just enjoyed easing into motherhood for those first six weeks."
Conclusion: Self-Care vs. Capitalism in Beauty
Nayeema and her guest conclude by reflecting on the pervasive influence of capitalism in shaping beauty standards and the necessity of redefining self-care beyond consumerism. They advocate for mindful consumption and embracing natural beauty to counteract the oppressive cycles perpetuated by the beauty industry.
Final Notable Quote:
Naeem Mahraza [50:32]: "...it is largely capitalism. Especially as Brooke was describing that pendulum shift... to sell us not just pricey products, but this sense of insecurity that we're somehow behind or need to keep up."
This episode of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions" offers a deep dive into the intricate relationship between self-care practices and capitalistic influences within the beauty industry. Through insightful dialogue and expert perspectives, Nayeema Raza and Brooke Devard encourage listeners to critically evaluate beauty norms and make informed, authentic choices in their self-care routines.