Fat Mascara

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 cele...

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 creat...

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...

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...

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 l...

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...

How do you decode a cosmetic ingredient list? How are researchers using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve skincare? Which skincare ingredients are completely pointless? Victoria Fu, the co-founder of Chemist Confessions, is here to answer all those questions and more. Plus, she tells us about an AI-discovered molecule that improves skin elasticity and explains how the digital era has made it...

A few years ago, faces were looking full (from all the filler?); these days, the rich and famous look sculpted, “snatched,” and downright gaunt. It could be the popularity of Ozempic (a diabetes medicine that’s also prescribed for weight loss) and more people getting buccal-fat removal, but it’s also proof that cosmetic injectables follow trend cycles—just like makeup, hair, and clothes. Let’s dis...

As an advisor to numerous clients in the beauty industry, trial attorney Kelly Bonner plays a part in America’s complex system of cosmetics regulation—and she’s here to tell us about it. What does “natural” mean when it comes to hair care? Is topical collagen improving skin the way customers think it is? These are just some of the questions currently up for debate in the courts, as Kelly explains....

How much frost is too much frost in a lipstick? All depends on how you wear it, we say. We’re swiping on some throwback lip shades, then discussing the latest beauty gossip: Makeup By Mario’s expansion; Lancôme’s Gen-Z play; Viktor&Rolf’s Flowerbomb bombshell; and Ole Henriksen’s Scandi collaboration. Plus: The Fat Mascara Fam did their homework! We’re sharing a listener’s favorite product for...

Whether you’re a beauty enthusiast looking for the next great product or you work in the beauty industry, this interview with Julian Reis, CEO & founder of SuperOrdinary, is a must-listen. He talks about the future of beauty shopping and explains how his company connects brands (think: Olaplex, Nécessaire, Ouai, Farmacy, Milk Makeup) with influencers and KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) in China who...

Noninvasive “tweakments” like DiamondGlow facials, Morpheus8, and the Moxi laser are gaining popularity with people who say they’re “high maintenance to be low maintenance.” Meaning: Can getting some cosmetic procedures now mean less makeup, less skincare, and less upkeep in the long run? Let’s discuss! After that: The FDA’s authority over cosmetics regulations is expanding, there’s a correlation...

Pro tennis player Sloane Stephens can find a hairstylist in any country, calls candles an essential travel item (she has one from Tom Ford with her at the Australian Open right now!), and knows how to stay moisturized if you’re taking five showers a day (which she often does). In this interview, we talk about her beauty routine and so much more: managing the stress of being a pro athlete, maintain...

Jess shares what she’s been working on since last summer, when she takes us through the “heroes and hidden gems” from Moda Operandi’s new beauty website—including the dirty, sexy floral fragrance she’s been wearing since fall (and refusing to tell Jenn about until now). Before that, do tween boys need skincare? Plus, a new tool that helps people with limited mobility apply makeup; a tea for people...

In his first podcast interview ever, Belgian makeup artist Peter Philips reveals what goes on behind the scenes at Dior, where he serves as the creative and image director for Christian Dior Makeup. He tells us how to baby-step out of our makeup comfort zones and have more fun with color this year. He also shares the secrets to his creative process and stories behind some of the iconic fashion ima...

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 talk about getting older—which happened to all of us in 2022 (if we were lucky). We discuss "midlife," what age that happens, and whether you need to change up your style and beauty routine when you get there. Plus, what's up wi...

Science educator Michelle Wong, PhD (aka @LabMuffin), is going to change the way you think about beauty products! Together, we take a closer look at the clean-beauty movement, discuss the racist and colorist history of skin-lightening products, talk about how to evaluate user reviews for authenticity, and learn how to avoid confirmation bias so we can be better beauty consumers. This interview ori...

Can you take probiotics while on antibiotics? Are sulfates bad for your hair? How do you pass a drug test? Pharmacist Ian Ginsberg, the president of C.O. Bigelow , tells us about his family-owned business, and then reveals some of the top questions his customers have asked over the years (and shares the answers). This interview originally aired in February, 2019, and remains one of our all-time fa...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…we’re wrapping up 2022 with our thoughts on everything we liked (nice) and didn’t (naughty) in the big, bad—and good?—world of beauty. Okay, you get it, we love a theme. Listen in for great products, gross trends, excellent stories, and regrettable choices. Then, go get some beauty sleep. You deserve it. Sponsor links & discount codes: shopmy.us/collect...

Journalist turned brand builder Chloe Hall is Jenn’s guest co-host for this episode! The former Elle.com beauty director tells us about her career in beauty, shares some of the products she loves, and offers her take on the week's headlines: Kristin Cavallari’s beef with Olaplex; slight momentum in the U.S. movement to end hair discrimination; and the wacky world of beauty advent calendars. Plus,...

Ashunta Sheriff knows how to light-up a face, put on lashes in two minutes, and keep her celebrity clients (Taraji P. Henson, Alicia Keys, and so many others) happy. In this fun and freewheeling catch-up, she talks to Jenn about her career; how anthropology informs her art; her makeup line, Ashunta Sheriff Beauty; her work on Empire and the upcoming Netflix show Survival of the Thickest —and how k...

Everybody’s hot for neck and décolletage care! Maybe it’s because we spend so much time hunched over? So, sit it up straighter and listen in as we talk about that and…2023’s color showdown (Viva Magenta vs. Digital Lavender); Wednesday Addams' soft-goth lips; people asking their doctors for pore removal (and other insights from an Allergan Aesthetics global trend report); why rust-colored weddings...

Tory Burch is here to take the pressure off your holiday season. She told us “Perfection is not interesting"—so we’re going into the gift-giving, dinner-hosting, party-attending season with that mantra in mind. We also talked to the entrepreneur and fashion designer about dressing and decorating for the holidays; her fragrance collection, Tory Burch Essence of Dreams, and the memories that inspire...

Now that it is officially Festive Season, Jenn is gifting Jess with the embarrassing story of how she once had to model a “Silver Belle” look for holiday store visuals at Sephora. After that, we discuss two ways to use eyebrow pencil as lip liner; the newest version of L’Oréal Paris Wonder Water; a study showing how snowy landscapes can boost body positivity; and a new book that details the human...

The Sleep Doctor, Michael Breus, PhD, is here to help us get some rest—so we look (and feel) better! He shares sleep tips for boosting skin’s collagen levels, waking up without under-eye circles, and revving your metabolism. Plus, he tells us exactly how he helps his celebrity clients (Oprah Winfrey, Paris Hilton) improve their sleep and cure insomnia without drugs or supplements. This interv...