Fat Mascara

Jenn & Julee share their latest beauty adventures: A variety show about bathing culture, meeting Ilana Glazer, and dinner with Dr. Augustinus Bader. Plus: Sephora’s store redesign and new Hulu series; research showing how age affects the way we feel about our beauty products; the scientist turning fatbergs into fragrance; the Beauty Together coalition helping those impacted by L.A. wildfires;...

Dermatologist Rajani Katta, MD, explains how vitamins are (and aren’t) regulated, how to judge the safety and efficacy of skincare supplements, and the truth about collagen powders, biotin, vitamin A, and other hair, skin, and nail vitamins. Plus, we learn how your diet affects your skin and hair, which supplements can alter results of medical tests, and how certain foods can help neutralize free...

A bride sparked debate online for washing off her makeup artist’s work, and Jess & Jenn think there’s something bigger going on. Let’s discuss! Plus: Jess’s facial that doubled as an astrology reading; Jenn’s chrome nails; Ariana Grande thanking Botox; Armani Beauty’s new spokesman; a scientist calls in to teach us about botanical oils in hair care; heated socks for people with Raynaud's syndr...

Seoul-based beauty journalist Jenny Jin joins us with a full report on 2025 K-beauty trends and the latest in South Korean beauty culture. We’re talking about her favorite products at Olive Young; Ultherapy, Thermage, Rejuran (and the Skin Botox and Winback treatments she tried); Chahong’s hair perfume; 5X5 Nail Studio; and the Miffy nails she got from Unistela. Plus: Torriden masks, Nonfiction pe...

Jess & Jenn are talking about “one and done” facelifts, makeup with personality (is Messy Girl the new Clean Girl?), skin tightening, the Lyma at-home laser, the next big fragrance trends, new beauty newsletters, the urban legend that Pantene is bad for hair—and how Alix Earle may have finally put it to rest.  Episode recap with links:  fatmascara.com/blogep-560 Products mentioned in...

The founder of the Anastasia Beverly Hills has plucked the eyebrows of Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, and Michelle Obama, but Anastasia Soare’s biggest success is her brand, which is estimated to be worth $500 million. In this interview (which originally aired in 2020), she tells us why she considers herself an example of the “American Dream” and shares how she built her brand, what she wishes mo...

Learn how to decode a cosmetic ingredient list, which skincare ingredients actually work, and how not to waste money on ineffective products in this interview with Victoria Fu, the co-founder of Chemist Confessions. Plus, she tells us about an AI-discovered molecule that improves skin elasticity and explains how social media causes skincare misinformation to proliferate online. This interview orig...

In this interview (our most popular of 2024!), we talk to celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, a mom of three, about a timely topic: How young is too young for makeup and skincare? How can parents encourage self expression without glorifying consumerism? Should adults talk to kids about the downsides of plastic surgery and photo filters? Plus, she shares her makeup tricks for hooded eyeli...

We’re lighting up the holiday season with candlemaker Louis Hotchkiss, the former president of KOBO candles. Here’s here to answer all our candle questions. Which wax burns the cleanest? How do containers, wicks, and fragrances affect burn rate? Why do some wick tips form a mushroom shape after they burn? How can you tell if a candle with have a good scent throw? All that and more. This interview...

It’s impossible to listen to Nikki Nelms share her story and not be inspired! The celebrity hairstylist—who’s worked with Beyoncé, Bjork, Janelle Monáe, and others—explains why she doesn’t need mood boards to create hair magic and never “looks to the side” for her ideas. She talks about how she got her start styling hair, the surprising tools and accessories in her kit, how she continues to innova...

Jenn & Jess reveal the year’s biggest moments in beauty culture—what we loved (nice), hated (naughty) and loved and hated with caveats (but, but, but!). We’re talking about contrast makeup theory; Pantone’s next color of the year; the beauty industry’s use of artificial intelligence; the TikTokification of makeup trends; everybody’s obsession with Lindsay Lohan’s face; influencers making their...

Creative director Douglas Little, the perfumer and founder of Heretic Parfums, explains how he taps into his shadow self to fuel creativity. He tells us how the new Nosferatu perfume came to be and shares stories from his collaborations with Gwyneth Paltrow and Dita Von Teese, the lessons he learned from the folding of his first brand, D.L. & Company, and why he’s drawn to “things that go bump...

There’s so much happening in cosmetic surgery for Jenn & Garrett to discuss: Lindsay Lohan’s new face; politicians getting work done; labia puffs; penis filler; and all the new ways to stop aging (and whether or not to partake or disclose). We also do a live fragrance test of Harry’s new Tamalpais cologne and keep the holiday-candle conversation going with the Fat Mascara Fam, then Garrett exp...

Cosmetic chemist AJ Addae is the founder of Sula Labs, a company that helps beauty brands develop and test products and ingredients for melanin-rich consumers. She’s here to share her story and talk about the future of sunscreen and clean beauty, how bias affects scientific research, the difference between cosmetics and drugs, exosomes, vitamin C, why she loves sulfur for treating acne, brow lamin...

Jess & Jenn are intrigued by the growing interest in pheromone perfumes. Could they help people find love? Hmm. Plus: L’Oréal’s Louvre tour; investment and acquisition news from Jess’s Business Desk; a rise in products designed to help people who get migraines (aka, migraneurs!); faux candles that don’t look fake; and the anti-frizz treatment spray that made Jenn’s blowout last five days. Epis...

Content creator @officiallysoniaramos calls herself a “mature lady” (lol, she’s 46), but her makeup tips work for Gen Z, Boomers, and everybody in between. She explains how (and why) she let her gray hair grow in at 35, why everybody’s getting their concealer wrong, where to put your blush, the power of the double cleanse, and how to look less tired when you’re feeling “busted and crusted.” This e...

Jenn & Julee are in the holiday spirit! Let’s talk about which botanical oils are best for your hair type; why Dax Shepard thought it was okay to ask Cynthia Erivo a *very* personal question about her long nails; the huge rise in applications for dermatology residencies; and which candle says “I’m feeling the holiday season” best. Plus, we raise wands to a room spray that celebrates sanctuarie...

Cozy up and get ready to feel all the feels with Emelia O’Toole, aka @professorperfume, who talks about the connection between literature, longing, and perfumery. She and Jenn tease out why nostalgia feels so good, and chat about books, scent memories, the romance of weddings and honeymoons, Dracula, One Direction, and fragrances inspired by chess, Clue, animals, and books. It’s the perfect podcas...

Jenn & Jess share insider beauty gossip, dig into why people are doom shopping, discuss Bobbi Brown’s move into home goods, and dream of attending the Hair Freezing Contest. After that, Jenn shares the inside story on chypre and amber fragrances—direct from Coty perfume historians in Paris—and we raise wands to meaningful beauty gifts, the new beauty brand from Celeste Barber, and a cozy anima...

As the co-founder and general partner of True Beauty Ventures, venture capital investor Cristina Nuñez is an industry talent scout, trend spotter, and brand builder all wrapped into one. Her company's portfolio includes K18, Sofie Pavitt Face, Vacation, Iris&Romeo, and many other beauty brands you know and love. In this interview, she offers amazing career advice and explains how she spots the...

The $42 price tag on Patrick Ta’s new eyeshadow duo annoyed many in the beauty community, and we’re digging into why that might be. Have we been conditioned by the implied value of larger palettes? Is it general inflation anger? Dupe culture? Jenn & Garret discuss. Plus: An unprecedented counterfeit Botox scam; needles for cosmetic injections deform more quickly than providers may realize; and...

We’re kicking off the holiday season with Tory Burch: entrepreneur, philanthropist, designer (of Kamala Harris’s concession speech suit, FWIW), and an official member of the beauty community since her expansion into fragrance two years ago, when this interview first aired. We talk about how to take the pressure off decorating and planning for the holidays, scent memories, personal style, and why b...

It’s a fun and freewheeling episode with Jess & Jenn. The big topic: Why do some beauty brands send their products to D.I.F. (destroy in field) programs? Jess explains and talks about a business model that could be less wasteful. Plus: The succession game is over at Estée Lauder Companies; there's a new Nosferatu perfume; we're contemplating sleep retreats; Jess highlights the best products fr...

If you aren’t familiar with Ione Gamble and Gina Tonic, then you’re about to meet your British best friends. The hosts of The Polyester Podcast join Jenn and Jess for a fun and wide-ranging chat about the beauty discourse, including makeup microtrends, music fandom, The Real Lives of Mormon Wives , Victoria’s Secret, In Vogue: The 90s , underconsumption, the Y2K revival, pretty privilege, tweakmen...

Jenn and Julee catch up on all the latest in beauty, from hair care for 10-year-old boys to why Jenn’s facial mist is the Nicole Scherzinger of skincare. We’re also talking about beauty brands with questionable influencer-marketing strategies; why Paullie Skin founder Anna Paul is hiding luxury gifts in customer orders; whether celebrity veneers are ruining movies; hair steaming; Haitian vetiver;...