Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
Gloss Angeles
Co-hosts and longtime beauty journalists Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan give their perspective on all things makeup, skincare, and wellness at the intersection of pop culture and entertainment. Experts in the field and friends IRL, they pull back the curtain on trends, treatments and popular products — all the things you're likely searching or watching on TikTok. (They'd know — they've spent 10 years creating and optimizing editorial content for mainstream digital beauty publishers.) Tuesday episodes reveal the most notable beauty headlines with informed takes while Friday episodes feature guests...
Author
Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 10, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Vicky Tsai Wants You to Think About Your “Joyspan” and to Fight Burnout With Balance 05.09.2025 51:36
Vicky Tsai returns for her second Gloss Angeles interview! The Tatcha founder drops by six years after her first appearance to discuss how Tatcha has grown since 2019 (after an acquisition), what remains the same, what skincare as a category needs to improve upon, the brand’s most underrated product, what she’s done to help her health since entering peri-menopause, and the reason she created The L...
Taylor Swift’s Bridal Beauty Predictions, Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty, & Pinterest’s Fall Beauty Trend Predictions 03.09.2025 37:46
As you know, Taylor Swift just got engaged (!!!) but we can’t help ourselves — we’re already thinking about what her wedding glam could look like. Will it be her signature red lip or something totally unexpected? Kirbie has thoughts! Plus, we share the products we’re eyeing during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty sale and dissect Pinterest’s Fall 2025 predictions, from clean grunge to 90s-esque pixie cuts...
Talc, Sulfates & Luxury Products Worth the Price with Cosmetic Chemist Ramya Viswanathan 29.08.2025 50:25
This week we’re talking all things cosmetic chemistry with someone who really knows her way around a science lab: Ramya Viswanathan, founder of CMPRESSD Beauty — the zero-waste hair care brand making solid shampoo and conditioner bars that actually perform like your favorite salon formulas on all hair types. With over a decade in product development, formulation, and manufacturing, Ramya’s here to...
Sharon Chuter’s Legacy, Vuitton’s $160 Lipsticks, and TikTok’s MAC Scandal 26.08.2025 38:07
This week on Gloss Angeles, we’re covering it all: Kirbie’s run-in with a not-so-nice influencer, the heartbreaking news of UOMA Beauty and Pull Up for Change founder Sharon Chuter’s passing, Louis Vuitton’s very expensive beauty launch (which includes a $160 lipstick), Ultra Violette’s sunscreen recall, and the viral MAC Cosmetics LAX manager who lost her job after posting behind-the-scenes video...
Why Korean Beauty is Always Ahead (With the Lipstick Lesbians) 22.08.2025 45:36
Thank you to our partners, Laneige, for this episode! The Lipstick Lesbians are back: Alexis Androulakis and Dr. Christina Basias Androulakis join us to unpack K-beauty’s past, present, and future. We cover the first wave vs. today’s resurgence, what Korean skincare does better than Western beauty, how AI will be involved, what makes a brand truly “Korean Beauty.” Shop this episode Watch our episo...
Sara’s Big News + e.l.f. Cosmetics's Big Drama 19.08.2025 29:35
Big news, Glams: Sara is stepping away from Refinery29 and putting more time and energy into Gloss Angeles! She shares what this new chapter means, what’s ahead, and why this moment feels so surreal. Then, we’re diving into one of the buzziest (and most controversial) beauty headlines of the week: comedian Matt Rife teaming up with e.l.f. Why would a major beauty brand collaborate with someone sur...
Mary Phillips on Underpainting, Glam Secrets, and Working With Hollywood’s Biggest Stars 15.08.2025 44:05
She’s the queen of underpainting, the mastermind behind some of the most *chef’s kiss* red carpet glam, and now she’s adding “founder” to her already stacked résumé. This week, we’re sitting down with celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips — the woman responsible for sculpting faces like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Jennifer Lopez — to talk about her new brand, m.ph , and the art of making hi...
DIBS Drops Mascara, Sara’s Toenail Drops Off, and Expert-Lead Beauty Brands Take Over 05.08.2025 26:55
Our Glamgelenos got first dibs on DIBS Beauty’s new Double Standard Mascara Duo through Gloss Angeles Confidential — and the reviews are glowing. Kirbie shares why this dual‑ended lash MVP (primer + lengthener on one side, bold volumizer on the other) has become her ride‑or‑die. Use code GLOSSANGELES 8/1-8/31/25 to get 15% off your order on their website! TW: Feet! Sara gets real about a runner’s...
Harry Styles Vibrators and Estée Laundry’s Grand Return 01.08.2025 44:58
This week, we’re kicking things off with our latest Gloss Angeles Confidential test‑drive: K18’s new HeatBounce Conditioning Heat Protectant . It’s a leave‑in that claims to go deeper than your average spray to protect against up to 450°F heat, UV damage, and breakage. Our Glamgelenos gave us the real tea on how it performs (and how to actually use it without overdoing it). In beauty news: Phlur i...
The Scent of Rare Beauty: How Selena Gomez’s Brand Created Its First Perfume 29.07.2025 46:08
Rare Beauty just dropped its most personal product yet — a fragrance — and we’re giving you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how it came to life. Joyce Kim, Chief Product Officer at Rare Beauty, joins us to talk about what it’s like working with Selena Gomez and what it takes to create products that truly resonate, beyond just going viral. We get into the development journey behind Rare Beau...
Lip Liner STAY‑N and the Rise of Sacheu: Sarah Cheung’s Founder Story 25.07.2025 29:54
This week, we’re joined by Sarah Cheung: beauty content creator turned founder of the viral brand Sacheu Beauty. You’ve probably seen (or worn) her game-changing Lip Liner STAY-N (Billie Eilish, Kirbie, and Sara are all fans!) which sells every six seconds and has redefined what it means for makeup to actually last. We chat with Sarah about the journey from filming beauty tutorials to formulating...
Ami Colé’s Goodbye, Urban Decay’s Gamble — and What It All Means for Beauty’s Future 22.07.2025 27:21
We kick off this episode with a quick trend report before diving into the news about Ami Colé. ICYMI, the brand is shutting down after four years — a major loss for the industry. We unpack what this means for beauty as a whole and how it reinforces our (unpopular) take on patronizing your favorite minority-owned brands at Target. On the flip side, Urban Decay might finally be entering a new era. W...
How to Look Better in Photos, According to Beauty Photographer Max Bronner 18.07.2025 41:26
Whether you’re taking a selfie, shooting a brand campaign, or just trying to get a decent headshot, knowing how to work a camera — or work with one — makes all the difference. This week, Kirbie and Sara chat with their dear friend and uber talented photographer Max Bronner , whose work spans beauty, fashion, and editorial, to get his expert take on how to feel confident and look your best on camer...
Retail Report: Rhode’s Sephora Era + Ulta’s Big Space NK Buy 15.07.2025 25:00
Rhode is officially landing at Sephora — but what does that mean for other brands at the retail store? Kirbie and Sara dive into Rachel Strugatz’s report on Puck and unpack how Hailey Bieber’s buzzy brand could disrupt the Sephora ecosystem. Plus, Ulta Beauty has acquired beloved UK beauty retailer Space NK — is this the first step toward UK expansion, or a move to solidify Ulta Beauty’s luxury am...
Recapping the Top Headlines of the Year, Plus Our Mid-Year Brand Winners 11.07.2025 41:06
We’re officially halfway through 2025, so Kirbie and Sara are breaking down the biggest beauty headlines of the year so far. From Rhode’s major sale and Drunk Elephant’s decline, to Kylie Jenner getting real about her boobs and the rise of Caveman Skincare, we’re recapping it all. Plus, we’re talking sunscreen drama, Lashify lawsuits, Tarte trips, Old Lady Energy, blephs, facelifts, and the brands...
Our Top 6 Beauty Tips We've Learned in 6 Years of Podcasting 08.07.2025 32:12
This week, we’re celebrating six amazing years of Gloss Angeles with six beauty lessons and tips we’ve picked up along the way. From how to sharpen your brow pencil without a sharpener to strategic powdering and drenching your face in setting spray, we’re sharing our personal game-changing tips and lessons. Plus, our incredible listeners share what they’ve learned – like powdering lashes before ma...
From Girlfriends to Global Icon: The Beautyblender Story, As Told To Us By Founder Rea Ann Silva Herself 27.06.2025 58:44
Hi Glams! Just general PSA that we will be taking the week off next week. See you for our anniversary on 7/8! She’s the mastermind behind one of the most revolutionary tools in beauty history: the Beautyblender . This week, we are joined by legendary makeup artist and founder Rea Ann Silva for a conversation that goes way beyond the sponge. Rea Ann takes us back to the '90s, reflecting on her expe...
What Was Really Going on With Those Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Set Photos 24.06.2025 31:48
This week, Kirbie and Sara are dishing on two new products they cannot stop using: Kosas’ latest mascara that somehow does it all and Colourpop’s juicy Glossy Lip Stain that delivers major shine with surprising staying power. Plus, the internet is in a tizzy over Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s hair in Ryan Murphy’s new series — is it historically inaccurate or just plain bad? We have details from Amy...
The Inimitable Isamaya Ffrench on Her Well-Rounded Beauty Career, AI, and Creating 20.06.2025 48:06
In this episode, Sara sits down with Isamaya Ffrench, boundary-pushing makeup artist, creative director, and founder of Isamaya Beauty. She shares how it all began with painting faces at kids’ birthday parties, and the wild, wonderful road that led her to creating unforgettable looks for Rihanna and redefining the rules of beauty. From her early influences in 3D art and industrial design to the mo...
Kylie Gets Candid, Gen Alpha Gets Irritated, and the Cowboys Cheerleaders Get the Tilbury Treatment 17.06.2025 28:20
This week on Gloss Angeles, we’re talking about Kylie Jenner getting real about her boob job—and why we’re here for this new era of honesty from the beauty queen herself. We’re also breaking down a new study on TikTok-fueled skincare routines among teens and tweens that has us seriously concerned for Gen Alpha’s barrier health and future sun damage. Plus, we touch on the Boy Smells Citrush relaunc...
All Things Vitamin C with BeautyStat’s Ron Robinson 13.06.2025 38:38
He’s the king of vitamin C, and he’s back on Gloss Angeles! Cosmetic chemist and BeautyStat founder Ron Robinson returns to talk all things formulation, from how vitamin C plays with other buzzy ingredients to the biggest myths still floating around TikTok skincare. We get into the truth about hybrid SPFs, what it really takes to innovate in today’s saturated market, and how Ron navigates formulat...
What's in Our Bags? Plus Pinterest's Top Summer Beauty Trends 10.06.2025 27:29
What’s in our bags? From hand sanitizer to our go-to scents, we’re spilling the contents—and the beauty products we can’t live without. From a drugstore mascara that’s been turning heads (and getting Kirbie a lot of compliments) to a new lip product from Violette_FR, we have a bunch of recs to share. We’re also breaking down Pinterest’s top summer beauty trend predictions, from “hibiscus nails” in...
Daniel Martin Returns to Talk Products He Uses on Meghan Markle, Red Carpet Mishaps, and Why He Isn’t on TikTok 06.06.2025 53:34
Celebrity makeup artist and Tatcha’s Global Director of Artistry Daniel Martin was our very first guest on Gloss Angeles back in 2019 and now he’s back, just ahead of our 6-year anniversary! In this episode, we’re digging into what’s in his kit (and what needs to be in yours), how his career has changed over the past six years, and the most chaotic parts about being a MUA. He also chats about what...
Debunking Common Misconceptions About the Rhode Acquisition 03.06.2025 37:21
Two big pieces of news this last week, and of course we’re covering what many would consider the headline of the year: Rhode was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty ahead of its third birthday. In a year when M&A has been relatively quiet (we didn’t forget you, Touchland!), this sent waves throughout the entire internet. And everyone has thoughts or at the very least questions, so we’re detailing what’s...
From the Counter to Head of Global Makeup for Too Faced with Elyse Reneau 30.05.2025 51:43
Too Faced is known for the three Fs: fun, frills and fragrance! The packaging is perky, the scents always mouthwatering. Elyse Reneau , who has been with the company 9 years as the Head of Global Makeup, joins us to share her journey from working makeup counters and thinking she wanted to be a celebrity makeup artist to landing a gig at Too Faced — a childhood dream. She breaks down several produc...
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