Fat Mascara

Harvey Karp, MD, is a rock star pediatrician and child-development expert. In this episode, Jess interviews Dr. Karp, the CEO of the smart-tech company Happiest Baby and the creator of the Snoo, a crib designed to keep babies safe and help parents and infants get more sleep. They have a frank conversation about parenting and the exhaustion that comes with it, how today's social structure and the l...

How do you get a brighter smile if you have really sensitive teeth? We share answers from dentist Lisa Creaven and tell you which tooth-whitening products won’t leave you drooling everywhere in pain. Before that, let’s dig into the beauty news: Ellen DeGeneres’ skincare line; Goop’s supplement to “support women’s sexual desire”; By Kilian’s perfume collab with French Montana; the perfect candle fo...

Boutique owner Jessica Richards shares her strategy for discovering the new beauty products you won’t be able to live without. Some are “clean,” some are traditional, and many are sustainable, but they’re all must-haves, like the natural bug spray that actually works, the revolutionary hairbrush designed for post-chemo patients, and the women’s “pleasure serum” that she can’t keep in stock at her...

Like it or not, when celebrities talk about getting cosmetic procedures, they get attention. This week, we discuss the impulse to judge (and danger of judging!) others’ aesthetic choices, and share straightforward information on two procedures that have been in the spotlight: buccal fat removal and CoolSculpting. Plus, Doja Cat’s entrée into beauty; perfumes inspired by video games; a Sour Patch K...

Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, is here to talk about sensitive skin. In this special episode, brought to you ad-free by our friends at Avène, you’ll learn how to determine if you have sensitive skin and/or skin allergies; when to see a doctor for help; how to prevent flare-ups; what products can help reduce skin sensitivity and improve your barrier function; why fragrance can be problematic f...

You can have oily skin that’s dehydrated, but you can have dry skin that’s not dehydrated. Confused? You’re not alone! We’ll explain and help you find products that help with both issues. Before that, let’s talk about Patrick Starr’s fashion line, Chrissy Teigen’s buccal fat removal, how Facebook makes body image worse for teen girls, updates to the animal-testing laws in Europe, and more.. --&nbs...

Model and nutritionist Maye Musk opens up about ageism in the fashion industry, the evolution of her modeling career, motherhood (and divorce), why it's never too late to prevent sun damage, embracing gray hair, and more. This podcast features a new introduction, but the interview originally aired in January, 2020. (We had planned to release a new interview this week but, as Maye would say, "n boe...

Nothing says change of season like…new candles! We’ve got scents of granola, chestnuts, apple crisp, and cardamom; some of our listeners’ favorite wicks; and a deep, nerd-level dive into why humans are so drawn to scented candles. Before that, we discuss surgically implanted hair chains; a TerraCycle lawsuit; Met Gala and New York Fashion Week looks; Jennifer Aniston’s new hair line; and the scien...

Mona Kattan is the founder of Kayali Fragrances, and she’s on a quest to build the largest perfume collection in the world. Listen in as she shares the beautiful cultural history of perfume in the Middle East, explains why oud is so enticing (and expensive!), walks us through her private collection, and tells us how she built her brand and found the passion and “founder juice” to make it a success...

Are you showering too often? We asked two dermatologists to weigh in on the cultural trend of bathing less frequently and to share some strategies for washing without disrupting our microbiomes. Before that, lots of news to discuss: why Chanel is buying up jasmine fields in France; poet Amanda Gorman’s new role with Estée Lauder; the return of Fashion Fair; Miley Cyrus’s campaign for customizable...

New York City-based hair stylist and braider Kamilah, aka @mshairandhumor, reveals how she makes the braiding experience better, her favorite products and hair-care tips, and some thoughts on how to improve the licensing process for cosmetologists. The interview originally aired in 2019, but we've included a new intro with updates from Kamilah. We'll be back next week with all new episodes! -&nbsp...

Olive & June CEO and founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle offers invaluable advice to budding entrepreneurs, explains how to find an ethical nail salon, and shares her tricks for DIY manicures.  FYI: This episode features a new introduction, but the interview previously aired in July, 2019. We'll be back next week with all new episodes! -- For links and sponsors mentioned in this episode:&nbs...

Actress Lana Condor, star of Netflix’s “To All the Boys” trilogy, opens up about how she learned to prioritize her mental health and the internal work that keeps her feeling good. Plus, we talk about the power of a gratitude journal, how she manages stress (the Olly ambassador says wellness supplements have really helped), and some of her favorite drugstore beauty buys. -- For links and spons...

Hyaluronic acid fillers (such as Juvéderm) and neuromodulators (such as Botox) have some surprising benefits—other than the usual stuff like a plumper complexion and fewer wrinkles. Jenn just got injected and she’ll tell you all about it, including the explanation her dermatologist gave for the unexpected improvements. We’re also talking about the viral video that proves how well a Peter Thomas Ro...

We’re talking about good news (Beekman 1802, a beauty brand that’s making kindness part of its mission); bad news (schools with discriminatory policies that require gender-conforming haircuts); and everything in between, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s line, Rose Inc., Iggy Azalea’s line, Totally Plastic, new research showing attractiveness doesn’t matter as much as you think, and more. --&n...

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 produc...

Uoma Beauty’s self-proclaimed “weirdo in chief” is here to inspire! She shares the rebellious path she took from teenage beauty entrepreneur in Nigeria to head of her own company, and opens up about the difficulties she faced as a Black woman in the corporate world and why she’s doing things differently now that she’s in charge. Plus, Sharon offers her honest take on the beauty industry’s efforts...

We’re back from our break to tackle a tough question: Which over-the-counter retinoid is right for you? We explain how the skincare ingredients retinal, retinol, and retinyl palmitate work; the difference between them; and why product formulation matters (in a segment sponsored by StriVectin). Before that, Jenn & Jess share life updates and chat about blockbuster perfumes, salons that recycle...

Should you get cosmetic injectables such as Botox or dermal filler? Are at-home skin-devices worth the money? Is it ever okay to pop a pimple? Skincare expert Renée Rouleau answers all those questions and more. We discuss what facials can and can’t do for your complexion, how to find an aesthetician you trust, and which products all her facialist friends swear by. This episode features a new intro...

Tina Chen Craig shares the backstory of her skincare line, U Beauty, and explains how she went from author of the wildly popular blog Bag Snob to fashion influencer to beauty entrepreneur. Plus, Tina shares the secrets to great skin, the makeup she can't live without, and the five fashion pieces everybody should have in their wardrobes. This episode features a new introduction, but the interview p...

Hairstylist Jimmy Paul takes us on a journey, starting in the small steel mill town outside of Pittsburgh where he dreamed big and landing in New York City, where he made his name as one of the fashion industry’s most in-demand talents. His tale is a true New York story: He talks about his time at the The Pyramid Club, with nightlife legends like Ethyl Eichelberger, Agosto Machado, and Lady Bunny;...

We share our honest review of Rihanna’s new Fenty eau de parfum and dig into other happenings in the beauty world: the controversial Olympics ban of Soul Cap, a line of swim caps for thick, curly hair; Kate Somerville’s new philanthropic partnership; L’Oréal’s interesting patent application for a skin-diagnosis system; and more. Plus, a listener tells us about a new shade of blue pigment that was...

Why has beauty become so important to our society? Is looks-based discrimination, or lookism, as bad as sexism or racism? Why do beauty and wellness companies use moral language (“Be your best self!”) to sell products? These are just a few of the big questions that Heather Widdows, PhD, a professor of philosophy at the University of Birmingham, answers in this fascinating interview that will make...

Jenn got a semi-permanent tattoo that’s supposed to fade in about a year. She takes you into the tattoo shop to share what the process was like, and then explains the science behind Ephemeral Tattoo’s proprietary ink. Plus, Intern Val (aka Fat Mascara’s Southern Correspondent) shares new research on Gen-Z beauty habits, including a firsthand analysis of the trends, products, and brands that speak...

If a product is preservative-free, or clinically tested, or medical grade, or pH-balanced…what does that even mean? Dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, cuts through the hype and explains how skincare products are marketed and sold so you can figure out what’s worth your money. -- For links, products, and sponsors mentioned in this episode:  fatmascara.com/blog ; To shop the products:  mysh...