Gloss Angeles Episode Summary: "Ami Colé’s Goodbye, Urban Decay’s Gamble — and What It All Means for Beauty’s Future"

Release Date: July 22, 2025

In this poignant and insightful episode of Gloss Angeles, co-hosts Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan delve deep into two major happenings in the beauty industry: the heartbreaking closure of Ami Colé, a beloved Black-owned beauty brand, and the bold new directions taken by Urban Decay. The conversation is enriched with expert opinions, personal reflections, and actionable insights, making it a must-listen for beauty enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.

1. The Closure of Ami Colé: A Loss for Black-Owned Beauty Brands

Announcement and Background The episode opens with the somber news that Ami Colé, a prominent Black-owned beauty brand founded by Jada and Daya Mbaye, is shuttering its operations. The brand, known for its premium cosmetics stocked at Sephora and backed by L'Oréal, confirmed its closure in September [08:25].

Founder's Journey and Challenges Kirbie and Sara reflect on Jada Mbaye’s journey, highlighting her initial success fueled by the surge in support for Black-owned businesses post-2020. Jada’s candidness in her New York Magazine piece for The Cut reveals the systemic challenges she faced, from securing sustainable funding to managing fluctuating inventory demands [08:28].

Industry Implications The hosts discuss the broader implications of Ami Colé's shutdown, emphasizing the precarious nature of the beauty industry for minority-owned brands. Kirbie states, “If Ami Colé is struggling, how are other brands without similar support going to survive?” [12:04]. They critique the role of major retailers like Target, arguing that while Target supports a diverse range of brands, the pressure to maintain inventory and sales can lead to the downfall of even well-loved brands [10:42].

Community Reactions and Support Highlighting community responses, Sara shares a poignant tweet from Kayla Greaves, urging consumers to support Black-owned brands instead of engaging in performative activism. Kirbie adds, “Ami Colé is truly made for Black and Brown women... it's as good as any other brand” [14:25]. The hosts express hope that increased visibility and community support might lead to Ami Colé’s revival, stressing the importance of persistent patronage [17:41].

Notable Quotes:

• Sara: “There is just no future in this industry if we are not supporting Black-owned beauty brands.” [13:59]
• Kayla Greaves (via Twitter): “Instead of rants, use social media space to support the ones who do.” [14:22]

2. Urban Decay’s Bold New Moves: Reclaiming Its Edgy Identity

New Appointments and Campaigns Shifting gears, Kirbie introduces Urban Decay’s latest strategic moves, starting with the appointment of Lockie Stonehouse as the new Global Makeup Artist in Residence [18:40]. Lockie, renowned for his daring and editorial makeup artistry, is seen as a beacon of the brand's renewed commitment to edgy and expressive beauty.

Urban Decay’s Anti-Blandemic Campaign The hosts dissect Urban Decay’s provocative campaign featuring Ari Kitzia, a 24-year-old sex worker and OnlyFans personality. Through a satirical public service announcement titled “The Blandemic,” the campaign criticizes the industry’s shift towards minimalistic and conformist makeup looks [21:14]. Kirbie remarks, “This is probably the funnest thing I've seen in months,” praising the brand’s return to its rebellious roots [22:33].

Reinvigorating the Brand’s Edge Kirbie and Sara draw parallels between Urban Decay’s former edgy persona and its current resurgence. They highlight how collaborations with unconventional figures like Ari Kitzia and Lockie Stonehouse signify a strategic pivot towards embracing individuality and artistic freedom. Sara notes, “This is the future of beauty and artistry,” underscoring the brand’s alignment with contemporary cultural shifts [25:21].

Impact on the Beauty Industry The hosts believe Urban Decay’s bold moves will inspire other brands to prioritize creativity and authenticity over homogenized beauty standards. Kirbie highlights the importance of such strategies in attracting younger generations and fostering a diverse, inclusive beauty landscape [26:10].

Notable Quotes:

• Ari Kitzia (via Urban Decay video): “It's time to end this plague of dry because I'm not turned on and neither are you.” [21:46]
• Kirbie: “Urban Decay is getting back to business... it's a breath of fresh air.” [23:37]

3. Current Beauty Trends and Product Recommendations

Tiny Lipsticks: The New Must-Have Kirbie and Sara discuss the rising trend of miniature lipsticks, likening their sleek, pen-like design to that of cigarettes, adding a touch of nostalgia with 90s model and Kate Moss comparisons [02:00]. They enthusiastically recommend upcoming products like Valentino Balms, praising their versatile shades suitable for summer [03:20].

Favorite Products Spotlight

• NARS Pot Concealer: Kirbie shares her revamped technique for using the product, emphasizing its full coverage and unique texture, which she finds game-changing for issues like melasma [04:21].
• Hourglass Eyeshadows: Both hosts laud Hourglass for their high-quality eyeshadows and brushes, considering them a staple despite not unveiling any new exciting products recently [02:31].
• Fito Sernaz Sisley: High praise is given to these long-lasting products, with Kirbie humorously noting their likely expired status yet refusing to discard them [05:44].

Notable Quotes:

• Kirbie: “If you want to feel fucking hot, put on some makeup.” [26:14]
• Sara: “It's the act of doing makeup... it just makes all the difference.” [26:14]

4. Community Engagement and Future Outlook

Call to Action for Listeners Towards the end of the episode, Kirbie and Sara invite their listeners to engage by sharing their thoughts on Ami Colé’s closure and Urban Decay’s new direction via Spotify comments and their social media platforms [27:25]. They emphasize the importance of community support in shaping the future of the beauty industry.

Optimistic Future for Beauty Despite discussing closures and industry challenges, the hosts maintain an optimistic outlook. They express hope that the backlash against Ami Colé will lead to increased support for minority-owned brands and that Urban Decay’s strategic shifts will inspire broader change towards inclusivity and artistic freedom in beauty [17:41].

Conclusion

In this episode, Gloss Angeles delivers a compelling narrative on the current state and future of the beauty industry. Through heartfelt discussions on Ami Colé’s closure and Urban Decay’s strategic gamble, Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan shed light on the systemic issues facing minority-owned brands while celebrating the resurgence of creativity and inclusivity. Their blend of expert insight, personal anecdotes, and community-focused dialogue makes this episode both informative and emotionally resonant.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Kirbie Johnson:

  • “Urban Decay is getting back to business... it's a breath of fresh air.” [23:37]
  • “If you want to feel fucking hot, put on some makeup.” [26:14]

• Sara Tan:

  • “There is just no future in this industry if we are not supporting Black-owned beauty brands.” [13:59]

• Ari Kitzia (via Urban Decay video):

  • “It's time to end this plague of dry because I'm not turned on and neither are you.” [21:46]

• Kayla Greaves (via Twitter):

  • “Instead of rants, use social media space to support the ones who do.” [14:22]

Final Note: To stay updated with the latest in beauty trends, industry news, and insightful discussions, tune into future episodes of Gloss Angeles every Tuesday and Friday.