In this confessional and juicy interview, hairstylist Sally Hershberger takes us back to SoCal in the late 1970s, and shares how she parlayed her rock-star-adjacent life into a full-on creative career, working in salons and then on set as one of the fashion world’s favorite hairstylists. She talks about giving Meg Ryan her famous shag haircut, creating products for John Frieda, launching several of her own hair lines, and how much the salon industry has changed in the last decade. Plus, did you ...
Jul 10, 2024•42 min
Kilian Hennessy, founder of Kilian Paris, talks about his famous last name, the history and semantics of fragrance, and the "potential consequences of making perfumed panties," in this interview, which originally aired in 2019. Plus, he explains why tuberose is better than Cheetos and what it’s like to be part of a big beauty conglomerate like Estée Lauder Companies. Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy.us/collections/644723 Episode recap with links: fatmascara.com/blog/kilian-hennessy Spo...
Jul 05, 2024•32 min
Jenn and Garrett discuss their recent travels, including Garrett's spa experience at a Dubai wellness hotel. Then they ask Chat GPT for skincare advice in real time (things do not go well). Plus: Trends from the new American Society of Plastic Surgeons survey; iRoma’s technology that could make movies (and emojis!) smellable in the near future; an in-shower facial; a sunscreen that won’t sting kids’ eyes; and a body gel that will help you cool off. Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy.us/c...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Is blue light bad for your eyes—or your skin? Which lash-growth serums work without harming your eyes? Is it okay to tightline? How do redness-relieving eye drops work, and can you get addicted to them? What’s the best way to remove eye makeup? Ophthalmologist Nicky Shah, MD, cofounder of You & Eye by Dr. Nicky, is going to answer all those questions and talk about lash extensions, permanent makeup, her favorite mascara, and more in this fun-fact-filled interview, which originally aired in 2...
Jun 28, 2024•48 min
Jess & Jenn share highlights from two beauty conferences, and then discuss the copywriting over at Vacation Inc.; the challenges of building a lasting fragrance brand; changes at Space NK; the beauty brands with Olympics tie-ins; new flanker products for Clinique Black Honey; the woman with hyperosmia (a super-sensitive olfactive ability) who can smell Parkinson’s disease; and more. Plus, let’s raise a wand to a twisted gourmand perfume and the excellent, long-lasting blushes from Haus Labs....
Jun 26, 2024•40 min
Ami Colé founder & CEO Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye went from social media manager (Temptu, L’Oréal) to product developer (Glossier) to starting a beauty brand for melanin-rich skin—and she’s refreshingly honest about what it took to get where she is. We discuss how her personal story is part of (but not the same thing as!) her brand; what it’s like to work with investors; the challenges BIPOC-owned beauty brands are facing; and how much fun it is for her to create gorgeous products that people lov...
Jun 21, 2024•55 min
Please welcome one more contributor to the Fat Mascara family: Julee Wilson is back and will be joining us more regularly! This week, she and Jenn discuss their shared dislike of rain shower heads; how to choose lip liner based on your nipple color (thanks, Glossier); the best products in the Fenty hair line; Beautyfor, a new organization helping to tackle the industry’s waste problem; sebaceous filaments; sexy perfumes for summer; and the disturbing truth about hair relaxers. Products mentioned...
Jun 19, 2024•39 min
Lip blushing, lip neutralization, restorative lip color, powder brows, microblading, how to remove permanent makeup—we’re going to learn about all of it with Christine Hwang (@newfacebychristine), a permanent makeup artist in New York City. She shares how to find a PMUA you can trust, how licensing works, the difference between regular tattoos and cosmetic tattoos, and so much more. If you’re even *thinking* about permanent or semi-permanent makeup, listen to this podcast first! Products mention...
Jun 14, 2024•56 min
Jess shares the gossip from two hot fragrance events in New York City. Then, we discuss Epcot’s Norwegian perfumer in residence; Fenty Hair; Sarah Creal’s new line; Olaplex skincare (is it happening?); Tweezerman tools for pet owners; powdered shampoo; buttercup-yellow nail polish; and the delightful Bask sunscreen that will keep you protected even if you’re on a boat. Plus, in Science Corner: The surprising benefits of taking sea buckthorn oil supplements. Products mentioned in this episode: sh...
Jun 12, 2024•49 min
Actress, author, and entrepreneur Brooke Shields talks about an inherent tension in her life: She knows beauty is power and yet she struggles with that very idea. In this podcast exclusive, she discusses growing up on camera, how she wants her daughters to approach social media, our culture’s obsession with image and beauty—and Commence, her new hair line for women over 40. Yes, she’s a celebrity launching a beauty brand (and she knows exactly how that sounds), but the story behind Commence is o...
Jun 07, 2024•45 min
An eye cream that actually does something! Teenage boys buying $300 cologne! And more: The new hair-thinning clinic where Garrett got PRP therapy, prestige beauty brands on Amazon.com , a listener’s request for an all-in-one night cream for “people in their 30s,” and a review of Makeup by Mario’s new Multi-use Bronzing & Shaping Serum. Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy.us/collections/572692 Episode recap with links: fatmascara.com/blog/ep-534 Sponsor links & discount codes: fatm...
Jun 05, 2024•52 min
Consider this podcast a masterclass in makeup brushes—even if you’re a makeup artist, we promise you’ll learn something new! Anisa Telwar Kaicker’s company, Anisa International, has been manufacturing brushes for top beauty brands since 1992, and its innovations in cruelty-free fibers have helped to make the industry more ethical. Anisa is also the founder of Anisa Beauty, her own line of responsibly made vegan makeup tools. In this episode, she explains the art of brush making, its cultural her...
May 31, 2024•59 min
We’re kicking off summer with Jess, who's back from her “sabbatical” to tell us about her beauty adventures with Moda Operandi and discuss the latest: Grown Alchemist bumps Kiehl’s out of Equinox gyms; fragrances of the future (will they smell like butter or body odor?); the blush boom; a listener’s discovery of GirlCult cosmetics; a solid shampoo that’s actually moisturizing enough for thick hair; and Jess’s new favorite eyebrow duo. Plus, we’re excited to announce a new contributor joining the...
May 29, 2024•47 min
Hairstylist Jawara is one of the most in-demand creatives in fashion today. He’s worked with artists like Beyonc é , Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and his longtime collaborator Solange, and created images for Off-White, Gucci, Hermès, Vogue, and i-D (he’s currently their senior beauty editor at large). We met Jawara in 2018 (when this interview originally aired) and invited him to the FM studio to discuss his career, his creative inspiration, and his recipe for the sexiest cologne on earth. Episode recap w...
May 24, 2024•35 min
In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we’re replaying this interview with dermatologist Orit Markowitz, MD, a skin-cancer specialist and the founder of OptiSkin. She’ll explain why regular skin checks are more important than monitoring your moles and age spots, the latest ways to treat skin cancer without scarring, and how to protect your skin from damage. This interview originally aired in 2021, but we'll be back next week with all new episodes. Episode recap with links: f atmascara.com/blog...
May 22, 2024•42 min
Photographer and host Amanda de Cadenet has made a career of passing the figurative and literal mic to women, letting them share their stories and shape their own images. Now, it's her turn: The founder of The Conversation and GirlGaze talks about why women's stories are often minimized, our culture's endless obsession with youth, and the taboo topics we should be talking about more openly. Podcast cover art photo: Yu Tsai. Episode recap with links to Amanda’s projects: fatmascara.com/blog/amand...
May 17, 2024•37 min
Erica Metzger—founder of the Beauty Loop and Virtual Beauty Closet—is here to play Beauty Detective for listeners, tracking down replacements for products that have been discontinued, including a Clinique mascara, Urban Decay perfume, and RMS Beauty nail polish. Erica also has tips for how you can find a replacement for products you still miss. Plus, we chat about why lip gloss sales are booming, how outdoor workers can protect themselves from skin cancer, the new Orebella perfumes from Bella Ha...
May 15, 2024•53 min
Aesthetician Shani Darden stopped by the morning after the Met Gala to talk about all the celebrities she prepped for the red carpet—and chat with Jenn about fashion’s biggest night. After the celebrity gossip, Shani shares her suggestions for getting your skin in its best shape ever for a big event (wedding, reunion, vacation, etc.). She explains the benefits of vibration therapy, microcurrent devices, and gentle acid peels; how to deal with melasma; and what to do (and not do) in the days lead...
May 10, 2024•49 min
Who remembers Intern Tiff? Tiffany Sukhnandan is no longer our intern (she’s a marketing manager in the beauty industry!), but she’s back to hang out with Jenn and talk about sun visors; what she’s learned being behind the scenes at a dermatologist skincare brand; how badly Youthforia missed the mark expanding its range of skin tints; Charlotte Tilbury’s new fragrances; and—in Science Corner—scary complications from an unlicensed facility doing “vampire facials,” aka platelet-rich plasma (PRP) t...
May 08, 2024•51 min
Board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Shieva Ghofrany is here to talk about all the ways hormones affect a woman’s appearance throughout her life, from acne and hair growth to dry skin and vulva changes. We discuss pregnancy-safe skincare and what cosmetic treatments are safe for pregnant women; why you may look different during different times in your cycle; how perimenopausal changes to your health and appearance can start in your 30s; and what happens to your skin, hair, and body as your hormonal balanc...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Please welcome writer Brennan Kilbane (Air Mail, Allure, etc.) to the virtual studio! He’s here to chat with Jenn about keratopigmentation , a procedure to change your eye color (!!); beauty newsletters; self-tanning peptides and the “Barbie” drug; bad Google reviews of haircuts; beauty brands funding TV shows and movies; a perfect summertime foundation; and the candle that smells like Versailles. Plus, Jenn discovers HomeGoods 10 years after the rest of America. Products mentioned in this episo...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 3 min
What is the absolute best way to get a self-tan that looks natural? Celebrity skincare, self-tanning, and nail expert Nichola Joss (creator of the Inner Facial) is here to tell us…in detail. In this interview, which originally aired in 2017, she covers everything from the prep to the technique to the right products. Plus, she explains how Kate Moss gets bronzed and shares her favorite self-tanning products, face oils, makeup, and more. Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy.us/collections/51...
Apr 26, 2024•34 min
Lots of you asked to hear more from guest co-host Garrett Munce, so he’s back! We’re talking about the surprising skin and hair products one woman found in her date’s bathroom; counterfeit Botox; the movie version of Cat Marnell’s book, How to Murder Your Life ; salons for people with autism spectrum disorder, sensory-processing disorder, and related disabilities; Summer Daddy scents; and a new multi-use cream palette that scratches Jenn’s itch to get artistic. Episode recap with links: fatmasca...
Apr 24, 2024•57 min
How do you shop for eco-friendlier beauty products? What are high-value plastics? How can beauty brands make their components better for the environment? We’re going to tackle all those questions with sustainable operations expert Carly Snider, the executive director of Pact Collective, a nonprofit that’s uniting the beauty industry to work toward circular packaging solutions. In this episode, you’ll learn about the dangers of wishcycling, what happens at your local Materials Recovery Facility (...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Jenn welcomes Julee Wilson back to the co-host seat so they can talk about Rihanna admitting that she’s considered getting a breast lift (and other post-motherhood changes). Plus: how we judge beauty awards; magnetic lashes; the rise of medical tourism for cosmetic surgery; and—in Science Corner!—a new study finds that applying makeup may help with depressive symptoms. Plus: We discuss new fragrances by their vibes rather than their ingredients (a revelation!). Products mentioned in this episode...
Apr 17, 2024•45 min
Gudrun Wu Snyder, the founder of Moon Rabbit Acupuncture, explains how acupuncture works—scientifically and philosophically. We discuss how this modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help with allergy symptoms, collagen boosting, complexion brightening, constipation, and more. Plus: ear seeding, how acupuncture plays into cancer treatment, and what’s really going on during a lymphatic massage. Products mentioned in this episode (including Moon Rabbit Ear Seeding Kits!): shopmy.us/co...
Apr 12, 2024•54 min
Jenn welcomes guest co-host Angelo Landriscina, MD (aka @dermangelo), to talk about junk science, Andrew Huberman, dermfluencers, the “Wild West” of cosmetic surgery, perfumes that smell like sunscreen, the difference between retinol and retinal, and whether or not she will actually receive the $99 Trump Victory47 cologne she ordered. Plus, Angelo explains how hypochlorous acid really works and we Raise a Wand to the Hugimals World Heart to Hug Pillow, a calming weighted pillow that delivers Dee...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Makeup artist Dick Page has been playing with color and painting faces (Bella Hadid, Christy Turlington, and so many others!) for more than 30 years. In this interview—one of our most popular episodes from 2022—he talks to Jess about his career, the disappearing art of subtlety, how the way we view images today has changed the way we think about beauty, and the not-so-secret trick for achieving one of his signature looks: dewy, balmy, glowing cheeks. Products mentioned in this episode: shopmy.us...
Apr 05, 2024•49 min
Guest co-host Alexandra Pauly, the beauty editor of Highsnobiety, chats with Jenn about retailers that are banning sales of anti-aging skincare to children, a new line of products for butts, and the state of fragrance today. Plus: why toddlers smell like flowers and teens smell like goats; a perfume for horse girls; the best places to shop for beauty in NYC; and the sunscreen-primer-foundation recipe that will keep your face perfected for eight hours straight, even if you have oily skin. Product...
Apr 03, 2024•53 min
Fragrance developer Carlos Huber chats with Jess and Jenn about how perfume can be a way to experience a specific moment in time. He shares the history of patchouli; why fragrances after World War II smelled like smoke and flowers; how his brand, Arquiste Parfumeur, captures evocative moments and historical sites; and how he works with perfumers and clients (Vacation Inc., Trudon, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, J. Crew) to create fragrances with a deep sense of nostalgia. Products mentioned in ...
Mar 29, 2024•58 min
