Friends in Beauty Podcast

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m having a very honest conversation about burnout and why I’ve made the difficult decision to step away and take a break. Over the last several months, life has truly been lifing, and I’ve been feeling something that many creatives and entrepreneurs experience but don’t always talk about openly — burnout. After attending a powerful mental health...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m so excited to sit down with Laverne Amara, founder of NVLX Labs , an eco-lux clean haircare brand created specifically for the loc community. Laverne is a certified loctician and trichology analyst whose work focuses on scalp health, buildup prevention, and education in the natural hair space. In our conversation, she shares how her journey ev...

On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m diving into the new Reality Check documentary and unpacking everything it brought up for me about America’s Next Top Model . As someone who grew up watching the show, I’m reflecting on how it shaped our understanding of beauty, success, and even humiliation in the name of entertainment. I talk about the outrageous photo shoots, the behin...

If you’re a beauty professional, creative, or small business owner looking for grants you can apply for right now, this episode is for you. In this video, I’m breaking down rolling grants—funding opportunities that are open year-round or monthly, so you don’t have to wait for a once-a-year deadline to access money for your business. These grants are especially great if you’re:-A beauty pro or serv...

In this special birthday episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m taking a moment to slow down, reflect, and share a birthday pep talk straight from the heart. I talk about how my relationship with birthdays has changed over the years and why I now find more joy in simplicity than big celebrations. I also open up about a recent emotional season—caring for my cat, Kash, during a health scare—...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m breaking down a realistic and strategic way beauty pros can potentially get into Ulta Beauty World without purchasing a ticket. After the chaos surrounding Ulta Beauty World ticket sales, I wanted to share another perspective and an alternative path that many people may not be thinking about. While this is not guaranteed, I walk you through wha...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m taking you down memory lane as I reflect on where I was in 2016 and how saying yes, staying consistent, and not quitting changed everything. With a viral social media trend reminding us that 2016 was ten years ago, I found myself stopping in my tracks and thinking about the version of me who was only three years into my makeup artistry journey...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I am diving into one of the biggest beauty industry conversations happening right now and what it really means for makeup artists, beauty pros, and brand owners like us. With the recent news of Pat McGrath Labs putting its assets up for sale , I felt called to come talk to my Friends in Beauty about virality, velocity, and whether every viral mome...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I am sharing the simple but powerful decision that completely changed the type of clients I attract and the way I experience my beauty business. As I kick off the first episode of 2026, I reflect on what truly shifted my career. It was not more content, more hustle, or more trends. It was the decision to stop talking to everyone and get clear on w...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I am taking you with me into a heartfelt year in review as we close out 2025 and prepare to step into 2026. I reflect on the wins, the lessons, and the beautiful moments that shaped my journey this year, both personally and professionally I walk you through the milestones that meant the most to me, from returning to teaching at Bennett Career Inst...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I am sharing a very real behind-the-scenes look at what has been going on in my world. I talk about an exciting opportunity from Pat McGrath Labs, unbox some surprise PR, and open up about a moment that every traveling makeup artist dreads. I start by sharing details about a casting call to join Team Pat McGrath and what makeup artists need to kno...

In this fun and festive episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m sharing my favorite things of 2025—just in time for the holiday season. If you’re a last-minute shopper (no judgment 😅), shopping for a beauty pro, or adding a few things to your own wish list, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down the products I actually used, loved, and kept in rotation all year. From skincare and makeu...

On this special milestone episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, we’re celebrating 300 episodes with something brand new — the Friends in Beauty Awards! 🎉✨Join me as I take you inside 300 episodes of stories, lessons, laughter, and unforgettable guest moments. From emotional interviews to jaw-dropping surprises, we’re breaking down the episodes that shaped the Friends in Beauty Podcast and ho...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I am sharing something super practical that every makeup artist needs, whether you are brand new or have been in the game for years. We always talk about makeup products, but today I am breaking down the 10 non-makeup essentials that I cannot function without in my kit. These are the things that keep me organized, professional, and ready for any cl...

On this week's episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I am finally telling the story that I teased all the way back in Episode 293. This is the story of the worst podcast guest experience I have ever had and the moment I learned that not every industry legend deserves the pedestal we place them on. I share how a celebrity makeup artist, someone with multiple Emmys and decades in the industry, w...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I sit down with Sonia Rodriguez to dive deep into B.Class , the transformational workshop she created with Tiyana Robinson to help beauty pros become booked, branded and bankable in 2026. Sonia and I talk about the real challenges beauty pros are facing right now. Burnout from being “booked and busy,” undercharging, unclear branding, inconsistent...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m so excited to sit down with Anastasia Georgievskaya, the brilliant CEO and co-founder of Haut. AI, a cutting-edge beauty tech company backed by Ulta Beauty and part of the NVIDIA Startup Program. Haut. AI is changing how we understand skin health and skincare through AI-powered skin analysis and the revolutionary SkinGPT aging model that shows...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I am answering another Ask Your Best Friend in Beauty letter. I love these episodes because I get to support you directly with real questions that beauty pros are struggling with. Today’s letter is from a new makeup artist who has been doing friends and family for free and now wants to take the next step into becoming a paid, booked, and confident...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I am sharing how you can go into the new year richer by tapping into grants and funding opportunities that are available right now for beauty professionals and entrepreneurs. Times are uncertain, especially if you are in the United States and dealing with government shutdowns or financial stress. Many beauty pros have a nine to five or rely on oth...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m opening up about something that isn’t talked about enough in our industry — the not-so-pretty side of meeting your mentors. I recently hosted my first event for someone else, and it reminded me how much I love community, connection, and growth. I’m so grateful for all the beautiful opportunities that keep flowing my way. But as much as I love...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m diving into a topic that I know so many of us can relate to: fear. Whether it’s the fear of showing up online, raising your rates, hosting your first class, or being truly seen, I want to help you understand how to stop letting fear take over and start taking your power back. As we step into the last quarter of the year, I’ve been reflecting a...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m sharing how I spent the month of September fully immersed in community, connection, and creativity. 💕 I’ve noticed that so many beauty pros and creatives — myself included — have been feeling a little uninspired lately. In this episode, I open up about what’s been happening in our industry, why so many of us are losing our spark, and most imp...

On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m bringing back one of our most inspiring rewind conversations with Shennel Patrick , also known as Nelli — a powerhouse Makeup Artist, Beauty Educator, Content Creator, and Serial Creative. ✨ Nelli’s artistry goes far beyond makeup brushes and palettes. She is deeply committed to beauty as a holistic practice — mind, body, and spirit ....

On this REWIND episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome back the legendary Crystal Wright —a true powerhouse for freelance beauty professionals. Known as the “Industry Bible” author and founder of The Crystal Agency, Crystal has spent 25+ years opening doors for photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and fashion stylists to work with A-list celebrities and top globa...

On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I’m joined by Danielle Hayden , Co-Founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. Danielle and her team are on a mission to help six-figure (and beyond) women entrepreneurs finally take control of their numbers through bookkeeping, financial analysis, and strategic support so they can grow profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable businesses ....