Fat Mascara

Is it time to ban the word “normal” in discussions of body shape and skin and hair type? Yes, says model Ashley Graham. 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...

Hair-repair treatments are so confusing! In this episode, we break down the differences between K18, Olaplex, bond builders, split-end menders, and other assorted hair damage treatments. We’ll also get you up to speed on the beauty news: the truth about blue-light damage; new CVS research on how we respond to photo retouching; the most-searched skincare brands; changes at Givenchy Beauty; and a pe...

Learn more about cold therapy and ice facials with podcaster, blogger, and The Skinny Confidential founder Lauryn Evarts Bosstick. We also discuss her face-rolling technique; why she prefers icy showers and breathing exercises to meditation; the skincare products she can’t live without; her favorite podcast guests; and the best tips from her upcoming book, Get The F*ck Out Of The Sun . -- For a li...

Applying blush is tricky, so we’re sharing expert tips and the best products to help you (and us) get it right. Plus, we have a spirited discussion about the latest beauty news: a Google AI-powered app that will help you identify skin concerns; less-is-more beauty lines Glowish and Ami Colé; the vegan Miss Universe; a connection between smoking and hair loss; and surprising ways the Covid-19 vacci...

Lacy Redway draws inspiration from history, fashion, art, and more when she’s styling the hair of celebrity clients like Tessa Thompson, Priyanka Chopra, Ruth Negga, and Anne Hathaway. Listen in as she explains her creative process; tells us what really happens before (and after) red carpet appearances; and shares how she became a hair stylist, her secrets for healthy hair, and the one thing you b...

Video-conferencing can affect the way you feel about your face. In this episode, we discuss how screen time distorts your perception of your looks and share a dermatologist’s tips for making your next Zoom/FaceTime/Google Hangout more positive. There’s also lots of beauty news to get into: a new deodorant for people with visual impairment and motor disabilities; the Urban Decay X Prince makeup col...

Body acceptance is great in theory, but how do you actually get there? Katie Sturino can help. In this episode, the style influencer behind The 12ish Style and beauty brand Megababe, and author of the forthcoming book Body Talk, s hares her journey to self-acceptance and tips for stopping the negative thought cycle. Plus, she explains why boob sweat, thigh chafe, and a melasma mustache are nothing...

To celebrate 300 episodes of their award-winning beauty podcast, Jess and Jenn revisit the launch show where they interviewed each other. In this special podcast, they share real-time commentary and behind-the-scenes details as they update their answers; reveal their favorite beauty products; and share the best (and worst!) beauty treatments, most cringe-worthy moments in their careers, and detail...

Shift your self-criticism to self-compassion with the help of Valerie Monroe, creator of the How Not To F*ck Up Your Face newsletter. In this episode, Val discusses the power of de-objectifying your looks (and how she learned to do it); some of her favorite products; how to make skincare and makeup more fun; and a few things she knows for sure after serving as the beauty director of O, The Oprah m...

Before you do any spring cleaning, listen to this! We talked to a cosmetic chemist about how long skincare products are safe and effective, and whether those expiration dates really matter. Before that: Does drinking chlorophyll water help with acne? Plus, lots of news to discuss: the trendy haircut we love (minus the name); why your favorite perfume might smell different next year; a surprising s...

We're so excited to introduce you to the co-author of one of our favorite books, Perfumes: The A–Z Guide . In this interview, Tania Sanchez reveals the hidden love story in her book’s pages, explains how she thinks (and writes) about scent, and tells us about some of her favorite perfumes. Plus, we talk about how to move the fragrance world forward and make the art of perfumery more inclusive and...

If you have tired, sleepy-looking eyes, we’ve got help! We’re taking a closer look at a new prescription eye drop for ptosis (drooping eyelids) and sharing other tricks to give saggy lids a lift, including a genius makeup tip that really works. Plus, lots of news to discuss: the trouble with doctors on TikTok; a new trend called “lip wings”; paying for Botox with Bitcoin; important sunscreen news...

We've got a quick announcement about Earth Day and our virtual party, then it's on to the interview (a replay): Lab Muffin creator and science educator Michelle Wong, PhD, 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, discuss how to evaluate user reviews...

We’re hosting a virtual Earth Day party this Thursday and we want to tell you all about it (It’s free! And there's an amazing gift for all attendees!). After that, we’re replaying an interview with one of our favorite guests, Caroline Hirons. The skincare expert, aesthetician, and best-selling author gives us her no-nonsense take on “clean” beauty, INCI lists, the Environmental Working Group (EWG)...

You'll never look at a bar of soap the same way again after listening to this episode. Chris Buckley, the executive vice president of customer experience for Bradford Soap Works, explains how soap is made, why some bars feel more luxurious than others, and what on earth a "syndet" bar is (and why dermatologists love them). Also, Buckley gets into the soap world's impact on the envir...

We’re joined this week by our intern/Southern correspondent Valerie, who kicks off the episode with her favorite product—a skincare tonic that keeps her skin bouncy as a Squishmallow. This week’s big topic: solid shampoo bars. We know they’re good for the environment, but how do you actually use them? Prepare to be surprised, because we’ve been doing it wrong this whole time. Before that, loads of...

How do you know if a mole is cancerous or not? What does blue light do to your skin? Do all skin cancers need to be cut out? Dermatologist Orit Markowitz, MD, the founder of OptiSkin, is here to answers all those questions and tell us about the latest (noninvasive!) advancements in skin cancer treatment—many of which she pioneered. -- For a list of products featured in this episode: myshlf.us/fatm...

We’re sharing some of the best retinol body lotions and dermatologist tips on how to use the—just in time for your legs and arms to come out of hiding. Plus, lots of news in the beauty world: China may ban the use of cannabis in beauty products; there’s an antibacterial “COVID perfume”; Skinceuticals launched a new vitamin C serum; we discuss Gwyneth Paltrow’s sunscreen-application technique (Jenn...

Film and television makeup designer Donni Davy explains how embracing makeup improved her mental health and shares how her background in art and photography informed her creative process for Euphoria , The Underground Railroad , Moonlight , and other projects. Plus, she shares tricks for doing “grown-up” versions of Euphoria's most popular makeup looks and tips for getting out of a beauty rut. --...

Floral, woody, fresh, fruity…Oriental? We spoke to fragrance experts who say it’s time to update the way we talk about and classify perfumes. Before that, lots of news to discuss: A new tubing mascara from Blinc; SkinStore estimates how much we'll spend on skincare in a lifetime; why radiant skin makes you look up to three years younger; advancements in the deregulation of the braiding industry; a...

Can you become immune to a shampoo? Is silicone really that bad? Do you actually need a heat protectant? Cosmetic chemist Erica Douglas, aka @SisterScientist, is here to answer all those questions, demystify the confusing world of hair products, and share some of her favorite stylers, treatments, shampoos, and more. -- For a list of products featured in this episode: myshlf.us/fatmascara ; Episode...

Welcome to our garden party! We’ll tell you why rose water is so great for skin (in a segment sponsored by Crabtree & Evelyn). Before that, we dig into the latest beauty news: racism against the AAPI community and what the beauty world can do; an animal-testing ban in Virginia; the fake online beauty retailer that helps domestic abuse victims; a gin byproduct that’s getting upcycled into beaut...

Makeup artist Pati Dubroff works with celebrities such as Margot Robbie, Priyanka Chopra, and Laura Dern, and she's here to explain why prepping your skin with love makes you look even better—and why she does *not* want to be called a “celebrity makeup artist.” Plus, she shares the story of her extraordinary career and insider knowledge of what it’s like to work with artist management agencie...

The robots are coming…to apply your eyelash extensions! We’re talking about the new lash technology from LUUM and discussing the latest news: makeup artist Sarah Tanno’s line of beauty organizers; Garnier’s cruelty-free seal; David Yi's Good Light Beauty skincare launch; and an eco-friendlier source of ethanol for perfume. Plus, Unilever bans the word “normal” from its personal-care products, so w...

Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli shares what she’s learned hosting her podcast, Naked Beauty; the best products her listeners have recommended; the secret ingredient in her DIY body oil; and so much more. -- For a list of products featured in this episode: myshlf.us/fatmascara ; Episode recap:  fatmascara.com/blog ; Our private Facebook Group:  Fat Mascara / Raising a Wand ; Instagram:  @fat...