Fat Mascara

Noble Panacea CEO and co-creator Céline Talabaza has seen it all in skincare. After years at some of beauty's most respected companies, she was skeptical when first asked to build a brand around a new technology, until she learned it came from Nobel Prize–winning chemist Sir Fraser Stoddart and saw the real innovation behind it. On this episode, she explains why delivery systems matter just as much as star ingredients, makes the case for single-dose packaging, and shares what it takes to be a luxury product right now.

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On this Newsroom edition of Fat Mascara, we're joined by Julia Bellary and Sasa Li of GlowJob, the podcast about beauty and business hosted by two beauty enthusiasts from the worlds of tech and finance. We discuss how the "bleph" quickly became the most popular (and possibly most casualized) plastic surgery procedure in the world, and how girlboss culture has come back tenfold: "building in public" seems to be not an option but an order if you want to stay competitive. (See: Scarlett Johansson's recently shuttered, well-respected brand, The Outset.) We also dig into one retail insider's theory that "...

Dana Capone (@thebeautylawyernyc) has a 360-degree view of the legal side of beauty, having worked with both major corporations and independent creators. (Full disclosure: She also works with Fat Mascara.) Her passion is helping people advocate for themselves, which she says is a muscle you can strengthen with every difficult conversation. In this episode, she explains her "Velvet Hammer" method for negotiating without being labeled "difficult," tips for protecting your product name, where AI fits into legal matters, how to go into business with a friend while protecting your relationship, and more. (Note: This podcast is for educational and...

Katie shares how a single Instagram question sparked the idea for her brand, KJH.Brand, now in Sephora and, until recently, entirely self-funded. (“It's quite scary,” she says of taking on investment.) We also get into why education is at the heart of everything she makes, her pet peeve about the term “self-taught,” the A-list founder group chat that keeps her sane, what it's like building a business with her husband, Tarek, and what interests her beyond beauty.

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Michelle Lee — Chief Brand Officer at Front Row and former Editor-in-Chief of Allure — joins Fat Mascara to unpack K-beauty's second wave, and why it's influencing how every brand operates. We discuss the business approach that sets K-beauty apart from the rest of the world, and drill down on the strategies K-beauty brands consistently rely on — from ingredient-first innovation and embracing multiple platforms to making every product even just 5% better. Plus, get insight into the next K-beauty trends coming down the pipeline.

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Legendary designer, performer, and the creative force that Isaac Mizrahi sits down with to talk about newly restored re-release of fashion’s favorite documentary, Unzipped, which hits theaters on September 25th before streaming in December. In this interview, we ping pong between topics like: Summers at the Jersey shore; his close friendship with the late, legendary Kevyn Aucoin; drag culture; synesthesia; Weight Watchers, Dolly Parton wisdom, what his dream beauty brand would look like, and so much more. Icon!

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A longevity doctor? In this economy? We've got her.  

Dr. Amanda Kahn — affectionately known as "The Peptide Princess" — is a board-certified internist on the Upper East Side with a blocks-long waitlist. In this episode, Dr. Kahn explains what a longevity doctor actually does, what's happening in unregulated gray markets, and the troubling trends parents need to know about (and look out for). Plus: why low ferritin may be the reason you feel foggy, the supplement brand she trusts, and the simple longevity advice that costs very little at all. 

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Jessica gathers three A-list plastic surgeons — Dr. Sean Alemi, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, and Dr. Darren Smith — for a rare joint conversation on the hottest topics in aesthetics. They break down how to actually find a great surgeon and the critical questions to ask along the way. The conversation also covers how GLP-1s are reshaping their practices, why professional aftercare is becoming more commonplace, why some patients get turned away, and the controversial neck procedure the plastic surgery community can't stop discussing. This, and so much more. 

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Erin Parsons is not a makeup artist anymore. On this episode of Fat Mascara, she explains why she quit the business at the very top, making the leap into full-time content creation in her 40s. Her niche: deep-diving into beauty history and finding a completely new audience, from 13-year-olds to makeup artists to "guys who don't care about makeup at all." ("I figured out the algorithm," she says.) Her most important contribution may just be The Makeup Archive (themakeuparchive.org), a nonprofit Parsons spent years building to research, preserve, and share beauty history.

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Manica Blain of Top Knot Ventures shares her perspective on TSG's major stake in Saltair, and what that may mean for the future of beauty. She breaks down the critical difference between "creator" and influencer brands, and the real reasons big beauty conglomerates aren't in a rush to add these brands to their portfolios. She also shares her predictions on which brands are poised for the next big deal. 

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Fragrance expert Thomas Dunckley (aka Making Sense of Scent, formerly Candy Perfume Boy) joins us to talk about GLP-1s' unexpected role in the fragrance business, his "strong feelings about dupes," and the viral Scent Sounds series, in which Dunckley pairs perfumes with iconic albums. Plus, he shares his real thoughts on PR gifting, what "fragrance people" all seem to have in common, and the fragrances you need to smell this instant.   

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Hallie Gould (Editor-in-Chief of Byrdie) and Lauren Valenti (Beauty Director of InStyle) talk about the stories getting the biggest reactions on the internet, from the kitten fur fragrance trend, Zendaya’s soft-focus blush, why spray tans are booming, CoverGirl’s Gen X pivot, and more. They also reveal some of their favorite products, from Hallie’s perfect red lipstick to Lauren’s cheap and cheerful OG mascara. 

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Beauty retail whisperer Alison Hahn is one of the industry's most sought-after experts, with a track record of identifying major players like Patrick Ta, Kayali, and Makeup by Mario. On this episode of Fat Mascara: Business Desk, Hahn talks about selling to Gen Alpha, reengaging Gen Xers, beauty dupes, the big mistake celebrity founders often make, tough vendor conversations, and more.  

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The Polyester queens, Ione Gamble and Gina Tonic, are back, and this time with a fabulous new book, The Polyester Book of (Bad) Taste. On this episode, we chat about the new plastic surgery status games, the return of old fashioned kitsch, why Charli XCX could only have exploded now, how wellness culture can be quite ableist, and more. 

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James Pecis is one of the world's most respected, in-demand hairstylists, working with celebrities like Billie Eilish for Vogue, as the key hairstylist for Chanel's runway shows, and, of course, creating memorable looks for countless fashion ads and editorials. In this episode, James talks about why he reset his pace to prioritize family and the growth of his buzzy brand, Blu & Green, a direct response to beauty's plastic problem.

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We are taking a week off from Fat Mascara as it’s not only the United State’s 250th birthday, but it’s also...it Madonna’s Confessions II release week!!! What better interview to share with you than makeup artist Marcello Gutierrez, who is currently collaborating with The Queen of Pop herself? Marcelo is a makeup artist, creative director, filmmaker, and his work can only be described as sexy, expensive, and controversial. And we had the good fortune (and maybe foresight?) to catch him in back in 2022. Enjoy this conversation.

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NYC-based sisters Chloe and Claire Lee started the Selleb newsletter as a place to discover what beauty and fashion-obsessed people are actually buying (as verified by their receipts—i.e. no sponcon, please!). Now an app, this discovery platform allows more people to share their receipts and quickly connect with others who share a similar taste “timeline.” In this Business Desk, we talk about the five brands Gen Z is actually loyal to, why Merit has such broad appeal, the Substacks people are happy to pay for, the pricey facialist who keeps popping up, and more.  

It doesn’t get bigger than Linda Wells, the founding editor of Allure magazine, branding consultant, founder of Flesh, and now a columnist for Air Mail, and the editor of Look (Air Mail’s beauty vertical). Linda was the woman who decided beauty was worthy of its own conversation, with sharp reporting, a critical eye, and of course, a sense of humor. She brings all of that to this episode of Fat Mascara, where we talk about the eyewatering cost of facelifts, how tech bros hijacked the word “longevity”, and what the uber-rich are actually buying these days.  

She also...

Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge really, really loves makeup. Yes, she works with every big fashion title and A-list celebrity (Kate Winslet, Dua Lipa), but she’s just as happy organizing her illegal pigment collection, buying vintage makeup, and studying exactly what shade of transparent red lip color her beauty icon Marilyn Monroe wore in 1952. Join us for a chat in Lisa’s NYC pop-up to discuss her beauty inspirations, makeup obsessions, and of course, pet peeves.  

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Marc Jacobs is in the building. We repeat, Marc Jacobs is in the building! On this short-but-sweet episode of Fat Mascara, the designer talks about the hotly anticipated return of Marc Jacobs Beauty, the women on his forever mood board, his ever-evolving image, his low-maintenance beauty routine, and more.  

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Sarah Jossel, author of Diary of a Beauty Editor: What Works, What Doesn't — From the Woman Who Really Knows, answers the question once and for all: what does a beauty editor actually do? Once that's established, she shares the products she actually pays for, the drugstore brand that's a dream for sensitive skin, Lisa Eldridge's life-changing advice, and more. 

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Makeup artist Kristofer Buckle returns to Fat Mascara! One of our most-requested guests, he talks about traveling the world with longtime client and friend Mariah Carey, why he got a deep plane facelift with top NYC plastic surgeon Dr. David Rosenberg (another Fat Mascara guest), the best beauty tips for women 40+, why people are obsessed with the '90s, and more. We laugh A LOT. 

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What happens when a totally established hairstylist like Barb Thompson—a woman with her own successful salon in northern California—leaves it all behind to live her dream and work alongside celebrity hairstylist/Rōz haircare founder Mara Roszak (Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde)? The two make even more magic. In this Artists’ Salon episode, Mara and Barb talk about collaboration, owning your own business, how to create cool girl hair, getting Hilary Duff’s amazing waves, and why saying less is often always more. 

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British hairdresser Sam McKnight MBE expands on his bombshell op-ed for Business of Fashion, “Hair and Makeup Artists Need a New Deal.” McKnight (with over 200 British Vogue covers to his name) pulls back the curtain on the business of beauty editorial and explains why artists often don’t get the credit, payment, or even protection that they’re owed. McKnight shares advice for all creatives from how to value yourself first to what a good agent looks like. He also opens up about working with icons like Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, Lady Gaga, and Princess Diana.   

Skincare expert, SkinRocks founder, self-described "post-menopausal grandmother who is tired of everyone's B.S.," and the most popular Fat Mascara guest to date, Caroline Hirons returns to discuss her least favorite beauty jargon, building her own brand after making money for so many others, the life-changing effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the jeans she swears by, and more. 

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Board certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali is in the Fat Mascara studio answering our listeners’ most pressing skincare questions. The Rhode dermatologist and Elm Biosciences CMO/Co-Founder gives his top solutions for under eye circles and under eye bags, shares his real feelings on the K-beauty hype, whether or not facial massage does anything, his favorite lasers for every age, and more. 

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Molly R. Stern is one of Hollywood's most sought-after makeup artists, celebrated for her luminous aesthetic and a loyal clientele that reads like a who's who (Reese Witherspoon, Maya Rudolph, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Natasha Lyonne, to name a few). We sat down with her to talk favorite products (from the best drugstore blush to the most worthwhile skincare splurge), but the best bit? Molly's perspective on navigating the kind of seismic, unpredictable changes that life throws your way. 

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When Camille Moore speaks, beauty brands listen. “The Internet’s Favorite Branding Expert” gives a mini masterclass on what all of us can do to clarify our message and be heard, whether on social media or IRL. 

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Andrea Lavinthal, People’s Executive Director of Special Integrated Projects and Greenwich Mom(TM), sits down with Jess to talk about Cindy Crawford’s polarizing (but frankly unsurprising) GRWM video, the return of the 90s zig zag headband, mommy makeovers, red light devices that work, the very best mascara, and so much more. 

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Fat Mascara relaunches this year with a conversation between makeup artists Bobbi Brown and Daniel Martin, two icons who have built their careers on natural beauty. Hear how they found their trademark aesthetic, navigated professional change, remain grounded outside of the industry, and more. 

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Jenn & Jess take a look back at some of the best moments in Fat Mascara history. We share stories about our celebrity guests, memorable moments from the past 10 years, shout outs to the super fans (you know who you are!), favorite interviews, bloopers, and more. 

We also give a huge and heartfelt thank you to our team at Redd Rock Music, especially Redd Yoachum and Enrique Hinojosa; our contributors, Garrett Munce and Julee Wilson; all our amazing guests; Embassy Row and At Will Media; and everybody else who has helped make the podcast a success since 2016, i...

This classic from the FM archives is our most popular interview ever. In it, skincare expert Caroline Hirons explains the right order to apply products and tells us how she really feels about “clean” beauty, INCI lists, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the beauty-industry patriarchy, myths about pores, acid solutions, hyaluronic acid, and more. The interview originally aired in 2020. We’ll be back next week with a new and very special episode!

In this special episode, Jenn & Jess discuss big podcast changes ahead and then unpack their bags, in a segment sponsored by Maybelline New York and Acast Creative. We also have Gen Z (Fat Mascara’s intern, Lexi) talking beauty with Gen Alpha (11-year-old Nyah) and thoughts about what’s going on at Drunk Elephant. Plus: Ole Henriksen’s biopic; another beauty Roblox game; love for Ceremonia; and Jenn’s answer to the season’s butter yellow trend.

What random body part will Big Beauty make a product for next?! Jenn & Garrett talk about it: skincare for your butt, probiotic oral care, and a new hyaluronic acid injectable gel for dry eyes. Garrett shares personal news that inspires a conversation about the connection between beauty and mental health. Plus, we raise wands to Sofie Pavitt’s mandelic serum, zit stickers that double as bandages, a teeny-tiny electric razor, and the best sunscreen for people with acne.

Beauty is a big part of today’s mental-health conversation, says psychologist, hair stylist, hair historian, and clinical therapist Afiya Mbilishaka, PhD. She’s here to talk about why hair (and caring for it) can be an entry point to mental-health services; why hair loss is so devastating; the importance of hairstylists in Black communities; and what’s really going on when someone gets breakup bangs. Plus, we talk about why hair is sacred in many cultures around the world, especially in the African cultures she’s studied. This interview originally aired in 2023 and is presented with a new intro. Enjoy!

Jenn & Jess talk about what went on behind the scenes of this week’s Met Gala. Plus: caveman skin, TikTok’s newest trend (if you can call it that); what all the brides want in their hair this wedding season; new research on glutathione; a life-size scratch-and-sniff marketing campaign; Westman Atelier Bronzing Drops vs. Saie Cream-Balm Bronzer; and some fun Raise A Wands!

You know that thing you’ve been meaning to see a dermatologist about? Now is the time to do it, says Deborah Sarnoff, MD, the president of the Skin Cancer Foundation. She’s here to bust some myths about sun protection, share her SPF knowledge, and explain exactly when, why, and how to get a skin check. This interview originally aired in 2019, but the advice and tips are timeless. 

Jenn & Julee try to figure out if they are colored-mascara people. But first: A new ($26!) vitamin C serum; the end of the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic patent; salon owners are predicting a recession; Givaudan’s new Roblox game that teaches players about fragrance; pick-me-up products for pregnant people; a hammam-like shower set; and so much more.

Victoria Jackson, the founder of No Makeup Makeup, was the first person to sell beauty via an infomercial. From there she built a makeup empire, became a medical trailblazer, and established a charitable foundation that helps fund research for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). We talk to Victoria about her start in makeup, her thoughts on social selling and beauty today, what she loves about QVC, her bookstore, and, most importantly, how she tackles challenges and works through fear and anxiety to stay positive.

Can you really call particular beauty trends conservative or liberal? Jess & Jenn discuss. Plus: Coachella is a wrap; Revolve faces a class action lawsuit for its handling of influencer endorsements; big hair is back; Jess found a facial device that does it all; and Jenn welcomes a very special 10-year-old to the virtual studio to Raise (or Lower?) A Wand.