CHEERS! with Avery Woods — Episode Summary

Episode: petit but powerful | toni bravo
Guest: Tony Bravo
Host: Avery Woods
Release Date: September 29, 2025

Overview

In this lively episode, beauty influencer Tony Bravo sits down with host Avery Woods for an in-depth, wine-infused conversation. From big purchases and self-worth to creative integrity and the realities of social media, Tony shares her personal background, path to digital stardom, and recent blush collaboration. The two also bond over home renovations, discuss navigating privacy on the internet, and end on a breezy rapid-fire session. The tone is candid, warm, and supportive, offering real insights into both the beauty industry and the personal decisions behind it.

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps

1. Introduction and First Impressions (01:43–03:07)

• Avery raves about being a longtime fan and seeing Tony’s billboard, setting a friendly, fangirl energy.
• Tony jokes about her "big personality in a small package."
  • "I'm very tiny. People think I'm like, six foot." — Tony (03:02)
  • "I am small, but I have a big personality. I think that's what it is." — Tony (03:07)

2. Big Purchases, Milestones & Social Media Motivation (03:16–05:49)

• Tony discusses buying her dream car, a Mercedes G500, as a "tangible accomplishment" in a digital career.
• The duo speaks on sharing milestones and the debate over showing material successes online.
  • "It's nice to have moments in this digital world where you're able to have an accomplishment that feels tangible because everything is so digital." — Tony (03:51)

3. Upbringing, Family & Education (05:49–09:55)

• Tony reveals she’s a California native from Long Beach, a twin with a med student sister, and comes from a tight-knit, girl-powered household.
• Studied film and business at UC Irvine, with original plans to work behind the scenes in entertainment before pivoting due to Covid and discovering content creation.

4. Beauty Origin Story & Roller Skating Days (09:55–14:15)

• Tony describes her early days experimenting with makeup, the 2016 makeup trends, and cringe-y high school beauty routines.
• Shares her love of roller skating, including daily skate park visits during Covid-era online college.
  • "Roller skating is like a full body workout. It hits literally everything." — Tony (12:01)

5. Starting as a Content Creator (14:15–16:26)

• Tony’s first foray into video was on a YouTube-style kids platform; she later posted roller skating videos for "progress," then beauty content to fill shade/inclusivity gaps.
• Her first viral beauty video centered on finding the right blush.

6. The Leap: Going Full-Time Online (16:26–20:34)

• Tony describes her rapid rise—from posting daily beauty reviews while working a corporate beauty job, to quitting after six months when brands showed interest and she secured management.
  • "Every success story, there's always a risk that has to be taken. Always." — Avery (17:53)
• Discussion shifts to “human design” personality archetypes; Tony identifies as a "manifester."

7. Tower 28 Blush Collaboration (22:31–25:53)

• Tony dives into her first product collab: a set of blushes with Tower 28, the LA-based brand’s first creator collaboration.
• Shares how her blush obsession inspired the partnership, describes the creative process, and emphasizes collaboration authenticity.
  • "For me, about filling a gap... to see it on like a real person's face in like real lighting." — Tony (16:00)
  • "It was an honor. And honestly, like, again, it just aligned perfectly. It was very, very, very, like, serendipitous as, like, a blush girly y." — Tony (25:54)

8. Advocacy, Inclusivity, and Brand Pushback (26:10–30:16)

• Tony is outspoken about diversity and inclusivity in beauty, sometimes facing brand backlash but feels a responsibility to her audience.
  • "I kind of have to. Yeah, because ultimately...me trying it and it working on me or not working for me ultimately speaks to that." — Tony (27:03)
• She stresses honest reviewing and only promoting products she genuinely likes.
  • "You get it for free... the least I can do is try it out and tell you if I like it, but also show you what it looks like on me." — Tony (29:33)
• Appreciates brands like Rhode for actually listening to feedback and improving shade ranges quickly.

9. Favorite Products: The Five Finger Faves (31:48–35:49)

• Avery and Tony bond over minimalist daily routines.
• Tony’s current top five:
  • Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Skin Tint
  • Rhode Sun Soak Blush
  • Saie Pressed Powder
  • Laneige Lip Glaze
  • Danessa Myricks Low Lighter
• "I'm a glossy lip girl. I love a glossy hydrating lip moment." — Tony (71:30)

10. Creative Integrity & Copycats on Social (36:52–41:26)

• Tony recounts discovering a brand had copied her viral "five finger favorites" video almost word for word, emphasizing the need for credit/authenticity and supporting smaller creators.
  • "When we're not crediting creative ideas to creative people, we, like, lose the plot so quickly." — Tony (39:34)
  • "If we want to see people feel like they can come up with their own creative ideas, we also need to allow people... they'll be credited." — Tony (40:50)

11. Balance & Privacy as a Public Figure (41:26–48:30)

• On setting boundaries between personal and public life: Tony prioritizes sharing only what feels sustainable; Avery discusses her own evolution, especially around sharing her children online.
  • "I've always thought it was important to have boundaries with like myself and my audience." — Tony (41:46)
  • "You're damned if you do, damned if you don't." — Avery (47:29)

12. Homeownership & Renovation Adventures (52:30–62:49)

• Both women swap stories about buying and renovating homes in their twenties.
• Tony’s Spanish-style LA home is being renovated with a focus on restoring original character, color, and distinct room moods.
  • "I want every room to have, like, let’s play around with some wallpaper...make every room its own entity." — Tony (59:32)
• They both stress the need for personal, joyful, liveable spaces—especially for content creators working from home.

13. Rapid Fire Q&A (63:23–72:57)

Notable Responses:

• Brand Inspiration: Lore Perfume — "Beautiful marketing, beautiful storytelling. I've been obsessed." (63:34)
• Creator Inspiration: Unserious, spontaneous creators like "Mickey the Lorax girl."
• Fun Fact: She’s a twin and loves to crochet/knit.
• Favorite Color: Cerulean blue, but also pink and sky blue.
• Comfort Show: “Psych” and, occasionally, “Grey’s Anatomy.”
• Dream Job (if not beauty): Entertainment host/interviewer.
• Dream Vacation: Italy, Portugal, and Mexico City.
• Snack Obsession: Pepperoncinis straight from the jar.
• Bag Staple: Glossy lip product such as Laneige or re-purchased Ami Colé (now discontinued).

14. Looking Ahead: Future Goals (71:48–73:26)

• Tony aspires to:

  • Expand into lifestyle content and long-form media (YouTube, Substack).
  • Maintain beauty as a pillar but diversify.
  • Potentially explore traditional entertainment.
  • Prioritize sustainable workflow and personal balance.

  "I want to exist on a long form capacity even more...It allows for a little bit more of a distance from consistently creating." — Tony (71:57)

Memorable Quotes

• On celebrating milestones:
  "It's nice to have moments in this digital world where you're able to have an accomplishment that feels tangible because everything is so digital, right?" — Tony Bravo (03:51)

• On inclusivity:
  "I kind of have to [speak up], because ultimately...me trying it and it working on me or not working for me ultimately speaks to that." (27:03)

• On creative credit:
  "If we want to see people feel like they can come up with their own creative ideas, we also need to allow people to feel like...they will be credited." (40:50)

• On privacy online:
  "I've always thought it was important to have boundaries with like myself and my audience." (41:46)

Notable Moments

• (03:16): Avery and Tony celebrate Tony’s dream car and the meaning of physical success markers.
• (22:42): Tony details the process and pride behind launching her Tower 28 x Tony Bravo blushes.
• (33:08): Genuine praise for Rhode’s rapid improvement in inclusivity.
• (36:58): Tony addresses creative theft, viral video copycats, and industry ethics.
• (52:47): Tony reveals buying her first house at 24 and the thrill (and chaos) of full-home renovation.
• (63:23): Fun, fast-paced Q&A covering snacks, favorite media, travel dreams, and more.
• (71:57): Tony shares her vision for a slower, more sustainable, and diverse creative career.

Conclusion

This episode is a vibrant, authentic conversation between two content creators at different stages of life, filled with practical beauty tips, career motivation, and honest takes on internet fame, privacy, and creative honesty. Tony Bravo shines as a thoughtful, driven voice in beauty and lifestyle, and Avery Woods grounds the discussion with real-world insights and humor. The episode is a must-listen for beauty fans, aspiring influencers, and anyone curious about what it's like to build a personal brand in today’s digital landscape.

Find Tony:

• YouTube: Tony Bravo
• Instagram/TikTok & others: @bonytravo
• Substack: The Delicate Decades

Host: Avery Woods
Podcast: CHEERS! with Avery Woods