Podcast Summary: Fool Coverage with Manny MUA & Laura Lee
Episode: So Many Makeup Brands Are Closing…Here’s Why
Date: March 27, 2026
Hosts: Manny MUA & Laura Lee
Episode Overview
In this episode, Manny and Laura dive into the surprising wave of recent makeup brand closures, dissecting the “why” behind the downfall or restructuring of both indie and celebrity beauty brands. Sharing their perspectives as influencers, beauty brand owners, and industry insiders, the duo unpacks market saturation, celebrity involvement, shifting consumer trends, and their personal journeys—especially Laura’s experience closing her own brand. The conversation balances industry analysis with personal anecdotes and plenty of their signature banter.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
Setting the Scene: Personal Peaks and Pits
- The episode kicks off with the hosts’ customary "peak and pit" segment, setting a candid, personal tone:
- Laura's Peak: Feeling inspired after being complimented in a workout (02:00)
“I was doing my thing and had no idea on Earth that I was inspiring anyone else to do anything.” – Laura Lee (03:55)
- Laura's Pit: Allergic reactions to lash lifts, yet can’t quit them (10:43)
- Manny's Pit: Lingering shoulder pain from volleyball (14:29)
- Laura's Peak: Feeling inspired after being complimented in a workout (02:00)
Show Update: Studio Transformation
- Manny and Laura announce an upcoming renovation of their podcast space, reflecting on the importance of environment for creativity and energy.
- “Your home or your space is an extension of your energy field.” – Laura Lee, quoting Jay Shetty (06:21–06:40)
- They discuss the psychological impact of clutter and why space matters, with lighthearted joking about each other's habits (07:01–08:00).
Deep Dive: Why Are Makeup Brands Closing?
[Starts ~16:14]
1. Changing Industry Trends & Investor Pressure
- The beauty industry is over-saturated, making it hard even for established or celebrity-backed brands to thrive.
- “[Investors] are here to make money…The second they see red, they’re out…they’ll cut their losses quickly to stop the bleeding.” – Laura Lee (55:11–55:31)
- There’s less cachet in novel launches; now, consumers demand value and authenticity.
2. Case Studies: Recent Brand Closures and Restructurings
Flower Beauty (Drew Barrymore)
- Quietly closed after 13 years; investors wanting to shift focus from color cosmetics to faster-growing categories (skincare, fragrance, etc.) (20:11–20:39).
- “I am shocked because she had so many amazing products…such good stuff.” – Laura Lee (21:10–21:28)
Fenty Beauty (Rihanna & LVMH)
- LVMH reportedly selling its 50% stake; the brand’s hyper-fast expansion may have contributed to market saturation (24:00–25:36).
- “At some point, you’re just coming out with…launches to try to create newness, but they already made everything.” – Manny MUA (25:10)
- “That’s not to say Fenty’s closing…but LVMH is trying to sell their stake.” – Laura Lee (25:58)
Kylie Cosmetics & KKW Beauty (Kardashian/Jenner)
- Discussion on Kim buying back KKW Beauty, and insights into how celebrity brands sometimes get rebooted under stronger umbrella brands (like Skims for Kim, 26:55–27:42).
Glossier
- Laid off a third of workforce in Feb 2026 after previous cuts; a “company reset” to regain profitability. (30:07–30:47)
- "I did not expect that from Glossier. They had the biggest store on Melrose..." – Manny MUA (30:49)
- The rise of newer, more niche brands with strong celebrity faces (like Hailey Bieber’s Rhode) is seen as siphoning Glossier’s "Clean Girl" audience (31:38–32:23).
When Beauty (Serena Williams)
- Reportedly in jeopardy after only about a year. Strategic partner collapse, heavy discounts, and minimal buzz contributed (33:13–36:06).
- “It just wasn’t talked about. No one was pushing it. I just didn’t see anything about the brand whatsoever.” – Manny MUA (35:36)
Give Beauty (Gwen Stefani)
- Shut down after only three years; even celebrity “glam girls” aren’t guaranteed longevity (39:17–39:35).
Pat McGrath Labs
- Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2026, seeking to restructure $50 million in debt (40:43–42:01).
- “At the end, it was too expensive, too creative…clean girl was coming in, and that's the opposite of Pat McGrath's brand.” – Laura Lee (42:05)
- Decline in quality and relevance as the market shifted and price points soared (43:10–44:58).
3. Industry Trends & Real-World Lessons
- Price Sensitivity: Consumers now look for high quality at accessible prices. The era of $120+ palettes is waning unless the brand offers something genuinely unique (45:03–47:42).
- Celebrity Involvement: Brands backed by celebrities who are genuinely passionate and actively involved (e.g., Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber) outperform those that are merely figureheads (40:00–40:22).
- Brand Attachment: Smaller, personality-led brands (like Laura Lee Los Angeles or Lunar Beauty) often rely on direct loyalty—which cuts both ways. After public controversies or if the brand can’t outgrow its namesake, growth stalls (50:15–53:17).
Personal Reflections: The Story of Laura Lee Los Angeles
[Detailed dialogue @ 48:26–54:24]
- Laura explains why she closed her eponymous brand:
- The beauty space was less saturated when she started, but market entry and maintenance became prohibitively expensive.
- After personal controversies, investor appetite faded, and she shifted the business from growth to a “mom & pop” model until it quietly wound down.
- “I knew then that the brand wouldn’t be able to spread its wings…It would be a small mom and pop brand until we didn’t have it anymore.” – Laura Lee (50:21)
- “Brands…have courses. It doesn’t mean that they weren’t amazing, just that the course ran as it was meant to.” – Manny MUA (53:05)
- Both hosts reflect on how influencer/celebrity brands are now built differently, often with infrastructure and investment from day one.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Your home or your space is an extension of your energy field.” – Laura Lee quoting Jay Shetty (06:21)
- “Investors are here to make money…The second they see red, they're out.” – Laura Lee (55:11)
- “I feel like Road is the new Glossier.” – Laura Lee (31:38)
- “You can't just throw money at [a beauty brand] and walk away...people are smart. Once they see it's your passion, they'll buy.” – Laura Lee (40:13)
- “Just because the ending of something isn't selling it and creating something huge with it doesn't mean it shouldn't exist.” – Laura Lee (50:17)
- “Sometimes, if the celebrity is not specifically known for beauty...it makes it harder.” – Laura Lee (34:53)
- “It used to be the novelty of a high-end thing, but drugstore has stepped their [game] up so fierce.” – Manny MUA (45:35)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:46–16:14: Banter, personal “peak/pit,” podcast studio update, importance of space
- 16:14: Transition to main topic: brand failures and industry shakeups
- 20:11–23:10: Flower Beauty closure
- 24:00–26:29: Fenty/LVMH and the perils of rapid expansion
- 27:55–28:54: Kylie Cosmetics & KKW Beauty, and launch pacing
- 29:00–32:23: Glossier layoffs, the Rhode/Glossier paradigm shift
- 33:13–36:06: When Beauty's struggle and the importance of authenticity
- 39:17–39:43: GIVE Beauty shutdown; REM & celebrity involvement
- 40:43–47:28: Pat McGrath Labs bankruptcy and high pricepoint scrutiny
- 48:26–54:44: Laura Lee’s transparent retelling of her brand’s lifecycle
- 55:11–56:08: Investor dynamics and “get in, get out” culture
Tone & Style
Casual, candid, and full of playful banter, this episode balances industry insight with personal storytelling and genuine vulnerability—especially in Laura’s recounting of her business closure. The hosts’ chemistry and openness make even the harshest industry realities feel relatable and engaging.
Conclusion
Laura and Manny provide rare honesty about the difficulties facing beauty brands today—celebrity or otherwise. Success depends on passion, relevance, consumer trust, and, increasingly, business savvy—not just hype or star power. Brand closures aren’t always failures; sometimes, they’re just part of the normal cycle in an ever-evolving, oversaturated market.