Fat Mascara

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...

What’s going on with sunscreen this week? We’ll explain why two brands issued recalls and bring you up to speed on the benzene controversy, then we chat about other fun beauty things: NuFace’s new serums (do you need them to make your device work better?); a petrol-scented perfume; how the Western diet causes skin inflammation (and how to reverse it); and more. After the news, it’s time to relax:...

Trichologist Bridgette Hill explains her holistic approach to hair health, which takes into account ingredient allergies, medications, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormonal issues, and so much more. If you're dealing with (or want to prevent!) hair issues like hair loss, thinning, bald patches, flakes, oiliness, dryness, or dullness, then this interview is a must listen. -- For links, product...

We take a closer look at the haircut that’s everywhere this summer and chat about its origins, what makes a haircut go viral, and whether or not it’s safe to call the wolf cut “Gen Z’s answer to the mullet.” Before that, there’s lots of beauty news to discuss: details on the new Glossier retail locations; the temporary shutdown of KKW Beauty; Tracee Ellis Ross’s docuseries, The Hair Tales ; NYC Co...

Actress Kate Hudson talks about her strategies for overcoming fear and negativity and shares what she eats when she’s preparing for a movie, her DIY microneedling technique, her (high and low) skincare must-haves, and the makeup she uses for a dewy look that lasts all day. Plus, she introduces us to the concept of omnidegradable packaging (her nutrition line InBloom features it) and explains how i...

What is UPF clothing and how does it actually protect you from UV rays? So glad you asked! We explain the technology, tell you about some of our favorite brands, and share an easy hack for making your own sun-protective clothing at home. We also chat about #cryptocosmetics from e.l.f. Cosmetics; sunscreen-scented dog-poop bags (?!); a Lisa Frank lawsuit; the Environmental Working Group's product-l...

Professor Lauren Labrecque, PhD, researches how color influences the decisions we make and the culture around us. In this interview, she takes a closer look at the logos and packaging from some of our favorite beauty brands to explain how they influence our purchasing behavior. Plus, we learn about sensory marketing and color psychology; the shade that makes people eat less; the hue sports teams u...

Do your underarms need a deep cleaning? We take a closer look at armpit detox products to see A) how they work and B) if they’re necessary. Plus, in Jenn’s Science Corner, we dig into new research that found PFAs (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are often referred to as “forever chemicals”) in cosmetics sold in North America and discuss how prevalent the chemicals are, their pot...

Model Cindy Crawford is refreshingly honest about her “age maintenance” and what it’s like to model at 55 during this wide-ranging interview. She shares stories from the set of MTV’s House of Style , explains why she’ll never be able to do makeup as well as Naomi Campbell, and reveals what she said to her daughter, Kaia Gerber, before they walked the Versace runway together. Plus: the real reason...

Jenn is back from her trip to Germany with…a treatment that helps varicose veins! Listen in as she reports from the field (literally) on the benefits of Kneippen (undergoing hydrotherapy). Plus, Michael Edwards’ popular fragrance wheel gets an update, and there's lots of other beauty news to discuss: Sephora will upgrade its clean beauty standards; Paula’s Choice has a new owner; sales of lipstick...

In honor of Acne Awareness Month, we asked dermatologist Dr. Chris Tomassian (who has more than a million followers on TikTok) to answer your acne questions. In this special episode, powered by The INKEY List, we discuss acne types and causes, reveal which foods can make your skin worse, teach you how to tell if your acne is hormonal, and more. Plus, Dr. Tomassian explains the...

How do you trim long brow hairs and clean up the area *above* your eyebrows without messing things up? Jess shares what she learned from Angela Marinescu, the “queen of brows.” Before that, Jenn’s science corner is devoted to the benzene-in-sunscreen controversy. Plus, there’s lots of news to discuss: NFTs (non-fungible tokens) in the beauty world; the rise of waterless beauty products (and a list...

Victoria Beckham and Sarah Creal, the co-founders of Victoria Beckham Beauty, chat about their brand, #startuplife, and their take on clean beauty. Also, Victoria opens up about her makeup journey (including those "skinny, skinny eyebrows"), her immutable public image, and her lifelong obsession with beauty products. -- Visit  victoriabeckhambeauty.com  and use code FATMAS...

If you want to remove peach fuzz and unwanted facial hair while gently exfoliating your skin, shaving just might be the answer. Jenn, a longtime face shaver, shares her experience with DIY dermaplaning and offers tips from her dermatologist, Dr. Heidi Waldorf, then she and Jess reveal the best face shavers for women. Before that, get up to speed on the latest in beauty: a review of Huda Beauty's n...