Investor, entrepreneur and businesswoman Arian Simone talks about the long game of building a business and how to spot smart money. Plus insight on how the powerhouse finds innovative new companies to invest in with Fearless Fund, the first VC fund built by women of color for women of color and which she co-founded and is CEO. A special thanks to our sponsor, Nutrafol. Use code VANGUARD to save $15 off your first month’s subscription plus FREE shipping on every order.

We’ve talked a lot about our dream, pie in the sky guests here at The Beauty Vanguard and Tracee Ellis Ross has always topped that list. For obvious reasons, she is an incredible and award winning actress and one of the most authentic entertainers of our lifetime. She is a beauty CEO and bold fashion icon who inspires us to help us to lead a life that is, in her words, “juicy and joyful”. We talk breaking boundaries in beauty and beyond and get into her enviable daily hydration routine.  We...

We’ve talked a lot about our dream, pie in the sky guests here at The Beauty Vanguard and Tracee Ellis Ross has always topped that list. For obvious reasons, she is an incredible and award winning actress and one of the most authentic entertainers of our lifetime. She is a beauty CEO and bold fashion icon who inspires us to help us to lead a life that is, in her words, “juicy and joyful”. We talk breaking boundaries in beauty and beyond and get into her enviable daily hydration routine.  We...

Monika Blunder is the founder and inspiration behind her namesake brand, Monika Blunder Beauty. Recognized in Hollywood as one of the most sought after makeup artists, Monika has created stunning beauty looks for her A list celebrity clients such as Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Gemma Chan, Jennifer Garner, Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, and many more. Monika’s journey began in the mountains of Austria, where she spent her adolescence surrounded by nature. It was here that her parents instilled in...

It’s a brand new year! And while there’s still a lot that’s uncertain, we remain hopeful, optimistic and ready to grow and expand the landscape of what we know and discuss here on the podcast. Part of that is learning how to embark on a wellness journey that’s sustainable and suited to our busy lives. And it’s why we really wanted to chat with Lisa Odenweller, founder of popular reset program Kroma Wellness. Lisa is a wellness expert who has created a refreshing approach to getting back into...

Tasha Reiko Brown is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and groomer and Chanel Makeup Artist. Brown’s talent and fresh approach to beauty and skincare has made her a favorite with clients such as Alicia Keys, Letitia Wright, Logan Browning, Ashton Sanders, Common, Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Tracee Ellis Ross, Daniel Kaluuya, Michael B. Jordan, and many others. Her work can be seen in the pages of publications such as The New York Times, Glamour, and The Hollywood Reporter, amongst...

Get ready! Today’s episode features favorite beauty and wellness gifts for the holidays and you won’t want to miss it. Tune in to hear what’s topping Nyakio and Melissa‘s list this season. A special thanks to our partner. Visit www.public.com/BEAUTYVANGUARD. Start investing with as little as $1 and get a free slice of stock up to $50 when you join Public.com.

Named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People, Melanie Bender is the founding President of Versed, leading the clean skincare brand in strategy, vision and growth since inception. Melanie is also the leader of CodeRed4Climate, a collective action of more than 200 beauty and wellness brands, using the space we occupy to mobilize critical climate solutions.  She earned a B.S. in sustainability, accreditation for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and has applied her...

Annie Gonzalez is an actress, singer, dancer and East Los Angeles native. Annie began her career in entertainment at age 10 and continues impressive roles in shows like Shameless, American Horror Story, Good Girls, and Vida. Most recently, she played Lidia on Netflix’s hit show Gentefied, which centers on themes of gentrification and the marginalization of Latinx community in America. An outspoken advocate for civil rights and Latinx culture, Gonzalez also has a YouTube channel where she...

Considered the secret behind Hollywood’s most flawless faces, expert esthetician Shani Darden sets herself apart with her results-oriented approach to skin care. Her passion for simple, yet effective solutions has earned her clients’ trust and respect in a town where beauty, health, and wellness standards are high. In June 2019, Shani opened her first flagship studio in Beverly Hills where she treats clients, develops high-performance formulas and shares her expertise with her followers on...

David Yi is the co-founder of good light, a Gen Z personal care brand that believes in beauty beyond the binary. He’s also the editor-in-chief of Very Good Light, a beauty publication dedicated to redefining masculinity, and the author of Pretty Boys: Legendary Icons Who Redefined Beauty (and How to Glow Up, Too). He is also a former fashion editor having written for many well-known publications and launching including Women’s Wear Daily. Due to his strong focus on inclusivity, David has...

Gregg Renfrew is an inspiration and motivation to always do better. Whether that’s with beauty or any business. When she launched Beautycounter in 2013, the term “clean” wasn’t quite the well known word or understood category it is now, but Gregg was undaunted. She has since built a billion dollar company and movement that’s not only a robust line of non-toxic personal care and beauty products for the entire family, but a vehicle for education and change at the highest levels of government....

Julee Wilson is one of the most influential editors working in beauty today. As the beauty director at Cosmopolitan Julee leads the brand’s robust beauty coverage across all print, digital, and social platforms, and creates new and engaging ways of reaching readers with Cosmo's beauty content. Julee brings her expertise and exuberance to every feature she creates, always prioritizing inclusivity and sharing her latest discoveries in the market with her readers and followers.  Previously,...

Dr. Naana Boakye is a widely respected dermatologist who is passionate about educating communities of color on sun damage prevention and amplifying the conversation on accessible suncare products for darker skin tones. As a sought-after leader in skincare for over a decade, Dr. Boakye also serves as the Dermatology Director for A-Frame Brands and has been developing KINLO, Naomi Osaka’s functional skincare brand made specifically for melanated skin tones. Dr. Boakye believes lifestyle and...

“Proudly Indigenous, Unapologetically Beautiful” is the tagline of Indigenous beauty brand, Prados. It’s founder Cece Meadows, is of Xicana and Indigenous descent and is committed to representing and supporting Indigenous communities through her brand and philanthropic efforts. From her Yaqui to Comanche roots, Cece works diligently to build a beauty brand that is inclusive and highlights the beauty of her culture and people. Later this year, Prados is slated to become the first...

Flatter Me, Ripped Rooster and Mighty Night are just some of the catchy names that comprise Hum Nutrition’s supplements, which target issues from bloating to hair loss. The brains behind the popular line of supplements is Walter Faulstroh, HUM Nutrition's co-founder, CEO and top innovator. A longtime entrepreneur whose past ventures include the UK’s first vitamin enhanced water and the UK’s first full service low cost gym chain, Walter believes that wellness has to be affordable, deliver...

Trinity Mouzon Wofford started her line of superfood essentials out of a Brooklyn apartment just a few years ago. Since then the line, Golde, has won the hearts and wellness-obsessed minds of thousands of fans who incorporate turmeric latte blends and Shroom Shield into their daily routines. Golde also has superfood beauty products that are essentially edible and definitely effective. Trinity’s approach to wellness is simple and approachable and most importantly makes a holistically healthy...

The Beauty Audit is back! Nyakio and Melissa list the fall beauty essentials they can’t stop using this season. Tune in to learn all about the products from Black and Brown-owned beauty brands they’re loving, plus background on each founder and their amazing stories.

Like many Dominican women, Lulu Cordero grew up hearing terms like “pelo malo” which means “bad hair” in Spanish and refers to curly or afro-textured hair. She got her hair relaxed and blown out straight at the Dominican salon every week. It was a place that was safe and familiar but also harmful in many ways with it’s constant and intentional attempt at erasing Blackness while upholding whiteness. In a culture that takes so much pride in beauty and in physical presentation, Cordero wanted to...

A few years ago, model, actor, singer and rising beauty mogul, Dorion Renaud found himself on an endless quest for skincare products that addressed the specific needs of his skin and came up empty. When he discovered raw, organic, natural shea butter, his journey into the beauty industry began, inspiring him to create Buttah Skin. Buttah has gained a super loyal following who love the unisex line of shea based products, but it’s also the representation of men and women of color in his...

Easily one of our favorite burgeoning artists and beauty muses, R&B artist Maeta is taking the music world by storm one soulful song at a time. Influenced by Kid Cudi, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé and SZA and with style reminiscent of a one Mariah Carey, this RocNation artist is on her way to influencing through her gorgeous sound and signature look, not to mention her love of beauty. The podcast is a production of Embassy Row. Hosts: Melissa Magsaysay and Nyakio Greico Producer: Alexa...

Beyond hosting one of the most popular shows on TV, Kamie Crawford knows all about the pageant world and winning it, being a teen role model and most importantly speaking up for the social justice issues she cares deeply about. We chat about her amazing career and the beauty secrets she’s learned along the way.

Ever wonder what Gen Z is really up to? Well, it turns out that the kids are alright. We sat down with actress and singer Ella Jay Basco and aspiring beauty entrepreneur Lulu Grieco, both 15 year-old high school students who are navigating teenhood, social media, body image and beauty standards with absolute grace. They definitely inspire other kids their age, but we certainly walked away in awe of their mature outlook.

The Beauty Audit is back! Nyakio and Melissa list the summer beauty essentials they can’t stop using this season. Tune in to learn all about the products from Black and Brown-owned beauty brands they’re loving, plus background on each founder and their amazing stories.

The population in the US is on track to have a majority of people of color by 2045. Today, there are still glaring inequities in dermatology where communities of color are not being fully served from research to access and education. We sat down with one of the top dermatologists in the country to understand the situation and what is being done to address it. Dr. Carlos Charles is the Founder and Medical Director of Derma di Colore in New York City. He is a board certified dermatologist and...