Writer and filmmaker Priyanka Mattoo, co-founder of the Earios podcasting network, is here to talk beauty. As a former talent agent, Pri shares insight on why so many celebrities—including Beyoncé!—may have started beauty lines. Plus: Demi Moore’s facialist; the glasses that (might?) make applying eye makeup easier; things we do for self care; wedding-season etiquette; and Pri’s favorite products, including the eyelash curler she learned about from a celebrity makeup artist. Products mentioned i...
May 24, 2023•44 min
You know how certain products are suddenly all over your feed, and all your friends are buying them? Leslie Hall, founder of Iced Media, a beauty-focused paid social agency, explains how that happens. She breaks down the ways that brands use (and should be using!) social media to reach customers. This is a must-listen for anyone who works in the beauty industry, but also for consumers who want to understand how social-media marketing works, so they can make informed shopping decisions. Plus, Les...
May 19, 2023•50 min
Social-media sniping, beauty brands (hypocritically?) campaigning against the use of photo filters on social media, and the refreshing IRL camaraderie of the industry—we’re talking about it all on this week’s episode. Then, do you own a “beast mode” fragrance? We call out the scents with serious sillage. Plus: A review of the new Dyson Airstrait; a supplement that actually improves your skin; colorful liquid eyeliners; listener’s favorite summer scents; and the power of a Sam’s Club membership. ...
May 17, 2023•42 min
Makeup artist Laura Mercier shares the inspiring story of how she changed her birth name, left France, and came to America to restart her life—and all the lessons she learned along the way. We talk about the ’90s in New York City; her work with Steven Meisel and longtime clients like Madonna and Julia Roberts; what gave her the inspiration to start her complexion-focused makeup line (Secret Camouflage! Tinted Moisturizer!); plus, dessert and Buddhism and everything else in between. If you’re at ...
May 12, 2023•44 min
Please give a big Fat Mascara welcome to our newish intern, Georgina, who tried a bunch of hand creams and is here to tell us about the best ones. Before that, Jess describes the Met-Gala-worthy facial she had with Hadda Akrim (@minimal_by_hadda), and we chat about the news: how one fragrance creator is using A.I.; Courteney Cox’s Dermalogica skincare regimen; Barbie Ferreira’s new gig with Sol de Janeiro; and Tom Ford’s thoughts on celebrities overusing cosmetic injectables. Plus, Jess is delig...
May 10, 2023•43 min
Paramore’s Hayley Williams and her friend and hair stylist, Brian O’Connor, share how they bonded over the power of hair color—and how external transformation can help you find yourself, find your people, and ultimately feel more comfortable in your own skin. Plus, Hayley opens up about the end of Paramore’s contract with Atlantic Records and what that means for her personally, and Brian and Hayley discuss their Nashville salon, Fruits Hair Lab, and the next phase of their company, Good Dye Youn...
May 05, 2023•39 min
Why do some actors look out of place in period films and TV series? Dazed Beauty writer Kleigh Balugo calls it “smartphone face”—that thing where people look too modern to have lived before the 21st century. Is it cosmetic injectables, too-perfect brows, orthodontics, better nutrition, or maybe all the above? And what about people whose faces seem old-timey? What gives them that classic look? Let’s discuss! Then, we’re talking about how weight-loss drugs affect your hair; Oprah’s skincare invest...
May 03, 2023•31 min
Dermatologist Doris Day, MD, is the hair authority, and she’s here to talk about why hair loss happens and what you can do about it. Stress management, serums, supplements, OTC and Rx drugs, lasers, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, surgery, and the best wigs—she discusses it all! This beauty podcast features a new introduction, but most of the content was originally featured on an episode that aired in 2019. We'll be back on Wednesday with an all-new episode. Products mentioned in this epi...
Apr 28, 2023•38 min
What is quiet luxury in beauty? Succession ’s Kendall Roy using Augustinus Bader, obvi. But what else? Let’s discuss! We’re also talking about how to get a free skin-cancer screening (May is Skin Cancer Awareness month); why NOT to use beef-tallow-based soap; rebranding anti-aging; and Gen Z misconceptions about sunscreen. Plus: listeners’ favorite non-messy body scrubs, new ways to use rose water, and a sustainable alternative to cotton rounds. Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy.us/coll...
Apr 26, 2023•30 min
Are clean beauty products better for the environment? Who still tests on animals and why? How do retailers and brands develop their lists of restricted substances (aka, “no no” lists)? In honor of Earth Day, cosmetic biochemist Krupa Koestline—founder of KKT Consultants, a product-development firm—is here to answer all your questions. We’ll discuss the current state of “clean” beauty and dig into some more complicated issues, like the potential dangers of ethoxylated ingredients, how and why fra...
Apr 21, 2023•47 min
In this pleasantly meandering episode, we contemplate celebrities who have beef with their glam squads (and vice versa), discuss bare-leg insecurity and how to handle it, and dream about owning a farm. Plus, Jess’s Beauty Sandwich facial from Iván Pol; skincare for dogs; reverse money pieces, the latest hair color trend; and a new way to prevent underarm odor. Oh! And one last thing: Can you help us find the perfect (aka, “not gloopy-doopy”) body scrub? Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy...
Apr 19, 2023•40 min
Photographer and editor Elizabeth Renstrom is the artist behind Basenote Bitch, a project that explores how perfume plays a part in our formative years. In this interview, we revisit vintage fragrances—such as Love’s Baby Soft, Fetish by Dana, Tribe by Coty, and Ralph Lauren Cool—and discuss the marketing messages that were used to sell them. Plus, we learn more about Elizabeth and her work, her favorite beauty products, and the perfumes that have shaped who she is. Products mentioned in this ep...
Apr 14, 2023•51 min
Wanyi Jiang, the creative director for JVN Hair (and one of Jenn’s best friends!) plays co-host this week while Jess is on spring break. Wanyi explains how she uses painting techniques to apply makeup, why polyglutamic acid serum is her makeup secret, and her approach to beauty-product packaging. Then, she and Jenn analyze the news: L’Oréal acquiring Aesop; home fragrances inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art; new bronzers from Pat McGrath Labs; and more. Plus, we raise wands to mascaras, ...
Apr 12, 2023•34 min
Walmart’s vice president of beauty, Creighton Kiper, talks about the most popular products in America, from $1.24 L.A. Colors eyelashes to the Relove By Revolution makeup line that’s all under $5. We discuss trend-spotting; Walmart’s multigenerational beauty shoppers; the retailer’s newest prestige offerings; which celebrity lines customers are loving; and more—like how Walmart can work to unlock sustainability at scale. Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy.us/collections/147609 Episode re...
Apr 07, 2023•42 min
Jenn attempts makeup depotting, and Jess found a fitness streaming platform that’s just her speed. We’re also talking about solid nail polish, makeup samples that look like snacks, how California’s wildfires affect skin, beauty brands using scarcity marketing tactics, and why software engineers are inadvertently setting today’s beauty standards. Plus: a listener’s 3-for-1 Raise A Wand and a satin lipstick that lasts all day. Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy.us/collections/144533 Episod...
Apr 05, 2023•29 min
Why do some scented candles fill a room and others fall flat? What makes amber scents so warm and resinous? How do perfumers remember what different molecules and extracts smell like? Givaudan perfumer Dana Schmitt answers those questions and many more in this interview for all the fragrance nerds out there. She also talks about how her background in chemistry made her a better perfumer, what it’s like to create fragrances for companies like Otherland and Boy Smells; and the latest trends in hom...
Mar 31, 2023•46 min
Solid shampoos and conditioners may be eco-friendlier, but which ones actually work? Jenn spent the past few months testing dozens, and now she’s sharing her favorites. Before that: the Color Guru giveaway contest; Bobbi Brown tells us about her Jones Road store and shares some life advice; Pantone expands its SkinTone Guide; and we’ve got exclusive news about a new product from Vacation, the company that’s making sunscreen less boring (and better smelling). Enter the Color Guru Giveaway before ...
Mar 29, 2023•37 min
We dig into the topics that Allure readers can’t get enough of with its editor in chief, Jessica Cruel. She discusses Black representation in beauty journalism, our ongoing fascination with celebrity plastic surgery, and how the world of cosmetic procedures is finally becoming more inclusive. Plus, she shares makeup tips for people who wear glasses, takes us behind the scenes of the Allure Best of Beauty Awards, and tells us about the skin essences and sunscreens that are her personal favorites....
Mar 24, 2023•41 min
Model Ashley Graham wants to ban the word “normal” in discussions of body shape and skin and hair type. The author and TV host also explains how to do (realistic!) daily affirmations and shares the things that make her feel good: meditation, prayer, and acupuncture—along with facials, exfoliation, occasional hair removal, and the meticulous application of self-tanner. (If you want to self-tan without looking fake, take notes as she shares her foolproof technique!) This interview originally aired...
Mar 17, 2023•37 min
Jess rediscovers the power of Epsom salt baths and her NuFace device, and then tells us about her run-in with legendary actress Isabella Rossellini. Plus: The hair brand that’s giving free haircuts to young adults experiencing homelessness; a new beauty (writing) destination we’re loving; the grant that will help make dermatology more inclusive; and we Raise a Wand to a mascara combo, a rinse-free hand cleanser, and the $13 liquid eyeliner that’s almost perfect. Products mentioned in this episod...
Mar 15, 2023•34 min
Content creator, makeup artist, and self-proclaimed “mature lady,” Sonia Valencia is here to offer some real talk (okay, beech?) about makeup and skincare. She tells us how she set her own beauty standard by embracing her gray hair and ignoring the haters, and shares how she went from working in a cannabis-processing center to collaborating with beauty experts like Mario Dedivanovic in just two years. Plus: over-40 makeup tips, creamy concealers, blush placement, 40+ skincare, double cleansing, ...
Mar 10, 2023•50 min
Photo filters can give you the face lift you never asked for—is there anything wrong with that? We talk about why the Bold Glamour effect on TikTok is hitting a nerve. Then, is it okay to buy fragrance dupes and knock-offs? We share some popular ones and what they mean for the fragrance industry. Plus, Jenn read the book Skin Sobering and explains why she’s not buying its “you don’t need skincare” thesis, and we talk about the new brand Perfumehead; Ulta Beauty’s sustainability play; 3D bio-prin...
Mar 08, 2023•37 min
Celebrity facial masseur Gavin McLeod-Valentine leads us through the face-massage technique he uses to prep clients like Cate Blanchett, Zoe Saldana, Maya Rudolph, and Lourdes Leon for the red carpet. He shares the movie-ready story of his life and how he went from actor to publicist to unexpectedly giving Halle Berry an oxygen facial and finding his calling. We also talk about buccal-fat removal, cryo-sticks, LED lights, PRP, meditation, and how Augustinus Bader products helped him during his c...
Mar 03, 2023•57 min
Jess has a Fraxel update and makes a case for Positive Beauty while Jenn has “the talk” (about search engines) with her stepson. Plus: the skin-sobering movement is coming; Gucci knows how to cast a fragrance campaign (and throw a dinner party, probably); an encyclopedic app to shop for perfume by your mood; and Madonna’s new face. We’ll also share the best eyeliner for hooded eyelids; how to wake up your face with a dry-yet-creamy, cool-warm-toned blush; and a sandalwood body oil that will make...
Mar 01, 2023•36 min
Nail stylist Mazz Hanna wants to improve career opportunities for women working in the nail industry—from the manicurists at your local nail salon to the celebrity nail stylists that her agency, Nailing Hollywood, represents. She talks about that, plus: what it takes to make a mid-life career pivot; why she invented the Crystal Healing Manicure; how to get a better gel manicure; the CBD spray celebrities use before red-carpet events; and her favorite beauty products—including the nail-lacquer sy...
Feb 24, 2023•50 min
The #deinfluencing trend is a way for your favorite beauty gurus to reassert their authority—at least according to researchers at Cardiff University. We’ll explain and share our thoughts on the beauty world’s latest viral conversation. Plus: plaintiffs in a new lawsuit allege that Olaplex causes hair loss; hairstylist Jen Atkin has a new line of hair tools and accessories; Astier de Villatte created historically accurate perfumes with the help of an anthropologist; and Jenn is unsettled by cosme...
Feb 22, 2023•24 min
Artist and perfume designer Alia Raza, founder of Régime de Fleurs, explains how she went from “broke artist” to “not-broke artistic perfume creator,” in an evolution that continues today. She talks about collaborating with people that inspire her, including actress Chloë Sevigny and perfumer Jérôme Epinette; gets nostalgic about the best-scented beauty products of her youth; and surprises us with the story behind The Gap’s influential ’90s line of perfumes. Products mentioned in this episode: s...
Feb 17, 2023•43 min
Jess & Jenn compare their experiences with laser facial treatments (Fraxel, IPL, Nd:Yag, etc). Then: What does “clean” beauty mean? A Sephora lawsuit could change the way brands and retailers talk about natural vs. synthetic ingredients and “no-no” lists. Plus: a Singapore-based hair-removal salon compares women to orangutans; there’s a perfume that smells like WD-40; scientists measure smile attractiveness after orthodontic treatment; and we raise wands to a juicy lipstick, a “Top 10” eye c...
Feb 15, 2023•31 min
This is a masterclass in getting the hair color you want and keeping it that way! Spoke & Weal color specialist Genna Still will explain why tweaking the tone and saturation of your hair color affects the way you look; how to tell the difference between new hair growth and broken hairs; why hair can look brassy and what to do about it; how to make DIY root concealer; why most colorists don’t like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) but have no issues with silicones; how to find a color-safe shampoo ...
Feb 10, 2023•50 min
Now that the hubbub of Mikayla Nogueira’s branded-content mascara controversy has quieted, we’re taking a closer look at how influencer culture has changed (maybe not so much?) since our days at print magazines and discussing how government *tries* to regulate advertising. Plus: P&G found a way to make lotion pumps recyclable; the Anastasia of Beverly Hills 25th anniversary party was basically Davos; lipsticks just got even more phallic; Happy Dance had its last dance; and we Raise A Wand to...
Feb 08, 2023•30 min
