Fat Mascara

After a brief hiatus, Jess is back in the (virtual) studio! We’re talking about the difference between emollients, humectants, and occlusives—and why “slugging” might not be the best way to hydrate your skin. Plus, we discuss the latest beauty news: a re-brand at KVD Beauty, promising updates in vegan beauty, new fragrances from Boy Smells, and Jonah Hill...the body-positive icon we need right now...

OB-GYN Dr. Manuela Vazquez, founder of the wellness brand LaMaria, is here to answer all of your questions: How do hormonal changes affect your appearance? Does birth control make you more susceptible to skin damage? Do you need special products to clean your vulva? What’s the difference between moisturizers and lubricants? Are freckles down there normal? What percentage of people groom their pubi...

Meet your skincare fairy godmother, Charlotte Palermino, aka @charlotteparler, the co-founder of Dieux Skin—and our final guest co-host before Jess is back! We talk about whether “skin purging” is really a thing, the best ways to treat eye bags and crow’s feet, our favorite antioxidant serums and sunscreens, and more. Plus, we discuss the news: how the beauty community is responding to the rise of...

Meet Michael Anthony, the makeup artist responsible for Ariana Grande’s floating white eyeliner in the “Rain on Me” video, Katy Perry’s punk-princess look, and Rita Ora’s retro-glam makeup in countless photo shoots. In this interview, he shares how he got his start at a MAC store, snagged an agent, and became one of beauty's most influential creatives. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to...

Skincare and beauty expert Felicia Walker, the founder of ThisThatBeauty, reveals the skin gadgets that actually work, her favorite bargain mascara, a miracle hair cream made with Chébé from Chad, and more. Plus, she and Jenn discuss the latest beauty news, including the future of fashion shows, Jada Pinkett Smith’s new personal-care line, and the reason you should think twice before making your o...

Candlemaker Louis Hotchkiss, the president of KOBO candles, is here to answer all of your candle questions: Which waxes are best? How do you prevent a candle from “tunneling”? Why do some wick tips form a mushroom shape after they burn? What’s “hot throw” versus “cold throw”? All that and more. Light up your favorite candle and join us for this fascinating interview. -- Want more of our beauty pod...

The cooling drugstore face mask that’s better than slugging; the bargain hot tool that delivers a salon-like blowout; and an at-home toner that fixes brassy hair—writer Caroline Moss, host of the Gee Thanks, Just Bought It! podcast, is here to share her best beauty discoveries and discuss why certain products “go viral.” Plus, in Jenn’s Science Corner: making perfumes with artificial intelligence...

What keeps Jessica Alba up at night? You’ll be surprised. The actress and founder of Honest Company opens up about the Hollywood machine and how it works, and tells us what her WFH setup looks like, how her company’s concept of clean beauty has evolved, and why oversimplifying the science of product formulation can be problematic. -- Want more of our beauty podcast? Episode Recaps & Products M...

Guest co-host Kathleen Hou, the beauty director of New York Magazine ’s The Cut, is here to analyze the hair on Bridgerton ; discuss the week’s beauty news (Dolly Parton’s fragrance! Eco-friendly beauty sponges!); and talk about her job, her favorite beauty tips, and some of her go-to products—including the best tubing mascaras for straight lashes. -- Want more of our beauty podcast? Episode Recap...

Dental technician Gary Archer has made specialized teeth for hundreds of movies and TV shows, including Austin Powers , PEN15 , The Wolf of Wall Street , Mrs. Doubtfire , Interview with the Vampire , and more. He explains how he collaborates with Special FX makeup artists to create a character's look and tells us which movie smiles he’s made that you probably didn’t realize were fake. Plus, he sha...

Can you get addicted to lip balm? We’re sharing the definitive answer from an expert—but, tbh, we’ll probably ask again next year. Plus, we talked to a dermatologist about why a few people with cosmetic fillers had allergic reactions after getting their COVID-19 vaccine. And there’s lots of beauty news to discuss: animal-testing progress; Unilever’s social-equality goals; a teledermatology report...

Style expert Trinny Woodall is a master of transformations—and her life is no exception. In this interview (which she recorded in her closet!), she talks about starting her beauty business, Trinny London; how to approach change so it’s less scary; and what she’s learned about beauty from years of hosting What Not To Wear . -- Want more of our beauty podcast? Episode Recaps & Notes: fatmascara....

So, you’ve got some essential oils…what are you supposed to do with them? We have tips from an aromatherapy expert. We’re also talking about new protein treatments for your hair—and whether or not you actually need them. And there’s lots of beauty news to discuss: L’Oréal’s ban on animal-hair brushes; Thirteen Lune, a site featuring beauty brands from Black and Brown founders; Jonathan Van Ness’s...

Celebrity hairstylist Kalief Wolfe (Ashanti and Winnie Harlow are clients) knows how to make any wig look amazing . Here’s here to share his secrets for a natural-looking install, explain why protecting your lace matters, and reveal the surprising places he finds creative inspiration. -- Want more of our beauty podcast? Episode Recaps & Notes: fatmascara.com/blog ; Our Private Facebook Group:...

You’ve heard of the skin barrier, but what is it really ? And how can you improve yours? We’ve got answers (in a segment sponsored by StriVectin). Plus, a dermatologist explains why earrings can be irritating—and what you can do about it. And there’s lots of beauty news to discuss: Sephora’s plans to combat racism in retail; the best beauty gadgets from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES); another...

It’s easy to be cynical about cause-related marketing in the beauty industry—until you listen to this interview with Karissa Bodnar, the CEO of Thrive Causemetics. We talk about why she built philanthropy into her business model, how her company chooses which causes to support and navigates the politics of giving, the product formulations she’s proudest of—and the one product she wishes she could...

Should you exfoliate if you’re using retinol? If so, how do you do it safely? We’ve got answers from dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, along with a review of the new version of L’Oréal Paris’s cult-favorite Wonder Water. Plus, all the beauty news: Aveda goes vegan; Dolly Parton is creating a fragrance; the return of chunky highlights (at least on Bella Hadid); plastic surgery trends in South Korea...

Actress, environmental activist, and wellness icon Jane Fonda has learned a lot in her 83 years. In this interview, she talks to us about the privilege of good health, how her relationships have affected her self-esteem and appearance, her love of hemp-oil face masks (she’s an Uncle Bud’s spokesperson), and the power of a good lip liner. -- Want more of our beauty podcast? Episode Recaps & Not...

We’re kicking off 2021 with an update to the “FM 5”—the five quick questions we ask all our guests at the end of their interviews. To celebrate, we answer the new questions (which *you* helped create!), and then share our resolutions for the year. Plus, lots of beauty news to discuss: makeup artist Pat McGrath’s damehood; virtual makeup testing via Google; the popularity of nostalgic perfumes duri...

Cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat Ron Robinson answers your biggest questions about product formulation, “clean” beauty, essential oils, where to find unbiased product info online, and more. This episode features a new introduction and Raise A Wand segment, but the interview previously aired (episode 171). We’ll be back next week with all new episodes for 2021! -- Want more of our beauty...

Mario Dedivanovic—the founder of Makeup By Mario and makeup artist to stars such as Kim Kardashian, Christina Aguilera, and Priyanka Chopra—is here to share all his secrets. He discusses his first job in beauty (as a fragrance consultant at Sephora), why he uses makeup brushes on celebrities but his fingers on models, the importance of eyelash curlers, and why you should put tinted moisturizer on...

It’s been a wild year in the beauty world! Listen in as we take you through our annual list of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. We’re sharing the trends, moments, people, and products we loved this year, along with the things we’d rather not see in 2021. Happy Holidays, Fat Mascara Fam! -- Want more of our beauty podcast? Episode Recaps & Notes: fatmascara.com/blog ; Our Private Faceboo...

We’re sharing all the ways you can support the beauty professionals at your local spas and salons this holiday season and recommending our favorite HSA/FSA-eligible sunscreens and skincare to buy with the leftover money in your health savings account (if you have one). Plus, lots of news to discuss: Purito’s sunscreen scandal; *another* celebrity skincare line; makeup artist Sir John’s collaborati...

Actress Kristen Bell just might be the perfect person to guide us through a holiday season like no other: In this interview, we discuss empathy, antidepressants, hot baths, hot-pink lipstick, and how beauty can boost your mood (and why it’s okay if it doesn’t). Plus, the creator of the CBD line Happy Dance shares the beauty backstories of some of her most iconic characters, including Sarah Marshal...

Why don’t more celebrities and influencers open up about what it *really* takes to look the way they do? On this episode, we discuss how their honestly could benefit others and why it’s important to remember that “looking good for your age” is a privilege not afforded to everyone. Plus, lots of beauty news to share: the legacy of Benefit Cosmetics co-founder Jane Ford; Jo Malone London’s floral co...