Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: "Being an ‘Influencer’ After 40, Plus Makeup Education With Erica Taylor"

Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Guest: Erica Taylor (Global Makeup Coach, IT Cosmetics)
Date: January 16, 2026

Overview

This episode centers on redefining what it means to be an "influencer" over 40 and the power of makeup education for all ages, especially for women navigating changing faces and beauty standards. Hosts Kirbie and Sara are joined by respected makeup educator and author Erica Taylor, known for her down-to-earth, educational approach and viral tutorials for mature skin. The candid, lively discussion covers product innovation, inclusivity in beauty, and the importance of authenticity—along with practical, empowering advice for women over 40.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Erica Taylor’s Beauty Philosophy and Platform

• Relatable Expertise: Erica shares her journey as a career makeup artist and how she became a trusted voice for women over 40 by providing answers to real beauty questions, not just trends.
  • “I really did set out for a specific group. I set out for like your face is changing, whether that be in your 30s, later, 40s, and no one's speaking to us in a cool way.” (10:42)
• Mission: To empower women to embrace change and feel seen and relevant, countering the lack of representation and ageist beauty norms.
  • “We wanna still be cool. We still are trendy, we're still relevant.” (11:04)
  • She rejects narratives that push women to “put on your mat and get your Birkenstocks out and don't do anything.” (11:02)

2. Product Talk: Innovative Foundations and Skin Tints

• IT Cosmetics ‘Do It All’ Sheer Tint Face Balm: Erica and the hosts discuss this new all-in-one product at length, praising its skin-boosting, hydrating, and user-friendly formula for all ages:
  • Kirbie: “I need full coverage on my forehead, but I don't want full coverage anywhere else. And I've been able to shear it out or, like, pack it on where I need to.” (04:21)
  • Erica: “If I just go straight up and put like an old school foundation on my face, I will look like 700 BC.” (03:47)
  • Multiple listeners from different generations find the balm easy to color-match and adaptable regardless of age.
  • Genuine user reviews highlighted, such as Bethany, a millennial: “It's easy for travel. It's full coverage without being heavy.” (04:33)
  • Common wish: Product needs an applicator; Erica recommends IT’s #7 brush for perfect application. (08:24)
• Other Favorite Products: Erica shouts out Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush (“If you know how to use it... it stays” 09:37), IT Cosmetics bronzing balm, and the talc-free Kosas highlighter.

3. Beauty Industry Ageism and Partnership Ethics

• Brand Relations: Erica is selective with partnerships—turning down collaborations that don’t authentically fit her values or audience, especially anti-aging skincare/injectables targeted at her demographic.
  • “I turn down a lot more collaborations than I do... they're shocked because they're like, well, we'll pay you more. And I'm like, it's not about that. It's not worth it. It's not worth me losing credibility for one product.” (14:41)
  • She dislikes that “when I first started as an influencer, [brands] sent me so much retinol I could take a bath.” (13:54)
• On Influencer Stigma: Erica wrestles with the label ‘influencer’ due to industry behavior contrasts and prefers to identify as an educator.
  • “I don't just even like being called an influencer. For me is. And the way some influencers behave, and it's. I get embarrassed to say I'm an influencer.” (26:11)
  • She refuses to do unboxing videos, seeing them as “look what I have and you don't” and not actionable for her audience. (26:57)
• Industry Events: Erica is often one of the oldest at brand events and notes a lack of genuine educational moments in today’s influencer trips.
  • “I'm usually one of the only... what I would say, older ones at these events. I'm like the token old lady.” (27:53)
  • She and the hosts agree that too many events are "too much showy" (28:57), preferring substance and learning.

4. Makeup for Women 40+: Common Struggles and Golden Advice

• Most Common Counter Questions: Clients feel lost matching foundation, avoiding cakey or crusty finishes, or learning new techniques as their skin changes.
  • “They don't know what they're doing... And people are embarrassed to ask. And... it's very intimidating.” (20:32)
• Education First, Always: Erica’s retail and art-teacher background means she prioritizes teaching over selling to create trust.
  • “If you teach, you never have to sell... The numbers come when you're teaching.” (18:35)
  • She customizes advice based on client needs—“I don't shop with my face, I shop with yours.” (22:34)
• Top Glow-Up Tips for 40+: (32:45)
  • Exfoliate: “Your skin doesn't exfoliate... you can put a $5 or a $5,000 foundation. It's not going nice over dead skin.”
  • Use Skincare-Infused Makeup: "Everything you should be using should be skincare infused."
  • Update Products: Ditch old-school, matte or powder products in favor of current, more forgiving formulations. “You're not wearing the same shoes or a BlackBerry."
  • Blush Placement: “Put your blush high enough so your apple fell from the tree and you don't want your cheek on your lip.” (33:19)
• Immediate Don'ts:
  • “Stop doing that old school pale foundation... too light concealer, the too light foundation. I think that's insta-aging and just is not good.” (23:21)
  • “Stop with the gray and the taupes ... it looks like you're in a black and white movie. You gotta get color ... mix in rose golds or warm browns.” (23:56)
• Lifting & Liner Tricks:
  • Catchphrases: “Over the river and through the hood. Your lid dropped. Pick your shadow up.” (24:44)
  • “Go higher than comfortably high to lift your eye. It's not a tattoo. Wipe it off.” (24:53)
  • “You can still wear a cat eye; your cat might just be in a different direction than it used to be.” (25:20)

5. Personal Connections and Community Feedback

• Erica values feedback from women who, thanks to her guidance, feel more beautiful and enjoy makeup again:
  • “It's the messages that keep me going... when the woman says to me, I felt beautiful today ... I'm enjoying makeup again. I'm having fun doing makeup.” (17:21)
  • For Erica, beauty is about confidence and self-appreciation, not vanity: “When you put your face on, you feel like you can conquer the world. It's like a Jedi mind trick." (17:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On adapting makeup for aging skin:
  • "Your face isn’t the same face that you had. Not a good or bad thing. Just a thing." — Sara (02:11)
• On being an influencer after 40:
  • "We don't have to hand our pretty away." — Erica (16:54)
• On the power of makeup:
  • "Makeup is beyond just vanity. It's the way it makes us feel. It's the extra pep it puts in our step." — Erica (17:57)
• On product application:
  • "Put your blush high enough so your apple fell from the tree and you don't want your cheek on your lip." — Erica (33:19)
• On rejecting partnerships:
  • "I wouldn't tell my sister to use this... I'm not going to tell anyone that I know to use this. I don't care what you pay me." — Erica (14:51)
• On lifting eyeshadow:
  • "Take it almost to your brow...Go higher than comfortably high to lift your eye...It's not a tattoo. Wipe it off." — Erica (24:53–25:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Erica’s Introduction & Mission: 00:41 – 02:20
• IT Cosmetics Sheer Tint Balm Deep Dive: 02:28 – 07:31
• Real-Life Listener Reviews: 04:33 – 05:47
• On Beauty Industry Ageism & Brand Partnerships: 10:42 – 15:18
• Community Messages and Confidence: 16:36 – 18:16
• Teaching vs. Selling Makeup: 18:16 – 19:41
• Top Glow-Up Advice for Over 40: 32:45 – 33:56
• Signature Makeup Techniques (Eye/Blush): 23:21 – 25:13
• On ‘Influencer’ Identity & Industry Events: 26:11 – 29:15

Tone & Style

The tone is witty, warm, and no-nonsense, combining serious beauty know-how with playful metaphors (“if I put on an old school foundation...I'll look like 700 BC” (03:47)). Both hosts and guest are frank about the realities of aging, industry bias, and the joy of rediscovering makeup at any age, making the episode both informative and affirming.

Summary:
This episode is a celebration of beauty knowledge, self-confidence, and the refusal to be sidelined by ageist industry standards. Erica Taylor personifies the modern, empowered beauty educator with practical tips, honesty about industry pitfalls, and infectious enthusiasm for helping women look and feel their best—no matter their decade.