Happy summer! This week, we’re talking about the most accurate perfume quiz you'll ever take; the Queen’s makeover (well, haircut); a space-age ingredient that makes sunscreen more powerful; and the best beauty deals for Amazon Prime Days. Plus, Jenn clarifies what’s going on with the GrandeLash-MD story, a listener suggests a fragrance-focused summer read, and we contemplate hiring professional home organizers. Shop the products mentioned on Ep. 416: shopmyshelf.us/collections/56493 Episode rec...
Jun 29, 2022•29 min
This interview with hair stylist and brand founder Kristin Ess is a masterclass in all things beauty and brand building. She gets real about managing business relationships, pulls back the curtain on how celebrity-client partnerships actually work, and shares tips for making your hair work for you, no matter the texture or length. We also chat about some of her favorite beauty products, making pottery, her candle obsession, and the dress that everyone needs in their closet (Kristin has eight of ...
Jun 24, 2022•56 min
After a quick J&J catch-up, we’ve got snow mushroom extract, squalane, and so much more to discuss, including Guide Beauty, a company making cosmetics that are easier to use if you have a disability or health condition that impacts mobility, motor skills, or hand-eye coordination. Plus: Revlon’s bankruptcy filing, the Humanrace sunscreen (available July 14), makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench’s new line (available end of June), and a quickie review of Rhode skincare (recorded before the trademark...
Jun 22, 2022•29 min
Jo Franco, co-host of World’s Most Amazing Rental Properties , on Netflix, and host of the podcast Not Your Average Jo, is here to talk about how travel intersects with beauty, share stories from her travels, and give us all her tips for packing well and experiencing new cultures to the fullest. Plus, we talk about sunscreens, insect repellants, and which hair tools and styling products make travel easier (especially if you have curly hair!). Shop the products mentioned on Ep. 413: shopmyshelf.u...
Jun 17, 2022•54 min
An ophthalmologist explains why cosmetic lash serums like Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD may cause drug-like side effects, such as fat loss that leads to a change in eye shape. Before that, Jess recaps the Fragrance Foundation awards and Jenn has thoughts on gym lips and a few other viral beauty trends. Plus, we discuss three beauty brands that are dropping their prices; Dr. Whitney Bowe’s new skincare line; research showing probiotic lotions may be better than benzoyl peroxide for treating acne...
Jun 16, 2022•31 min
Award-winning actor Tracee Ellis Ross, founder of the haircare line Pattern, gets candid about her hair, your hair, customer reviews, ageism in Hollywood, experiments with DIY waxing, her love of Funyuns and red lipstick, her hatred of flaky hair gels, and her love/hate of home workouts. Plus, she shares behind-the-scenes secrets from Black•ish , Mixed•ish , and The High Note . This interview originally aired in August, 2020. We’ll be back next week with all new episodes! Fat Mascara X Dermalogi...
Jun 10, 2022•34 min
We're doing a live mini-podcast in New York City on June 11, and Jenn shares all the details in the episode intro (more info and link to register below). Then we've got a classic interview: Jess and Intern Tiff (remember her?) talk to makeup artist Gucci Westman, who opens up about meditation, makeup school, creating a perfect complexion, and her line, Westman Atelier. This interview originally aired in June, 2019, but we'll be back next week with all new episodes! Fat Mascara X Dermalogica Live...
Jun 08, 2022•52 min
How do you know when you’ve hit your mid-life? What age does that happen? And do you need to change up your style and your beauty routine when you get there? Journalist and podcaster Kim France, creator of Girls of A Certain Age and co-host of the Everything is Fine podcast (and the founding editor of Lucky magazine) is here to discuss it all with us. We talk about those in-between ages that our culture and mainstream advertising tends to ignore—and why that is. Plus, we discuss sexuality after ...
Jun 03, 2022•52 min
Do collagen supplements and drinks help you get bouncy, firm, “jello skin”? We’ve got the truth from a dermatologist—and some products and services that will give you a firm and bouncy “skin mattress.” Plus, Jess gives us details on her new job at Moda Operandi, and we talk about Emily Weiss stepping down as Glossier CEO, a new fragrance celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, a study showing how dolphins use coral to help heal their skin (!), and why baths need bubbles. Shop the product...
Jun 01, 2022•32 min
Daniel Kolaric catapulted into the limelight after doing a gothic makeup look for Julia Fox that went viral. In this episode, the makeup artist and hairstylist tells us what it’s like to have one day’s work judged by millions of strangers, even though you’ve been a hairstylist and makeup artist for years. We also talk about where he finds his inspiration, the difference between editorial and red-carpet makeup, what it’s like being in Pat McGrath’s inner circle, how to adjust your makeup based on...
May 26, 2022•49 min
Cat Quinn, the executive director of global trend for MAC Cosmetics, predicts the next big things in beauty—and she's here to share them with the Fat Mascara Fam! Get ready to hear about: velvet lips, skater-boy blush, poplighting, corset nails, and jelly manicures. Plus, she and Jenn talk about a retail charter that aims to address racial bias in retail stores; why “reef-safe sunscreen” is a misnomer; Half Magic’s Magic Brownie; the Doré “French pharmacy” skincare line; how to stop biting your ...
May 25, 2022•48 min
Chriselle Lim is a fashion stylist, content creator, and entrepreneur—and she’s here to help us all get out of our collective post-pandemic fashion and beauty rut. She’s also the force behind spring’s blockbuster fragrance hit: Phlur Missing Person. We discuss how she became the owner and creative director of Phlur; the evolution of fashion and beauty content online; how her divorce inspired Missing Person (and caused her to change her own style); her best fashion and beauty tips; and products s...
May 20, 2022•49 min
Jenn and U.K.-based journalist and photographer Charisse Kenion, the host of BeautyMe podcast, discuss which celebrities have had work done (and whether it’s our business?), hair discrimination in the U.S. and U.K., and beauty news, including the shake-up at Too Faced, new “cosmetotextiles” with skincare infused into the fabric, and archaeological advancements that reveal what Cleopatra may have smelled like. Plus, Charisse shares a bit of her personal story and her favorite beauty products! Sho...
May 18, 2022•52 min
Do lash serums really work? Are redness-relieving eye drops safe? It it okay to tightline? Opthamologist Nicky Shah, MD, cofounder of You & Eye by Dr. Nicky, is here to answer questions about sensitive eyes and explain the beauty and health effects of permanent makeup, fiber mascaras, glitter eyeshadow, and more. Plus, she wants us to care for a neglected part of our beauty routine: the meibomian glands. Shop the products mentioned on Ep. 403: https://shopmyshelf.us/collections/49923 Links a...
May 13, 2022•49 min
The world’s easiest guide to anti-aging skincare is here! We’ll tell you the one thing everyone should be doing to improve their skin (in a segment sponsored by No7 Beauty). Before that, Jess says goodbye to her job at Harper’s Bazaar , and we bring you the latest beauty headlines: big news for hair brands Crown Affair and Briogeo; the antioxidant benefits of Indian sandalwood; Alicia Keys’s new makeup line; and the return of Lolita Lempicka to the U.S. market. Plus, we’re still not over Kim Kar...
May 11, 2022•36 min
Tennis star Venus Williams says she was a late bloomer with beauty and fashion, but she’s making up for lost time. We talk about how her mom helped to shape her wellness philosophy, the moment she had a sunscreen epiphany, DIY manicures, JetPeel facials, colonics, dermarolling, her favorite spas, and how she lives her life with no regrets. Shop the products mentioned on Ep. 401: shopmyshelf.us/collections/48786 Links and sponsor promo codes: fatmascara.com/blog Private Facebook Group: Fat Mascar...
May 06, 2022•37 min
The production pace of the beauty and fashion industry is out of control, but what’s the solution? We talk about being more mindful with our fashion and beauty choices, and brands that encourage the same (see: KraveBeauty’s #SlowDownSkincare initiative). As journalists who report on a lot of these new products, we realize we’re part of the problem! But there’s room for nuance in this conversation, so let’s discuss. Also in this episode: Pat McGrath Labs Divine Skin Rose 001; Curlsmith’s acquisit...
May 04, 2022•27 min
Erin Kleinberg, co-founder of branding agency Métier Creative and The Coveteur & founder of lifestyle brand Sidia, is here to help you upgrade your bathroom. We chat about product organization, the right towels, better lighting, and whether you should hide things in your medicine cabinet before guests come over. Plus, she talks about recovering from the “girlboss” era; her fabulous grandmother Sidia, the inspiration for her brand; and some of her favorite products that—no surprise—look amazi...
Apr 29, 2022•50 min
Jenn reviews HBO Max’s docuseries Not So Pretty and has an eyebrow epiphany (thanks to Mikayla Nogueira and Mario Dedivanovic). We also talk about Glossier hiring Olivia Rodrigo as a spokesperson, sad sunscreen news, and the new fragrance collection from Off-White™. Plus: Why do Instagram and Facebook censor ads that mention—or even allude to the existence of—vulvas and vaginas? We discuss the double standard in sexual-health advertising. Shop the products mentioned on Ep. 398: shopmyshelf.us/co...
Apr 27, 2022•32 min
Learn how to prevent scars; manage chemotherapy-related hair loss; draw on missing eyebrows; treat dry skin and lips; deal with the side effects of radiation; and adjust your beauty routine during illness (the advice about fragranced products will surprise you!) during this incredibly helpful interview with beauty director Caitlin Kiernan, the author of Pretty Sick: The Beauty Guide for Women With Cancer . Caitlin is a breast cancer survivor and shares her story and what she learned—plus the pro...
Apr 22, 2022•53 min
Jess shares the ultimate technique for dewy skin, which she learned from a recent date with Rihanna-approved aesthetician Sean Garrette, the new Dior skincare expert. Plus, we talk about why we continue to judge celebrities’ aesthetic choices (please see: 26-year-old Ireland Baldwin’s recent FaceTite procedure); our favorite hairstyle for brides; a Nivea moisturizer that literally makes the air cleaner; new beauty campaigns that aim to spread kindness; and a bargain ($7) dry shampoo that's as go...
Apr 20, 2022•28 min
Celebrity spray tan artist Jules Von Hep has seen hundreds of very famous people very naked, and his career has turned him into an advocate for body acceptance, mental-health awareness, and, of course, gorgeous skin! On today’s episode, the podcaster and founder of Isle of Paradise opens up about his path to self-acceptance, shares excellent advice for consuming social media in a way that’s productive and positive, and gives us his tips for getting an amazing fake tan, no matter your skin tone o...
Apr 15, 2022•55 min
We’re talking about Octocurl, the heatless curling headband, and Ellacor, a nonsurgical but still kind of intense “microcoring” device that’s FDA-approved to smooth and tighten skin without scarring (we’ll explain). Plus: something interesting we noticed in the new Kendall by Kylie Cosmetics collection; details on defensins, a promising ingredient that may help with melasma and hair loss; the best fragrance writing of the year; a sexy, sexy foot cream; a fancy, fancy lip plumper; and a very rand...
Apr 13, 2022•32 min
Gabriela Hernandez is a photographer, author, historian, and the founder of Bésame Cosmetics, a line inspired by her personal archive of vintage cosmetics. She shares how she started collecting makeup and the stories behind some of her favorite pieces; explains the history of mascara and how it got its name; tells us how color-changing lipsticks work; and explains how people have been beautifying themselves since the days of Ancient Egypt. Shop the products mentioned on Ep. 393: shopmyshelf.us/f...
Apr 08, 2022•53 min
Are you a Dramatic, Gamine, or Natural? Or maybe an Apple, Pear, or Ruler? Let’s talk about why so many people still love style, body-shape, and color-typing quizzes—and whether they’re actually helpful. But first, the news: how to get a rosacea prescription without a dermatologist; Olaplex’s new hair serum; another beauty NFT; the brain headset that helps you find a perfume; and one last take on the Academy Awards confrontation that put hair loss and alopecia in the spotlight. Shop the products...
Apr 06, 2022•41 min
You will never look at your feet the same way again after listening to our interview with medical pedicurist Marcela Correa, the owner of MediPedi NYC. You’ll learn why water is the enemy of a good pedicure; how to train your toenails to grow straighter; what it really takes to stop nail fungus; why exfoliating foot peels are problematic; the best (and worst) at-home pedicure tools; and how to shop for shoes that won’t hurt your feet. All that, plus Marcela is a blast to hang out with…enjoy! Sho...
Apr 01, 2022•37 min
Jess is back in the studio, and we’re amazed to report that a celebrity beauty line did not launch this week. Instead, we’re talking about a new (and easy!) way to recycle your empty beauty products; progress with the CROWN Act that aims to end race-based hair discrimination in the U.S.; NFTs designed by makeup artist Alex Box; Clinique’s campaign featuring explorers and adventurers; and more. Plus, Jenn Raises a Wand to a new tubing mascara that’s different from the ones you already know and lo...
Mar 30, 2022•23 min
In honor of Retinoid Education Week, we hosted a live podcast with dermatologist Dr. Camille Howard-Verovic, Gloss Angeles co-host Sara Tan, and makeup artist Delina Medhin. In this special podcast, we discuss the acne-fighting power of retinoids, the multi-benefit retinoid ingredient adapalene, and tips for applying retinoids, coping with adult acne, adjusting your makeup application as your skin changes, and more. This episode is brought to you commercial free by Differin. Find Differin produc...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr
Priya Rao Healy, the executive editor of Glossy.co, joins Jenn to discuss the state of the skin-whitening market and a new report that finds high levels of mercury in products sold on eBay, Amazon, and Alibaba. Plus, they talk about Priya’s career, her favorite beauty products, the podcasts she hosts (Glossy Beauty Podcast and Unfair), and the news: Batman’s emo makeover; beauty trends at the Fall 2022 fashion shows in Paris; why qasil powder could be the next big thing in skincare; and new rese...
Mar 23, 2022•35 min
Marianna Hewitt, the co-founder of Summer Fridays and host of the podcast Life With Marianna, opens up about the big business of “influencing.” She talks about parlaying her success on social media into a skincare brand and shares her tips for leading a more productive, creative life. Plus, she and Jess talk about lash lifts, brow lamination, and body rolling—and Marianna's favorite self-tanner, candle, setting powder, and more. Episode links and sponsor promo codes: fatmascara.com/blog Shop the...
Mar 18, 2022•38 min
