Gloss Angeles Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: Body Odor, Hair Routines and Career Trajectories: We Answer Your Questions
Host/Authors: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
Release Date: May 9, 2025
In this engaging AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode of Gloss Angeles, co-hosts Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan tackle a variety of listener-submitted questions ranging from makeup and skincare routines to career challenges and personal self-care strategies. Despite the absence of their scheduled guest, Kirbie and Sarah seamlessly navigate through each topic, offering expert insights and personal anecdotes that resonate with their audience.
1. Opening Remarks and AMA Introduction
Due to a last-minute rescheduling of their guest, Kirbie and Sarah transform the episode into an AMA session, addressing questions accumulated from their Slack community. This impromptu format allows for a more intimate and varied discussion with their listeners.
2. Makeup Routines
a. Sarah’s Eye Makeup Techniques ([02:05] - [06:49])
Sara delves into her personalized eye makeup routine, shaped by her congenital ptosis and previous eye surgery. She explains how these factors limit her eyelid space, necessitating unique techniques to maximize her eye real estate.
Sarah: “I had to learn how to do my eye makeup at a very early age because, as many of you know, I had eye surgery when I was 3 to fix my congenital ptosis and elevate my eyelid position.” ([02:05])
Sara shares her preference for cool-toned eyeshadows from the Viseart Petite Mattes palette, emphasizing the importance of creating depth and the illusion of larger lids. She highlights her trusted makeup artists, Melissa Herkman and Donnie Davey, who understand her specific needs.
Kirby: “But in the way that you do your eye makeup really maximizes your eye real estate.” ([02:49])
b. Learning Makeup Skills ([23:42] - [27:53])
When asked about assisting friends in learning makeup without relying solely on YouTube tutorials, both hosts advocate for hands-on practice and personalized guidance.
Sarah: “Do your makeup at the end of the day before you wash your face and play, and then learn what works for your eye shape.” ([24:55])
They recommend following knowledgeable makeup artists such as Katie Jane Hughes, Alexandra French, and Rose Siard, who offer educational content that explains the purpose behind each product and technique.
3. Skincare Treatments
a. Cosmelan Peel Discussion ([06:53] - [12:35])
A listener inquiry about the Cosmelan peel, a treatment for stubborn melasma, sparks an in-depth conversation between Kirbie and Sarah. Sarah explains the procedure’s high cost (~$900) and its intensive nature, requiring an eight to nine-hour application period.
Sarah: “It's not for me. I want to take tranexamic acid pills and use the Vagus cream from Dr. Sam to, like, for a gradual improvement instead of like, just doing this.” ([10:21])
They weigh the pros and cons, noting that while effective, the Cosmelan peel may not be accessible or feasible for everyone. Alternatives such as prescription hydroquinone and gradual skincare routines are suggested for those seeking manageable solutions.
b. Alternatives for Melasma ([12:35] - [12:38])
Kirbie and Sarah emphasize the importance of affordable skincare options, encouraging listeners to seek out cost-effective treatments that align with their budgets rather than splurging on high-end products.
4. Career Trajectories and Self-Care
a. Balancing Careers and Personal Life ([12:56] - [22:46])
The hosts reflect on their ambitious careers and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance. Drawing from their Capricorn astrological sign, they discuss the societal pressures of success and the need to redefine personal worth beyond professional achievements.
Kirby: “I think too, one thing Sarah and I are really specific about on this podcast is like, we sometimes do talk about expensive products, but we also are like, do we love Clay de Peau? Yes. Can we justify a $500 face cream? Not really, no.” ([12:35])
Sarah shares her struggle with the relentless "grind" mentality, highlighting her decision to pivot from traditional publishing roles to more independent content creation avenues like Substack and their podcast.
Sarah: “The grind is not something I am aspiring to. I don't wanna go to as many events. Those things, to me, are not meaningful anymore.” ([14:42])
b. Mental Health and Self-Worth ([14:35] - [16:23])
Kirbie and Sarah discuss the importance of self-care practices, such as prioritizing sleep and setting mental health mantras to combat burnout. Sarah reveals her affirmation sign in her bathroom reminding her of her inherent worth without the need for constant achievement.
Sarah: “I had to literally put up a sign in my bathroom to myself that said, you are worthy of love. You're worthy of happiness, you're worthy of contentment without having to break your back.” ([16:07])
c. Childcare and Support Systems ([21:52] - [22:46])
Balancing motherhood with their professional lives, both hosts express gratitude for their support systems, including nannies and partners, which enable them to pursue their careers while managing family responsibilities.
Sarah: “I couldn't do it without my nannies and Matt, who never, ever protests if I'm like, I gotta go, I gotta go.” ([22:01])
5. Addressing Body Odor
a. Polite Suggestions for Friends ([28:49] - [30:05])
Kirbie and Sarah tackle the delicate topic of addressing a friend’s body odor post-exercise. They offer tactful strategies such as discreetly offering body deodorant wipes or mints without causing embarrassment.
Kirby: “I am extremely non-confrontational. So this would be really hard for me.” ([29:07])
Sarah: “Do you want a mint? I have to be like, does my breath smell? And they're like, no, but, like, everyone needs a mint.” ([29:35])
b. Deodorant Recommendations ([30:06] - [34:55])
The conversation shifts to effective deodorant options, where both hosts share their personal preferences and challenges with various products. Kirbie mentions her reliance on Mitchum despite its residue, while Sarah discusses her experiences with Dove and other brands.
Kirby: “I have been going between, like, Ban and Mitchum, because Mitchum is the one that made my Mitchell told me to use.” ([30:24])
They also explore international options and innovative products like Everyday Humans’ Sun Glide SPF lip balm, highlighting the importance of finding effective and appealing deodorant solutions.
6. Hair Routines
a. Personal Hair Care Regimens ([34:55] - [41:12])
Kirbie and Sarah divulge their individualized hair care routines, detailing their washing frequencies, preferred products, and styling habits. Kirbie emphasizes her daily washes due to oily hair, while Sarah maintains a twice-weekly washing schedule complemented by extensions and meticulous styling routines.
Kirbie: “I really wash it like every day. If not, then I'll wash it like every other day.” ([35:24])
Sarah: “I really don't wash my hair all the time. I am pretty consistent with the products I use.” ([36:09])
b. Product Recommendations ([36:09] - [40:31])
The hosts recommend a variety of hair care products, including Virtue, Ouai Detox Shampoo, IGK products, R+Co’s Television Perfect line, and dry shampoos like Living Proof and Batiste. They also discuss the efficacy of products like Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Tea Tree Detox Spray for scalp health.
Sarah: “It's time for you to start actually acknowledging me in a very serious way. I'm so tired of this.” ([37:27])
c. Styling Tips ([40:31] - [41:12])
Kirbie shares her approach to styling, using products like Rose’s root spray and Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Texture Spray to achieve desired looks without compromising hair health. They emphasize the balance between product usage and maintaining natural hair integrity.
Kirbie: “And then I use the Big Sexy Hair volumizing Dry texture spray. Either that or the Sisley hairspray because it's like, it gives you texture, but it still has some flexibility.” ([40:21])
7. SPF Lip Care
a. Recommended Products ([41:12] - [42:44])
Addressing a listener’s query about SPF-infused lip products, Kirbie and Sarah recommend Everyday Humans’ Sun Glide SPF lip balm and Bloom Effects’ tinted lip oil with SPF. They discuss the challenge of balancing sun protection with lip aesthetics, noting the prevalent issue of sunscreen tastes overpowering lip products.
Kirby: “It has SPF 30 in it, which is exactly what I look for in a lip balm that has SPF.” ([41:28])
Sarah: “I actually don't use [Bloom Effects]. That's just one of the pro.” ([42:22])
8. Data in the Beauty Industry
a. Role of Data in Beauty Trends ([42:44] - [47:04])
Responding to Mikayla DeBolt’s question about pivoting a career from data science to beauty, Kirbie and Sarah elaborate on how data-driven insights shape beauty trends and product development. They explain the significance of SEO and consumer data in informing their podcast content, emphasizing that data analytics underpin industry decisions from ingredient popularity to market strategies.
Sarah: “Data is a huge part of this podcast. We are not usually talking about things unless we think people are going to listen to it, which is a part of data in general.” ([43:34])
Kirby: “There is a lot of data backing up why that exists there. So it really is fun to, like, think about it, pick it apart.” ([43:40])
They touch upon historical trends like the CBD boom, illustrating how data forecasts can predict both the rise and fall of certain beauty ingredients based on consumer interest and regulatory landscapes.
Sarah: “But then, you know, regulatory issues are what caused that to come crashing down.” ([45:30])
b. Utilizing Data in Their Podcast ([46:44] - [47:04])
Kirbie and Sarah highlight how their podcast leverages data to understand listener preferences and industry shifts. They utilize data to decide episode topics, guest selections, and to analyze consumer behaviors, ensuring their content remains relevant and impactful.
Sarah: “If you see a specific ingredient that's been touted and it's starting to blow up, it's likely because data analysts saw that that ingredient was starting to have an uptick and starting to take off.” ([45:20])
Final Thoughts
Throughout the episode, Kirbie and Sarah demonstrate their deep expertise in beauty journalism while maintaining a relatable and conversational tone. They effectively blend professional knowledge with personal experiences, providing valuable advice and fostering a sense of community among their listeners. This AMA episode not only addresses practical beauty concerns but also delves into the more profound aspects of career fulfillment and self-worth, showcasing the multifaceted nature of their podcast.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements and promotional segments present in the original transcript to focus solely on the core content discussed by Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan.