Fat Mascara

In this provocative interview, NPR host-at-large Elise Hu, author of the new book Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital , talks about the rise of South Korean pop culture and its effect on global beauty standards. She explains how A.I.-generated photo filters can perpetuate discrimination; why “beauty work” now begins in elementary school; and what you can do to find bal...

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,...

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...

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; colo...

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 Camouf...

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...

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 Hayle...

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’...

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 th...

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...

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...

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...

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 f...

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 Metropol...

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...

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...

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...

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 comp...

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...

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 with...

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...

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 ye...

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”...

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,...

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...