Breaking Beauty Podcast: Laura Geller on Going Viral (Again) at 67

Episode Air Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins
Guest: Laura Geller – makeup artist, QVC queen, and founder of Laura Geller Beauty

Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, beauty icons Jill and Carlene welcome legendary makeup artist and entrepreneur Laura Geller. Now 67 and a viral sensation for her accessible, age-inclusive makeup, Laura shares behind-the-scenes stories from her Broadway days, the evolution of her brand, and why embracing mature beauty is reshaping the industry. She offers pro tips, a look at makeup myths and trends, and frank behind-the-scenes commentary on age, virality, and innovation. A must-listen for anyone interested in makeup for all ages, the business of beauty, and the power of going viral—at any stage of life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Laura’s Career Evolution — From Broadway to Beauty Mogul

[03:37]

• Transition from Theatre to Entrepreneurship: Laura shares memorable moments from her early career, including working with legendary stars like Audrey Hepburn (with a humorous story about sneaked photographs and quirky actress clients).
  • “She punched me. She literally punched me…She was a nice human but eccentric.” - Laura Geller [05:30]
• Learning Makeup Fundamentals: Laura discusses foundational skills learned in stage and film that translated to her product line, including the “evolution of contour and highlight.”
  • “The first thing I learned when I studied theater and film makeup was the evolution of contour and highlight. In fact, it was my first collection that I launched on QVC in 1997.” - Laura Geller [07:14]

2. The Power (and Pressure) of Going Viral in Your 60s

[13:16], [13:41]

• Resurgence on Social Media: Laura’s classic Baked Balance and Brighten Foundation and Gilded Honey Illuminator have become viral favorites, especially among makeup lovers over 40.
  • “It’s the best feeling in the world…and I wish when I launched it, I realized the magnitude of what it was.” - Laura Geller [13:41]
• Gen X and TikTok: The demographic shift (Gen X as “gen. Excellent”) means classic products are finally getting recognition.

3. Representation of Mature Beauty

[15:42]

• Breaking Retail Barriers: Laura talks about the significance of relaunching in major retailers like Sephora and Ulta, championing visibility for women over 40 and 50 in traditionally youth-focused spaces.
  • “It says that everybody was slow to get to this. And I also didn’t lean into that when I knew that that was my consumer.” - Laura Geller [15:59]
• Changing Model Representation: Laura recounts the backlash and initial sales dip after featuring an older model on QVC, but she stuck to her values.
  • “I put an older model in the chair. And I’ll never forget that the sales went down…and people were saying it’s not aspirational…but I never stopped doing it.” - Laura Geller [16:33-17:59]

4. Product Innovation & Pro Tips

On Primers and Powders — [09:41], [24:32]:

• Spackle Primer: Laura invented one of the first under-makeup primers, inspired by her work in TV/film makeup.
  • “The whole idea of our primer…the base hasn’t changed. It creates this second skin effect, mimics the look of better skin on contact.” - Laura Geller [24:59]
• Baked Foundations for Mature Skin: Laura debunks the fear of powders, explaining her Italian-baked process that retains moisture and prevents cakiness.
  • “It starts its life as a mousse…baked on terracotta…it goes on with the ease of a powder…you don’t get the dry powdered finish.” - Laura Geller [20:01-21:08]

Tips for Application — [21:29]:

• Match makeup to skin’s needs (season, hydration, age).
• Use application tools wisely: “It’s so much in the application and what you use beforehand.” - Laura [22:09]

5. Skincare Staples for Prepping Mature Skin

[22:21]:

• Laura’s routine: Glycolic pads (from Dr. Adrienne Daness, Dr. Dennis Gross, Peter Thomas Roth), Philosophy exfoliating wash, and Beekman 1802’s goat milk moisturizer with exosomes.

6. Myth-Busting: Makeup for Mature Faces

Concealer & Coverage — [30:02]:

• “Do you have dark circles? You got to put concealer on. It may start to settle into your lines. But what do you care less about?” - Laura Geller
• Texture matters: opt for correctors before concealer for darkness, use putty-like sticks or pots for hyperpigmentation.

Eyeliner — [35:17]:

• Not out for mature women; technique matters more than the product.

  • “If you have a hooded lid…it’s incredibly important to do eyeliner because it brings out the shape of your eye.” - Laura Geller [35:17]

• Application tips: Dab liner for better coverage over textured skin, use cream crayons as a base.

• Brow Advice & Face Definition: Emphasizes the need to reshade brows (first thing to update if you’re stuck in a makeup rut) and to re-add definition as features soften with age.

  • “Frame your eye. Frame your lip and frame your cheekbones.” - Laura Geller [40:04]

7. Embracing Aging & Reinvention

• Laura’s excitement about new celebrity collaborations and event appearances in 2026.
  • “We have some unbelievable celebrity collaborations…so that’s the thing I’m most excited about. And I think for me personally, I’m going to be doing more events in different cities…meeting the people who love our brands.” - Laura Geller [43:21]

8. QVC Legacy & Viral Sales Milestones

• The thrill and exhaustion of selling out on live TV.
  • “There was a time where I could do a million dollars in one hour…A million two in one hour.” - Laura Geller [44:33]
• The mega-hit Party in a Palette (sold 70,000 in a month).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trends Repeating Itself:
  “So many old ideas on TikTok that have been rephrased... underpainting is not new. Contouring is not new. It's all the same stuff.” – Jill [03:05]

• On Going Viral at 67:
  “It’s the best feeling in the world...I wish I realized the magnitude of what it was.” – Laura [13:41]

• On Embracing Your Customer:
  “Once you learn who you are, you should be leaning into it.” – Laura [17:59]

• On Concealer Choices:
  “You got to put concealer on. So it’s an exchange. You’ll get your dark circle covered, but it may start to settle into your lines. But what do you care less about, right?” – Laura [30:02]

• On Makeup for Older Women:
  “Frame your eye. Frame your lip and frame your cheekbones.” – Laura [40:04]

• On QVC Best Day:
  “There was a time where I could do a million dollars in one hour. In one hour.” – Laura [44:33]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:37] — Laura’s Broadway beginnings and celebrity stories
• [07:14] — Stage makeup fundamentals: contour, highlight, underpainting
• [13:41] — Viral resurgence of Laura’s hero products
• [15:42] — Changing face of beauty retail and mature customer representation
• [20:01] — Why baked powders are great for mature skin
• [24:32] — The creation and evolution of Spackle primer
• [30:02] — Concealer tips for mature skin
• [35:17] — Eyeliner dos and don’ts for older eyes
• [40:04] — Restoring definition with brows, liner, and blush
• [44:33] — QVC high points: “a million dollars an hour”

Episode Tone & Closing Thoughts

The episode is warm, witty, and full of mutual respect—Laura’s candor, humor, and wisdom shine as she demystifies both beauty techniques and industry challenges. Jill and Carlene’s insider questions keep the conversation practical and relevant, especially for women navigating changing skin, trends, and self-image.

Bottom Line:
Age is not an obstacle—it's an advantage. Laura Geller's story (and legend status) proves that the beauty world is finally celebrating women at every stage, with products (and messages) that are here to stay.

For detailed product breakdowns and exclusive offers, visit the episode page on breakingbeautypodcast.com and follow @breakingbeautypodcast on Instagram.