Breaking Beauty Podcast: The #DamnGood Beauty Finds Defining Fall 2025

Podcast: Breaking Beauty Podcast
Hosts: Jill Dunn & Carlene Higgins
Episode Date: September 17, 2025
Theme: Fall 2025’s Hottest Beauty Trends & Products—From “Skin Silking” to Must-Have Mascara

Episode Overview

Jill and Carlene—longtime beauty editors turned podcast pros—return for their monthly #DamnGood episode, sharing the ultimate list of beauty trends and products shaping Fall 2025. They bring classic editorial analysis to the burgeoning artist-led brand movement, fresh launches in skin and color cosmetics, high-low product recommendations, and a candid discussion of industry shifts. The episode is packed with real-world reviews, pro tips, shade recs, and their signature witty takes on hype-vs.-substance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise of Artist-Led Beauty Brands

• [01:34 – 02:10]
  Jill and Carlene note how the newest wave of beauty innovation is coming directly from artists themselves—like Chris McMillan’s hair care line, Hung Vanngo and Mary Phillips launching makeup, and Lisa Eldridge’s continued expansion.
  Quote:
  “This is really what Sephora seems to be doubling down on...artist-led brands. …It’s kind of a throwback in a way to some of the brands that were popping off when we were, I would say, junior beauty editors.” – Jill [01:34]

• Impact:
  A sense of trust and expertise makes these brands stand out, and this “second coming” feels both nostalgic and fresh.

2. Major Trends Defining Fall 2025

• [02:10 – 03:08]
  • Matte Skin is Back: Dew’s out, soft-focus matte is in.
  • The “GLP-1 Effect”: Rapid weight-loss drugs changing facial structure are inspiring new skincare launches.
  • Watercolor/Toasty Makeup: Warm neutrals, painterly hues, and “cozy” makeup are huge, especially on TikTok.
  • Skin “Silking”: A new focus on products that deliver a buttery, petal-soft finish (see skincare picks).
  • Budget-Friendly Options: Affordable finds remain a priority alongside spendier luxury buys.

3. Standout Product Reviews & Launches

a. Lisa Eldridge Brow Architect Pencil

• [07:28 – 08:12]
• $30 US, “fills in the gaps… not too dark, a natural finish, a beautiful pencil”
  Quote:
  “This is that one shade lighter. It’s just a really natural finish and a beautiful pencil. I’m confident I’m going to use this down to the end. That one is a win for me.” – Jill [08:00]

b. Chris McMillan Glassy Smooth Blow Dry Spray

• [09:09 – 11:01]
• $36 US, detangles, smooths, shines, with heat protection
  Quote:
  “I was using one of those detangling brushes...I didn’t use a flat brush, I didn’t use a round brush, and I just feel like it feels so smooth. I’m feeling Jennifer Aniston adjacent.” – Carlene [10:51]

c. Hung Vanngo Color Story Eyeshadow Palettes

• [11:12 – 13:42]
• $49 US, 8 palettes, artist-curated, warm neutrals to orange hues, variety of finishes
  Quote:
  “Because he’s doing them in these color story families, it’s very easy for people like me—I will forever be a novice on eye makeup. I appreciate the fact that all these shades go together and you can’t really go wrong.” – Carlene [12:11]

d. Mary Phillips MPH Underpainting Palette

• [14:00 – 18:25]
• $64 US, soft diffused contour, inspired by her signature “underpainting” on Hailey Bieber, learning curve but achieves subtle sculpting
  Quote:
  “This is much more of, like, a diffused approach...not seeing these definitive lines...but it does require a learning curve.” – Jill [15:27]

e. Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader Foundation Drops & Water Tint Blush

• [18:49 – 23:14]
• $110 US (foundation), lightweight, skincare-like, “feels like nothing yet truly does everything,” diverse shade range
• $46 US (blush), “watercolor moment,” jelly texture, mineralized sea water, coconut, and fruit extracts
  Quote:
  “If I had my eyes closed and just put it on, I would think I’m putting on a moisturizer.” – Carlene [20:32]
  “It’s the most beautiful flush on skin. I’m obsessed with it.”—Jill [22:46]

f. Glossier Cloud Plush Blush

• [25:42 – 27:48]
• $26 US, creamy/demi-matte, 10 shades, playful, “fingerprint” pan texture
  Quote:
  “It’s very fun to play with. Almost like a clay texture, but it’s not dry...I highly recommend. I think it’s going to be a hit for them.” – Carlene [27:42]

g. SISLEY Phyto-Teint Primer Matte

• [29:39 – 31:12]
• $120 US, blurring, soft matte, makes foundation last, “outrageous price but performed”
  Quote:
  “To me, this is worth it. My makeup went, stayed on better. My skin looked way better.” – Carlene [30:56]

h. Maybelline Grippy Primer

• [31:12 – 31:30]
• $9 US, for “glass skin” finish, previously a show “bestseller”
  Quote:
  “I’m giving it all. And these are...not the same. I would say that gives more of a glass skin finish.” – Carlene [31:30]

i. SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum (“GLP1 effect” response)

• [35:37 – 41:38]

• $185 US, designed/tested for “Ozempic face,” targets sagging, claims visible lifting and skin tightening, but packaging is awkward and efficacy debated
  Quote:
  “I think this is going to start a whole new category of skincare.” – Jill [36:34]

• Carlene expresses skepticism:
  Quote:
  “Sagging skin is nothing new…this is just about repositioning something in a way that feels current.” – Carlene [38:47]

j. Martha Stewart’s Elm Biosciences Elemental Serum

• [42:00 – 45:30]
• $135 US, marketed for “boomers,” co-founded by a credentialed dermatologist, features “anti-senescence” complex and Bakuchiol, “milky gel texture,” includes supplements
  Quote:
  “I was ready to write this off… but I was like, you know what? This is actually… I actually would use this.” – Carlene [45:30]

k. In Beauty Project Gel Cream

• [45:45 – 46:57]
• $48 US, “skin silking”/water burst effect, peptides, more than just hyaluronic acid

l. The Ordinary Sulfur 10% Powder to Cream Concentrate (Acne budget pick)

• [47:05 – 49:25]
• $9.90 US, gentle spot treatment, less drying than Mario Badescu, invisible cream
  Quote:
  “It’s so inexpensive. I’m a big fan of it.” – Carlene [49:26]

m. Essence Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara

• [49:35 – 51:29]
• $4.99 US, long-lasting, smudge-proof, better than previous Essence tubing mascaras, “beats out premium mascaras for daily wear”
  Quote:
  “Why you would ever not use a drugstore mascara at this point is beyond me because they just win.” – Carlene [51:23]

4. Trends in Ingredient Science & Industry Shifts

• [35:37 – 40:18]
  • “GLP-1 effect” has driven major brands to test products for sagging from rapid weight loss.
  • Marker for the broader trend: repositioning and renaming of classic anti-aging ingredients (peptides, antioxidants) for “next-gen” uses.
  • Skepticism towards “Botox in a bottle” marketing by skincare brands.

5. “Skin Silking” + Water Burst Trends

• [45:46 – 47:04]
  • Moisturizers and serums with plumping, petal-soft, “silky” finishes are in, especially as transitions for seasonal routines.

6. Budget-Friendly Recap

• [47:04 – 51:29]
  • The Ordinary and Essence stand out for effective, ultra-affordable solutions.
  • “Designer for less” remains crucial even among luxury product launches.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm feeling very Jennifer Aniston adjacent.” – Carlene, on the Chris McMillan blow dry spray [10:51]
• “This is not something where I’ve gone and innovated and done something completely new...it’s the colors that matter.” – Lisa Eldridge (paraphrased by Jill) on her new brow pencils [07:47]
• “Order me a latte, I'm in.” – Carlene, embracing the “toasty” eyeshadow trend [13:13]
• “It’s the most beautiful flush on skin. I’m obsessed with it.” – Jill, on Victoria Beckham Water Tint blush [22:46]
• “It’s very fun to play with. Almost like a clay texture, but it’s not dry...I highly recommend.” – Carlene, on Glossier’s Plush Blush [27:42]
• “Sagging skin is nothing new...I think this is just about repositioning something in a way that feels current.” – Carlene, on the new SkinCeuticals serum [38:47]
• “Why you would ever not use a drugstore mascara at this point is beyond me because they just win.” – Carlene, on Essence mascara [51:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Product | |----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:34–02:10 | Artist-led brands taking over | | 03:08–03:34 | Budget-friendly and luxury product philosophy | | 07:28–08:12 | Lisa Eldridge Brow Architect Pencil | | 09:09–11:01 | Chris McMillan Blow Dry Spray | | 11:12–13:42 | Hung Vanngo Eyeshadow Palettes | | 14:00–18:25 | MPH by Mary Phillips Underpainting Palette | | 18:49–23:14 | Victoria Beckham Foundation & Blush Water Tint | | 25:42–27:48 | Glossier Cloud Plush Blush | | 29:39–31:12 | Sisley Phyto-Teint Primer Matte | | 31:12–31:30 | Maybelline Grippy Primer | | 35:37–41:38 | SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Serum & discussion of “GLP1 effect” | | 42:00–45:30 | Martha Stewart Elm Biosciences | | 45:45–46:57 | In Beauty Project Water Burst Gel Cream | | 47:05–49:25 | The Ordinary Sulfur 10% Powder to Cream | | 49:35–51:29 | Essence Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara |

Final Takeaways & Listener Engagement

• Product Variety: A balance of luxury “spendy” picks and their budget “dupes.”
• Industry Shifts: Emphasis on science-backed claims, inclusivity, and transparency—with a healthy dose of skepticism for overblown marketing.
• Tonal Vibe: Fun, candid, and informed—Jill and Carlene “can’t help themselves” when it comes to analyzing industry direction, but always keep it approachable: “We’re glowing already!”
• Get Involved: Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation via Instagram (@breakingbeautypodcast), YouTube, Substack, and their private Facebook Group.

For product links, promos, and the “Budget Babes” recap, check out the episode web page or linked description.

Next episode: Legendary pro, Bobbi Brown!